Flowing between gongs: Mixed-methods insights into shared flow and temporal distortion in music performance

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Music Performance Studies
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Flow research often discusses temporal distortion, or "time flying", but lacks depth on shared flow experiences.
• While time perception during music listening is studied, performers' experiences of temporal distortion remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between shared flow states and time distortion in music performers.
• To understand performers' awareness of factors influencing their temporal experiences during shared flow.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was used with four Javanese gamelan ensembles (N=36).
• Data collection included focus groups, surveys, and questionnaires with pre-validated scales and time estimation tasks.
• Participants performed under three distinct conditions to explore shared flow and time perception.

Main Results:

• Qualitative findings indicate an optimal balance of conditions conducive to "time flying" within shared flow.
• Quantitative results reveal a complex, opposing relationship between temporal distortion and shared flow under specific factors.

Conclusions:

• Shared flow experiences in music performance are linked to temporal distortion, with specific conditions facilitating the "time flying" phenomenon.
• The relationship between temporal distortion and shared flow is nuanced and context-dependent, requiring further investigation.