This qualitative case study revealed the modes of communication employed
between members of a professional string quartet during rehearsal and performance.
Six modes of communication and two levels of attunement were
revealed. The modes of communication were interpreted as verbal and nonverbal:
instruction, cooperation, and collaboration. The levels of attunement
were interpreted as sympathetic and empathetic. Results indicated that the
members of the string quartet were able to become empathetically attuned
and produce spontaneous musical variations during performance. These
spontaneous musical variations were interpreted as examples of empathetic
creativity. Participants confirmed researcher interpretations of the six modes
of communication, sympathetic and empathic attunement, and empathetic
creativity during member checks. The authors propose that spontaneous
musical variations are examples of empathetic creativity. The findings of the
current qualitative case study support the findings of a previous study conducted
with a jazz sextet (Seddon, 2005). Implications of the findings of the
current study for small group communication and creativity are discussed.