H.O.P.E.

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THE LANGUAGE OF DANCE

Dance Defined

Dance is a way of knowing and communicating. All

societies use dance to communicate on both
personal and cultural levels and to meet physical
and spiritual needs.

Dance, as with all the arts, has its own language.

We need to learn this language in order to fully
understand and appreciate the world of Dance

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. 

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.

Dance is performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of

human movement. This movement has aesthetic and symbolic value and is
acknowledge as dance by performers and observers within a particular culture.

How dance is created?

Dances are created by combining locomotor and non-locomotor movements. A

dance, like a book, has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Like a story or a book,
each dance has a beginning, middle, and an end. Dance is made up “movement
materials”, connected into “phrases” and put together into a complete dance.

Dance allows the dancer or choreographer to communicate their ideas, thoughts,

and feelings through movement. These movements are structured and repeatable,
in that they can be taught to others.

Dance and Culture

• Dance has played an important function in many cultures throughout history.

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 • Dance styles, costumes, and music often reflect the political climate of the
time.
• Dances such as the “Locomotion”, “Macarena”, and even the “Chicken
Dance” all perform a function in our society – they create a “group” of dancers
having fun!

The Purposes of Dance

1. Ceremonial- Dance done by a dancer in order to celebrate or commemorate

a special occasion. Perform a ritual such as an initiation of members into a

group in some cultures.

2. Recreational- Dance done by a dancer in order to have FUN!

3. Artistic- Dance done by a dancer so that the viewer can appreciate the
artistry of the dance.
The Elements of Dance
The following are the composition of dance:

1. Space- Area surrounding a person in which he/she is able to move.

a. Shape- circles, squares, triangles, etc. made with parts of the body, the
whole body, with groups of people, or by moving through space.
b. Level- The vertical distance from the floor. (High, Medium, or Low)
c. Direction- Where the body moves. (e.g. Forward, backward, up, down,
sideways, diagonally, etc.)
d. Pathways- Patterns we make as we move through the air or across the
floor.
e. Focus- Where the dancer’s eyes look as he/she is dancing.
f. Size- How large or small movements.

2. Time- The duration of the movement.

a. Beat- the on-going underlying pulse.

b. Tempo- how fast or slow the movements.
c. Accent- strong beats that usually occur at regular intervals.
d. Rhythmic Patterns- patterns made by arranging long and short
movement or strong and light movement.
e. Duration- the length of time the movement lasts.

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 3. Force- How the body uses energy while moving. (Force=Energy)

a. Heavy / Light
b. Sharp / Smooth
c. Tensed / Relaxed
d. Bound / Flowing
Bound- releasing energy in a controlled, restrained manner.
Flowing- releasing energy freely.

Dance Choreographic Forms Defined

Choreography is the art of arranging dances.

Form AB- it is a simple choreographic form hat consists of a beginning section A,

followed by a second section, known as B. While section A and Bfit together in terms
of the common feeling of a composition, each contains elements that contrast in tone
or quality. It could be said that section A and B share some of the same ground but
explore it from different points of view.

Form ABA- it is derived from the musical form and has two sections, A and B,
followed by an ending A section e.g. In the first part, a series of movement phrases
which section A is stated or manipulated. Part B will present contrasting theme, and
in the final section there is a return to the theme A with a twist.

Suite- It has a moderate beginning, a slow second section, and a fast lively third
section.

Rondo- a dance structure with three or more themes where one theme is repeated.
ABACADAEAF

Themes and Variations- Themes are series of movement while variations are
contrasts in the use of the dance elements, repetitions.

Narrative- choreographic structure that follows a specific story line to convey

specific information through a dance

Skills in Dancing

1. Body Alignment- Body placement or posture, when done properly, lessens

body strain and promotes dance skills.
2. Balance- An equal distribution of weight, force, or influence.
3. Isolation of Body Parts- The ability to move separate parts of the body
independently.

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4. Elevation- Movement of the body or parts of the body to a higher level.
5. Landing- The manner and quality in which the body returns to earth following
an action of elevation (e.g. leap, hop, jump, etc.)