Modes of communication between members of a string quartet

This qualitative case study revealed the modes of communication employed between the members of a professional string quartet during rehearsal and performance. Six modes of communication and two levels of attunement were revealed. The modes of communication were interpreted as verbal and non-verbal: instruction, co-operation and collaboration and the levels of attunement as ‘sympathetic’ and ‘empathetic’. Results indicated that the members of the string quartet were able to become ‘empathetically attuned’ and produce ‘spontaneous musical variations’ during performance. These spontaneous musical variations were interpreted as examples of ‘empathetic creativity’. Participants confirmed researcher interpretations of the six modes of communication, sympathetic and empathic attunement and empathetic creativity during Member Checks. The authors propose that spontaneous musical variations are examples of ‘empathetic creativity’. The findings of the current qualitative case study support the findings of a previous study conducted with a jazz sextet (Seddon, 2005). Relationships between the findings of the current study conducted with a string quartet and findings from related group research are discussed.