The Unquantized Human
How do subtle nuances in music affect the way we play together?
The project investigates articulation, how music is shaped through timing, dynamics, accents, timbre, phrasing, and subtle variations over time, and how it influences musical interaction. By examining how these elements affect pulse, phrasing, and groove, the researchers aim to deepen our understanding of the human dimension in musical creation.
Project manager and accountable authority: Sven Ahlbäck, professor in folk music, KMH
Co-applicants: Hans Lindetorp, PhD, Department of Music and Media Production, Susanne Rosenberg, professor, Department of Folk Music, Olof Misgeld, PhD, Department of Folk Music, Ami Dregelid, Department of Folk Music
Funder: Swedish Research Council
Project period: 2026-2029
Project purpose and research questions
The aim of the project is to investigate the role of articulation in musical interaction and how it contributes to the perception of phrasing, pulse, and groove in different musical expressions, such as a waltz, a polska, or herding call.
The researchers pose questions such as:
- How are different types of swing created and maintained?
- How are non-metric phrases shaped and understood?
- Do we articulate in the same way across different instruments, voice, and dance?
- Are there shared, cross-instrumental ways of understanding and describing articulation?
Theory and method
The project is based on artistic research in folk music and music education. Through analysis, practical experiments, and collaborative interaction between musicians, dancers, and researchers, the significance of articulation in various musical contexts is explored. The work proceeds in close dialogue between artistic practice and theoretical reflection, with the goal of developing new methods and tools for musical creation.
The research team consists of five members at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, four from the Department of Folk Music and one from the Department of Music and Media Production, with expertise in performance, dance, vocal expression, improvisation, music theory, and interactive music systems.
Expected Outcomes
The project is expected to generate new knowledge about how human, non-quantised musical articulation affects interaction and perception. The results will contribute to the development of artistic methods and pedagogy within folk music, while also providing insights relevant to other musical genres and to the understanding of human interaction more broadly. In this way, the project strengthens the KMH’s role as a leading environment for artistic research in music.