Have you ever though of a world without theory systems? No written notations, and no names for musical concepts?
Well, that's Brazil, for you!
That's right, Brazil has no written notations, no names for musical concepts no recognized time values or note values, yet they are still somehow able to complete complex and well developed musical pieces. This is done from memory. It is quite possible to develop an understanding and skill for a piece by memorizing it and playing it over, although (as expected) it takes a lot longer. The music, as said, would have no written notes, thus said it would be much easier to make mistakes.
However, Brazil does have ways of helping musicians out, especially while playing. This is where hand signals come into play. There are many different hand signals used to add more to the music, which are most commonly used for sambas.
Counting
This is the most important sign. This enables the conductor to control when all other signals are performed, so everyone can make certain that they do things at the same time. First, the count in is spoken and then the hand signals are shown,, raising all four fingers (no, your thumb is not a finger), starting with your index, then your middle, then ring, and pinky. They are raised to the tempo that is being played.
Stop
This is also very important, yet very simple. The only action is raising a fist, to stop. Then to count back in, you... well, start counting! By raising this to certain sections, they stop playing while all of the other sections continue.
Carry On
This signal only requires rotating hands around each other. Making this action to a section at rest will allow them to begin playing again, even though they may be doing something completely different than the rest of the sections.
Speed Up
To complete this action, you must first point to your wrist (where a watch might be) with your index finger, and spiralling upwards. This, as suspected, lets the section(s) know whether to speed up.
Slow Down
This action is exactly the same as the speed up action, only instead of spiralling upwards, the spiral is downwards, towards the ground.
Volume Up and Down
This task is demonstrated by raising your hands flat above you, for volume up, or sending them down, for volume down. This can be directed to different sections as well, having one section play loudly and the rest quietly, or one quietly and the rest loudly. Different volumes are adjusted depending on the height of your hands.
Breaks
The signal for a break is raising your hand with however many fingers are needed, depending on the amount of notes you wish to have a break for. For example, if there was a four note break, four fingers would be raised, and four notes later the break would be over. Same with three, two, one, and even five. However, if there were more than five needed, both hands would be used. They would be linked at the thumbs, representing, for example, eight notes.
Tuning
Tuning is represented by shaping your hand like a pistol and pointing it to your head (bang! that's for bad tuning!).
- There are several other different methods of tuning signals, but this one is fairly common.
Well, that's Brazil, for you!
That's right, Brazil has no written notations, no names for musical concepts no recognized time values or note values, yet they are still somehow able to complete complex and well developed musical pieces. This is done from memory. It is quite possible to develop an understanding and skill for a piece by memorizing it and playing it over, although (as expected) it takes a lot longer. The music, as said, would have no written notes, thus said it would be much easier to make mistakes.
However, Brazil does have ways of helping musicians out, especially while playing. This is where hand signals come into play. There are many different hand signals used to add more to the music, which are most commonly used for sambas.
Counting
This is the most important sign. This enables the conductor to control when all other signals are performed, so everyone can make certain that they do things at the same time. First, the count in is spoken and then the hand signals are shown,, raising all four fingers (no, your thumb is not a finger), starting with your index, then your middle, then ring, and pinky. They are raised to the tempo that is being played.
Stop
This is also very important, yet very simple. The only action is raising a fist, to stop. Then to count back in, you... well, start counting! By raising this to certain sections, they stop playing while all of the other sections continue.
Carry On
This signal only requires rotating hands around each other. Making this action to a section at rest will allow them to begin playing again, even though they may be doing something completely different than the rest of the sections.
Speed Up
To complete this action, you must first point to your wrist (where a watch might be) with your index finger, and spiralling upwards. This, as suspected, lets the section(s) know whether to speed up.
Slow Down
This action is exactly the same as the speed up action, only instead of spiralling upwards, the spiral is downwards, towards the ground.
Volume Up and Down
This task is demonstrated by raising your hands flat above you, for volume up, or sending them down, for volume down. This can be directed to different sections as well, having one section play loudly and the rest quietly, or one quietly and the rest loudly. Different volumes are adjusted depending on the height of your hands.
Breaks
The signal for a break is raising your hand with however many fingers are needed, depending on the amount of notes you wish to have a break for. For example, if there was a four note break, four fingers would be raised, and four notes later the break would be over. Same with three, two, one, and even five. However, if there were more than five needed, both hands would be used. They would be linked at the thumbs, representing, for example, eight notes.
Tuning
Tuning is represented by shaping your hand like a pistol and pointing it to your head (bang! that's for bad tuning!).
- There are several other different methods of tuning signals, but this one is fairly common.