Fine (Martial) Arts

A form or pattern is similar to a musical arrangement. A form has set movements and techniques that must be performed in a set order, just as a musical score has set notes. A martial artist may make minute changes in the tempo or force of a pattern to make the performance better than other performances of the same pattern, just as a musician may make small changes to the performance of a score to make the arrangement unique. 

A martial artist must undergo a transformation to embody the martial art as a way of life just as the way an actor must immerse him or herself in a character so the audience is convinced by the performance. When a martial artist has perfected a pattern, when the artist performs the pattern, the audience is convinced the artist is actually in a fight.

Rhythm and timing are essential to musicians playing together. Without this coordination, the resulting music would be confused noise. The same coordination is required when two martial artists spar. When both opponents fight with coordinated timing and rhythm in their maneuvers, a sparring match is a work of art. If one of the opponents is out of sync with the other, the match is merely a brawl.