Facilitating processes for the performance of extended techniques used in the work Ignis ictum by Marcílio Onofre
Extended techniques, facilitating processes, performance, saxophone
The exploration of new sonorities and technical refinement has been a constant pursuit throughout the history of music; in the saxophone, this reality is reflected in a significant expansion during the 20th and 21st centuries. Although the repertoire has advanced, there is a noticeable lack of pedagogical materials – especially in Portuguese – that systematize the “how-to” in a contextualized manner, taking into account contemporary Brazilian repertoire; in general, pedagogy tends to be unilateral and merely descriptive. The aim of this dissertation is to propose systematized strategies as facilitating processes (FPs) for the performance of extended techniques (ETs) found in Ignis ictum (2023) by Marcílio Onofre. These facilitating processes consist of decoding each technique into gradual steps, prioritizing the metacognitive development and self-perception of the performer for the conscious control of the techniques employed. The research addresses eight techniques: flutter tonguing, multiphonics, microtones, air sound, slap tongue, double staccato, circular breathing, and altissimo. Methodologically, based on a bibliographic survey structured through the use of search expressions, Boolean operators, and specialized reference management software, this study adopts the perspective of the researcher-performer and the concept of participatory musical interpretation, grounded in direct mediation and collaboration between composer and performer to render the technical demands of the work both feasible and idiomatic. As an outcome of this research, a practical guide is presented, aiming to transcend mere technical description by systematizing the “how-to” through facilitating processes presented in an accessible and progressive manner for the contemporary saxophonist.