Emmanuel Sowicz - Application of Basic Emotion Theory in Performance (Feb 6) Questions / Suggestions

Oh, my friends, do I have a special one for you today!!! 

My colleague, friend, fellow Royal Academy of Music graduate, and just all-around inspiring, musician Emmanuel Sowicz is joining us for a very special livestream this Saturday!

Check out the topic as described in his own words:

The Application of Basic Emotion Theory in Musical Performance: A Practical Model for the Effective Communication of Emotion.

 

It’s essentially a framework that can assist in making interpretative decisions. For example: what specific changes can I make to sound parameters such as rhythm, articulation, timbre, speed, etc., in order to best convey tenderness, or anger, or any number of emotions I may wish to express musically?

 

I think of it as a bridge that allows to best communicate our interpretative ideas of what we believe a piece or phrase ‘means’ through specific and targeted technical decisions, such as ‘play with a brighter attack’, or ‘play the dotted rhythms lazier’, etc.

 

Even more to the point: how do we go from ‘I think this music is about the bitter anguish of loss’ to ’should I play that note loud or quiet?’. Importantly, it’s not meant to constrain us with rules, but enable our expression… I think of it as a toolbox.

 

Though it’s based on the academic research of Patrick Juslin related to the perception of emotion by listeners, I take a practical approach on the subject and would make sure to demonstrate with pieces from the guitar repertoire. 

Find the start time in your time zone by clicking the photo or following this event link:

https://app.tonebase.co/guitar/live/player/emmanuel-sowicz-basic-emotion-theory

We are going to be using this thread to gather suggestions and questions!

• What questions do you have on this topic?
• Any particular area you would like us to focus on?