Playing Iranian Kamancheh: Exploring Cultural Identity And Intercultural Psychology
Abstract
This thesis presents a journey of learning the Iranian kamaancheh as a player researcher, using a basis of immersion in Persian culture and developing a psychological methodology of acculturation and integration. While coming from a background of professional baroque and classical western violin playing, this study investigates questions of identity and otherness, within a methodology of integrating research and experience, having as its foundation ancient Iranian world views and ontology.
As will be seen throughout the study, I am moving between a discussion of the music itself, the larger cultures behind music and elements of psychological understanding that inform the process of learning and acculturating myself into Persian music. These discussions consider whether binary models of thinking can remain relevant when investigating the connections between cultures.
It is suggested in the thesis and its music that the processes that I have undertaken can be undertaken as a methodology for the intercultural musician who wishes to engage deeply with another culture.