Gaining the Upper Hand : An Investigation into Real-time Communication of the Vamp and Lead-In through Non-Expressive Gestures and Preparatory Beats with a focus on Opera and Musical Theatre

Sammanfattning: This thesis seeks to discuss conducting technique in relation to real-time communication of Vamp, Safety-Bars and Lead-Ins through left-hand gestures within the context of opera and musical theatre. The research aims to develop a codified set of gestures suitable for the left-hand. It will explore and analyse left-hand gestures which are commonly used, but not yet codified, and the importance in which the preparatory beat plays a role in communicating the Vamp and Lead-In. This research also aims to establish a framework for conductors to create their own left-hand gestures and better understand musical structure used in Opera and Musical Theatre. The new gestures developed through research into visual and body languages (such as sign languages) as well as body movement (sound painting). The gestures will be tested through one artistic project, with three sections, then analysed using methods of qualitative inquiry. The paper is narrative based in its structure; with the reader guided through each topic by the last. The introduction sets up the main idea for this thesis, then each section is guided by these elements. The research questions and aims were formed because of the available literature; thus, they appear after the theory chapter.