Jazz / Pop Singing at the Crossroads of Movement and Musical elements (copy) by Daniela Fanelli

Research question - How can focusing on the connection between body movements and the key musical elements of rhythm, lyrics/mood, pitch and dynamics positively affect the expressiveness and vocal freedom of jazz / pop vocalists? When considering the attributes of captivating performances, jazz and pop singers often tend to underutilize their bodies on stage. This observation prompted a deeper examination of the interplay between body awareness, singing, and movements, resulting in the question “How can focusing on the connection between body movements and the key musical elements of rhythm, lyrics/mood, pitch and dynamics positively affect the expressiveness and vocal freedom of jazz / pop vocalists?” The research aims to address this question through a series of investigative stages. Firstly, the analysis of my 2023 end-of-year performance revealed a clear correlation between gestures, expressiveness and the four musical elements mentioned. Further research supported this finding and led to the development of movement-focused singing exercises, whereby vocalists sing while consciously engaging their bodies in alignment with each key musical element individually. This methodology underwent testing with six vocalists, yielding valuable empirical data. The data shows that this set of exercises can be a helpful, holistic tool in increasing expressiveness, enhancing awareness and improving embodiment while singing, as I have also experienced for myself. By sharing this research, I hope to encourage all musicians to deepen their connection with themselves, their instrument, and the audience through movement and body awareness.

A. Introduction

As musicians, we constantly find ourselves navigating a web of skills and knowledge at the intersection of various fields. Partaking in all these roles requires us to be knowledgeable about diverse realms, each contributing to our craft in unique ways. As singers on stage, we embody a wide range of practices, including dancing, acting, body awareness, all of which intertwine to shape our performances. Through my experiences of being on stage as a singer, but also as a dancer, actress and speaker, I've felt first-hand the symbiotic relationship between these spheres, realizing the potential they hold in elevating our artistry. Thus, at the heart of this exploration lies the recognition that singers perform at the crossroads of many fields, and this sparked my wish to delve deeper into the synergy between these disciplines and their impact on singing.

My fascination with movement while singing stems from personal experiences and a quest for holistic expression. Having encountered the transformative effects of the Alexander Technique on my own singing, I became increasingly interested in exploring the connection between body, mind and voice. This curiosity helped me narrow my focus to this specific aspect of performance, and this research aims to explore the effects of movement-focused exercises on vocal expressiveness and freedom.

In jazz and pop singing, I believe there is a gap between our musical practice and valuable insights from adjacent fields such as dancing, acting, and body awareness. This divide can manifest in inefficient postures, restricted movements, a lack of expressive engagement and lackluster stage presence, to name a few. Hence, it seems we have a tendency to underutilize the potential of our bodies on stage, overlooking the power of movement in captivating audiences. Conversely, when observing truly compelling vocal performances, it's clear that artists who seamlessly integrate body movements with musical elements exhibit a heightened level of expressiveness and vocal freedom. Additionally, there are extensive studies on how classical singers use their bodies on stage, but the same emphasis has not been applied to non-classical singers.

Thus, my research question emerges: how can focusing on the connection between body movements and the key musical elements of rhythm, lyrics/mood, pitch and dynamics positively affect the expressiveness and vocal freedom of jazz / pop vocalists? To address this question, I embarked on a series of interventions, beginning with self-analysis of my performances to identify correlations between movements and musical elements. Then, I discussed my findings with experts from fields related to stage movement, juxtaposing their perspectives with my observations. This process culminated in the development and refinement of the model, which is a set of exercises designed to amplify the symbiosis between body and voice.

While my research represents only a narrow exploration within the vast landscape of the interdisciplinary nature of singing, I hope it will be a catalyst for broader conversations and explorations among artists. Hence, by highlighting the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate fields of knowledge, I aspire to raise awareness and inspire fellow singers and instrumentalists to embrace cross-disciplinary learning and unlock new dimensions of artistic expression.

go to Literature Review ⇒

Tip

Tip

Daniela Fanelli - Jazz / Pop Singing at the Crossroads of Movement and Musical elements (copy) - 2024

A. Introduction