MAPP Discussion Group - Artists in Conversation
Following the discussion group yesterday, led by Dr. Sam Murray, was enticing, inspiring and reflective of the direction and thoughts during the process of analysis within my research inquiry in module three.
Music and tap interconnect, tap being a form of percussive music that has evolved through its history from being a necessity to the means of communication amongst the slaves, to new and creative interpretations, exploring different methods and techniques to communicate the sounds it creates. This resonated with Sam's thoughts of using the clarinet, not only as a woodwind instrument but that of a percussive one also, presenting ideas to inspire creativity through expanding boundaries and developing new directions to explore.
Many of the topics resonated with me throughout Sam's presentation that encapsulated the many channels that stem from the collaboration of music into tap and vice a versa, particularly to Jazz and Swing and their distinct influence within tap's construction, as well as how listening and sound plays a key factor to the dynamics and intricacies in both tap and music, encouraging a connection to their communication and creativity.
As reflected, by a participant in the data collection process of my research, the interconnection between the Nicholas Brothers and the music was a distinct recognition to this.
The Nicholas Brothers' tap dance scene from the movie "Stormy Weather" (1943). Cab Calloway and his orchestra performing "Jumpin' Jive".
What is your favourite music to tap to?
It would be great to hear your thoughts on the collaboration between music and tap or within your subject area of dance.
Now that I have submitted my draft critical review, I can only hope that my interpretation and reflection of prior learning, data collected, acknowledgement of key artists and theorists has been interpreted through my thoughts with justification and clarity.
Now, on to think about my artefact and to ensure that my ideas will reflect my inquiry, the review and my practice. I hope that I can produce a significant recognition to my learning throughout this whole process of the MA that will resonate a way in which it will be communicated through my practice in the future.
It will be interesting to hear how others may be thinking about presenting their artefact in the module three focus group discussion this week (April, 21).
Hi Susan. Sam's description of using a clarinet as a percussive instrument clicked with me too. I was also able to draw many parallels from his explanations of process into the world of dance and movement creation, particularly tap. For example, my feet are the story tellers as I tap. (Yes, obviously the whole body is involved and expressive but it all stems from the feet). The sounds represent the lyrics and the rhythms created by the different sounds become the sentences. The choreography is structured by the changing rhythms in the same many as we would change to the next paragraph. I think this can easily loop us back around to our earlier discussion of intention. Since the sounds are not actually verbally spoken words, the intention/interpretation debate can be raised again. Of course, we can set the overall vibe by the dynamics of the dancing but the pure intention may not always be so easily portrayed.... "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", perhaps?
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to your artefact!!! Keep up the great work!
/Natalie :-)
Hi Natalie, thanks for your reply. In tap the intention certainly depends on what you want to hear but it might not be what you actually hear. This can be both frustrating and surprising but that’s how you tune in to tap and as you said, ‘loop’ the shapes of the sounds and rhythms together this makes the interpretation in tap so exciting for both performer and an audience alike!
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