Music Dance Relationship

Question 1

What is meant by music visualisation?

Answer 1

When the dancer brings out the details and nuances in the music in a visual way in order to bring the music to life. This is done using the structure of the music.

Question 2

What is meant by enhancement of character or narrative?

Answer 2

When the music and dance express the same idea or tell the same story developing characters, events or sections together.

Question 3

What is meant by enhancement of mood and atmosphere?

Answer 3

Music without a clear structured beat/rhythm that can help to embody the same intentions as the movement.

Question 4

What is meant by disassociation?

Answer 4

When the music and dance are created independently and when performed share only the same time and space.

Question 5

What is meant by call and response?

Answer 5

When the music asks a question in terms of a rhythm and the dancer responds with a movement.

Question 6

What is meant by mutual coexistence

Answer 6

When the music and dance are created independently however may match in theme, tempo or directive.

Question 7

What is meant by identification?

Answer 7

Using the pitch, tempo, or phrasing to identify a particular character.

Question 8

What is meant by the term tempo?

Answer 8

How quick (allegro/presto) or how slow the music is

Question 9

What is meant by the term ostinato?

Answer 9

A recognisable, repeated musical phrase

Question 10

What is meant by melody?

Answer 10

The main tune over the top that you can clearly hear

Question 11

What is meant by the term polyphony?

Answer 11

Different layers of music and instruments playing together

Question 12

What is meant by the term counterpoint?

Answer 12

The interweaving of musical lines

Question 13

What is meant by the term harmony?

Answer 13

Complimentary chords to the melody

Question 14

What is meant by the term rhythm?

Answer 14

The pattern of the beats in the bar

Question 15

What is a cadence?

Answer 15

The end of a musical phrase

Question 16

What is meant by the term crescendo?

Answer 16

When the music builds to its highest point. This is likely to match with the climax

Question 17

What is meant by the term staccato?

Answer 17

Short, sharp, choppy beats and quick clipped notes

Question 18

What is meant by the term syncopation?

Answer 18

Stressing the off beats and adding emphasis

Question 19

What is meant by pitch?

Answer 19

How high or low the note is. This could match with the levels of a dance

Question 20

What is meant by the term volume?

Answer 20

How loud or quiet the music is

Question 21

Describe the music in ‘Beach Birds for camera’ (1993) Merce Cunningham. (opening 4 minutes)

Answer 21

Piano and rain sticks are used.

John Cage is the composer who creates post modern minimalist music

Question 22

Describe the music in ‘Still Life at the Penguin Cafe’ David Bintley Flea section.

Answer 22

Orchestral music including brass instruments to create a regular repeating rhythm. Gives a happy, jolly feel. Can hear syncopation, crescendo, texture, and presto, staccato notes.

Question 23

What is meant by direct correlation?

Answer 23

When the beats in the music exactly match the movements performed by the dancer sharing the same signature, tempo and phrasing

Question 24

Describe the music in ‘Falling Angels’ (1989) Jiri Kylian in the opening two minutes

Answer 24

The music is drum beats in a regular repeating rhythm. Syncopation can be heard.

Question 25

What is the music dance relationship in ‘Beach Birds for camera’ (1993) Merce Cunningham (opening 4 minutes)? Provide an example and the effect that it has on the audience.

Answer 25

Mutual coexistence. The movement and music don’t match. The dancers perform unpredictable arm movements and wrist flicks. This engages the audience as they don’t know what the piece is about or what is about to happen next.

Question 26

What is the music dance relationship in ‘Still Life at the Penguin Cafe’ (1988) David Bintley (flea section)? Provide an example and the effect that it has on the audience.

Answer 26

Direct correlation. &1&2&3&4&5&6&7&8, the dancers enter from stage right performing a sequence of quick skips in direct correlation to the sharp, staccato notes to the rhythm stated above. The dancers hop on the and and step out on the count.
It is a humorous piece that is trying to suggest a serious subject matter. The slavish following of the music suggests that as humans we just go along with what the crowd does.

Question 27

What is the music dance relationship in ‘Falling Angels’ (1989) Jiri Kylian (opening two minutes)? Provide an example and the effect that it has on the audience.

Answer 27

Direct correlation. The dancers, stood in their asymmetric V formation, lift their right shoulder then their left and then put their right shoulder down again. This then repeats starting by lowering the left with a sharp dynamic. These movements are strong, sharp isolations that directly correspond with the staccato beats of the drums.
This gives the audience a strong sense of connection and anticipation as to what is about to happen. Creates a sense of unpredictability.