Structure of the Musical Thinking Based on Dewey's Theory of Inquiry :

Through an Analysis of Music-Making Classes

Abstract

  The purpose of this paper is to clarify the structure of musical thinking from the perspective of John Dewey's theory of inquiry. The method of research is as follows. First, we considered the structure of reflective thinking in Dewey's theory of inquiry. Next, we examined what musical thinking is as reflective thinking in artistic inquiry through an analysis of practical examples of music-making classes. In conclusion, the structure of musical thinking was derived as follows.

  1. When the subject obtains data (perceived or sensed content of sound and music), an idea (a technique based on anticipation [image] of the quality of consequence) originates. And when the idea is ‘experimented’ upon (an inferred technique is tried), the subject obtains new data. That is, a cooperative cycle of data and ideas through ‘experiment’. 2. When observation operates, then ideation comes into play, and when the idea obtained therein is experimented upon, it causes a new observation, that is, a cooperative cycle of observation and ideation through ‘experiments’. 3. 1) Observation leads to data. In observation, the subject perceives and senses sound and music. 2) Ideation (inference, and reasoning) leads to ideas. In inference, the subject comes up with a technique based on the anticipation (image) of the quality of consequence suggestively. In reasoning, the subject refined and selected the inferred idea, and developed it into an exceptionally reliable one through trial-and-error ‘experiment’.