Apr 9 / MATCH MUSIC AND DANCE: Creating the Score for Solos

 

Unit: Match Music and Dance

 

Theme: Creating the Score for Solos 

I

 

Introduction 

 

II

Learning Objectives 

 

III

 

Main Lesson 

1

 

 

 

 

Let it Be by The Beatles (1973) 

Lyrics

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be, be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

 

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Paul Mccartney / John Lennon

 Question 1

In which way does the music, the lyrics, the title of the piece ("Your Girl Friend Must Be Tough") and the dance/movements chosen by the dancer relate to the story she expresses?

 

 2

Readings

A Newbie's Guide to Release Technique

https://www.dancespirit.com/understanding-release-technique-2581194689.html

Question 2

What can you say about the "release technique"?

 

 

3

Skinner Releasing Technique: Imagery and its Application to Movement Training

http://www.skinnerreleasing.com/articles/imageryarticle.html

 

Question 3

According to Skinner Releasing Technique, how can imagery help dancers with their dance improvisation?

 

4

 

Scores

Improvisation/Scores - Mapping Collaboration 

http://www.mapcollab.com/improvisationscores

 

Question 4

After reading about the scores of multiple dancers and choreographers, what would be your definition of and improvisation score using your own words?

 

5

The Primacy of Movement 

Read: Dance Improvisation: A Paradigm of Thinking in Movement

Maxine Sheets-Johnstone

 https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Primacy_of_Movement/2EDgXzWMfuwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Dance+Improvisation&pg=PA420&printsec=frontcover

Maxine Sheets-Johnstone (2011). The Primacy of Movement. John Benjamins Publishing Company

Question 5

 Summarize the content on page 420.

 

 IV

A Note to Remember

 

V

 Case Study

 

My Hands/Tus Brazos

Linda Bair and Jorge Luis Morejon (Photographer Tommy Gleason), Linda Bair Dance Company

Grass Valley, California.

Video Link

My Hands / Tus Brazos - Linda Bair & Jorge Morejon

 

Question 6

After watching this video, identify which part of it is improvised dance. Explain what makes you thing so?

 

VI

Activity 1

Students will describe their score using any of the styles describe in the article about and then draw the score of their ensemble and solo pieces. They will share their score with the class.

 

VII

Activity 2

Students rehearse their solos and ensemble pieces using their scores

 

VIII

Journaling

 

IX

Glossary

 

X

Sources

 

XI

Students' Work

 

1. The music, lyrics, and title "Your Girl Friend Must Be Tough" convey a message of emotional resilience and defiance, which is echoed in the dancer's sharp, assertive movements and confident stage presence. Together, they tell a story of a woman standing strong in the face of betrayal or challenge, refusing to be broken.

2. The improvised part seems to begin when the dancers move away from synchronized steps and respond more freely to each other. Their spontaneous, fluid movements suggest real-time interaction rather than rehearsed choreography.

3. According to Skinner Releasing Technique, imagery helps dancers access deeper physical sensations and creative movement by bypassing habitual patterns. This allows for more fluid, expressive, and spontaneous improvisation.

4. An improvisation score is a set of guidelines or prompts that gives structure to spontaneous movement, helping dancers explore ideas while still allowing creative freedom. It's like a loose map that inspires movement without strict choreography.