| |
Lexicon
Alexander Technique
Beat
Body percussion
Call/Response
Clave
Claves
Composition
Groove
Independence
Inner metronome
Jamming
Percussion
Skin Dynamics® (New A.T.®)
Stroke technique
Vocalization
Alexander Technique
F.M Alexander (1869-1955) pioneered a method of improving the "use" of the body in all positions and movements. The technique has become popular with musicians and actors around the world and is still being widely trained. (see also Skin Dynamics) www.alexandertechnique.com
Beat
The unit used to measure musical time, as for example indicated by a conductor with the up and down movement of his hand or simply by tapping one's foot in time to music. Beats tend to fall into groups of two or three. It is these groups that are the basis for dividing music into the most common meters. The number of beats in a measure of music depends on time signature and tempo. E.g.: A 4/4 time signature indicates four beats per measure with each beat falling on the quarter note. A 6/8 has six beats per measure with each beat falling on an eighth.
Body percussion
Using the body (ie:hands, feet, voice) without an instrument to play rhythms alone or in a group.
stomping is quite literally the first step in body percussion and is essential in training your inner metronome. It involves walking on the spot and creating a beat when the foot strikes the ground. E.g.: count to four and for each beat stomp alternately on the floor
1 2 3 4 counted
R L R L stomped
Or L R L R stomped
NB counting aloud helps timing and coordination and is an introduction to vocalization.
Clapping: The hands can be used in a variety of ways to create a rhythm with different tone qualities. In my workshops this will be mostly combined with stomping and the voice to train time keeping and rhythmical independence.
voice (see Vocalization).
Call/Response
A very effective way of learning rhythms without the need for notation. A steady beat is initiated with body percussion or claves. The rhythmical cycle is then Called in vocalized or percussive form and the student then Responds using their voice or an instrument within the given tempo.
Clave
From the Spanish for key the clave is a rhythm played with the above mentioned instruments and usually in 4/4 time. Its basic structure is a 3-2 or 2-3 beat combination with numerous variations thereof. It is used as a supporting beat to percussion and other instruments and plays a very decisive role in the groove of the song. Traditionally found in Latin and African music.
Claves
A pair of hardwood sticks. The player holds one stick in a cupped hand lightly between the fingers and strikes it with the other sticks.
Composition
Rhythms can be structured and combined with other rhythms or instruments in compositions that are songs or cycles written down using different forms of notation (ie: symbols, vocal syllables or classical musical notation).
Groove
This is a loose term for the quality and feeling that a particular rhythm invokes. To "get into the groove" the rhythm should be played well, meaning with an apparent effortlessness and with a solid beat.
Group pieces
Rhythmical cycles can be combined in a group with each member playing a different part. With a defined tempo and time signature musicians can play together and create very atmospheric and interesting melodies and juxtapositions of beats.
Independence
This refers to one persons ability to play a combination of related but differing rhythmical cycles using body percussion, instrumental percussion and vocalization simultaneously.
Inner metronome
This a term which I use to define a personally developed sense of rhythm and which can be used at any given time signature (see Beat). It enables you to stay in time with a piece of music or with your fellow musicians. This can be trained simultaneously with learning to play percussion instruments. See also Body percussion
and Vocalization
Jamming
To Jam along with each other is an ideal way of breaking from the formal structure of music. It is a group improvisation with basic rules of time and dynamic. It is ideal for schooling listening and playing skills and encourages an interactive approach to music that is creative and enjoyable.
Percussion
To percuss is according to the dictionary: to strike sharply, rapidly or suddenly (C16 from Latin: percutere , per-through and quatere-to shake). Percussion are the family of instruments that are sounded by being struck, scratched or shaken. There are two main kinds of percussion instrument, un-tuned and tuned. The former do not sound a particular pitch and are used purely for rhythm e.g.: most drums (some are tunable eg: tabla), castanets, triangle, cymbals, gongs, tambourine, maracas, wood block, guiro, etc. The latter sound one or more definite pitches and are used for both rhythm and harmony e.g.: glockenspiel, xylophone , chimes, bells, kalimba, marimba, etc.
Skin Dynamics® (New A.T.®)
Skin Dynamics was developed by Stanton Hobbs who started learning the Alexander Technique with Patrick MacDonald (one of Alexander's major students) and who has gone on to pioneer a more self sufficient approach to the work which he is still expanding upon together with his students in Cologne. As the name suggests it is a specific form of improved movement based upon the ability to guide ones own skin. This is an ideal accompaniment to learning an instrument and if integrated prevents tendon strain, back problems and optimises performance. For further details please refer to my contact page or call Stanton Hobbs on: 0049 (0)221 732 5595.
Stroke technique
Defines the different uses of the hands to create different sounds and effects on the relevant percussion instrument (open, closed, slap, tipping, etc).
Vocalization
The voice was used long before musical notation was developed as a way of passing on rhythms. I will be using a system of syllables based on southern Indian techniques to enhance coordination and memory skills and also a system of vocalization that has a direct reference to the strokes on the drums.
Try this for size:
I: Dha Ge Na Te Na Ke Dhi Na :I
|
