“Musicianship” – Miming In the Groove

Here is my interpretation on “Musicianship”

“Musicianship” is a type of musicality with performer’s specific state of mind and body naturally woven into mime performance. It is a blend of physics and internal singing, which create visual music in the state of “groove”.

In my opinion, “Musicianship” can happen only if your body knows how to Coil and Uncoil “effortlessly”, as great musicians can “groove” only through complete control and freedom of their rhythms.

In 2003, Gregg started writing a new play titled “Portrait of a Song” TO a jazz tune called “Spain” by Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea. I recall that he literary memorized every phrase within the 11 minutes tune and acted/moved to the actual phrases. It was an experimental play for him. He cut the song into several sections, act TO the phrases and rehearsed without mirrors just as musicians never play looking at themselves objectively/self-consciously when they groove.

Gregg wanted to “become” the music, so he focused on the essence of rhythms and melodies. Because of the type of music, the perfection he was searching for became the improvisational playfulness and effortless fluency in the groove. It was a mesmerizing piece which made many people cry including myself. After that discovery of Musicianship, He developed another play “The Argument”, like a magic box of “Musicianship”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlX3kI1ENLU&noredirect=1

If you have a pair of ballet shoes with flat sole, please bring them to our class. If not, we strongly recommend you to get one. “Musicianship” is hard to learn barefoot.

**For more information on The Goldston Moriyama Institute for Mime, our Personal Mime Training Programs in New York City, or our 3-week summer program in Italy, please contact: [email protected] / [email protected]

Haruka Moriyama,
The GMI