Lesson 1

The Nature and Background of the Different Dances

Dance refers to movement set to music where there emerges organization,

structure and pattern. It is a composition that implies arrangement of parts into
a form.

Dance is one of the most beautiful forms of art that has grown in leaps and
bounds. Dance is no longer just a hobby, it is also one of the most lucrative
professions as well. Besides, dance therapy is very much in vogue these days
simply because the experience of dancing helps a person to heal from within.
Dance is a form of expression that helps a person bring forth who they are,
and what they're passionate about.

Dance is one of the most beautiful forms of art that has grown in leaps and
bounds. Dance is no longer just a hobby; it is also one of the most lucrative
professions as well. Besides, dance therapy is very much in vogue these days
simply because the experience of dancing helps a person to heal from within.
Dance is a form of expression that helps a person bring forth who they are,
and what they're passionate about.

Dancing is a means of expressing one's emotions through movement

disciplined by rhythm. It is an act of moving rhythmically and expressively to
an accompaniment. The word dancing came from an old German word
"danson" which means to "stretch". Essentially, all dancing is made up of
stretching and relaxing.

PHASES OF THE DANCE PROGRAM

1. Creative Rhythms
Creative rhythms are sometimes called fundamental rhythms or natural
dances. It is an end product of exploration and improvisation of movements as
children leam to move the parts of their body and to use them as instruments
of expression.

2. Folk/Ethnic Dance
It is a cultural art form handed down from generation to generations. It
communicates the customs, beliefs, rituals, and occupations of the people of a
region or country. Folk dancing belongs to the people. It emanates from them.
Ethnic tribes have their specific tribal art forms originated and danced by the
people of the tribe. Examples of folk dances are the rural and country dances,
jotas, mazurkas, pandanggos, among others with foreign influence. Examples
of ethnic dances are the dances of the mountain peoples of the Cordilleras,
dances of the ethnic groups in the Cagayan Valley Region and the ethnic
dances in the Mindanao Regions.

3. Social and Ballroom Dance

The setting of the social and ballroom dance is a social gathering with the
more formal atmosphere than the simple and informal parties in which the
recreational dances are the usual forms. Social and ballroom dancing are
generally held in the evenings. The participants are usually in formal attire.

4. Recreational Dance
It includes dance mixers, square dance round and couple dances. Many of
these dances have simple patterns and combinations of walking steps, polka
step and
the waltz step. The setting is usually informal gatherings and parties, reunions
etc.

5. Creative Dance
It is the highest form of dance. It is the end-product of exploration and
improvisation of movements as the dancer or the choreographer expresses
his feelings or emotions, ideas, and interpretations. This is a dance with a
definite form, a beginning and an ending. The principles of art form are all
observed in the composition of the dance. Examples of creative dance are
ballet, jazz, and modern or contemporary dance.

FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITIONS

There are five fundamental or basic positions in dance that are commonly
termed as 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd position, 4th position, and 5th
position of the feet and arms.

1st position
Feet: Heels close together, toes apart with an angle of about 45 degrees.
Arms: Both arms raised in a circle in front of chest with the finger tips about an
inch apart.

2nd position
Feet: Feet apart sideward of about a pace distance.
Arms: Both raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.
3rd position
Feet: Heel of one foot close to in-step of other foot.
Arms: One arm raised in front as in 2nd position; other arm raised upward.

4th position
Feet: One foot in front of other foot of a pace distance.
Arms: One arm raised in front as in 1st position; other arm raised overhead.

5th position
Feet: Heel of front foot close to big toe of rear foot.
Arms: Both arms raised overhead.

The Basic Natural Movements:

1. Locomotor movements are those that move the body in space in any
direction with the feet as the moving base.
Examples: walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, leaping, galloping
and sliding

2. Non-locomotor - are those in which various parts of the body move in

space with a fixed base. The base may be standing, kneeling, sitting or lying.
Non-locomotor movements:
1. Flexion-Bending or shortening of a body part occurring at a joint.
2. Extension-Turning, twisting or circling
3. Pendular- Swinging/ swaying arms forward, backward or sideward.
4. Percussive-Striking and hitting: pushing and pulling.
5. Sustained- A slow, smooth flowing movement with a balance of movement
throughout the entire series.
6. Vibratory -Shaking and beating.
7. Suspended- A sharp movement followed by a series of slow or prolonged
movements until a peak is reached.

Values of dancing
1. Physical fitness
2. Cultural
3. Social
4. Recreational
Lesson 2
Philippine Folk Dances
These are traditional dances of a country which were evolved naturally and
spontaneously in connection with everyday activities and experiences of the
people who developed them.

Folk dancing is the heartbeat of the people.

Types of Folk dances:

1. National-traditional dances of a given country.
2. Regional- local.
3. Character-created by individual or group.

OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our dance.
2. To arouse better appreciation of Philippine music and folk dances.
3. To provide through dancing, a healthful form of relaxation and recreation.
4. To develop a graceful and rhythmic coordination of body movements that
will improve posture.
5. To preserve for posterity, folk dances and music indigenous to the different
regions of the Philippines.
6. To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through the evolution of
Philippine dances.

Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dances:

1. In general, dancers stand apart.
2. There is little, if any, bodily contact.
3. Most of the dances are done by pairs or couples.
4. Hand movements play an important part.
5. Most dances are in long formation.
6. Most dances begin and end with "saludo."
7. Dances from the lowlands have more foreign elements those found in the
uplands.
8. War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.

Classification of Philippine Dances

1. General Classification
A. Geographical extent of origin
1. National dances-found throughout the islands with little or no modification.
Examples: Rigodon, Carinosa, Jota, Balitaw, Pandanggo.
2. Local dances-found in a certain locality.
Examples: Tinikling-Leyte, Maglalatik-Binyang, Esperanza-Nabua, Subli-
Batangas, Biniganbigat-Abra

B. Nature
1. Occupational-depicting action of certain occupation, industry, or human
labor.
Examples: Planting, Harvesting, Pounding, Winnowing, Pabirik, Mananguete,

2. Religious or Ceremonial -performed in connection with religious vows and

ceremonies.
Examples: Dugsu, Sua - sua, Putong, Sta. Clarang Pinong-pino, etc.

3. Comic dances - depicting funny movements for entertainment.

Examples: Kimbo - kimbo Makonggo, Kinoton

4. Game dances - with play elements (dance mixers)

Examples: Lubi - lubi, Pavo

5. Wedding dances - performed during wedding feast.

Examples: Panasahan, etc.

6. Courtship dances - depicting love making.

Examples: Hele - hele, Bago Quiere, Maramion, Tadek, Daling - daling

7. Festival dances - suitable for special occasion or any social gathering.

Examples: Pandanggo, Habanera, Jota, Surtido

8. War dances: showing imaginary combat or duel.

Examples: Sagayan, Palu-palo, etc.

C. Movements
1. Active- with fast energetic movements.
Examples: Tinikling, Maglalatik, Sakuting, Polkabal, etc.

2. Moderate
Examples: Cariñosa, Tagala, Habanera, Purpuri, etc.
3. Slow
Examples: Pasakat, Amorosa, Tiliday, Kundiman, etc.

4. Slow and Fast

Examples: Putritos, Ba-Ingles, Habanera Botoleña, Alcamfor, etc.

D. Formation
1. Square or Quadrille - Examples: Rigodon, Los Bailes de Ayer, etc.
2. Long formation (two or more parallel lines) - Examples: Lulay, Sakuting
3. Set - consisting of two or more pairs as a unit, partners facing each other or
standing side by side. - Examples: Binadyong, Haplik, Kakawati, etc.

Special Classification - Group dances having special distinctive features.

A. Dances with Songs

Examples: Aburaray, Manang Biday, Lulay, Rogelia, Lawiswis Kawayan, etc.
B. Old Ballroom Dances
Examples: Polka, Mazurka Chotis, Valse, etc.