The Motosonus Method was devised to give pianists and composers access to tools that would enable them to provide a very high quality of ballet class music. In the most general terms the Motosonus Method provides ballet class pianists a set of guidelines for playing ballet class music with categorical tools which are intended to make the music more powerful in its role in the teaching setting of the ballet studio.
One of the main methods of accomplishing this is by using the the placment of the beat and the melodic and harmonic content of the music to form a dissonance and consonance that mirrors the tension and relaxation taking place in the dancers' muscles.
The most important of these techniques is the manipulation of the beat or pulse. It was discovered that the utilization of rhythm has a larger impact on the dancers in a class than any other single part of the musical accompaniment.
The personality of the music is created to enhance each individual ballet exercise by changing the position of the downbeat and also by changing the manner in which the downbeat is played. As an example, by anticipating the beat, sometimes referred to as "rushing the beat," and making it wider by rolling or arpegiating the notes, the pianist is able to give the music an expansive feel. This is used in the ballet exercises that require the larger muscles of the body, and which require large sweeping motions from the dancers. When the bass notes are played precisely on the beat, or "in the pocket,", it creates a sense of drive which is perfect for ballet exercises that require a swiftness and accuracy.
By intentionally manipulating the beat, the pianist can produce a musical tapestry that compliments and augments the movements of the dancers, which both supports them in performing the exercises accurately and also improves their progress in their journey toward their goals.
One of the main methods of accomplishing this is by using the the placment of the beat and the melodic and harmonic content of the music to form a dissonance and consonance that mirrors the tension and relaxation taking place in the dancers' muscles.
The most important of these techniques is the manipulation of the beat or pulse. It was discovered that the utilization of rhythm has a larger impact on the dancers in a class than any other single part of the musical accompaniment.
The personality of the music is created to enhance each individual ballet exercise by changing the position of the downbeat and also by changing the manner in which the downbeat is played. As an example, by anticipating the beat, sometimes referred to as "rushing the beat," and making it wider by rolling or arpegiating the notes, the pianist is able to give the music an expansive feel. This is used in the ballet exercises that require the larger muscles of the body, and which require large sweeping motions from the dancers. When the bass notes are played precisely on the beat, or "in the pocket,", it creates a sense of drive which is perfect for ballet exercises that require a swiftness and accuracy.
By intentionally manipulating the beat, the pianist can produce a musical tapestry that compliments and augments the movements of the dancers, which both supports them in performing the exercises accurately and also improves their progress in their journey toward their goals.
About the Author:
This article is brought to you compliments of Gaylord Pannitron. The Motosonus Method is utilized in The First Class Albums, a set of ballet class music CDs by composer/choreographer/pianist, Don Caron. You can check them out in Amazon's Ballet Class Music library.
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