Listening to Dance — An Exercise in Viewing Art

I’d like to have you try a short exercise.

Look over the questions/suggestions below:

• Do any images or pictures come to your mind? What are they?
• Does the song cause remembrances of something, someone, or somewhere? If so, what?
• In what environment, if any, does the music place you?
• What kind of feelings does the music evoke?
• If you had to pick a color to represent this work, what would you choose?
• Give three adjectives that describe the work.
• Which instruments do you hear?
• Describe the tempo, the rhythms, the melody or musical quality (thundering and aggressive, or soft and soaring for example)

Now grab a pencil and paper or close your eyes…

Listen to one of these clips:

(don’t worry, you can try this with both if you want)

As you listen, quickly jot down (or think about) your responses to the questions above.

How did you do?

Did you find the exercise easy or difficult? Even if you didn’t particularly like the song, I’m sure you were able to answer some of these questions. In fact, you may not have needed much prompting to visualize during the music.

I’ve used this exercise with students before (usually in preparation for moving to the chosen selection). What I’ve noticed is that when listening to music, the students easily observe and express their reaction based upon what they’ve heard coming through the speakers. With very little prompting, they come up with vivid ideas, even without the benefit of lyrics as clues to the song’s intention. The natural instinct to experience music with their minds and hearts, as well as their ears, seems second nature for most. When viewing art in a visual medium, such as dance or painting or sculpture, it seems the process is inhibited. Perhaps it is harder ot let go of preconceived notions or expectations regarding the art form.  Perhaps it is more difficult to allow oneself to visualize or expound upon something that is already very visual. Whatever the problem, I’ve discovered that students, rather than simply letting the art affect them, get hung up on “What does it mean?” “What is this about?” “Am I the only one who doesn’t get it?”

It seems to me that the art of dance would prove more accessible if people viewed dance like they listen to music.

What do you think?

About Nichelle: Nichelle is the writer/editor of Dance Advantage. Equipped with little more than passion for movement education, she embraced her inner computer nerd and began this blog in 2008. She holds a BA in dance and is an instructor with over 16 years experience. Nichelle continues to perform as a contemporary dance artist, covers dance in the Houston area as a freelance writer and critic, and balances daily life as a full-time mom.

Related posts:

1. Ballet, One Exercise at a Time
2. Help! My Child Doesn’t Listen to the Dance Teacher!
3. Dance Advantage Theme Music?

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.