Lesson 1: Dance Appreciation and Composition
“Existence is movement. Action is movement. Existence is defined by the rhythm of forces
in natural balance.”
– Rudolf von Laban
Dance
incorporates the same components of space, time, and energy (Schrader, 1996) as
other forms of motion.
Anyone involved in recognizing, evaluating, or generating activity would benefit from
these components.
Space
place where dancers perform
o direction - The dancers have the option of moving forward, sideward,
backward, diagonally, circularly, and so on. They can also perform a
single component or a series of phrases while facing any direction.
o size - The steps can be big or small.
o level - Routines might be at a high, medium, or low level.
o focus - A performer may look in different directions to change their
focus.
Timing
may be performed at different speeds (tempo)
o Artists shift in time to the rhythm of a sound known as beat or pulse
o Rhythmic patterns are created when a series of movements or a set
of phrases is performed at a certain pattern.
o Pauses or gaps may also be used to contribute to timing the
rhythms.
Dance Energies
strength or power that propels the movements comes from force or energy
o Force is used in starting or stopping a movement when dancing
o Rhythm uses a variety of forces, and diverse use of these minimizes
the repetition of a performer's gestures
Sustained:
performed in a smooth, constant, and regulated manner.
do not have a distinct start or finish.
Percussive:
Differing from constant movements, actions are violent
or acute.
use patterns of foot movement.
burst of intensity in them and have a distinct start and
conclusion.
Vibratory:
Flickering or vibration is a form of activity.
A restless effect is created by a quicker variant of
shaking gestures (Minton, 2007).
Swinging:
follows a curvature or arc pattern.
On the backward aspect of the wave, the motions are
comfortable and give in to gravity, accompanied by an
onward release of force.
Suspended:
Gestures are frozen in mid-air or poised in a vacuum.
This type of action is done when you lift one of your
limbs in any direction.
Collapsing:
Motions release tension to gravity gradually or abruptly,
allowing the body to sink to the floor.
A slow collapse can be characterized as a downward
melting or oozing activity (Minton, 2007).
Bodily Shapes
corresponds to how the whole body is formed or how parts of the body are
arranged
shape of the individual may be circular , linear , or a mix
o Symmetrical: balanced stature; same movements on both sides of the
performer.
o Asymmetrical: unbalanced stature; motion on one side is different on the
other.
Group Shapes
group of dancers executes a variety of actions in this element
layout is large, narrow, round, angular, symmetrical, or asymmetrical
o Layout is seen as a complete image or arrangement inside a picture
frame altogether (Minton, 2007).
Pantomime
tool to effectively communicate and express dance elements without relying on
words
utilize our bodies and gestures to convey the spatial, temporal, and energetic
dimensions of dance
portray the intricacies of direction, size, level, and focus in dance movements
enables us to physically embody these elements, creating a more profound
comprehension of the subtleties in dance.
Active participation
lies at the heart of dance.
Through pantomime, we not only engage physically with dance elements but also tap
into our creative prowess.
Active involvement not only enhances our grasp of dance but also nurtures a
profound connection with this art form.
Safety takes precedence in dance, and this learning objective emphasizes the
significance of executing pantomime safely.
This entails acknowledging our physical limitations, adhering to appropriate warm-up
and cool-down routines, and maintaining correct posture and technique.
Lesson 2: Characteristics of a Good Dance
Good dance
proves a point or has a meaningful significance. It also depicts real-life events on
occasion.
Dance may be interpreted in a conceptual or hypothetical manner, but it still conveys
sentiment and purpose (McGreevy-Nichols et al. 2005).
Perception of Orientation
three parts: beginning, middle, and end
o Beginning: performance's start may take the form of a figure, a
posture, or an introduction.
o Middle: creation or discovery of the main concept takes place in the
center
o End: should be obvious and may take the form of a structure, a
gesture, or an exit.
Form
organizing element
process of arranging or combining ideas and elements into a coherent pattern
that ends in harmony and continuity
Phrases
smallest unit of form in the whole dance
Motif
To be capable of communicating its purpose to the viewer, a successful
choreography must have a concept or motif.
may be a short action or a gesture that expresses the fashion and meaning
Characteristics of a Good Dance
Unity
well-coordinated and flow seamlessly around
actions are sync with one another, and each one adds to the overall success of
the dance
Continuity and Development
movement expressions are arranged in a logical order
developed in a linear fashion and the spectator is carried along with it until the
finish.
Variety and Contrast
creating one or more variants that illustrate the motif's feature adds diversity to
the dance's progression
Transition
connection seen between dance's gestures, movements, and parts
Repetition
expression in action sequences can be replicated so that the viewer can see the
gestures again and recognize their meaning
Climax
condition is achieved once the dance's momentum reaches its pinnacle
Lesson 3: Basic Choreography
Choreographic Forms
Sequential Form
modes include a collection of themes that are shown in a certain series
set in the correct and specific order
o AB (two-part) form
the most basic of the continuous type
folk music and lyrics make use of this type
o ABA (three-part) form
piece is made up of an introduction framework (A), a countering
concept (B), and a reaffirmation of the initial theme (A)
o Rondo form (ABACA)
unifying theme (A) reappears after each conflicting theme in this
format.
(A) occurs at least 3 times after each conflicting part, although it
can be changed
It can be defined as an ABACADAEAFA movement concept creation
o Theme and Variations form
pattern is a collection of activities to which modifications are
applied during the production of the choreography
theme/motif may be a particular expression or a series of action
sequences arranged in a certain order
Contrapuntal Forms
most of such styles have opposite parts, the portions must have a smooth
transition to fit the overall theme of the performance
o Ground Bass
particular concept begins the movement and is mirrored during the
performance, while other conflicting variations are played at the
same time
replicated theme while a solo performer or a smaller group number
performs the other style
o Round or Canon
made up of two or more phrases or themes in which the succeeding
phrases mimic the central idea phrases precisely and perfectly
o Fugue or Accumulation
compositional style in which separate movements or dance phrases
are added to each repeat of the main performance theme
o Suite
Unique rhythms and values are used in each segment of the dance
(early stages, central, and finish)
usually has a sluggish starting, a mild middle portion, and a short
and vibrant end phrase
Episodic Form
mainly used in performing ballet
plot is told in chapters, which are interconnected and advance in time
storytelling process is an ephemeral form that relates a story or imparts an
interpretation, and the composition of the narrative is determined by the order in
which the story is told
Other Compositional Form
o Natural structures: Episodes, life spans, and regular activities are all
examples of natural systems.
o Collage: It comprises "a collection of motion phrases that are frequently
identical but have been combined to form a continuous dance with a start,
middle, and end"
o Tableau: This is done by executing different patterns in the same routine
at the same time.
o Chance: The movements are done in an erratic and spatially-dispersed
manner.
