A dramatic expression of a musical line can move the soul, while our heartfelt expression of the energy of the line through singing and movement move children to engage with the energy of the line. Our dramatic expression is not the drama of the words, but that of the musical narrative—the musical line—the combination of words, rhythm and melody—the musical interpretation of the drama of the words. Rhythm, melody, and text intertwine, tugging and pulling the musical line into one expressive whole. Our movement while singing communicates the energy of the line to children, who in turn, engage in movement, capturing musical nuance through repeated verses. Children “embody” the energy of the line whether or not they are yet old enough to deliver it in song and movement.
There are no absolutes in how to move with the energy of the line. The more you explore an Art Song or Gem Song through flowing movement while singing, engaging knees, hips, arms, upper torso, the more you will find your own dramatic expression of the musical line. Let the movement of the arms/hands become the articulation of text in movement, while the whole body captures the essence of the song. Every song is different, and successive repetitions provide the opportunity to explore a song’s musicality again and again, discovering something new each time.
Take a look at the little Art Song, Butterfly Dreams. Note the change of energy with the shifting meter. Capture in movement the somewhat sleepy first segment, contrasted by the more energetic move to triple meter through successive verses, with your dramatic expression being that of the combination of rhythm, melody, and words. Your model will become utterly musical, complete with appropriate breath. Successive repetitions of such musicality compel children to become the song over and over—to “practice” being musical.
The energy of the line of a contrasting song would be obviously quite different, so let’s look at the somewhat similar Art Song, The Crescent Moon, and find its unique expression. Engaging your whole body in movement, let the arms/hands articulate the text, as your movement sets the stage, with the rhythmic “interruption” of the crescent moon that drives the clouds while the divisions of micro beats drive the rhythm and melody through successive repetitions.
Children find such demonstrations of musicality irresistible.
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