Doctorate of Creative Industries Project 1
(Research 2016)
Precis
Continuing on from my previous blogs in this series; as I am now at the end of my second year of my post-graduate academic research studies, I felt it is important to revisit and develop my Charter of Values and Beliefs v1 of goals, values and beliefs for both myself and my music practice.
I have taken the liberty to re-post my findings at the end of Year 1 as I have gained considerable more insight relative to the last post I made on the 25th April 2016.
(Self Reflection 2016)
Over the course of the seven (7) months of life, music practice and reflective practice, I have crystallised my thoughts and understandings, and gained fresh levels of clarity about my self and practice. The most notable development to the Year 1 (2015) Charter of Values and Beliefs v1 was over the last quarter of this year, in my efforts to balance full-time work and full-time research study commitments, and family responsibilities, I became quite stressed. In re-reading my Charter, I reassessed the order and priority of my item 1b. In the original 2015 description I had listed 1b as being:
1b. Self: I strive to be balanced, to be a balanced, functional human being – affective, expressive and communicative – mentally, physically, spiritually [Goal]. Whilst being very busy, I believe I have balance in my life. I believe I am a balanced, functional human being – affective, expressive and communicative – mentally, physically, spiritually [Belief]
However, over the last three months of 2016 I appraised my self as being anything but balanced. I have now reflected and found that this imbalance has come as a result of choosing to overlook the balance of my spiritual, physical and mental being.
In the 2015 listing, I had ordered the three areas of priority as being mentally, physically and spiritually. However, in reflecting on these areas, I realised that their priority was incorrect for me, and my priority was in fact the reverse order of this: spirituality was my highest priority, followed by physical, and then followed by intellectual – mental. In my addressing my imbalance, by focussing on the order of these in terms of spiritual, physical and mental I quickly returned to a greater degree of balance.
As I had essentially looked over the spiritual aspect in my original Charter, I recognised the oversight of this, and therefore I added some additional points in, including 1b for example.
1b. Self: In life, I value a spiritual approach to life – to experience, to learn, and to develop respect and acceptance [Value]. I strive to maintain spiritual balance within my life – to experience, to learn, and to develop respect and acceptance [Goal]. I believe we are spiritual beings, engaging in a human experience. I believe my human journey is to resolve the limitations, contradictions and inconsistencies of being human – to experience, to learn, and to develop respect and acceptance – and to engage congruently within the physical world [Belief]. [see *Note above].
I remain surprised with the number of occasions that I have been confronted by a range of thoughts, feelings, observations, recollections – positives and learnings – and highlighted behavioural patterns over the course of my life, relative to my music practice. Over the past seven (7) months of embarking on my research study, I have increasingly developed a clearer understanding of who I am as a self, and as a creative practitioner. No doubt this view is likely to continue to develop as I progress with my research study, but given I was nearing the completion of Project 1, I felt it was timely to update my Charter of Values and Beliefs.
(DLP 2016)
DLP’s Charter of Values and Beliefs v2
Year 1 Research Study Part 1a – who I know I am now
1a. Self: In life, I value a holistic perspective [Value]. I strive to consider life from a global holistic perspective [Goal]. I believe I consider my life and varied forms of practice from a global holistic perspective [Belief]
1b. Self: In life, I value a spiritual approach to life – to experience, to learn, and to develop respect and acceptance [Value]. I strive to maintain spiritual balance within my life – to experience, to learn, and to develop respect and acceptance [Goal]. I believe we are spiritual beings, engaging in a human experience. I believe my human journey is to resolve the limitations, contradictions and inconsistencies of being human – to experience, to learn, and to develop respect and acceptance – and to engage congruently within the physical world [Belief]. [see *Note below].
1c. Self: In life, I value balance [Value].I strive to be balanced, to be a balanced, functional human being – affective, expressive and communicative – spiritually, physically and mentally [Goal]. Whilst being very busy, I believe I have balance in my life. I believe I am a balanced, functional human being – affective, expressive and communicative – spiritually, physically and mentally [Belief]
[*Note: though I became quite imbalanced over the last three months of 2016, by choosing to overlook the balance of my spiritual, physical and mental being. I am happy to report though, this balance has mostly returned by the close of the year].
1d. Self: In life, I value diversity of orientation [Value]. I am very end product/goal-orientated with actions; and I also very process-orientated with expression and reflection [Goal].Being contrast orientated, I believe I have a great opportunity in life. I believe I am target-orientated and effective and efficient in realising personal goals: I believe I do not waiver from my focus. However along the journey, I believe I am process-orientated in my expression and reflection. I believe I immerse my self in the process [Belief] [see *Note above].
1e. Self: In life, I value physical connection [Value. I strive for physical connection in everything I do [Goal]. I believe I am a physical being – a tactile being, a kinesthetic being, a sensual being [Belief] [see *Note above].
1f. Self: In life, I value an open intellect/mindfulness [Value]. I strive to approach life with an open and inquiring mind [Goal]. I believe I approach most aspects of my life with an open and inquiring mind, applying thought and mindfulness [Belief]
1g. Self: In life, I value emotion [Value]. I strive to be emotionally connected [Goal]. I believe I am an affected being [Belief][see *Note above].
1h. Self: In life, I value joy [Value]. I strive to be connected to joy and happiness [Goal]. I believe I am a joyful being [Belief][see *Note above].
1i. Self: I value a sincere and deep level of engagement with others [Value]. I aspire to engaging with others in a sincere way, and to a deep level of engagement with others [Goal]. I believe I engage with others in a sincere way, and to a deep level of engagement with others – in a genuine and congruent manner [Belief][see *Note above].
1j. Self: I value nurturing as a human quality [Value].I aspire to be a nurturing soul [Goal]. I believe I am a nurturing soul [Belief] [see *Note above].
Year 1 Research Study Part 1b – who I know I am now as a practitioner
2a. Self & Practice: In my life I value self-reliance [Value]. I aspire to being self-reliant [Goal]. I believe I am able to be self-reliant in most aspects of my life, but choose to, or not to as I see appropriate [Belief][see *Note above].
2b. Self & Practice: I value a high standard of practice [Value]. I aspire to execute a high standard of practice [Goal]. I believe I operate at a high standard of practice in most areas of my life [Belief].
2c. Self & Practice: I value a high volume of post-training practice (10,000 hours) in order to develop a professional level of knowledge and skill in that practice [Value]. In any form of new practice I choose to learn, I set the goal on 10,000 hours of post-training practice in order to develop a professional level of knowledge and skill in that practice [Goal]. The forms of practice I have developed a professional level of knowledge and skill in, is the result of having invested 10,000 hours of post-training practice [Belief].
2d. Self & Practice: I value diversity of orientation in my practice [Value]. I am very end product/goal-orientated with actions; and I also very process-orientated with expression and reflection [Goal]. Being contrast orientated, I believe I have a great opportunity in life. I believe I am target-orientated, effective and efficient in realising goals for my practice: I believe I do not waiver from the output focus for that practice. However within practice, I believe I immerse my self in the process of practice with my expression and reflection [Belief] [see *Note above].
2e. Self & Practice: I value a complex multi-dimensional approach to practice [Value]. I aspire to execute a complex multi-dimensional approach within my practice [Goal]. I believe I execute a complex multi-dimensional approach within my practice [Belief].
2f. Self & Practice: I value spontaneity (being spontaneous = freedom for DLP) [Value]. I aspire to spontaneously – effortlessly, naturally – alter my practice as I see fit/appropriate [Goal]. I believe I operate in a spontaneous manner – effortlessly, naturally, within my practice [Belief].
2g. Self & Practice: In my life I value being prepared [Value]. I aspire to being prepared in all situations, facilitating optimum engagement and maximizing the opportunity of an optimum experience for others [Goal]. I believe I prepare thoroughly for my practice, facilitating optimum engagement and maximizing the opportunity of an optimum experience for others. I believe such preparation is an integral part of the practice process [Belief] [see *Note above].
2h Self & Practice: In my life I value appearing to be in a relaxed state [Value]. I aspire to appearing to be in a relaxed state in all situations, enabling the execution of what appears to be an effortless/natural/automatic high level of practice; in turn facilitating optimum engagement and maximizing the opportunity of an optimum experience for others [Goal]. I believe I prepare thoroughly for my practice, prior to practice, in order to be in a relaxed stated at the time of public practice (ie the performance). Being in this state in turn facilitates optimum engagement and maximizes the opportunity of an optimum experience for others. I believe such a relaxed state in public performance is a key element of the practice process [Belief] [see *Note above].
2i. Self & Practice: I value practice that provides opportunities for nurturing [Value]. I aspire to practice that provides opportunities to nurture (both my self and others) [Goal]. I believe I engage in practice that provides opportunities to nurture (both my self and others) [Belief][see *Note above].
Year 1 Research Study Part 1c – who I know I am as a practitioner
3a. Social and Cultural contexts: I value social and cultural diversity [Value]. I strive to live across a very wide and broad range of social and cultural contexts – countries and cultures in my life [Goal]. I believe I embrace a very wide and broad range of of social and cultural contexts – countries and cultures in my life [Belief].
3b. Social and Cultural contexts: I value equal opportunity for all – irrespective of gender, race, sexual preference, impairment [Value]. I strive to provide equitable levels of service and practice for all – irrespective of gender, race, sexual preference, impairment [Goal].I believe I assist people by providing equitable levels of service and practice for all – irrespective of gender, race, sexual preference, impairment [Belief].
3c. Social and Cultural contexts: I value opportunity for all for learning and development to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… (what I refer to as “community education”) [Value]. I strive to assist people to gain an opportunity for learning and development – helping them to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… – (what I refer to as “community education”) [Goal]. I believe I assist people to gain an opportunity for learning and development – helping them to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… – (what I refer to as “community education”) [Belief].
3d. Social and Cultural contexts: I value opportunities in contexts that provide opportunities for nurturing [Value]. I aspire to practice in contexts that provides opportunities to nurture (both my self and others) [Goal]. I believe I engage in practice in contexts which provides opportunities to nurture (both my self and others) [Belief].
Year 1 Research Study Part 1d – who I know I am as a music practitioner
4a. Music Practice: I value diversity of orientation in my practice [Value]. I strive to exercise both a goal-orientation (product), and a process-orientation (process) with my music practice [Goal].Being contrast orientated, I believe there is a great opportunity in my music practice. I believe my target-orientation allows me to effectively and efficiently realise goals for my music practice, not wavering from the output focus for that music practice. However within my music practice, I believe I immerse my self in the process of the music practice with my expression and reflection for creative benefit [Belief].
4b. Music Practice: I value social and cultural diversity of music style [Value].I strive to experience and be influenced by a very wide and broad range of diversity of music styles in my life [Goal]. I believe I am open to experience and be influenced by a very wide and broad range of diversity of music styles [Belief].
4c. Music Practice: I value the practice of music in a supportive environment or culture [Value]. I strive to practice music in a supportive culture and environment in my life [Goal]. I believe I practice music in a supportive culture and environment [Belief]
4d. Music Practice: I value the practice of music to assist people to gain an opportunity for learning and development – helping them to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… – (what I refer to as “community music education”) [Value]. I strive to practice music to assist people to gain an opportunity for learning and development – helping them to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… – (what I refer to as “community music education”) [Goal]. I believe the practice of music can assist people to gain an opportunity for learning and development – helping them to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… – (what I refer to as “community music education”) [Belief]. I believe I practice music to assist people to gain an opportunity for learning and development – helping them to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… – (what I refer to as “community music education”) [Belief].
4e. Music Practice: I value the practice of music which provide opportunities for nurturing [Value]. I aspire to practice music which provides opportunities to nurture (both my self and others) [Goal]. I believe I engage in the practice of music to provide opportunities to nurture (both my self and others) [Belief]. I believe I practice music in a manner that is nurturing (of both my self and others) [Belief].
Year 1 Research Study Part 1e – who I know I am as a music practitioner
5a. Composition & Performance: I value diversity of orientation in my composition and performance practice [Value]. I strive to exercise both a goal-orientation (product), and a process-orientation (process) with my composition and performance practice [Goal]. Being contrast orientated, I believe there is a great opportunity in my composition and performance practice. I believe my target-orientation allows me to effectively and efficiently realise goals for my composition and performance practice, not wavering from the aim and objective focus for that practice. However within that practice, I believe I immerse my self in the process of the composition and performance practice with my expression and reflection for creative benefit. I believe I am in the moment during that practice [Belief].
5b. Composition & Performance: I value compositions combining a range of music and sonic textures, appropriate to the music style [Value]. I strive to create compositions integrating a range of music and sonic textures into all of my compositions and performances, appropriate to the music style [Goal]. I believe I integrate a range of music and sonic textures into all of my compositions and performances, appropriate to the music style [Belief].
5c. Composition & Performance: I value compositions combining a range of music and sonic textures, woven together in a holistic cohesive manner [Value]. I strive as a music practitioner to create and play compositions combining a range of music and sonic textures, woven together in a holistic cohesive manner [Goal]. I believe as a music practitioner, I create and play compositions combining a range of music and sonic textures, woven together in a holistic cohesive manner [Belief].
5d. Composition & Performance: I value performing the instruments and musical parts I play, in and around other instruments, integrating/gluing all of the instrumental music and sonic textures together [Value]. I strive to perform the instruments and musical parts I play, in and around other instruments, integrating/gluing all of the instrumental music and sonic textures together [Goal]. I believe I perform the instruments and musical parts I play, in and around other instruments, integrating/gluing all of the instrumental music and sonic textures together [Belief]
5e. Composition & Performance: I value composing and performing music that is nurturing of both my self and others [Value]. I aspire to compose and perform music that is nurturing of both my self and others[Goal]. I believe I compose and perform music that is nurturing of both my self and others [Belief].I believe I practice music in a manner that is nurturing of both my self and others [Belief].
Year 2 Research Study Part 2a – who I am discovering/accepting my self to be as a practitioner
6a. Self & Professional Practice: I value diversity of orientation in my professional practice [Value].I strive to exercise both a goal-orientation (product), and a process-orientation (process) with my professional practice [Goal]. Being contrast orientated, I believe there is a great opportunity in professional practice. I believe my target-orientation allows me to effectively and efficiently realise goals for my professional practice, not wavering from the aim and objective focus for that practice. However within that professional practice, I believe I believe I am in the moment. I immerse my self in the process of that practice with my expression and reflection, for great benefit to both my self and my practice. [Belief].
6b. Self & Professional Practice: In my life I value reflection – conscious, deliberate, systematic, interrogative introspection in order to consider, critically analyse and appraise my self and my practice [Value]. I aspire to being reflective – conscious, deliberate, systematic, interrogative introspection in order to consider, critically analyse and appraise my self and my practice (family, music, education, research and management & governance) as appropriate [Goal]. I am able to be reflective – conscious, deliberate, systematic, interrogative introspection in order to consider, critically analyse and appraise my self and my practice (family, music, education, research and management & governance) as appropriate [Belief].
6c. Self & Professional Practice: In my life I value ongoing development – constant and never-ending reflexive practice, in order to maintain proactive development of my self and my practice [Value]. I aspire to ongoing development – constant and never-ending reflexive practice, in order to maintain proactive development of my self and my practice (family, music, education, research and management & governance) as appropriate [Goal]. I believe I am committed to ongoing development – constant and never-ending reflexive practice, in order to maintain proactive development of my self and my practice (family, music, education, research and management & governance) as appropriate [Belief].
6d. Self & Professional Practice: I value varied motives of practice [Value]. I strive to practice resulting from many varied motivations [Goal]. I believe I practice as a result of:
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Discovery (to use music practice as a medium for exploring, attempting to do something which you haven’t done previously);
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Technically (to technically develop one’s skills);
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Social (to connect to others);
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Affectively (to express or connect to emotion);
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Aesthetically (for expression or engagement in something artistic or of beauty);
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Creatively (for action, just to do);
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Physical (for physical expression, for exercise];
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Commercial (for income generation purposes);
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Educational (to demonstrate specific practice to my students, live or in preparation);
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Cathartic (for self-development or intervention purposes. For me to connect with my emotions – to notice, to reflect, to acknowledge the emotion, and their significance, to work through that emotional experience – to deal with specific and/or significant events, and hopefully in doing so, move beyond certain emotions associated with these significant events, developing my self);
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Performance (to maximise my performance standard, and what others get to see of me/ practice);
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Nurturing (core to my Charter of Values is nurturing – nurturing of self and others. I demonstrate in my education & learning practice; nurturing of both others (eg when I am ‘performing’ either a} and myself in my creative practice; and nurturing of myself in my research practice) [Belief].
6e. Self & Professional Practice: In my life I value nurturing [Value]. I aspire to be nurturing being – of my self and others – across my areas of my practice (family, music, education, research, practice) as appropriate [Goal]. I believe I am a nurturing being – of my self and others – across my areas of my practice (family, music, education, research, practice) – a social carer, an encourager, a coach, a mentor, an educator, a friend…. as appropriate [Belief].
(DLP 2016)
As I developed my Research Study through Project 1 in the second year of my doctoral studies, I developed my Charter of Values and Beliefs progressively, and updated the following as of 31st December 2016.
Year 2 Research Study Part 2b – who I am discovering/accepting my self to be as a music practitioner
7a. Self & Music Practice: As a contemporary music practitioner, I value the practice of music across all of the six (6) stages of music practice: performance, creation, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution [Value]. As a contemporary music practitioner, I strive to practice music across all of the six (6) stages of music practice: performance, creation, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution[Goal]. As a contemporary music practitioner, I believe I practice music across all of the six (6) stages of music practice: performance, creation, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution [Belief].
7b. Self & Music Practice: I value music primarily for its affective, expressive and communicative qualities [Value]. I strive to perform and compose music primarily for its affective, expressive and communicative qualities [Goal]. I believe I perform and compose music primarily for its affective, expressive and communicative qualities [Belief]
7c. Self & Music Practice: I value the practice of music motivated by a diversity of intentions – the majority of which are non-commercial [Value]. I strive to practice music motivated by a diversity of intentions in my life – the majority of which are non-commercial [Goal]. I believe I practice music motivated by a diversity of intentions – the majority of which are non-commercial such as:
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Discovery (to use music practice as a medium for exploring, attempting to do something which you haven’t done previously)
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Technically (to use music practice as a medium to practice one’s craft, and technically develop one’s craft skills)
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Social (to use music practice as a medium for social interaction purposes, to connect to others [communicative])
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Affectively (to use music practice as a medium to express or connect to emotion)
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Aesthetically (to use music practice as a medium for expression or engagement in something artistic or of beauty)
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Creatively (to use music practice as a medium for action, just to do [expressivity])
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Physical (to use music practice as a medium for physical expression, for exercise]
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Commercial (to use music practice as a medium for income generation purposes)
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Educational (to demonstrate specific music practice to my students, live or in preparation)
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Cathartic (self-development or intervention purposes. For me to connect with my emotions – to notice, to reflect, to acknowledge the emotion, and their significance, to work through that emotional experience – to deal with specific and/or significant events, and hopefully in doing so, move beyond certain emotions associated with these significant events, developing my self)
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Performance (where my primary motive is to perform, and therefore all creation and creative development is built upon wanting to maximise my performance standard, and what others get to see of me/my art/my music practice
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Nurturing (core to my Charter of Values is nurturing – nurturing of self and others. I demonstrate in my education & learning practice; nurturing of both others (eg when I am ‘performing’ either a} and myself in my creative practice; and nurturing of myself in my research practice) [Belief]
7d. Self & Music Practice: I value the practice of listening to music on any of the three levels: holistic, associative, or critical and analytical listening [Value]. I strive to practice listening to music on any of the three levels: holistic, associative, and critical and analytical listening [Goal]. I believe I practice listening to music on all of the three levels: holistic, associative, and critical and analytical listening [Belief].
7e. Self & Music Practice: I value the practice of music of a range of cultural origins [Value]. I strive to practice music across of a range of cultural origins [Goal]. I believe I practice music across a range of cultural origins [Belief]
Year 2 Research Study Part 2c – who I am discovering/accepting myself to be as a music practitioner
8a. Self & Music Practice: I value the practice of music across a range of diverse technologies [Value]. I strive to practice music across a range of diverse technologies [Goal]. I believe I practice music across a range of diverse technologies [Belief].
8b. Self & Music Practice: Intuitively, I value physical instruments that emit vibrations and resonances, of a style and size I can physically embrace [Value]. I intuitively research across a range of physical instruments to play that emit vibrations and resonances, of a style and size I can physically embrace [Goal]. I believe I intuitively search for and play a range of physical instruments that emit vibrations and resonances, of a style and size I can physically embrace [Belief].
8c. Self & Music Practice: I value the practice of music in a range of diverse sites, where one site’s practice can influence and/or inform another form of practice in another site [Value]. I strive to practice music in a range of diverse sites, where one site’s practice can influence and/or inform another form of practice in another site [Goal]. I believe I practice music in a range of diverse sites, where one site’s practice such as live performance influences and informs another form of practice in another site such as studio performance; which in turn can influence and inform another form of practice such as live performance [Belief].
8d. Self & Music Practice: I value the practice of music across a range of diverse holistic work practice, including compositional songs and soundtracks [Value]. I strive to practice music across a range of diverse holistic work practice, including compositional songs and soundtracks [Goal]. I believe I practice music across a range of diverse holistic work practice, including compositional songs and soundtracks [Belief].
8e. Self & Music Practice: I value the practice of music across a range of diverse (micro) workflows [Value]. I strive to practice music across a range of diverse (micro) workflows [Goal]. I believe I practice music across a range of diverse (micro) workflows [Belief].
Year 2 Research Study Part 2d – who I am discovering/accepting my self to be as a music practitioner
9a. Composition & Performance Technology: I value a diversity of technology in the creation and layering of musical and sonic textures within the music practice of composition and performance – analogue, digital or digital virtual devices [Value]. I strive to create a diversity of technology in the creation and layering of musical and sonic textures within the music practice of composition and performance – analogue, digital or digital virtual devices [Goal]. I believe I use a diversity of technology to create and layer the musical and sonic textures within my music practice of composition and performance – analogue, digital or digital virtual devices. I have developed a diverse range of technology to create and layer musical and sonic textures within my music practice of composition and performance – analogue, digital or digital virtual devices [Belief].
9b. Composition & Performance Technology: I value both acoustic style instruments and their timbre, and the manipulation of at-the-time generated or pre-recorded sound sources for creative purposes [Value]. I strive as a music practitioner to integrate the initial primary focus of acoustic style instruments and their timbre, with the manipulation of at-the-time generated or pre-recorded sound sources for creative purposes [Goal].I believe as a music practitioner I attempt to integrate the initial primary focus of acoustic style instruments and their timbre, with the manipulation of at-the-time generated or pre-recorded sound sources for creative purposes [Belief]. I believe I developed my live/studio technology (my rig) to facilitate the manipulation and layering of sonic textures, and duplicate these irrespective of location – in both live and studio settings [Belief].
9c. Composition & Performance Technology: I value the manipulation and layering of sonic textures must be duplicable equally in live and studio settings. Therefore my rig must facilitate sourcing these sonic textures irrespective of site [Value]. I strive to manipulate and layer sonic textures and duplicate equally in live and studio settings. I strive to develop my live/studio technology (my rig) to facilitate sourcing these sonic textures irrespective of site [Goal]. I believe I manipulate and layer sonic textures and duplicate equally in live and studio settings. I believe I have developed my live/studio technology (my rig) to facilitate sourcing these sonic textures irrespective of site [Belief].
Year 2 Research Study Part 2e – who I am discovering/accepting my self to be as a music practitioner
10a. Creative Practitioner: I value diversity of orientation as a creative practitioner [Value]. I strive to exercise both a goal-orientation (product), and a process-orientation (process) as a creative practitioner [Goal]. Being contrast orientated, I believe there is a great opportunity as a creative practitioner. I believe my target-orientation allows me to effectively and efficiently realise goals, not wavering from the aim and objective focus of that practice. However, I believe I am in the moment as a creative practitioner, fully immersed in the process of my creative practice [Belief].
10b. Creative Practitioner: I value music practice with origins in, and for artistic expression, over music practice solely reliant on craft expression [Value]. I strive to practice music for artistic expression, over music practice solely for craft expression [Goal]. I believe I am now practicing music for artistic expression, rather that practicing music solely for craft expression [Belief].
10c. Creative Practitioner: I value a described music praxis – a framework that articulates the interdependent elements for consideration during the stages of one’s music practice [Value]. I strive to describe my music praxis – a framework that articulates the interdependent elements for consideration during the stages of one’s music practice [Goal]. I believe I have developed a considered music praxis – a framework that articulates the elements for consideration during the stages one’s music practice. These primary elements of my Music Practice Praxis v8i (see figure I below) are: listening, self, reflection/reflective practice, reflexive practice, motive, theme, song mood, decision to commence, music production approach, compositional approach, agreed reference track, music style, simple versus complex textures, technology, site, holistic work practice, micro workflow, aesthetic choices, time opportunity, and social network engagement [Belief].
Figure I – Project 1 Research Study Developed Praxis v8i (Page 2016c)
10d. Creative Practitioner: I value independent self-reliant solo performers who aspired to create multi-timbral and multi-layered soundscapes in each and every performance, irrespective of motive, musical style or site [Value]. I strive to be an independent self-reliant solo performer who aspires to create multi-timbral and multi-layered soundscapes in each and every performance, irrespective of motive, musical style or site [Goal]. I believe I am an independent self-reliant solo performer who aspires to create multi-timbral and multi-layered soundscapes in each and every performance, irrespective of motive, musical style or site [Belief].
Significant Differences between my Project 1 end Year 1 Charter of Values and Beliefs v1, and my end Year 2 Charter of Values and Beliefs v2
In addition to the two areas I have already noted – 1b and 1c – I will now note some of the significant developments between my Project 1 end Year 1 Charter of Values and Beliefs v1, and my end Year 2 Charter of Values and Beliefs v2.
I added diversity of orientation. Whilst this quality could possibly be inferred from a number of items within my Year 1 Charter of Values and Beliefs, I believe I needed to make it more explicit given it was something that I observed had significant impact on my self and my practice. In pursuing my practice across Year 2, I noted on many occasions that I was both end product/goal-orientated, and process-orientated. These were quite often at odds with each other, and sometimes I considered them to be mutually exclusive. However, as Year 2 progressed, I realised that there were examples of my approach to practice where these two orientations sat very comfortably side by side in my orientation to practice. I believe this dual orientation affords me a great opportunity in life. My target-orientatation allows me to be effective and efficient in realising personal goals, not wavering from my focus. However within my practice, in the act of doing and being present within practice, I believe I am process-orientated in my expression and reflection. I believe I immerse my self in the process, and this orientation provides great benefit to both my self, and my practice. Given this positive impact on my self, my practitioner self, and my practice, I therefore added paragraphs 1d, 2c, 4a, 6a and 10a.
I also added nurturing as a human quality. Whilst this was present in my original Charter of Values and Beliefs as paragraph 6d, I observed this quality was missing in other aspects of my life and practice. I therefore added it into paragraphs 1j, 2i, 3d, 4e and 5e.
The five other additions to my Charter of Values and Beliefs v2 that were more practice-based focussed were:
2b. Self & Practice: a high standard of practice; 2c. Self & Practice: a high volume of post-training practice (10,000 hours); 2e. Self & Practice: a complex multi-dimensional approach to practice; and, 4d. Music Practice: the practice of music to assist people to gain an opportunity for learning and development – helping them to navigate their life – their dreams, desires, goals, directions, wants, wishes, in order to overcome their challenges, issues, hurts… – (what I refer to as “community music education”); 7c. Self & Creative practice: creating music and sonic narratives in the styles of narrative, prose or song lyrics.
Summary
As a person new to formal academic research studies, I have been surprised with the number of occasions that I have been confronted by a range of thoughts, feelings, observations, recollections – positives and learnings – and highlighted behavioural patterns over the course of my life, relative to my music practice. Over the past few months I realised that I did not have in fact, the clearest understanding of who I was as a creative practitioner at this moment in time. Therefore in order to try to anchor myself, I continue to develop my Charter of Values and Beliefs to maintain a valid contemporary values statement – a charter of values for both myself and my music practice at this time. In doing this, I am able to continue to gain new levels of understanding of my self and my practice, and start to apply them reflexively to my self and practice (see figure II below).
Figure II – Project 1 Research Study Developed Approach (Page 2016d)
Engaging in this research study has allowed me to continue to develop my self, increase my self confidence, develop clarity regarding my practice, and increase my confidence with this task at hand as a practitioner with my Research Study Project 1. In short, it has allowed me to become a more holistic and balanced practitioner – an expanded practitioner (see figure III below).
