5 Rhythms: Stacatto

 

 

Unit: 5 Rhythms

Theme: Staccato

 

I

Introduction

Continuing with our unit on the 5 Rhythms created by Gabrielle Roth, today, we will explore Staccato, a broken rhythm, where the notes are performed in an abrupt, sharp, clear-cut manner. Applied to Dance Improvisation, Staccato is moving one's body fast to the drum beat. Remember, this is another step towards using dance to transcend one's immediate mind state and enter a state of body surrendering.

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the ideas behind Staccato rhythm
  
• Explain the sensations generated as a result of Staccato
• Gain awareness of the use of embodied movement-meditation in letting go
  
• Experience solo and group dance dancing Staccato
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process
  

 

 III

 

 WARM UP

Stretching 

 

IV

 

Main Lesson

 

1

 

 

Question 1

 

Based on what 5 Rhythms teacher Sophia Campeau-Ferman says, what is the difference between flow and staccato?

 

 

 2

 

Question 2

How would describe the transition from flow to staccato in this duet?

3

 

 

4

 CONCEPTS

Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation, it signifies a note of shortened duration, separated from the note that may follow by silence. It has been described by theorists and has appeared in music since at least 1676.

Staccato rhythm acts like a broken rhythm, where the notes are performed in an abrupt, sharp, clear-cut manner. It is like machine gun fire or a rapid drum beat. Dancing staccato (meaning to “separate”) is taking steps with quick bursts of energy, sharp movements. Symbolically, it means to let go of anger, reference one's childhood, and experience love as one, connects with one's heart heartbeat.

 

 

 5

 

Rhythm is Rhythm 

 (Nick Lambrianou's review on Jannina Wellman)

(Paragraph 9)

Link:

https://www.radicalphilosophy.com/reviews/individual-reviews/rhythm-is-rhythm 

 For Wellmann, it is in musicology around 1800 that these theoretical reflections on rhythm become most evident, as the discipline expands into generalised concerns with meter, measure (Takt) and accent (Akzentheorie) as the keys to an aesthetics of musical form and beauty. Coupled with the physiological disposition of the human as ‘rhythmic being’, which both romanticism and musicology inherit from contemporary science, a more philosophically systematic account of nature and becoming is revealed. As such, what was new in 1800 was not the musical concept of rhythm itself, but that the changed ‘vision of rhythm in both music theory and biology had – unconsciously – reordered knowledge in each domain. Rhythm became understood as the underlying structure of flowing movement, ‘development’ in both aesthetic and organic meanings of the term. This is important not least because this places rhythm back into its truly multi-disciplinary origins: the category of rhythm for Wellmann indicates a lost unity of cultural and natural thought, which existed before nineteenth-century academic and scientific specialisation split them into separate and distinct spheres.

 

Question 3

 What was the change that took place in the 1800s in reference to rhythm?

 

 

 V

 

A Note to Remember

 

Dancing staccato is taking steps with quick bursts of energy, and sharp movements to let go of anger, reference one's childhood, and experience love as one by connecting with one's own heart heartbeat.

 

 

VI

Case Studies

1

There is no movement without rhythm

 

 

 

2

Yoruba-Caribbean Dance

 

 Wemilere

 

Link:

 https://vimeo.com/312332715

 

 Students explore Yoruba-Caribbean dance movement.

 

 Question 4

After watching this videos, why is rhythm so important?

VII

 

 ACTIVITY

 

 Students dance staccato rhythm using all the academic and embodied concepts explored in class.

[Students who need to make up, record 1 min. of staccato movement and post it on Discussion Board]. 

 

 

VIII

Glossary

Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation, it signifies a note of shortened duration, separated from the note that may follow by silence. It has been described by theorists and has appeared in music since at least 1676.

Staccato rhythm acts like a broken rhythm, where the notes are performed in an abrupt, sharp, clear-cut manner. It is like machine gun fire or a rapid drum beat. Dancing staccato (meaning to “separate”) is taking steps with quick bursts of energy, sharp movements. Symbolically, it means to let go of anger, reference one's childhood, and experience love as one, connects with one's heart heartbeat.

 

IX

Journaling

 

X

Sources

 

XI

Students' Work

MAKE UP

Delaney Brown

1. What is the difference between flow and staccato? 

Flow refers to continuous, smooth movements characterized by a seamless transition between gestures, while staccato involves sharp, abrupt movements with clear breaks or pauses between each action. 

2. the transition from flow to staccato

There was a shift from more fluid connected movements to more punctuated, sharply defined actions. 

3. what was the change that took place in the 1800s in reference to rhythm?

in the 1800s, there was a significant shift in the conceptualization of rhythm, particularly in musicology and biology. The change was not in the concept of rhythm itself, but rather in how it was understood and applied across disciplines. This period saw rhythm being recognized as the underlying structure of flowing movement and development, encompassing both aesthetic and organic meanings. Additionally, the 1800s marked a departure from fragmented disciplinary perspectives, emphasizing instead a more holistic understanding of rhythm that bridged culture and natural thought before the era of academic specialization. 

 

Tusca Mahmoudpour

1. Based on what 5 Rhythms teacher Sophia Campeau-Ferman says, what is the difference between flow and staccato?

Based on what 5 Rhythms teacher Sophia Campeau-Ferman, Flow involves continuous, fluid movements but staccato is characterized by sharp, punctuated movements with clear beginnings and endings.

How would describe the transition from flow to staccato in this duet?

The transition from flow to staccato in this duet is flow to more sharp movements. These dancers perform more fluid movements as the express there connection to the natural rhythm of the music or their surroundings. When they are moving into staccato the dancers movements start to get increase in tension and precision.

 What was the change that took place in the 1800s in reference to rhythm?

In the 1800s, the emergence of the Romantic era in music brought significant changes to rhythm. Elements like rubato and syncopation were introduced in this era which resulted in a expansion of expressive dance. New tuns were evolving as well such as folk rhythms, adding diversity to classical music.

1. After watching this video, why is rhythm so important?

Rhythm holds great importance in music and dance for its foundational role in providing structures. It is what triggers the mind to move in ways it does during improve dancing, it is a base and starting point for physical movement and changes in movement can be effected by "rhythm".

Katerina Molina

1. Based on what 5 Rhythms teacher Sophia Campeau-Ferman says, what is the difference between flow and staccato? "Flow" refers to a continuous, fluid movement, embodying grace and fluidity, whereas "staccato" emphasizes precise, rhythmic, and more defined movements, often representing clarity and expression. 

2. How would describe the transition from flow to staccato in this duet? Their interaction shifted smoothly from flowing movements to sharper, more rhythmic ones, reflecting a dynamic play between fluidity and precision in their energies.

3. What was the change that took place in the 1800s in reference to rhythm? The change in the 1800s involved viewing rhythm as central to understanding musical aesthetics and biological development, marking a shift towards recognizing its foundational role in both domains.

4. After watching this videos, why is rhythm so important? Rhythm is crucial because it's the foundation of all movement, shaping how music flows and evolves over time. Without rhythm, music would lack its dynamic structure and emotional impact.

 

Oriana Davila

1. Based on what 5 Rhythms teacher Sophia Campeau-Ferman says, what is the difference between flow and staccato?

Based on what 5 Rhythms teacher Sophia Campeau-Ferman says, the difference between flow and staccato lies in their qualities of movement. Flow involves continuous, fluid movements that follow a natural rhythm, whereas staccato is characterized by sharp, punctuated movements with clear beginnings and endings. Flow is more about surrendering to the movement, while staccato emphasizes precision and definition in each movement.

1. How would describe the transition from flow to staccato in this duet?

The transition from flow to staccato in this duet could involve a shift in movement quality and energy. Initially, the dancers may engage in fluid, continuous movements characterized by a sense of surrender and connection to the natural rhythm of the music or their surroundings. As the transition begins, there may be a gradual increase in tension and precision in their movements.

1.  What was the change that took place in the 1800s in reference to rhythm?

In the 1800s, the emergence of the Romantic era in music brought significant changes to rhythm. Composers began experimenting with more flexible rhythms, introducing elements like rubato and syncopation for greater expressiveness. Additionally, there was a growing influence of folk rhythms, adding diversity to classical music.

 

1. After watching this video, why is rhythm so important?

Rhythm holds paramount importance in music and dance for its foundational role in providing structure, facilitating expressive communication, propelling momentum, fostering unity among performers, and engaging both physical and mental faculties, making it indispensable to the art forms' vitality and impact.

 

SELF-Exploration

 

Nadia Chan

self exploration of staccato

i felt loose and i felt bad chi leaving my body hahaha, it made me more in rhythm and accents with the music.

 

Group Work

 

Tomi frame, Meng Wang, Lauryn Lee,.Yiyun Yang,Jingjing

 

In today’s class we were able to work together and get out of our comfort zones. It was very peaceful and mindful to be able to have this opportunity in class to just relieve a lot of stress. We felt very relaxed.

 

 

Caro, Danielle, Gabi, Savannah, Jordyn

 

We felt liberated and we were able to do what we wanted with our bodies. We were able to express ourselves freely without worrying about how we looked using the staccato movements.

 

shayla, Lauren, Xuanrui Peng, Kimiya Shirinbar

This dance was more energetic compared to the free-flowing one. We felt more free, happy, and powerful.

Alejandra, Adaria, AJ, Tusca, Emma

 

The staccato was upbeat and fun, where we were able to let loose while still interact and think of different ways to make the activity dynamic.