You don't have to be a professional musician to craft aerial choreography, but an understanding of the language of music is a powerful tool.
Studying a musical instrument can have great impact on your aerial work!
Muscle memory is a phenomenon we all understand as aerialists. We don't need to think about where our feet move in a climb, the feet just move. We climb so often, it takes no brain cells anymore. It is embedded into muscle memory.
The same concept applies when we study music. The structure of melody, a phrase, becomes embedded into our brains and we no longer need to count in a sequence of 8 to build a cohesive flow of movement. The meter is embedded within us.
This is what we call "musicality."
Some people have a natural sense of musicality without studying music academically. It's a wonder to see a young child learn how to spin with a few poses on a lyra, turning that into a work of childlike art!
Most often, musicality is taught.
Especially for the naturally musical children, learning the language of music is an important piece of their overall education as a person.
Listening to music isn't enough.
Children can learn to read and write music in the same way they learn to read and write their native language.
Learning disabilities impact a child's ability to learn to read and write music in the same ways they impact learning their native language. Music should be taught by a music educator who knows both music and pedagogy, along with child development.
MANY gifted musicians have adhd, dyslexia, dysgraphia, extreme auditory sensitivity, and more. A good music educator becomes an expert in teaching people with learning struggles! Studying the Great Composers, I'm certain most would be diagnosed with a long list of learning disabilities today. We cannot give up on teaching these kids!!! Work to teach in a way they can learn!!!
In American schools, children are simply not taught how to actually read and write music with any sense of unified curriculum that successfully produces competent musicians. So music becomes this mysterious and magical skill that some have, but most don't.
Music educators often only have 30-40 minutes with each class per week, and it's impossible to teach anything in that little amount of time. It's a shame because music educators who can pass on the wisdom of Suzuki, Kodaly, Orff, and Dalcroze can build strong learners. Children who learn these methods of music will naturally apply these processes of learning to math and science. They become powerhouse kids!
(Make your voice heard at school board meetings. Work to make change. Meanwhile...)
My opinion: If your child shows interest in music, dance, aerial arts, and theater, they need solid instruction in music theory, preferably via learning instruments and singing in age appropriate settings.
Their ability to excel in any of the performing arts will be hindered by being locked out of the magical language of music.
Writing this, I'm aware that most parents don't read and write music beyond "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge", so I'm trying to explain an elephant to a person who has never seen an elephant, but heard their thunder. "I got along just fine listening to the radio. Music theory won't make living." is a common response when parents consider music lessons and the family budget & schedule.
My response: If your child is perpetually practicing and creating little dance combos and/or singing or drumming on random objects, etc... they are begging to be taught the language of music. There is an auditory & kinesthetic connection inside of them that is emerging, a special gift, and this gift is only empowered by learning the language of music.
Alternately, the gift can be buried by a lack of ability to communicate it.
A buried gift is a tragedy.
One of my wishes as an aerial instructor is to have each aerialist in a music classroom.
I see sparks of genius in that auditory/kinesthetic connection. I want to nurture that!
I decided to dedicate time in a special workshop class to studying the introductory level of musicality & choreography. Musicality cannot be taught in one 90 minute workshop. It is a mere introduction. I hope it inspires aerialists to stick with piano lessons and band and orchestra and choir, or begin their music journey!
This workshop is built into the Intermediate's regular schedule in February.
I am considering how to schedule a summer music program & a homeschool music program.
It's super important to me to offer what I can as an aerial instructor and music educator to the community, to make it accessible, enjoyable, and encouraging!
I'm also reflecting on how I can encourage the wonderful music work happening already.
I have ideas!!!
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