Gestures in ensemble performance
Gestures, defined as meaning-bearing bodily actions, play important and varied roles in ensemble performance. This chapter discusses how the term “gesture” differs from physical “motion” and perceived “action.” The functional differences between sound-producing, sound-facilitating, sound-accompanying, and communicative actions are presented, alongside how these can be performed and/or perceived as meaning-bearing gestures. The role of gestures in ensemble performance is examined from four perspectives: (1) ensemble size and setup; (2) the musical degrees of freedom of the ensemble; (3) the musical leadership; and (4) the role of machines in the musicianship. It is argued that the use of gestures varies between different types of ensembles and musical genres. The common denominator is the need for meaning-bearing bodily communication between performers, with such gestures also playing an important part in the musical communication with the audience.