Body percussion

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Body percussion is the creation of percussive sounds using body movements and body parts exclusively. As an art form, it is very old. Probably the first expressions of music and dance were created on the body.

Body percussion may be performed on its own or as an accompaniment to song. The folk traditions of many countries include the use of body percussion. Examples of these include Indonesian saman, Ethiopian armpit music, palmas in flamenco, and the hambone from the United States.[1]

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[edit] Body percussion sounds

Percussion instruments produce their sound when a player hits, scrapes, rubs or shakes them to produce vibrations. These techniques can also be applied to the human body. The body also presents several unique possibilities including the use of inhaled or exhaled air and vocal sounds.

Traditionally the four main body percussion sounds (in order from lowest pitch to highest in pitch) are:

  1. Stomp: Stamping the feet against the floor or a resonant surface.
  2. Patsch: patting either the left, right or both thighs with hands
  3. Clapping hands together
  4. Click: clicking with the thumb and middle fingers

However, there are numerous other possibilities include: hitting the chest, whistling, slapping or flicking the cheeks with an open mouth, clicking with the tongue against the roof of the mouth, grunting and hitting the buttocks.[2]

Variations of sound are possible through changing the playing technique. For example, clapping the hands in various positions will affect factors such as pitch and resonance.

[edit] Music education

Body percussion is used extensively in music education, because of its accessibility—the human body is the original musical instrument and the only instrument that every student possesses. Using the body in this manner gives students a direct experience of musical elements, such as beat, rhythm, and metre and helps a student internalise rhythmic skills. Certain approaches to music music education, including Orff and Kodaly make particular use of body percussion.

[edit] Performers

Body percussion may be performed solo or several performers may combine to create an ensemble. One of the most accomplished body percussion soloists is Keith Terry. Terry resides in San Francisco, California and in the 1980s he established Cross Pulse, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the creation, performance and recording of rhythm-based, intercultural music and dance. Perhaps the most famous body percussion ensemble is the United Kingdom percussion group Stomp. Stomp perform in a musical genre known as trash percussion, which involves the use of non-traditional instruments combined with body percussion.

[edit] References

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  1. ^ Terry, Keith. Body Music. World Arts West. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  2. ^ Locklear, Scott (May 2006). "Body Percussion". Drum!: 69–72. 
  3. ^ 3. ROMERO NARANJO, Francisco Javier: Body music! Body percussion! Didáctica de la percusión corporal. Música y educación: Revista trimestral de pedagogía musical, ISSN 0214-4786, Año nº 19, Nº 68, 2006 , pp. 49 - 88.
  4. ^ 4. ROMERO NARANJO, Francisco Javier: Bodymusic – Bodypercussion. Propuestas didácticas sobre psicomotricidad rítmica. Música y Educación. Año XVII, 4 – Núm. 60 - Diciembre 2004. Madrid, 2004, pp. 53 - 80.
  5. ^ 5. ROMERO NARANJO, Francisco Javier: Propuestas didácticas en base a los sistemas Bodypercussion y TA KE TI NA. Música y Educación. Año XIV, 3 – Núm. 47 – Octubre 2001. Madrid. pp. 37 - 50.
  6. ^ 6. DVD How to teach BODY PERCUSSION. www.percusion-corporal.com

[edit] External links