Exploring Space, Time, and Rhythm in Movement and Music

Posted on Sep 13, 2024 in Music

The Partial Space

The partial space is the space we feel like is our own. There is a chance encounter with another partial space, making it a common area.

Imaginary Axes:

  • Vertical
  • Horizontal Transverse
  • Anteroposterior Horizontal

Considering these axes as a reference, we obtain three basic dimensions and six directions of motion:

  • Vertical Dimension: Up and down
  • Transverse Dimension: Left and right
  • Sagittal Dimension: Forward and backward

Planes arising from the combination of two axes:

  • Vertical Plane
  • Horizontal Plane
  • Sagittal Plane

Tips for Working with Partial Space

  1. Body movement exercises, from low to medium to high in the air.
  2. Games where movements are represented by different basic actions.
  3. Exploring kinesphere.
  4. Exploring the relationship between levels of sound and space.

The Total Space

The total space is that between one person and another, between a person and objects, and among objects. It is the space we can achieve through movement. For the structuring of space, we focus on the total trajectories. We can define the paths and direction from the translation of the body in space.

Suggestions for Incorporating Elements of Total Space

  1. Exercises of locomotion.
  2. Exercises incorporating basic dance steps.
  3. Exercises involving changes of direction.
  4. Exercises and social games in pairs and groups.
  5. Songs with movement.
  6. Animated tales.
  7. Games and rhythmic exercises.
  8. Choreography.

Introduction to Time in Movement and Music

The main channels of perception of time are auditory and kinesthetic. Tempo refers to the degree of rapidity with which a musical or rhythmic sequence occurs. These sequences may be short or long, but always consistent. By linking each sound with one step or gesture in space, we connect space and time.

Pace refers to the proportionality linking the different sequences of movement.

Fundamental Dimensions of Noise and Sound

Sound may occur as a result of the vibration of a body. If vibration occurs with regularity, the resulting sound is “musical,” meaning it has a musical note: do, re, mi, etc. If vibration is uneven, the result is noise.

Characteristics of Sound

  • Height or Pitch: Refers to the discrimination of a sound as high or low.
  • Intensity or Volume: Given by the amplitude of the sound wave.
  • Timbre or Color: The quality that defines the difference in tone color of a note played by different instruments or voices.
  • Duration: Greater or lesser extension of the sound.
  • Articulation: According to the form and means of sound production.

Pulse and Tempo

Pulse is the infinitesimal impact that happens regularly. Tempo is marked by the speed of the pulse; it is the duration between each pulse. The degree of rapidity or slowness with which tempo manifests itself can vary from very slow to very rapid.

The Personal and Common Tempo

Tempo is the result of an emotional state. Tempo can come from within when the body responds to impulses, or it may come from an adaptation to a tempo directed from the outside.

Own tempo refers to the way pulses externally manifest inner chords with the personality of the performer or the circumstances that move and motivate them. To find a common tempo means to create a community atmosphere, to experience an internal communication that underlies outward manifestations. Around the common tempo, dual and group improvisations can develop.

The Perception of Rhythmic Structures

Rhythmic structure is the break in the regularity of the rhythm (regular repetition of sounds or movements), hence its expressive force. It can be achieved through the introduction of accents or the association of short and long intervals within a sequence.

  • Compass: The measure taken to divide a piece of music into fragments of equal length.
  • Orders of Bars:
    • Binary: Consist of two beats.
    • Ternary: Consist of three beats. The first beat is marked down, the second right, and the third up.
    • Quaternary: Consist of four beats. The first beat is marked down, the second up, the third left, and the fourth up.
  • Indication of the Measures: In the form of a fraction. The numerator of the fraction indicates the number of beats of the same species that complete the measure. The denominator indicates the number of beats of the same species that complete the whole note.
  • Setback: Any note that has a weak beat and is preceded by a silence louder placed in time.
  • Pauses or Silences: Figures in musical notation indicating a disruption of sound that have a definite duration.

Perception of Temporal Organization

  • The Moment: Awareness of the precise time an action happens.
  • Simultaneity: Performing two or more actions at the same time.
  • Succession: Performing an action after a previous action has been completed.

Definition and Basic Concepts of Rhythm

. The pace is a game of contrasts: contrast may be caused by intensity, duration or ring tone.
The pace in corporal expression should be studied and lived first in their primary manifestations. Distinction between rhythm and meter, between the rhythmic expression as vital phenomenon, Creator, and how they can be “measured” to be written. The metric is how to measure the rate and give you a script.