Gesture

Gesture

The term `gesture` or `gestural` can be heard or read in the discourse surrounding `free improvisation` as spoken and written by the practioners themselves.

What does it mean?

here are some examples, where an individual unpacks the word `Gesture/gestural`

Westendorf defines a gesture as “a musical thought or entity complete unto itself” that can “vary in length, style (or type), articulation, tone, dynamic quality, rhythm, pitch, etc.” (Westendorf 1994: 91)

Reinholdsson feels that “a musical gesture may include any tone or combination of tones which are marked off as a unitary event (with beginning and end)”. (Reinholdsson 1998: 130)

“Gestural structure is the most immediate and yet notationally the most elusive aspect of musical communication”. (Wishart 1985:13)

The quotes are to be in Free Ensemble Improvisation, Harald Stenström A Thesis, page 58 [url http://www.improvisersnetworks.online/resources/books-and-documents/item/480-free-ensemble-improvisation-harald-stenstroem-a-thesis link]