DANCE NOTESElements / Choreography /

Styles / Purposes

November/December 2013

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

11/11Make-up drama projects

11/12Dance Project Review

11/13Early Release – Enrichment video

11/14Dance Notes

11/15Finish Dance notes – work time for dance projects – Bring devices

11/18Rize movie

11/19Rize Movie

11/20Practice ACT for freshmen and juniors - sophomore– Seniors Shadow

11/21Rize movie

11/22Project Time – bring devices

11/25Library time for project with sub

11/26Library time for project with sub

11/27No school

11/28Thanksgiving

11/29No school

12/2Extra credit due – Dance Test practice with dance elements

12/3Library Time for dance projects

12/4Binder checks – test cards

12/5Dance tests

12/6Dance Make-up tests

12/9Dance projects due

12/10Finish dance projects

12/11Early Release – Enrichment Video

12/12Ancient Art

12/13Ancient Art

THREE ELEMENTS OF DANCE

Space, Time and Force

Space

Personal space – immediately around the dancers body

General space – larger area where movement will occur

Direction – forward, backward, or diagonal movement Pathways – space created by movement (straight or

curved) – as if the dancer drew a line with their body – how they move makes a mood

Space cont.

Levels – high, medium, and low Different symbolism and emotional suggestions depending on which level

is used High – happy, elated, aggressive Medium – normal, neutral Low – depression, exhaustion

Shape – using the human body to make symbolic shapes (circle can be the sun, straight lines can be rigidity or formal)

Groups – sign of formality, leadership or lack of, family Dancing as a group has a very different emotional impact than

dancing individually Individually – strength, loneliness, uniqueness

Space cont.

Focus – where the dancers attempt to draw the audiences’ eyes while performing Single focus – usually one dancer Multi-focus – usually a group

Size – how much space a movement requires

Time

Natural rhythm: Heart beat Breathing Blinking Walking

Rhythm/beat – similar to music – keeps the pace of the dance

Duration – how long it lasts Accent – bold/strong emphasis in movement

Force

Energy Heavy/light Sharp/smooth Tense/relaxed Bound/flowing

Force uses weight of dancers and effects of gravity

CHOREOGRAPHIC FORM

Comparing Various forms

AB Form - Two part composition (A theme/B theme) ABA form – Three part – third is usually condensed or

extended version of first section Canon – parts are performed in succession, overlapping

one another Call and Response – often associated with African dance,

jazz, and tap – one soloist/group performs & is responded to by second soloist/group

Comparison cont.

Narrative – choreography follows a storyline Theme & Variation – starts with a theme and then in

later sections deviates slightly from the main theme Rondo – three or more themes with one theme

repeated (ABACADA)

DANCE STYLESBallet, Tap, Jazz, and

Modern

Ballet

Standardized dance movements Specialized leaps and lifts Use French terminology:

Plier – to bend Etendre – to stretch Relever –to rise Sauter – to jump Tourner – to turn Glisser – to glide Elancer – to dart

Ballet cont.

Costumes: Pointe shoes for women Slippers for men Tutu Tights

Roots of Ballet is in court dance

Tap

Emphasizes rhythm, beat and accent Terminology has come from many influences

throughout history: Accelerando: gradually increase speed Allegro: quick lively Cincinnati: Backward movement/alternating feet Scuffs: strike heel on floor while moving foot forward

Tap cont.

Costume: Tap shoes Formal to street wear (River Dance = Irish costume)

Roots: Improvisation Recreational/social dance: jig, Irish step, African dance

Jazz

Stylized movement Accentuated movement with head, hands, hips, and feet English/French terminology

Ball change – Change weight between feet Catwalk – Exaggerated step, bringing foot up very high Hip walk – move hips in a circular motion Moonwalk – Michael Jackson (you all know what this looks like) Pivot step – step in any direction then pivot right Touch step – touch floor w/ pointed foot

Jazz cont.

Costume: Jazz shoes/boots Clothes related to theme

Roots: Improvisation Recreational/social dance Early musical theater dance

Modern

Freedom of movement Terminology mostly English and French:

Most derived from terms from other dance forms Terms added constantly as this dance style changes Modern is based on freedom so often dancers come up

with their own moves that have no precise term Includes modern Ballet, tap, and jazz or any

combination of these

Modern cont.

Costume: Bare feet or theme based shoes Clothes related to theme of dance

Roots: Improvisation Choreographed movements

WHY DO PEOPLE DANCE?

Purposes of Dance

Ceremonial Show praise/commemorate Usually performed through ritual Examples:

Tribal dance for gods/goddesses Religious based dances Birthdays Weddings Basically, any life-altering event

Recreational

Have fun/socialize Any age group/society Examples:

Homecoming Aerobic dance (exercise) Group dances (Electric Slide, Chicken Dance) Ballroom – waltz, foxtrot, jitterbug, swing, salsa

Artistic Expression

Geared to entertain/perform for an audience Theatrical dance included Performers are usually extensively trained Examples:

Ballet Tap Jazz Even some of the recreational dances are now considered

artistic