Body Movement

Abstract

Body movement plays a role in the construction, execution, and perception of musical performances. This chapter explores the interface between technical matters of physical control and the expressive components of physical gestures, and discusses the bodily origins of musical meaning, expressive performance, and musical skill acquisition. For example, bodily gesture and rhythm in protomusical mother-child exchanges influence the development of thought and knowledge, and expressive slowing in music (ritardando) corresponds to the deceleration of runners coming to a halt. Specific movement gestures in music performance function as illustrative and emblematic cues and clearly indicate the focus..