Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Music: Effectiveness of Expressions and Gestures

Music is music. That's what many think, and that, of course, makes sense according to algebraic rules. But, what if music was something else? What if music was a story; or what if music was a dance? Some musicians, such as myself, see it that way. Just as actors on stage in a performance use enormous gestures (to be seen in the back row) some musicians use these gestures and expressions to get their point across. Much of playing music is being stylistic. Much of being stylistic is having a good mindset. So once again, by algebraic rule, having a good mindset leads to playing good music. And finally, a way to achieve a good mindset is to act the part. It's understandable that you won't sway for a song that is vivacious or fast (vivace or allegro) but for those, do something else. When playing a part that is meant to be big and almost nasty (Phantom of the Opera) I tend to tense my face (EXCEPT MY MOUTH!!) and that helps give me a big and almost nasty mindset.
Another good thing to have when performing is a story. There is such thing as good acting (just as there is such thing as good music playing), but how would you like a play with no plot? Probably just as much as you would like music with no plot. When you think of a story in the style of that of the music, the style and interest is displayed in your playing. If you can't think of a story in the style of your music, make one up.
A common misconception for a lot of musicians is that, when you're not playing, all you need to do is count. That, of course being a misconception, is incorrect. What I typically do, is either sway to the beat or move my head to the beat while continuing the story in my head. This helps you keep the style of your song, so that when you come back in, you don't need any time to adjust.



Note: In the following video, you can hear the bass trombone much more than you can hear me(the tubist). Either way, I have the same as everything else you're hearing: Loud, big, and nasty melody.


Excerpt from The Phantom of the Opera


By Andrew Lloyd Weber




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