This thesis examines Haltioituminen (quiet exaltation) in music practice in the light of folk music tradition. More precisely, the focus is on teacher experiences and perceptions about the concept and phenomenon of Haltioituminen, that is, experiences concerning teachers’ own Haltioituminen and experiences with their students. The thesis aims to open up the concept and phenomenon of Haltioituminen from the teacher’s view and offer a perspective on music education. The research problem of this article arises from the need to understand better how the experience of Haltioituminen manifests in music education and how it can be utilized to promote learning, empower students and support students’ holistic well-being. This thesis utilizes the framework of folk music tradition around Haltioituminen, music education and the theoretical foundation of flow, altered states of consciousness, broadening the perspective with the ritual theory and liminality.
The findings of this study indicate that Haltioituminen plays a significant role for musicians and those students who have experienced a vague state and a strengthening state at the same time. In that ritual-like liminal state, the musicians play their own power, from their own heads in long-term practice (hours-long), with awareness of long-term aesthetic, using minimal music material and acoustic (folk) music instruments with which they are connected. In this self-transcendental state, musicians strongly relate to themselves, others and higher powers while their elf/guardian spirit takes possession of them.
This study provides interesting examples of Haltioituminen in the music context opening the discussion through these teacher narratives on how to promote Haltioituminen in music education. In addition to presenting this concept in a music educational context, the novelty of this topic lies in increasing understanding of the significance of this kind of self-transcendental state in music education and presenting the concept and phenomenon, including some practical applications for teaching and future research.
Keywords: Haltioituminen, flow, altered states of consciousness, liminality, music education, folk music