Definition in Questionnaire

Clarification of terms to be selected during the verification process.

Music education category

The categories of music education can be divided into Performance, which is a practical and/or pedagogical study of an instrument; or Academic studies, which covers the theoretical studies, music analysis, music history and philosophy. Although both are sometimes seen as separate entities of music education, they are complimentary for better understanding and progressive learning.

Preferred learning mode

The preferred learning mode will define the method and pace of education based on the users' expectations of common goal for a satisfactory outcome. Casual learning is a lenient education mode, which is learning for leisure and less focused on set goals. Amateur speaks for itself with the definition of "music lover". This learning mode covers a wide range of education pace, sometimes could be almost like casual learning but with set goals; but could also be progressive, close to a professional learning mode. The only difference is that an amateur-regardless of the learning mode-does not aim to pursue music as a career. Principal study on the other hand, is a systematic learning mode with the complete set of skills which prepares students for a professional career pathway.

Expected level of difficulty

The expected level of difficulty is coherent with the preferred learning mode. For casual learning, it is expected that the choice for the level of difficulty would be beginner. However, for amateurs, the level of difficulty could range between beginner, intermediate or advanced. Principal study learning mode is usually a foray made by advanced intermediate or advanced amateurs, who decided to become pursue a career as a professional. Hence, the expected level of difficulty for principal study learning mode would usually be advanced or professional.

Expected focus of education

The expected focus of education is the determinant of the syllabus content and how music will be taught. Graded board exams is the commonly demanded syllabus for all forms of music education. However, the emphasis of graded syllabus would vary according to the preferred learning mode. Repertoire canon could be a further extension of the graded board exam syllabus for students aiming to advance with greater repertoire capacity. This method of learning is a detailed study on the chronological evolution of style, form and technique in music history. However, selective learning of repertoire canon could also apply for casual learners who are not aiming for graded examination merits. In this case, the selection of repertoire is less of building the foundation of capacity but rather learning for pleasure. Popular culture is sometimes mixed with the available classical music syllabus upon demand, or to compliment the understanding of popular music itself. Jazz and improvisation on the other hand, could be a bridge between the classical and popular music or be studied as an independent genre with its own music language.

Collaborative musician Collaboration among musicians are common, whether as accompanists, chamber musicians, or a repetiteur. For accompanists and chamber musicians, it is expected that they work with one or more different instruments. The expected level of difficulty would be consistent with the definition as explained above, although in some cases the reference would be leaning towards the nature of the works written for the collaboration.

Piano accompanist A piano accompanist is in most cases not merely a supporting role for the solo instrument, but a chamber musician or orchestral reduction of equal importance with the soloist. In common practice, piano accompanists would chose to focus on the repertory of certain instruments for better collaborative results.

Chamber musician Chamber music collaboration could be a group as minimal as a duo, an intimate trio, or as big a size as an ensemble. The history of chamber music dates back a long way, which started as a private entertainment in small rooms or a "chamber". Within the different categories of collaborative group, the reference is more of the size of participation rather than the types of work for a chamber music group. For example, if the selected collaborative group is "4 instruments", this includes all forms of collaboration which requires 4 instruments, be it a string quartet, piano quartet, jazz 4-piece band, 4-piece rock band etc.

Repetiteur A repetiteur is an accompanist in the setting of a ballet, opera or choral rehearsal. However, sometimes in the case of opera, choral or conducting rehearsals, a repetiteur is not only an accompanist but also an orchestral reduction. The conductor could sometimes take the role of the repetiteur, and the repetiteur could also be the coach or the tutor (dance or vocal).

Performance venue A performance venue is a space with a stage setting for performers to perform and a reasonable capacity for the audience to observe the performance. A salon recital studio is an intimate space with minimal distance between the performer and the audience for better interaction. A recital hall is a performance venue of medium capacity with good acoustics, catered to soloists and chamber ensembles. Performance theatre and concert hall are large and well equipped performance facilities with theatres for visual performances like opera or dance and concert halls on the other hand, built for audiophile grade acoustics to maximise a music concert experience. Bistro is a more casual setting, with an environment suited for popular and jazz music performances.

Rehearsal space A rehearsal space is a closed or opened venue for practice. An instrumental practice room is an enclosed space, sometimes equipped with a piano for practicing, or accompaniment rehearsal. A chamber ensemble rehearsal studio is a slightly larger space compared to a common practice room, with reasonable acoustic settings for rehearsal. An orchestral rehearsal hall is a large space for a full orchestra to rehearse with the presence of the conductor or the lead of a concertmaster. Such halls are usually performance theatres or concert halls, which are not in use. A rock band rehearsal studio however, differs from most classical music rehearsal space as the microphone and acoustic settings vary greatly. It is sometimes within a recording studio.

Recording studio A recording studio is a space with good acoustic settings and audio recording facilities. An enclosed rehearsal space or a good performance venue would sometimes be accommodated as a recording venue. A classical music recording space has a different set of requirements compared to a popular music recording studio. However, some facilities can accommodate both methods of recording.