In a songwriting class I'm teaching, we're experimenting with applause.
Every other week, we refrain from clapping after people play their songs around the circle. On the weeks in between, we applaud as usual.
I am curious to see how this changes both our playing and our listening.
So far, one student has told me that, when she knows there won't be an opportunity to politely show appreciation after a song (whether she likes it or not) she listens better and is more present.
Other songwriter/performers seem uncomfortable with the idea (as I myself have been at times) thinking that applause is a necessary expression of respect and appreciation. Without it, what's an audience to do? Why would a performer perform?
Our next class is an "applause" week.
Knowing that we can't always take applause for granted, I wonder whether we'll enjoy giving and receiving it more.
3 comments:
This is very thought-provoking, Lynn. As both performer and audience member, I have sometimes experienced a hushed response at the end of a song instead of a burst of enthusiastic applause - both can be valid forms of appreciation. Sometimes a song hits so deep that applause feels a little inadequate. This experiment in your class sounds like a real consciousness-raiser. Wish I had been able to take your course this time around...
Hi Alex! Yes, the experiment turned out to be something that really stuck with people after the session... I'll let you know about upcoming classes, needless to say. Thanks for your thoughts!
hi lynn,
i've always found this topic interesting. in some cultures, applause is discouraged because acoustic music fills a space with resonant soundwaves and an ambience that is alive healing. the act of clapping abruptly shatters these subtle energies and fragments the waves. there's always so much to learn, isn't there?!
always love your posts. xo rosemary
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