Features of flow and engagement of activities in solo voice performance

Abstract

That music and flow are strictly linked had been established; but how contextual factors impede flow of musical activities in solo voice performance has only been partially attempted. This study is set to identify the dimensions of flow in musical performance of three solo singers with a view to examining how flow takes place in a musical and non-musical context. Qualitative survey and questionnaire have been the instruments in measuring flow. In this study however, participant observation has been included to justify the ethnomusicological outlook of the study. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted on three voice students in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Data collected were collated, transcribed verbatim and analysed within the flow dimensional framework. To promote triangulation in this study, participant observation session was also conducted during rehearsal without the accompanist and in another session with the accompanist. The result of the qualitative study shows that the flow state of the singers was impeded by technical challenges like infrastructure (electricity, un-tuned piano). The result also shows the initial anti-flow of anxiety; boredom and apathy. The study concluded that, although the singers perform the same musical pieces and under the same circumstance, flow levels of solo singers may likely differ. Inference drawn from this is that variation in and dimension of flow depend largely on individual differences.