By: Oshin Vartanian, PhD, and Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC
Published through Music and Medicine Online first on May 6, 2011
Hypothesis
The study hypothesized that flotation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) would improve the instrumental fluency and creativity in jazz improvisation. Flotation REST involves floating in a dense, warm solution of Epsom salts in a dark, sound-reducing tank, inducing a state of relaxed alertness and concentration.
Aim
The aim was to determine if the beneficial effects of flotation REST, previously observed in enhancing perceptual-motor skills in sports and creativity in sciences, would extend to jazz improvisation.
Model
Participants included 13 college students enrolled in an intermediate-level jazz improvisation class. The treatment group (8 students) floated for one hour per week for 4 consecutive weeks, while the comparison group (5 students) did not engage in flotation. Both groups recorded their improvisation before and after the treatment period.
Methodology
Participants: 13 students (9 males, 4 females), aged 23.6 years on average, from a jazz improvisation class.
Treatment: The treatment group floated in a flotation tank for one hour each week for four weeks.
Control Group: The comparison group did not float but were promised flotation sessions post-study.
Recording Sessions: Both groups recorded 5-minute improvisations one week before and after the 4-week treatment period.
Ratings: Jazz instructors, blind to the treatment status, rated the recordings on improvisation, creativity, expressiveness, technical ability, and overall quality. Additionally, the instructor provided perceived change ratings and final class grades.
Results
Technical Ability: The treatment group showed a significant improvement in technical ability compared to the control group.
Other Dimensions: No significant differences were observed in improvisation, creativity, expressiveness, or overall quality.
Final Grades: The treatment group had higher final class grades compared to the control group.
Conclusion
The study found that a regimen of flotation REST significantly improved technical ability in jazz improvisation but did not affect creativity, improvisation, expressiveness, or overall quality. The positive impact on technical skills suggests that flotation REST could be a valuable tool for enhancing certain components of musical performance. Future research with larger sample sizes and physiological measures is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind these effects.
Download the Full Article here:
Here's an example Marketing Idea using this research:
Unlock Your Musical Potential with Floatation Therapy!
Are you a musician looking to elevate your skills and performance? Discover how floatation therapy can be your secret weapon! Research shows that floatation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) can significantly improve technical abilities in jazz improvisation. Imagine what this could do for you!
Here’s how floatation therapy can help you:
Enhance Your Technical Skills: Floating in a dense, warm Epsom salt solution helps you achieve a state of deep relaxation and heightened concentration, allowing you to fine-tune your technical abilities.
Boost Your Performance: Musicians who floated regularly saw notable improvements in their performance. This could be the edge you need to excel in your musical endeavors.
Achieve Relaxed Alertness: The stress-reducing effects of floatation can help you stay calm and focused during practice and performances, enhancing your overall musical experience.
Join the ranks of musicians who are harnessing the power of floatation therapy to improve their craft. Book your float session today and take your musical abilities to new heights!
Call to Action:Â Ready to enhance your musical skills? Schedule your float session now and unlock your full potential! Contact us at [float center] or visit our website to book your session today!
Comments