ABSTRACT
The composition process consists of a temporal interconnection of action and is therefore not an event. After all, compositions do not simply fall into the composer's lap, however many ideas he or she might have. Reflective and conceptual activities have a crucial role in artistic practices. In contrast to the conception of mind as essentially a black box, we conceive reflective and conceptual activities as inseparable from physical activities and thus as observable activities. Exploring is preconditionally dependent on the composer's knowledge of tonality as a systemic foundation. This also demonstrates that Essl's exploring, despite its ludic nature, is both rule-governed and knowledge-governed. Changes and adjustments require selections and decisions. That gives valuing a predominant role in developing the instrument. These selections and decisions, however, are not generated in the mind and then implemented. During the final days of work, valuing is employed to polish the composition.
