Empowering audiences with a musical instrument by Rafaele Andrade

A case study of instrument design: redefining musicianship by new practices In the search for the unification of music practice and creativity, I design a cello format based on important values of the XXI century, such as Shareability, Customization, Autonomy and Integration. I use this tool to discover a new way of practicing music and redefining musicianship. For its evaluation, I test its 2021 release producing artworks involving collaborators and interactive concerts. This is a transdisciplinary case study between instrument design, composition and performance.

A. Describe your vision on your artistic development. How is it taking shape? What goals have you set for yourself? Explain how your artistic development is interconnected with both your research (B) and your Professional Integration Activities (C).

In the last 4 years, I have been redefining my relationship with my instrument. My passion for cello and composition had become destructive because of its intensity, segregation and high-criticism environment. I gathered too much resistance to confront an white blank page due the overload of thoughts, duties and long setups to produce the music I want.

I am convinced that ‘the model of a virtuose can’t no longer be the purpose of music education’ and its practice (MAGNUSSON, 2019. P.241). I am convinced that the skills and tools I own don't define who I am as a person, either as an artist. During my second bachelor ( Sonology, 2020), I decided to create a new instrument designed for my practice as a performer and composer, where my artistic skills and interests could be finally unified (Composition, Programming, Conducting, cello Performance), where my wealth could be fully expressed and destructive judgement couldn’t be reasonably justified. I want to share , to integrate, to customize my music and an experience with the help of a tool dealing with values of the XXI century.

During its development, This instrument became a reference for other musicians, practices and performances, it became an empowering tool for me and an inspiration for other music makers. The story of creating a music tool based on new models of musicianship became an interesting research (B) to investigate and document. How could a new instrument redesign a constructive relationship between its performers, practices and audiences? The construction of a community of users and listeners of Knrul through social entrepreneurship became part of my Professional Integration Activities (C). Therefore, the creation of this instrument connects those three areas of study ( Artistic development, Research, Professional integration activity)

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