Lesson 6

DANCE TERMS AND MOVEMENTS COMMON TO FOLK DANCES

TOPICS
1. Common Dance Terms for Arms and Hands
2. Common Dance Terms for Foot
3. Fundamental Dance Positions of the Arms and Feet
4. Other Positions of the Arms and Hands
5. Other Terms

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Identify the dance terms and movements common to folk dances
2. Execute the movements accurately.

Introduction

In the following lesson, you will gain insights about the important terms within the
context of folk dance which are very important in the execution of the dance movements as a
beginner of folk dancing. These signals of what you will do at the beginning, where you will go,
what you will use, and how will you relate one term to another term. It is done in preparation for
the learning of the dances of the country.

TOPIC 1: COMMON DANCE TERMS FOR ARMS AND HANDS

Abrasete. This is of Spanish origin. Girl at the right side of the boy holds his right arm with her
left hand, free hands down to at the sides.

Bilao. Hands in front, parallel to each other at waist level, elbows close to the waist, palms

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down. Reverse the position of the hands with palms down and down alternately.

Free Hand. The hand not doing anything.

Hapay. A Tagalog dance term which means to flourish or offer a handkerchief, a hat, or a glass
of wine.

Hayon- Hayon. To place one forearm in front in the other behind the waist. This is a Visayan
term.

Inside Hand. The hand need the partner when standing side by side.

Jaleo. Partners stand side by side facing opposite direction. Hands on waists, elbows near or
almost touching one another. A Tagalog term of Spanish origin.

Kumintang. Turning the hand from the wrist either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
This is an Ilocano term.

Kunday- Kunday. Similar to Kumintang, but done twice for every movement on a faster beat.
Two kunday-kunday in one measure.

Lateral Arm Position. To place both arms on one side of the body either right or left side. It can
be done on chest, shoulder, and waist level.

Arms in Reverse “T”. Arms are side horizontal, elbows bent at right angles, forearms parallel to
head, palms forward or facing inward, fists loosely closed.

Outside Hand. The hand away from the partner when standing side by side.

Salok. To scoop the arm downward upward in front of the body; the trunk following the
movements of the scooping arm. Free hand in 5th position or on waist, or holding skirt. This is a
Tagalog term.

Sarok. Cross the right (left) foot in front of left (right) foot, bend the body slightly forward and
cross the arms down in front right (left) over the left (right). This is a Visayan term.

“Masiwak”. To turn the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise then raise and lower wrist once
or twice. This is a dance term.

TOPIC 2: COMMON DANCE TERMS FOR THE FOOT

Brush. With weight on one foot, swing the free foot and hit, strike or touch the floor lightly with
the heel of ball of the foot.

Cut. A quick change of weight displacing the supporting the foot with the free foot.

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Draw. The free foot is pulled along the floor close to the supporting foot with or without
transfer of weight.
Free Foot. The foot that does not supports the weight of the body.

Inside Foot. The foot near the partner when standing side by side.

Outside Foot. The foot away from the partner when standing side by side.

Place. To put the foot flat on the floor without putting weight on it.

Pivot. Tuning the ball, heel of one or both feet on the floor on a fixed place.

Slide. To glide the sole of one foot along the floor with or without weight.

“Panadyak”.With body weight on L (R) foot, stamp R(L) foot in 4th. In, then tap same foot close
to L(R), arms in reverse “T” position, hands doing “kumintang” on the stamp.

Stamp. To bring down the forcibly on the floor with or without transfer of weight.

Step. A simple transfer of weight of the body.

Supporting Foot. The foot that carries the weight of the body.

Tap. Toe or ball of free foot is placed momentarily on floor and lifted again immediately.

Touch. Same as point.

TOPIC 3: FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITIONS OF THE ARMS AND FEET

ARMS FEET

Arms in 1st position – the arms make a circle in front, finger tips almost touching with the back
of the hand facing front. The arms should be rounded that the elbows are slightly below the
shoulders, the wrists slightly below the elbows.

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First position of the feet – Feet together.

ARMS FEET

Arms in 2nd position – arms slightly rounded are extended in a line just below the shoulders, so
that the elbows are slightly lower than the shoulders, and the wrists are slightly lower that the
elbows; the palms of the hands facing front, the fingers are slightly rounded.

Second position of the feet – Feet apart sideways at shoulder width.

ARMS FEET

Arms in 3rd position – the R (L) arm makes a half circle over and in front of the head, the L (R)
arm is in 2nd position.

Third position of the feet – the heel of one foot is placed near the in-step of the other foot.

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 ARMS FEET

Arms in 4th position – the R (L) arm makes half circle over an in front of the head. The L (R)
arm is in first position.

Fourth position of the feet – one foot is placed diagonally forward, heel slightly twisted out and
in line with the heel of the other foot.

ARMS FEET

Arms in 5th position – the arms are rounded above slightly in front of the head so that the
fingertips are just within the line of vision and the palms are slightly facing downward.

Fifth position of the feet – the heel of one foot is placed near the edge of the ball slightly twisted
out, toes almost facing sideways and in line with the heel if the other foot.

TOPIC 4: OTHER POSITIONS OF THE ARMS AND HANDS

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Arms in amplified 1st position – same as the 1st position, but the hands are slightly opened up.
Arms in amplified 5th position – same as the 5th position, but the hands are slightly opened up.

Arms at sides – the arms hang from the shoulders at the side of the body.
Hands on waists
Hands holding skirts
One hand on waist and the other holding the skirt
One hand on waist or holding the skirt and the other raised over head.

TOPIC 5: OTHER TERMS

Bow or Saludo. To honor partner, opposites or audience. This is of Spanish origin.

Cabeceras. Dances in square formation, they are the couples occupying the width of the dance
floor.

Costados. Dancers in square formation, they are the couples occupying the length of the dance
floor.

Clockwise. It is moving to the left when facing an imaginary circle. R shoulder is toward the
center when moving forward.

Counterclockwise. The reverse direction of clockwise.

Do-Si-Do or Dos-A-Dos. Two people walk toward each other, pass by the right shoulder, step
sideward to the right, and return to position walking backward passing by the left
shoulder.

Cross-Over. Two couples (the vis-à-vis) are opposite each other. Each couple proceeds in a
straight line to the opposite place. The girl pass by their L shoulders between the boys.
Boy bow each other when they meet at the middle or about one-third of the way, then
proceed to the opposite place. Upon reaching the opposite place, partners turnabout,
girls stands at partners’ right side.

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 Assessment

LEARNING TASK 11: Do You Still Remember Me?

Direction: Answer the following by arranging the jumbled letters. The description on each
number will give you the clue.

_______1. This is of Spanish Origin. Girl at the right side of the boy holds his right arm with her
left hand, free hands down at the sides. (AABEERST)
_______2. To place one forearm in front and the other behind the waist. This is a Visayan term.
(NOAHY-YOHAN)
_______3. Turning the hand from the wrist either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This
is an Ilocano Term. (TAKUMINGN)
_______4. To scoop the arm downward upward in front of the body; the trunk following the
movements of the scooping arm. Free hand in 5th Position or on waist or holding skirt. This is a
Tagalog term. (KLOSA)
_______5. Cross the right (left) foot in front of left (right) foot, bend the body slightly forward
and cross the arms down in front right (left) over left (right). This is a Visayan term. (KRASO)
_______6. The free foot is pulled along the floor close to the supporting foot with or without
transfer of weight. (WARD)
_______7. To put the foot flat on the floor without putting weight on it. (LACEP)
_______8. A quick change of weight displacing the supporting foot with the free foot. (TUC)
_______9. Touch toe or ball of free foot on floor and remains there briefly. (PONIT)
_______10. With weight on one foot, swing the free foot and hit, strike or touch the floor lightly
with the heel or ball of the foot. (SHRUB)
_______11. Two people walk toward each other, pass by the right shoulder, step sideward to the
right, and return to position walking backward passing by the left shoulder. (SOD-A-OSD)
_______12. Dancers in square formation, they are the couples occupying the length of the dance
floor. (TACOSDOS)
_______13. To honor partner, opposites or audience. This is of Spanish origin. (DALUOS)
_______14. Dancers in square formation, they are the couples occupying the width of the dance
floor. (CRASBACEE)
_______15. It is moving to the left when facing an imaginary circle. R shoulder is toward the
center when moving forward. (WISECLOCK)

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Learning Task 6.1: I’ll Do It!

Direction:. Demonstrate the different fundamental dance positions of the arms and feet. Once
you mastered it, prepare your gadget for video recording. Then, submit the video/s to FB Page
Comment Section created by your subject instructor. Observe health protocol during the
videoing of the activity.

Rubrics

Dance Position 5 pts 4pts 3pts 2pts 1pt.

1. First Position
Head (Focus/direction), Arms, Body alignment,
Feet
2. Second Position
Head (Focus/direction), Arms, Body alignment,
Feet
3. Third Position
Head (Focus/direction), Arms, Body alignment,
Feet
4. Fourth Position
Head (Focus/direction), Arms, Body alignment,
Feet
5. Fifth Position
Head (Focus/direction), Arms, Body alignment,
Feet

Learning Task 7.2: Challenge Me!

Skill Development

Direction:. Execute the fundamental arms and feet positions accompanied with music which
is in 34 time signature. You will be rated with a scale of 1-5, where 5 is the highest based from
the following criteria. Take a video of this activity then, submit it to my messenger, google
classroom or Gmail. Observe health protocol during the videoing of the activity.

Routine memorized 5 – Achieved ALL of the criteria

Executed arm and feet positions correctly 4 - Achieved 3 of the criteria
Smooth movement execution 3 - Achieved 2 - 3 of the criteria
Timing and coordination 2 - Achieved 1 of the criteria
1 - Achieved NONE of the criteria

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 Figure I

Starting Position: Feet together, arms down at sides.

a. Right arm in 1st position (cts. 1 2 3), onto 2nd position (cts. 1 2 3)…………………2M
b. Repeat (a) three times more…………….…………………………………………..6M
c. Repeat (a) and (b) with the left arm………….……………………………………..8M
d. Both arms in 1st position (cts. 1 2 3), onto 2nd position (cts. 1 2 3)………….……..2M
e. Repeat (d) 7x more….………………………………………………………….….14M

Figure II
nd
Arms and Feet in 2 Position
a. Raise right arms to 5th position (cts. 1 2 3), back to 2nd position (cts. 1 2 3)………2M
b. Repeat (a) 3x more…………………………………………………………….……6M
c. Repeat (a) and (b) with the left arm…………………………………………..……..8M
d. Raise both arms in 5th positions (cts. 1 2 3), back to 2nd position (cts. 1 2 3)………2M
e. Repeat (d) 7x more…………………………………………………………..…….14M

Figure III
Feet in 3rd Position
a. Repeat Figure I (a)……………………………………………………….…….……2M
b. Repeat Figure II (a)………………………………………………………..………..2M
c. Repeat (a) an (b)…………………………………………………………………….4M
d. Repeat Figure I (d)………………………………………………………………….2M
e. Repeat Figure II (d)…………………………………………………………………2M
f. Repeat (d) and (e)……………………………………………………………….…..4M

Figure IV
Arms in 2nd position, Feet in 4th Position
a. Arms in 4th position, left arm high (cts. 1 2 3), back to 2nd position (cts. 1 2 3)……2M
b. Repeat (a) reverse position of the arms……………………………………….…….2M
c. Repeat (a) and (b) 6x more…………………………………………………..…….12M

Figure V
Feet in 5th Position
a. Execute 8 lateral arm positions right and left alternately……………….……...……8M
b. Both hands in front at waists level, execute 8 “bilao” positions………………….....8M
c. Eight “hayon-hayon” right and left alternately……………………………………...8M
d. Eight 8 “salok” right and left alternately…………………………………………....8M
e. Eight “Kumintang” right and left alternately………………………………………..8M

Finale
st
Feet in 1 Position
a. Swing arms upward to 5th position, raise both heels up (cts. 1 2 3)………..……….1M
b. Swing arms downward to 1st position, heels down (cts. 1 2 3)…………………..…1M
c. Repeat (a) and (b) 6x more…………………………………………………..…….12M
d. Step sideward right, close left to right and bow (cts. 1 2 3)………………………...1M
e. Repeat (d) to the left……………………………………………………..………….1M
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 Scale Equivalent and Interpretation

Scale Equivalent Grade in Percent Interpretation

(%)
You showed an Excellent Performance!
5 95% - 100% Congratulation! I’m very proud of you.

You did a very good performance although you

committed minimal errors. Try to work on it. Keep
4 88% - 94% it up!

You did a very good performance. Try to exert more

effort in getting a higher grade next performance.
3 81% - 87% Good Luck!

Your grade though passing shows that you did not

exert so much effort. Try to exert more effort in
2 75% - 80% getting a higher next performance. Good Luck!

You got a failing grade in this activity. I am sure

this is not what you are aiming for. Please see me
1 Below 75% during our consultation period.

(Espeso, 2006)

Note: To get your total score, add the point. Divide it by the number of criteria (4) to get the
average. Then, refer to the equivalent grade in %. It’s up to the evaluator to choose the exact
corresponding percentage. Example Scale of 4 may be between 87% - 93%.

Evaluator (Instructor/student): _________________________________________

Complete name and signature

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