11/11/2020 Topic: DISCUSSION 2 ( TOPIC 2; ELEMENTS OF DANCES )

DISCUSSION 2 ( TOPIC 2; ELEMENTS OF DANCES )

JILSON LUCERO

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LESSON 2: ELEMENTS OF
DANCE
The Elements of Dance There are Elements of Dance.

The Elements of Dance SPACE,TIME, FORCE and ENERGY BODY

1st Element of Dance

SPACE Area surrounding a person in which he/she is able to move.

Level: The vertical distance from the floor. (High, Medium, or Low)

Direction: Where the body moves. ( Forward, backward, up, down, sideways, diagonally, etc.)

Focus: Where the dancer’s eyes look as he/she is dancing.

Size: How large or small movements.

SPACE •Shape •Level •Direction •Focus

•Size

2nd Element of Dance

TIME - The duration of the movement.

Beat - The on going underlying pulse.

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Tempo- How fast or slow the movements.

Accent- Strong beats that usually occur at regular intervals.

Rhythmic Patterns- arranging long and short movement or strong and light movement.

Duration- The length of time the movement lasts.

TIME •Beat •Tempo •Accent •Rhythmic Patterns

•Duration

3rd Element of Dance

FORCE How the body uses energy while moving.

FORCE = ENERGY

Heavy / Light
Sharp / Smooth
Tensed / Relaxed
Bound / Flowing

4th Element of Dance

BODY

Part
Shape circles, squares, triangles, etc. made with parts of the body, the whole body, with
groups of people, or by moving through space. Symmetrical or Asymmetrical.
Base .

SPACE – TIME – FORCE - BODY

A good dance display a significant meaning or conveys a message, it also portrays life
experiences. It has a beginning, middle and end/ conclusion.

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Form- is the instrument by which ideas and elements are arranged or combined into a logical
sequence. Phrase- is the smallest unit of form in the whole dance. A single phrase consists of
eight (8) counts. It is easier for building routines and choreographic combinations with an 8-
count phrase.

Motif- to be able to convey its meaning or intention to the audience.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD DANCE

UNITY- interconnected phrases of the dance are coherent and flow smoothly together. It
attracts and holds the audience’s attention
VARIETY and CONTRAST- add excitement and flavor in the dance. Changing the
direction, use of energy, timing of a movement phrase and avoiding repeating them in the
exact way are ways to add variety to the dance.
TRANSITION- also vital because it keeps the unity and continuity of the dance. It may vary
from length and complexity. They may be long or short, gradual or abrupt.
REPETITION- usually when a certain phrase or a section of choreography is repeated, it is
the main message of the dance. Also the audience can see those movements again and
identify its significance. •
CLIMAX – the apex of energy in the dance is reached.

Choreographic Forms in Dance

AB(two-part) form- the simplest of the sequential forms. This form is commonly used in many
folk dances and songs.

ABA(three-part)- dance theme A followed by a contrasting theme B, ending with a

restatement A which may be a variation of original A. in songs, chorus (A) a verse (B) and a
repetition of the chorus (A)

Rondo- (ABACADA)

Canon- one theme with several voices in succession and overlapping harmony.

Themes and Variations- the motif is a series of movements to which variations are added
throughout the development of the entire choreography.

Narrative
A dance that tells a story using only movement. •NO WORDS! Choreographic Forms in
Dance.

Examples: Ballets like The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty.

1. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5GBp0FaitK8
2. https://youtu.be/p21n1xorjEs
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Evaluating a Good Dance “the Evaluators roles”

CHOREOGRAPHERS- they will evaluate a part of an ongoing process of developing a
personal style which is both spontaneous and organized.
DANCERS- they will evaluate according to the specific demands that the performance
places on them.
AUDIENCES- they will evaluate according to the particular context of the dance.

Stages in Assessing a Dance ( Dance Critique)

Description is a straightforward recounting of what you see and hear. It is focused on the
individual elements of a dance rather than on the whole.
Interpretation involves a personal reading of either the entire work or aspects of it; this is
where the critic’s imagination is fully involved in finding meaning in the work. Appreciation
of the ideas, content, images and style.
Evaluation is your considered judgment of the work, which may be either implicitly or
explicitly stated. (elements, characteristics)

ARE YOU READY?

Take Note!

• Analyzing and evaluating dance does not come out naturally and does not happen
overnight.

• As a beginner evaluators you need guidance and direction in conceptualizing a dance

critique.

• For easier assessment and evaluation, consider the guide questions that will be
provided for you.

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Guide Questions in Analyzing and

Evaluating Dance Performance
What was the title of the dance?
Who was the choreographer?
When was it performed? (Date of performance)
What was the genre / style of the dance?
What was the accompaniment?
Who were the dancers/ company? • Were there specific demands placed on dancers in the
performance? If yes, what were these?
What are the movements and forms of the dance
What does the set look like?

What were the costumes / props used during the performance?

How was the lighting of the show / performance?
Who was the designer of the show/performance?
What were the context and/or significance of the dance?
How will you evaluate the overall dance performance?

Sample Dance Analysis and

Evaluation
Title of the dance:

Choreographer:

Date:

Genre/Style:

Dancers/ Company:

Accompaniment:

Specific demands placed on

dancers in performance:

Movement and form:

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Costumes / prop:

Designer name:

Context and significance /

evaluation:

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