This document discusses lessons that can be learned from classical music and applied to design and problem solving. It outlines five key lessons: people working together through rehearsing and performing; practicing as problem solving; dismantling barriers to audience entry; and encouraging people to make new knowledge their own. Specific examples are given around ensemble size and communication, sheet music as analogous to wireframes, and addressing declining attendance at symphonies by attracting new audiences.
Lessons on problem-solving, inclusivity, and empowerment from classical music
1. taking a step Bach,
to see what’s Haydn
in plain sight
lessons on problem-solving, inclusivity,
and empowerment from classical music
Smitha Prasadh
SENIOR EXPERIENCE DESIGNER, AUTODESK
FOUNDER, MURASAKI STUDIO
WEB DESIGN DAY ∙ 2016 JUNE 24 ∙ PITTSBURGH, PA, USA
https://mubi.com/films/amadeus
6. what can design +
technology learn
from classical music?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Singapore#/media/File:Orchestra_of_the_Music_Makers_Stravinsky_Concert.jpg
8. working as a UX designer
has shaped how I view and
interact with classical music.
9. applying concepts from classical music
teamwork and collaboration ∙ rehearsing and performing
deriving lessons from what you love
practicing as problem-solving
encouraging people to own new
knowledge in their own way
10. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
about classical music
a baseline of knowledge
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b51flGFQWA
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b51flGFQWA
Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Torito
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014
13. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otcrnrQAwD8
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi
Symphony No. 5 in D minor, “The Reformation,” Op. 107 - 1. Allegro con fuoco
Frankfurt Radio Symphony (hr-Sinfonieorchester), cond. Jérémie Rohrer
15. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QssPdmYuL-A
Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18 - 1. Allegro, ma non tanto
Belcea String Quartet
16. http://www.musictuitionlondon.co.uk/violin-viola-cello.php
Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin, BWV 1006 - Hilary Hahn, soloist
Nicholas Bootiman, viola - Philharmonia Orchestra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XierDLeUiYg
Karen Stephenson, cello - Philharmonia Orchestra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcqzPoMza7c
Michael Fuller, double bass - Philharmonia Orchestra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUUVSxZ4ohI
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
18. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
rehearsing and performing
19. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
how big is your group?
size determines what you play and how you play it
scope and direction of projects
20. symphony
50-100 musicians
detailed, intricate, multi-movement music
your section leader guides and advocates for you to the conductor
overhaul of / maintenance on complex software
c-suite calls the shots; your manager represents you
https://www.atlantasymphony.org/About/Newsroom/Photos
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
21. chamber orchestra
no more than 50 people
smaller pieces, or scaled back orchestrations
better visibility into leadership and each other’s work
mid-sized company, or autonomous product team
in a large company
better face time and communication teamwide
http://chamberorchestra.org/orchestra/
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
24. http://ostimusic.com/blog/circus-maximus-in-disney-hall/
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
what the score tells you
key and time signatures
repeating certain passages
nuance and emphasis
context of other instrument lines
when to take a break
intentional breaking of rules
wrapping it up
25. what the wireframe tells you
key and time signatures
repeating certain passages
nuance and emphasis
context of other instrument lines
when to take a break
intentional breaking of rules
wrapping it up
overall structure
reusable components
callouts
its place in the overall product
IA - separation of content
where to break the layout mold
achieving a user’s goal
http://ostimusic.com/blog/circus-maximus-in-disney-hall/
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
26. what the wireframe tells you
key and time signatures
repeating certain passages
nuance and emphasis
context of other instrument lines
when to take a break
intentional breaking of rules
wrapping it up
overall structure
reusable components
callouts
its place in the overall product
IA - separation of content
where to break the layout mold
achieving a user’s goal
but the execution can be different
http://ostimusic.com/blog/circus-maximus-in-disney-hall/
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
28. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
at the performance
95% of the work is already done
behind the scenes, the team has united
on how to actually do it
if there are last-minute changes,
a well-functioning team can roll with it
http://www.stageandcinema.com/2014/10/11/london-philharmonic-orchestra/
29. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
working mindfully
case study: Mendelssohn’s 5th Symphony, “The Reformation”
30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otcrnrQAwD8
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi
Symphony No. 5 in D minor, “The Reformation,” Op. 107 - 1. Allegro con fuoco
Frankfurt Radio Symphony (hr-Sinfonieorchester), cond. Jérémie Rohrer
31. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
32. problem solving
whether in learning music or in tackling a design problem
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
33. problem solving
whether in learning music or in tackling a design problem
…and here’s how I approached this one
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
34. be gentle—it’s okay if it’s hard
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
35. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
break it into chunks
36. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
break it into smaller chunks
37. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
don’t lose sight of the whole
38. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
look for patterns
39. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
and areas that break the patterns
40. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
you’re not always (or usually) the soloist
41. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
feel the ebb and flow of the narrative
42. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
every note is important
43. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
what you can do is awesome and enough
44. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
(any further and this will get really nerdy)
45. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
classical music performance
is all about problem solving.
46. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
you can derive these lessons
from anything you love.
and even stuff you don’t.
47. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
trying something new:
dismantling barriers to entry
(the audience’s perspective)
49. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
same problems, different folks.
how to attract and retain new people?
51. http://www.wolffchronicles.com/2014-2/november-2014/november-26-2014/
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
new audiences: orchestras
utilizing social media
offering discounts and giveaways
appealing to students
pops concerts and famous soloists
free concerts
bringing music to the people
52. http://www.wolffchronicles.com/2014-2/november-2014/november-26-2014/
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
new audiences: design/tech
viral marketing
word of mouth
early adopter discounts
s.e.o.
advertising and its emotional impact
free trials and freemium
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi
Symphony No. 5 in D mnor, “The Reformation,” Op. 107 - 1. Allegro con fuoco
Frankfurt Radio Symphony (hr-Sinfonieorchester), cond. Jérémie Rohrer
53. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
culture: symphony etiquette
don’t want to do the wrong thing
friendly advice from experts
orchestra FAQs for first-timers
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/oct/03/hipster-social-phenomenon-commercial-success - credit Nikola Nikolovsky
55. http://projects.aljazeera.com/2014/detroit-music/ - credit Tim Galloway, Al Jazeera America
people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
diversity
attracting minorities to participate will make
minority attendees feel more welcome
avoiding unconscious / implicit bias in recruitment
56. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
classical music
and design
are for everybody.
it’s on us to challenge barriers to entry,
and to advocate for inclusivity.
we love what we do.
let’s share the love with others.
http://projects.aljazeera.com/2014/detroit-music/ - credit Tim Galloway, Al Jazeera America
59. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
find the path of discovery that works best for you.
60. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
find the path of discovery that works best for you.
empower your users to follow their own path.
61. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
find the path of discovery that works best for you.
empower your users to follow their own path.
work together as a team to make this happen.
62. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
find the path of discovery that works best for you.
empower your users to follow their own path.
work together as a team to make this happen.
derive lessons from something you love.
63. people working together ▶︎ rehearsing and performing ▶︎ practicing as problem solving ▶︎ audience barriers to entry ▶︎ make it your own
find the path of discovery that works best for you.
empower your users to follow their own path.
work together as a team to make this happen.
derive lessons from something you love.
engage different problem-solving strategies.
make it your own, and enjoy the journey.
65. REFERENCES:
Author unknown. Tips for beginners: about your first concert. Austin Symphony Orchestra. 2016.
http://www.austinsymphony.org/visitor/beginners/
Duggan, Briana. Symphony takes steps to diversify audience. WFAE 90.7. 2013 February 21.
http://wfae.org/post/symphony-takes-steps-diversify-audience
Editorial. Diversifying the classical music world. Baltimore Sun. 2016 June 9.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-symphony-20160609-story.html
Kanny, Mark. New Pittsburgh Symphony CEO confronts budget, attendance issues. TribLive. 2015 August 8.
http://triblive.com/aande/music/8819222-74/tourangeau-symphony-says
Kennicott, Philip. America’s orchestras are in crisis. New Republic. 2013 August 25.
https://newrepublic.com/article/114221/orchestras-crisis-outreach-ruining-them
Marcelo, Philip. Tech at the symphony: Boston orchestra loaning patrons iPads. Associated Press. 2016 January 18.
https://www.yahoo.com/music/tech-symphony-boston-orchestra-loaning-patrons-ipads-071107883.html
McNulty, Timothy. Graying of arts audiences a concern. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2008 February 1.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2008/02/01/Graying-of-arts-audience-a-concern/stories/200802010178
Mitchell, Lorenzo. Lorenzo Mitchell’s MusicMap System. Date unknown.
http://mitchellmusicmap.com/
Reilly, Lucas. 3 dirty songs by Mozart. Mental Floss. 2014 February 26.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/55247/3-dirty-songs-mozart
Reilly, Lucas. What’s the difference: orchestra, symphony, and philharmonic? Mental Floss. 2013 September 27.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/52912/what%E2%80%99s-difference-orchestra-symphony-and-philharmonic
Sandow, Greg. Orchestras, engage your audience! Sandow: An ArtsJournal Blog. 2015 January 28.
http://www.artsjournal.com/sandow/2015/01/orchestras-engage-your-audience.html
Sandow, Greg. Orchestras, meet your audience! GregSandow.com. Date unknown.
http://www.gregsandow.com/old/audience.htm
Slywotzky, Adrian. How symphonies grew strong audiences by killing the myth of the average consumer. FastCompany.
2011 October 13.
https://www.fastcompany.com/1785985/how-symphonies-grew-strong-audiences-killing-myth-average-consumer
Smith, Tim. In Baltimore, the largely white orchestra world talks diversity. Artsmash, Baltimore Sun. 2016 June 8.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/artsmash/bs-ae-orchestra-conference-20160608-story.html
Starek, Catherine. The Millennials’ orchestra: the challenges facing U.S. Symphony Orchestras - Part 2.
Mezzaphonically Speaking. 2013 July 10.
https://mezzaphonicallyspeaking.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/the-millennials-orchestra-the-challenges-facing-
u-s-symphony-orchestras-part-2/
Tarnowetzki, Robin. Murders, stalkers, and the apocalypse, the crazy lives of classical composers. Huffington Post.
2013 April 25.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/04/25/12-crazy-composers_n_2994491.html
RECORDINGS:
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 Op. 18
Belcea String Quartet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QssPdmYuL-A
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Cleveland Orchestra, cond. Christoph von Dohnanyi
This particular one’s not streaming anywhere. There are probably thousands
of recordings of this ridiculously famous piece (I used
it almost as a parody, if it wasn’t obvious), so just search for
“beethoven 5” and pick something.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Cleveland Orchestra, cond. Christoph von Dohnanyi
Ditto: guess this album (with the 5 and the 7) is not available for streaming.
Mendelssohn: Symphony. No. 5 “The Reformation,” Op. 107 -
Frankfurt Radio Symphony, cond. Jéremie Rhorer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otcrnrQAwD8
Philharmonia Orchestra’s viola/cello/bass introductions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKzx92ZqX1PKYTC-FC-CZRQ
Rodrigo y Gabriela: Live at Montreux Festival 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b51flGFQWA
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Anne-Sophie Mutter, Staatskapelle Dresden, cond. André Previn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u7NHx5CP74
This is the recording I have on hand, but my personal favorite rendition is by
Sarah Chang, with the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, cond. Jaap van Zweden,
so check that out and compare:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpS_u5RvMpM)
John Williams: Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope
London Symphony Orchestra, cond. John Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQDYDpxL-KQ
works cited