movement+music

I play a fairly movement based instrument. In fact, unless at least one hand moves, no sound can come from the violin. But, every instrument requires some movement in order to produce sound; this is why there is an entire field of therapists and trainers specializing in injury prevention and treatment for musicians. If anyone's going to need therapy for a musically related injury, its these guys--their nervous systems are probably nearly destroyed by now from all that headbanging

When compared to classical music, non-classical where more movement is found. For example, at a Matisyahu concert I attended where the whole crowd was dancing, jumping, waving signs--things you won't find at a "Friends" concert. Just think, one could get a pretty good mosh pit going for Death and the Maiden; although a lot of hips might be broken. My dad told me about this lady, Mairead Nesbitt, who fiddles for Celtic Woman and can perform both the music and dance simultaneously (cool, but a little distracting). Perhaps even a little weirder is the fusion of music and movement that the performers for Cirque du Soleil demonstrate. They don't actually make the music, but one must realize that their shows would not be nearly as successful were they doing acrobatics sans music. And I'd be willing to bet that the music was composed with movement in mind.

Performances are not the only places where you find music and movement. Ever take a spin class? No one would ever be able to make it through one of those things without music, especially not with the hyped up little instructor yelling the whole time. Fitness classes most often require music. You're probably thinking, "well, not yoga", but you're wrong. Bikram yoga and Kundalini yoga often incorporate music with strong steady beats in order to use more energy, form a better connection with breath, and to awaken the sleeping serpent. Why is the iPod industry so successful? Probably because so many people use them when they are excercizing.

These are just a few examples of how I experience the connection between music and movement; I think this is enough weirdness for now.