does anyone here use gestures in dance music? if so post

[bert786]

do you guys use gestures in your music? here is a passage below from this book that says ,its important to grab the listener of your musical piece within the first few bars and you do that by gestures. If this is not achieved the listener will not finish your song. So what you want is to create a gesture so he or she wants to know more ,you basically have to create some anticipation (in the first 1-2 bars) to keep the listener wanting to hear more and wanting to know what will follow so id like to know if you guys use gestures ? if so post some of your ideas here or a mp3 of a gesture you use that work and explain what kind of gesture it is.

heres the passage.




Some typical starting gestures
It turns out upon examination that there are certain kinds of gestures which are better suited to a
beginning than others. Further it is possible to categorize and generalize about such gestures.
What they have in common is that they are provocative and somehow require elaboration and
continuation; in this way they create the "question" referred to above in the mind of the listener.
Without being restrictive, (3) one can say that the following are typical of the gestures composers
use as beginnings. (Of course this list is by no means exhaustive.)
· Crescendi and/or significant expansion of register within the first phrase: A crescendo
creates tension and energy, and implies a (future) goal. Expansion of register has the
effect of opening up new terrain.
Beethoven, Piano Sonata op. 10, #3 , 1st movement.
· Rising lines: Probably by association with the voice, rising lines are associated with
increasing stress. (4)
Beethoven, Piano Sonata op. 2, #1, 1st movement.
· Unresolved harmony and otherwise incomplete phrases : If the harmony creates
expectations that are not immediately fulfilled, closure is avoided. Incomplete gestures
create suspense.
Beethoven, Piano Sonata op. 31, #3 , 1st movement.
· Rhythmic variety and contrast of note values, or sudden contrast of motives: The
juxtaposition of dissimilar rhythmic elements tends to create discontinuity of movement.
Such discontinuity makes the ensuing music less predictable and conclusive, and
therefore is suitable for provoking interest.
Beethoven, Piano Sonata op. 31, #2 , 1st movement.
· Orchestral and registral discontinuities: timbre and register are among the easiest
elements for any listener to perceive. Abrupt changes in either of these dimensions tend
to suggest later resumption.
Mozart, Jupiter Symphony, 1st movement: tutti followed by strings alone.
Not all of these elements are required for a successful beginning. Any one such gesture (or a
gesture combining several of these characteristics) can attract attention and stimulate the
listener's curiosity.
One final qualification: these types of musical gestures are not limited to beginnings (they are
often found in transitional passages as well, for example). The point here is simply that a gesture
which does not somehow suggest to the listener that "more is to follow" will likely not succeed
in engaging his interest. When a typical beginning gesture is used elsewhere, it is often mitigated
by other

[Ogg Vorbis]

this book

What book is it? I'm curious because I've not heard of gestures before.

[ttw]

To some extent I use gesture in popular-type music. For example, I try to establish a firm indication of key. With most dance music, I try to indicate the type of dance with the bass and rhythm. (To some extent the melody too.)

For example, with a tango, I'll tend to use either a habanera rhythm in the base (or in the melody) (that's dotted quarter, eighth, quarter, quarter in 4/4) or the strong march rhythm (4 quarters, the first accented) with an arrastre (like 4 thirty-second notes) from the last beat of one measure to the first beat of the nexe.

For rumbas (American style), a strong half, quarter, quarter (or quarter, quarter rest, quarter, quarter) is good. The melody can be most anything. If orchestrated, I make sure the claves can be heard.

Waltzes just get a stront 1,2,3 feeling.

[jlocri]

I'm guessing that book of yours is based around classical music?

Classical techniques and ideas aren't all that necessary in strict (electronic) dance music because the two styles are so different. Whilst dance music is usually repetitive for the sake of the environment, it's common in classical teaching to stress tension/release and consonance/dissonance. Also, if your dance track is being played in a club, it's doubtful people can stop listening to it. At most, the DJ might mix it out and mix another track in.

Classical form is still nice to know though, especially if you're aiming to move away from dance music later. In my opinion, it's a good thing to diversify and learn about all types of music (even the kind you probably won't listen to).

Sorry if I guessed wrong, but EDM does seem very popular amongst these parts.

I guess my point is, don't worry about it. Keep doing what you do best.

[bert786]

this book

What book is it? I'm curious because I've not heard of gestures before.

heres the book where you can download it http://www.dolmetsch.com/form.pdf

[The Chubu]

Im not sure if i understanded this, but isnt Stereo Love by Edward Maya an example of this? I dunno if it falls on House, dance or what...

Anyway, the main melody its played first in an incomplete form, followed by its "complete" form, and then goes straight to the verse, wo letting you hear the main melody in a chorus first.

Anyway, the guy (Edward Maya) studied in a 200 yr old conservatory so i think he may know a thing or two bout composition haha

PD: Thanks for the link! Im going to read it when im in the mood of some theory

[Computer991]

Anyway, the guy (Edward Maya) studied in a 200 yr old conservatory so i think he may know a thing or two bout composition haha

He didn't write the actual melody tho.

[coquillo]

do you guys use gestures in your music?

The drop is the point in a track where a switch of rhythm or bass line occurs and usually follows a recognizable build section and break.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_%28music%29

Sounds like gestures to me.