Musicality and Performance

What is Musicality?

It means:

  • Having a clear understanding of a range of rhythmical sounds, accents and timings

  • Having a clear understanding of musical interpretation as required by a challenging level of choreographic demand

What is Performance?

It means:

  • Demonstrating use of expression, communication, interpretation and projection as required by the choreographic demand

  • Having artistry and showing lines and movement with all parts of the body, including facial expressions

How can you be musical?

  1. Firstly, you need to know the Rhythm of the music or time signature in the set exercise in RAD syllabus. Eg 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, etc.

  2. Secondly, you would need to count and know the counts, because the rhythm can be different halfway through the exercise. For example, In 3/4, then we know that there are 3 beats in one bar.

    However, half way the exercise, the rhythm can change! (to 2/4 or 4/4 or 6/8!)

    So you would need to know the change in rhythm and count appropriately

  3. Thirdly, by knowing the exercise in detail, including all the movements, including head, eyelines.For example, In 3/4 music, there may not be 3 beats in one bar.

    It may change to 1 ....2...and 3.... or and 1...2....3.

    For example:

    The ‘and’ count can be the head movement only.

    The ‘and 1’ count can be both the head and arm movement.

    The count 2 and 3 is bringing arm to bra bras. Which means it takes 2 counts to lower the arm. It also means that by count 3, the arms are in bras bas and not at count 2.

  4. Fourthly, count with the music, as if you are singing / counting with the music.
    So, once you have known:

    • The Rhythm

    • The counting / counts

    • The movements (including head, eyelines and arms details)

    • Then you need to count with music, as if singing with the music but with the counts (and a 1.. 2.. 3 or 1...a 2...3). This will allow you to be musical and dance in time with the music

  5. Performance. Once you have known those 4, then you can perform it.

    Perform it how you interpret those movements, with the music.

    Perform it with all parts of your body, arms, legs, head, eyelines; including projections, intentions, facial expression

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