Embodiment in the Context of the Transmission of Vocal Tradition. School of Traditional Music, Poland

Abstract

In this paper, the experience gained mostly at yearly summer schools of traditional music (primarily at one school in Poland) is reviewed, noting in particular the importance of embodiment in the second link of the transmission chain “native singer – teacher – student”. The main purpose of these workshops is to practise certain traditional vocal techniques and styles, thus actually “embodying Otherness” (Trimillos 2004). The individual experience of the author (working as an instructor) and the reflections of other school participants are considered. A number of points relating to the topic are discussed, including developing a “corporeal vocal memory”, imitation (overt or covert), hermeneutic “lay” instructions, adequate environment as part of a cognitive system, and the proportion of verbal/non-verbal means. The application of these to group training introduces special problems. These include creating a “bioenergetic” group space (related partly to the group geometry), statics and dynamics in embodiment dependent on and manifesting in the song genre, the singers’ individuality, and certain roles of the singers. Special attention is paid to the role of intentional/unintentional gestures in group leading and communication. The rehearsing of one song is presented as an example of the interplay of various aspects of embodiment.