Music has always been more than just a collection of sounds; it's a powerful medium for conveying emotions, experiences, and stories. When I was a young cello student, I remember my private lesson teacher telling me about the importance of storytelling as a performer. She'd go into great detail about the deep and special connection we, as performing musicians, share with our audiences. Beyond the notes, we are telling a story. We are on stage with the goal of eliciting some kind of reaction from our audience, whether that is an emotion, thought, feeling, or memory. We are not just playing the sheet music; we are initiating a special and important spiritual experience for our audiences.
I remember her telling me about this important connection with audiences while I was working on a recital piece, and how she then asked me, "what is the story you are telling with this piece?" She looked at me with glimmering eyes, pausing to let me gather my thoughts. I stammered out a stereotypical response, like, "the princess is going into the woods. She gets scared, then runs away. Then she gets out of the woods and is happy again." My teacher paused before responding. "Okay... but what will your audience feel? When they listen to your performance, will they know, inherently and positively in their soul, that this is the story you're telling?" The obvious answer was no. How would they know that? Does she really expect my audiences to know, telepathically or in some other mystical way, what my story is?
At this point, she changed gears. She told me to pick up my cello and play my recital piece again for her. "This time, take a moment before playing, and imagine your story. Place yourself in the woods- you're the princess, you're feeling scared. What do you hear? Smell? Sense? What is your goal? What is driving you to get out of the woods? Become this character, fully and intensely." I closed my eyes, and put myself in this character's shoes. What was first a generic, sarcastic-answer from a pre-teen, suddenly exploded with life. I could really feel the grass sneaking into my shoes, the uncomfortable gown scratching at me while I run, out of breath, through an overstimulating and frightening forest. I could hear animals, unseen to my eyes, scurrying in the trees and bushes, only adding to the fear. Just when I think all hope is lost, I see the edge of the forest. The prince is waiting for me on the other side, and all of the fear and anxiety I felt before dropped away instantly as I collapsed in the prince's arms. In that moment, I wasn't just a 12-year-old girl in a cello lesson- I was a princess, running through the woods, terrified; I was a princess with a historic and troubled background, running from my past, scared I wouldn't be able to escape all that was holding me back. I was a princess, finding my home with the prince, just when I thought all hope was lost. I took a deep breath, and played the cello.
After I finished, my cello teacher had tears in her eyes. I asked her if she could see my story while I played. She then proceeded to describe all of the things I was actually visualizing while I was playing, to my shock and surprise. There was electricity in the air. I teared up myself, feeling overwhelmed by the intense connection I had just made with my audience while performing.
I had told a story without any words spoken. I made an impact in someone's life experience, through storytelling in music.
In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of storytelling in music and the profound impact it can have on both performers and listeners across various genres.
What is Storytelling in Music?
Storytelling in music refers to the ability of a composition or performance to convey a narrative or evoke a series of emotions that tell a story. This can be achieved through various elements:
1. Lyrics: The most direct form of musical storytelling, where words explicitly narrate a tale- for all of you vocalists and singer-songwriters out there.
2. Melody: The tune itself can mimic the emotional journey of a story. Think of the highs and lows of a melody as the highs and lows of your journey.
3. Harmony: The interplay of notes can create tension, resolution, and mood. The most simplest form of this could be the age-old explanation of major keys being happy, and minor keys being sad.
4. Rhythm: The pace and pattern of the music can reflect the energy and flow of a narrative.
5. Instrumentation: The choice and arrangement of instruments can paint a sonic picture. A cello may tell a different story than a marimba.
6. Dynamics: Changes in volume and intensity can highlight different parts of the story.
Benefits of Musical Storytelling
For Musicians:
1. Enhanced expressiveness: Musical storytelling helps performers connect more deeply with the music they play, creating an all-around better performance experience.
2. Improved technique: Encourages the development of a wider range of musical skills to convey different story elements. Musical storytelling forces you to think outside of the box to be able to tell your story in the most effective and impactful way.
3. Personal growth: It allows musicians to process and express their own experiences through their art, deepening that connection with other people and helping not only your audience have a spiritual experience through music, but you, as well.
For Listeners:
1. Deeper engagement: Creates a more immersive and memorable listening experience.
2. Emotional connection: Helps audiences relate to the music on a personal level.
3. Broader appreciation: Encourages listeners to explore and understand different musical styles and cultures.
Examples Across Genres
Storytelling through music is not a new concept. This has been done for hundreds of years, all across the world and in all genres and styles of music. Here are some examples of different pieces of music with clear elements of storytelling- go listen to some of these, and think: is this the story you see in your mind's eye when you listen to it? If not, what else do you see? What do you feel, think, know, taste, hear?
1. Classical: Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral" paints a picture of countryside scenes through orchestral music.
2. Folk: Bob Dylan's "Hurricane" tells the true story of boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter's wrongful imprisonment.
3. Hip-Hop: Kendrick Lamar's album "good kid, m.A.A.d city" narrates his experiences growing up in Compton.
4. Country: Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue" humorously recounts a man's lifelong struggle with his unusual name.
5. Progressive Rock: Pink Floyd's "The Wall" album tells a complex story of isolation and personal struggle.
The Spiritual Connection
Storytelling in music can create a profound spiritual connection between the artist, the music, and the audience. This connection stems from:
1. Shared human experiences: Stories in music often touch on universal themes that resonate across cultures. We have all felt things like love, loss, joy, sadness, and grief. We can all connect through these universal themes and share that special connection in our musical performances.
2. Emotional catharsis: Both performing and listening to narrative music can provide emotional release and healing. Have you ever cried while listening to music? That's what this is.
3. Cultural preservation: Many traditional music forms pass down cultural stories and values through generations. Look into the music you are performing- are there any cultural stories it is telling that you can amplify through your performance?
4. Transcendence: The combination of narrative and music can create moments of heightened consciousness or spiritual awareness. The stage, music stand, bright lights, and everything else goes away in this moment. All you and your audience can see is the story you are telling. This is transcending beyond our physical world into the spiritual. You're connecting with your audience on a higher level that is impossible in our daily life.
Conclusion
Storytelling in music is a powerful tool that enriches both the creation and appreciation of music. By integrating narrative elements into composition and performance, we can foster a deeper connection to the art form. Whether you're a musician, educator, or listener, exploring the storytelling aspects of music can open up new dimensions of understanding and enjoyment. So the next time you listen to or play a piece of music, take a moment to consider: what story is being told?
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Looking for a constructive way to start the storytelling journey in your own practice? I created this handy-dandy worksheet to help you to organize your thoughts and feelings onto paper, so you can be confident in your musical storytelling journey. Click the link below to download it directly to your device.
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Want to dive deeper into how storytelling can enhance your own performance, or your teaching philosophy and technique? Feel drawn to telling me your own story? I'm here for you. Schedule a session with me by sending me an email at contact@amandagraceguilfoyle.com.
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