Gravity and Breathing as an Integrated Musical Frame

Halym Kim

About this exposition

This artistic research explores a performance practice that integrates the phenomena of gravity and breathing as extensions of musical expression in improvisation. The aim is to develop a musical language that translates the qualities and characteristics of gravity and breath into sonic gestures, examining how they generate tension and release through both musical actions and silences. The project draws inspiration from traditional Korean music and dance, in which an embodied awareness of gravity and breathing constitutes a foundational approach to performance and interpretation. These cultural references serve as a framework for rethinking musical practice and transcultural awareness. As part of the research process, I undertook studies in traditional Korean dance, the vocal tradition of Pansori, and the percussion instrument Soribuk to understand how gravity and breathing are communicated artistically, verbally, and methodologically across these three disciplines. Insights from this embodied practice were then translated into the context of Western contemporary improvisation. The resulting concept is designed to enhance the performer’s awareness and is specifically conceived for a solo drum set context.

type	research exposition
keywords	RMC alumni, Korean traditional music, improvisation, contemporary music, artistic research, transcultural, free improvisation, cultural influence, interpretative musical conception, transcultural music making, tools, gravity, breathing, embodiment, solo improvisation, solo performance, percussion, drum solo
date	16/05/2023
published	22/04/2025
last modified	22/04/2025
status	published
copyright	Halym Kim
license	CC BY-NC-ND
language	English
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/2145262/2145263
doi	https://doi.org/10.22501/rmc.2145262
published in	Rhythmic Music Conservatory, Copenhagen
portal issue	0. Published Research by Advanced Postgraduate Diploma students

name	Total.JPG
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture, picture

name	Gravity1 Kopie.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Breathing2 Kopie.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Gravity2 Kopie.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Breathing1 Kopie.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Gravity3 Kopie.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Breathing3 Kopie.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Gravity4.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Breathing4.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Directions.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Bendings.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Phrases.jpg
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Onehand.JAM.MOV
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Bothhands.JAM.MOV
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Onehand.Movements.MOV
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Bothhands.Movement.MOV
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Reflection on Floor Tom.mp4
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Reflection on Snare Drum.mp4
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Reflection on Bass Drum.mp4
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	INklang.Sketch.pdf
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	Tr.2 - Reflection on Gravity and Breathing I.mp3
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	Translation II by Halym Kim
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Translation III by Halym Kim
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Translation IV by Halym Kim
copyright	Halym Kim
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

Research Catalogue

an international database for artistic research

Gravity and Breathing as an Integrated Musical Frame (2025)

Copyrights