Posted by Alex C on March 18, 2003 at 21:43:51:
In Reply to: theory and tuba posted by lisa on March 18, 2003 at 20:53:56:
Why not study successful performing musicians instead of students?
It seems to me that any conclusions based on student performances would also have to include some sort of subjective evaluation of the success of the student performance to validate any theory. Potentially, the evaluation could be flawed and point to an incorrect conclusion.
The parameter of "successful performing musician" could be defined so that it controlled the focus of your study considerably. It will reduce time and effort, too.
Just a thought.
My theory would be that good jazz musicians are much more harmonically attuned (pun intended) to chord structure than classically trained musicians. But... your study could validate this. Or not.