Apr 7 / The Music

 

 

Unit: Music, Title and Synopsis for Solos

Theme: Creating the Score

 

 I

Introduction 

The music, the title and the synopsis are important parts of the solo piece. Today, we will focus on choosing the music. A dance improv solo is a deeply personal performance. Even if there is no choreography— the music, the emotion, and the story you tell through improvised movement are even more important. The right song can elevate your performance, making it more powerful and memorable. “Choosing a song is the first step in creating a solo that connects with both the dancer and the audience" (fouetteacademy.com)

 II

Learning Objectives 

 

  • Understand the ideas behind choosing the music
  • Explain the ideas, memories and feelings expressed by the music
  • Gain awareness of the importance of the music for the piece
  • Experience the dance improv solo using the music
  • Reflect on the creative process at the end of the lesson


III

Main Lesson 

 1

Read the Introduction


 

 Improvised Dance: (In)provised Knowledge

 Read: Western Improvised Dance / Introduction

Nalina Wait

Question 1

Summarize the content in the introduction.


2

Choose Music



Watch the video and use the same principles described by Arthur Moore to put music to his cinematographic images to choose the music for your solo piece. 

Question 2

Did it work? Explain your answer.

 

IV

A Note to Remember 

The music affects the type of improvisation one can perform.

 

V

Case Study 

I


 Julyen Hamilton Improv Dancer

A performance at Thorne's Dance Space in downtown Northampton, Mass., in connection with A Cappella Motion dance workshop held at nearby Smith College, June 26, 1993. Videography by Larry Myers.

 Question 3

Write a reflection about Hamilton's improvisation.

 

II

 

 

Interview with Julyen Hamilton




Question 4


If you could ask Hamilton a question about his work, what would that be?




VI

Journaling

VII

Glossary

VIII

Sources

IX

Activity

X 

Students' Work

Gigi Mangieri

The song I chose is "Innocense and Sadness" by Dermot Kennedy. The lyrics convey a mixture of confusion and connection with the people around us. I will be portraying the confusion that many deal with when developing connections with people around us and show the feeling of appreciating the time we have with people.

Sai Chigurupati

Title: Park 

Song: Save Me instumental

My dance is supposed to represent how one can adapt to different situations and thrive no matter what situation no matter the challenges they face.

 

Ciara  Schweitzer

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.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jan 13 / Introduction to the Dance Classic Elements

Image
  Unit: Creative Dance Theme: The Classic Elements   I Introduction  According to Shannon Dooling Dances, dance improvisation is spontaneously creating movement, without pre-planning any steps or choreography. Dancers move freely, without relying on set movement patterns. In improvisation, dancers may aim to create new, original movement, or to use familiar movements in unique ways.    II Learning Objectives Understand the meaning of dance improvisation Explain the usefulness of the classical elements Gain awareness of the creative movement process Experience the freedom of expression allowed by dance improvisation Reflect on the work done in class     III Main Lesson    1 ACTIVITY   Introductions / Getting to Know Each Other   Briefly introduce yourself to the group and post your introduction on Blackboard (name, where you come from, dance experience if any, what you expect from the course). ------------------------  ...
Read more

Mar 31 / Blanch Evan's Improvisational Methods: Physicalizing

Image
  Unit: Blanche Evan's Improvisational Methods Theme:  Physicalizing   I Introduction Continuing with our unit on Blanche Evan's methodology, today, we will explore physicalizing. For the dancer in general, physicalizing means putting into movement an idea, a memory, a feeling, that has been previously stored on a cognitive realm.   II   Learning Objectives   Understand the ideas behind physicalizing while improvising Explain the ideas, memories and feelings expressed during physicalizing Gain awareness of the use of free associations when using ideas, memories and feelings while improvising Experience solo and group dance improv using the concept Reflect on the creative process at the end of the lesson    III  Main Lesson  1  WARM UP Stretching    2  Evan's Concept for Today Physicalizing:  Question 1 After reading Evan's ideas about physicalizing , briefly describe in writing an idea, a memory,...
Read more

Mar 24 / Blanche Evan's Improvisational Methods: Externalizing

Image
  Unit: Blanche Evan's Improvisational Methods Theme: Externalizing   I Introduction Externalizing means to express a thought or feeling in words or actions. It is equivalent to "an urgent need to externalize the experience. It psychology, it means to project (a mental image or process) onto a figure outside oneself. According to Blanch Evan's methodology, externalizing, one her improvisational techniques, means to dance out a dream, a fantasy, or a physical memory. II   Learning Objectives   Understand the ideas behind externalizing Explain the sensations generated as a result of externalizing Gain awareness of the use of externalizing in improv Experience solo and group dance using dreams, fantasies and memory Reflect on the creative process at the end of the lesson    III    WARM UP Stretching    IV   Main Lesson     1 Dance psychotherapist Ekin Bernay. (16:57 min)   Warm Up for Yo...
Read more