Accompaniment' Effect on Mood, Atmosphere and Interpretation of a Dance

Accompaniment can affect the mood, atmosphere and interpretation of a

dance. Using sections 1 and 5, discuss this statement.

In section 1 we are introduced to the ghosts of the title. Straight

away we hear the accompaniment of which is very quiet environmental

sounds. They are the sounds of the whistling wind and raindrops, which

shows a sense eeriness of the ghosts who we are introduced to after

the accompaniment begins. The three ghosts that appear on the stage,

dance almost straight away in a trio. Much of the dancing in this

section consists of balances jumps, twists, turns, different levels

and pauses. The pauses occur abruptly and not at regular intervals

therefore add to the sinister atmosphere that is present in this

section, not only in the movement but also in the accompaniment. Many

pauses occur abruptly throughout this section but this does not

interfere with the flow of the accompaniment, as it is fairly

improvised environmental sounds. The fluid but heavy movements of the

ghosts counterpoint the very quite accompaniment that is heard

throughout this section.

A vocal melody begins the accompaniment for section 5. Then a male

dancer does a solo accompanied by a guitar being plucked in the major

key. This signifies, and prepares us for this section to be an up

beat, jovial part of ghost dances. The male performs a solo using

various different floor patterns and most of his movements are quick,

sharp and strong with straight and angular arms and legs as well as a

few pivots. These movements counterpoint the accompaniment that is of

a high tone and a fairly fast tempo. Later, four female dancers join

this male dancer. When the female dancers are performing a quartet,

the male is performing a solo. The females’ movements counterpoint the

guitar melody and the male’s movements counterpoint the panpipe that

is also included in the accompaniment. After this, the male performs

three duets with three different female dancers that are present on

the stage. As the accompaniment continues with the panpipe and the

guitar giving an ebullient feel to this section, we are aware of the

situation. We know that this section is a light-hearted, bright and

fun part of Ghost Dances as we are shown to the male’s situation as he

flirts with all of the female dancers in an attempt to choose a

suitable partner. This section includes many carefree movements

illustrating the kind of person that the male dancer is. He is young

and high-spirited man who enjoys his life. The general atmosphere of

this section is bright and cheerful therefore the accompaniment in the