How do Musicians Communicate?
Activity 1. Small Group Discussion
Discus with your table the which ways can musicians can share information clearly and accurately?
How can musicians evoke emotion?
How can musicians convey character?
How can musicians create mood or atmosphere?
How can musicians depict time or place?
Elect a spokesperson to share your answers with to the class.
Q1. Open TAB 1. (Right)
What type of communication is this? (Verbal, written, gesture?)
Verbal
Written
Gesture
Share your answers with the class.
TAB 1. Consider the types of communication listed here.
● A composer putting markings into a score
● A conductor communicating with an orchestra or a choir through movement
● Communication between musicians within a group as they perform (e.g. non-verbal communication within an acapella vocal ensemble or a string quartet)
● Communication between a performer and the audience (eye-contact, smiling, waving, talking, programme notes)
● Communication via music rather than words, e.g. the ‘Talking Drums’ of Western Africa, or Alpine yodelling
Q 2. How clear and accurate can this form of sharing information be? Put them in order from 1-5 (1 being the most clear and accurate, and 5 being the least). Then share your answers and reasons with the class.
Markings in Score
Conductor to Orchestra or Choir
Musician to Musician while performing
Performer to Audience
Music without words
Q 3. Have you had experience of this form of sharing information? Put them in order from 1-5 (1 being the most clear and accurate, and 5 being the least). Then share your answers and reasons with the class.
Markings in Score
Conductor to Orchestra or Choir
Musician to Musician while performing
Performer to Audience
Music without words