Rhythm-speak : mnemonic, language play or song?

Michael Atherton

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

    Abstract

    ![CDATA[Vocalisations of pitch and rhythmic material are used by musicians for learning and sharing musical ideas. As musical phenomena this appears to be much more than simply functional music. It suggests communication behaviour that is apparent in the earliest parent/carer interactions with the infant child. The author identifies it as rhythm-speak and suggests that language play, the speaking and singing of nonsense syllables, and vocal mimicry constitute behaviours that stem from the origins of music itself, and that these activities form the basis of creative exploration and improvisation. An investigation of rhythm-speak should consider music skills acquisition, biomusicology, and anthropological phenomena to understand the practice of vocalising instrumental music - the main use of rhythm-speak. Questions are asked about the speaking of pitches and rhythms as mnemonic devices or as sui generis music making. This is also approached from a critically reflective position based on observation and collaboration in music and educational contexts. Examples from India, Africa, Australia and Asia are considered in a survey of vocalised percussion. The work is still in progress and no formal conclusions have been reached. However, it is suggested that a deeper understanding of both the functional and aesthetic aspects of rhythm-speak might be enhanced by parallel research into music and language.]]
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the Inaugural International Conference on Music Communication Science
    PublisherUniversity of Western Sydney
    Number of pages4
    ISBN (Print)9781741081619
    Publication statusPublished - 2007
    EventInternational Conference on Human Communication Science -
    Duration: 1 Jan 2007 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Conference on Human Communication Science
    Period1/01/07 → …

    Keywords

    • music
    • rhythm-speak
    • pitch
    • oral communication
    • rhythm
    • mnemonics

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