Sign Language in Music, Ballet and Pantomime

The only way for a conductor to marshal his 'troops', that is to say the musicians of an orchestra and/or the singers on stage, is by communicating with them through an elaborate set of sign language. He is the one who pulls the entire piece of music, be it an opera or a concert, together. The tool of his trade is normally his baton, although some conductors prefer to dispense with it and only use their hands.

The conductor accompanies the mostly horizontal and vertical movements of his baton with facial expressions and lip movements. Pointing his baton at a specific musician is the sign for him/her to join in. Making downward motions with baton or hand signals lowers the volume of music. Circular movements with the arm indicates the opposite. Putting a finger over his lips means 'pianissimo' or very soft. Motions and gestures are individual and depend on the temperament of the conductor. Sometimes they can resemble physical exercise.

Batons are often made to the personal specifications of a conductor, Herbert von Karajan being an example.

The art form of ballet emerged in the Renaissance Courts of Italy in the 1500s and moved from there to France where the forms of classical ballet were created. That's why nearly all instructions and expressions referring to ballet are in French.

Ballet is a story told without words. Through their movements and expressions, the dancers convey such emotions as joy, fear, jealousy, tragedy or humor. There are five basic positions:

Ballet is pure entertainment. Apart from telling a story and expressing emotions, it's meant to convey to the audience a sense of weightlessness and effortless flow. The most talented dancers are those, who seem to defy the laws of nature and gravity without any visible effort. They say to the spectator: Don't look at what I can achieve. Look what beautiful things are there to be admired and attained as I seem to fly in the air.

Pantomime is a much older art form than ballet. Again, it's a means to tell a story without words by using mimics and gestures. Contrary to ballet, no music is involved in pantomime. Pantomime emerged in the open amphitheaters of the ancient Greeks and Romans, where the audience could see better than hear. Actors told the drama or comedy by body movements alone and sometimes one actor alone performed the part of all characters involved.

The most famous pantomime of modern times was Marcel Marceau, who died age 84, in 2007. Inspired by Charlie Chaplin and observation of nature, flowers and trees surrounding him, he recreated pantomime as a prominent art of modern times. Some of his signs, like cradling a baby, putting a hand behind the ear to indicate listening and opening the lips to a wide O expressing shock or astonishment have entered the field of common sign language.

Pantomime is a useful means for tourists traveling to a country the language of which they don't speak. Signs, derived from Marceau's gestures are often used to communicate with the locals.