DANCE

DANCE

DANCEDance is the most universal

human activityFound in every cultureFocuses on the human form in

time and spaceInvolves elements of sculpture,

theatre and music

TRADITIONS OF DANCE BALLET (Classical/formal dance)

Has prescribed movements and actions MODERN DANCE

Started in the twentieth century Explores natural and spontaneous movement

FOLK DANCE Dances performed to traditional music Has very traditional movements, costumes,

and rhythms Handed down through generations

DANCE ELEMENTS SPACE

The area of space occupied by the dancer’s body

Includes direction, size, pathways, levels, and shapes

TIME The relationship of one movement or part of a

movement to another Includes pulse, speed (or tempo), duration,

rhythm and phrases FORCE (energy)

The degree of muscular tension and use of energy while moving

DANCE TERMS DIRECTION

Which way a dancer faces or moves Forward, backwards, up & down, sideways

SIZE Magnitude of a body shape or movement

Large or small PATHWAYS

Patterns made as a dancer moves through the air or on the floor

Straight, vertical, horizontal, zigzag Can be made with locomotor or non-locomotor

movements

DANCE TERMS (Cont.) LEVELS

The vertical distance from the floor Three levels

High Middle Low or deep

SHAPES The form created by the bodies position in

space Open/closed Symmetrical/asymmetrical Angular/curved

DANCE TERMS (cont.) PULSE

The ongoing underlying beat SPEED (TEMPO)

How fast or slow the movement is DURATION

The length of time a movement lasts Long time, short time

DANCE TERMS (Cont.) RHYTHM

A movement or activity in which some action repeats regularly

DANCE PHRASES A series of movements with a beginning,

middle and end

DANCE TERMS (Cont.) LINE

The same as in sculpture The implied line of the dancers:

Arms Legs Feet Body

FORM The form (3 dimensional shape) that is formed

with the dancer’s body

DANCE TERMS (cont.) REPETITION

Repeated patterns as the dancers move through time

RHYTHM Sequences of long and short motions

Up and down Back and forth Curved and linear Large and small

CHOREOGRAPHER Person who plans the patterns used by dancers

LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENT Movements that travel from one location

to another Movements that travel through space Eight components:

Gallop – a sliding step where the body is propelled through space in an uneven rhythm, so the same foot is always leading

Hop – the body is propelled through space by springing from one foot and landing on the same foot

LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENT (8 components cont.)

Jump – body is propelled through space by springing from one foot and landing on two feet

Leap – the body is propelled through space by springing from one foot and landing on the other foot

Run – steps from one foot to another using the ball of the foot and at a relatively fast tempo

Skip – a step and a hop on the same foot, alternating feet

LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENT (8 components cont.)

Slide – a combination of a step close step, moving sideways with the same foot leading

Walk – heel to toe steps from one foot to the other

NON-LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENTS

MOVEMENTS IN WHICH A PERSON STAYS IN ONE PLACE 7 COMPONENTS

Bend – closing up at body jointsStretch – involves opening up the

jointsPush and pull- action similar to a

bend and stretch but has a resistance

NON-LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENTS (7 components cont.)

Rise and sink – a change of levels between high and low

Shake – a floppy wiggle or vibration

Swing and sway – a controlled even shifting of weight

Twist and turn- both involve rotation of the body

PURPOSES OF DANCE CEREMONIAL

Dances created or performed for rituals or celebrations

Dances of Native Americans and West Africans to celebrate life events such as harvest, ritual dances associated with worship

RECREATIONAL Dancing for entertainment

Ballroom dancing, line dancing To support recreational activities

Aerobic dance, dance as a hobby

PURPOSES OF DANCE (cont.) ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

Dance created with the intent to express or communicate emotion, feelings, ideas

Ballet Tap Modern dance Dance created and performed in a concert and/or

theatrical setting for an audience

STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS

BALLET Standardized dance movements Specialized leaps and lifts French terminology to describe each

movement Pointe shoes for women Slippers for men Costumes

Tutu Tights

Roots in court dances

CHARACTERISTICS (cont.) MODERN

Freedom in movement English/French words to describe movement Usually barefoot but can use shoes based on

theme Costumes related to dance theme Improvisation used in the development of

choreography

CHARACTERISTICS (cont..) TAP

Emphasis on rhythm Tap shoes improvisation Costumes

Formal to street wear Roots in recreational dance

Irish step dance African steps Jig

CHARACTERISTICS (cont.) JAZZ

Stylized movement Accents in hands, head, hips and feet English/French terminology for movements Jazz shoes or boots Improvisation Costumes related to dance Root in social dances and early musical theatre