Singing as means of cultural identity against globalisation

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Singing as means of cultural identity against
globalisation

• Xavier Baulies

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Introduction

• Diversity of musical history linked to the
  geographical and sociological realities is the
  basis form which choral music at local level
  keeps the identity of ways of thinking, feeling
  and singing.
• Beyond this, there is a determinant role of the
  voice itself and language to harmonically color
  music and preserve cultural identity.
• In this respect the analysis of transparency of
  vowels, use of consonants and proper vocal
  technique, oriented to strong and artistic
  communication, can provide a better understanding
  on the capacity of a given choral music to
  sustain local culture against globalization.

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Index

• diversity of musical history
• geographical and sociological realities
• natural intonation and temperaments
• voice, language and communication
• transparency of vowels, use of consonants and
  proper vocal technique
• a capella artistic communication
• thinking, feeling and singing

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1. Diversity of musical history

• History (from Local and Region to Global)
• India, Europe, America
• Asia
• Africa, Australia
• Instruments (perception of Harmony)
• Voice, Drums, Strings, Other Metal and Brass
• Temperament evolution
• Natural Intonation and Equal Temperament
  (Tonality Modulation)

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1. Diversity of musical history

• History (from Local and Region to Global)
• India -gt Europe -gt America
• India lt-gt Asia
• Africa
• Australia

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1. Diversity of musical history

• Materials (2 interrelated ways of vibration)
• projection of voice and resonance (from human
  musical imagination to instrument construction)
• perception of Pitch, Harmony and Rhythm (from
  universe to human musical perception)
• Instruments
• Voice,
• Drums,
• Strings,
• Other Metal and
• Brass

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1. Diversity of musical history

• Temperament evolution
• from Natural intonation to Equal Temperament
  (Tonality Modulation and equal use of tones)
• Misunderstanding of the concept
• BACH Well-tempered clavier as an Equal
  Temperament rather than an asymmetric one
• Reference Bradley Lehman
• Singing effect in Europe and North America Long
  major thirds and short fifths

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B C
E
A
D
G
B is not equal to C There is a COMMA
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BACHs diagram
Bach's diagram shows a tuning sequence. Starting
at F-C, C-G etc, go clockwise around the circle.
Temper the 5ths narrow by 1/6 (2/12) comma, 1/6,
1/6, 1/6, 1/6, 0, 0, 0, 1/12, 1/12, 1/12.
                                                  
                                                  
                                   
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2. Voice, language and communication

• Key point for choral resilience at local level
• Every language have transparency of vowels,
  specific use of consonants and proper vocal
  technique, historically associated to emotion and
  feeling
• Every culture need to develop musical language
  and to promote quality composers to build up
  complexity

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2. Voice, language and communication

• The voice can be seen as a balance between
  projection and resonance
• two inseparable axes of energy
• Where is clarity? (pitch and language)
• Where is darkness? (harmony and timber)

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2. Voice, language and communication

• a capella artistic communication
• Dynamic intonation of choral performance
• orchestral adaptation to emotion
• Ways of thinking, feeling and singing
• Use of technical support
• Piano (not as basis for harmonic intonation)
• Alexander Technique
• Psychophysical coordination
• Inner Game of Music
• Awareness, Will and Trust
• Language pronunciation

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Catalonias choral vitality

• 120 federated children choirs
• 450 federated adult choirs
• Internet access to Catalan repertoire and
  coordinated activity
• Interest for training courses for conductors and
  singers
• Increasing number of auditoriums and concerts
• Positive 2003 Europa Cantat effect?

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Examples

• Cantarina Choir (Czech Women's Choir)
• Baba yetu (African song)
• Siyahamba
• Uz Mne Kone Vyvadeji (Czech folk song)
• The Boys Choir of Kenya
• Auma Chapia
• Jowi KitiKiti
• Papale Pitie
• Eric Whitacre
• Waternight