Modern Dance Terminology Flashcards
A music term used for slow, sustained movements.
Adagio
Rapid tempo movements, often includes jumping steps. Petit _______
includes smaller jumping steps. Grand _______ includes large expansive
jumps such as grand jeté.
Allegro
The gesture leg is extended behind the dancer’s body.
Arabesque
To assemble or place (the feet) together in the air (usually in fifth
position) during a jump.
Assemblé
The knee is bent in front, to the side, or behind the dancer and the foot is
pointed.
Attitude
A rolling movement through the body.
Body roll
“Linked like a chain”. A series of small turning steps with the feet in first
position relevé. Weight is shifted rapidly from one to the other limb with
each half turn. Performed continuously in rapid succession.
Chaînés
“Chasing one foot with the other”. The leading foot slides forward into fourth (or side-ward into second), then with a spring off the floor, the stance limb draws up to it in the air, and the leading foot opens to land in fourth (or
second). Used as a traveling or transition step.
Chassé
With back on the floor, chest lifts off the floor.
Chest lift
“To cut”. A small intermediary step, used as a link between steps, such as jeté, pas de bourré, etc., using the cou-de- pied position.
Coupé
Balance on the coccyx, both knees bent with lower legs parallel to ceiling and feet pointed, torso may tilt slightly backward, arms are parallel with lower legs. [Horton]
Coccyx balance
Tightening the abdominals, rounding the pelvis, and forming a “C” with the torso so that the shoulders are over the pelvis. [Graham]
Contraction
“To disengage”. Sharp brushes of the pointed foot to develop speed and
precision of the feet and legs.
Dégagé
Half. As in demi-plié.
Demi
A large, relatively slow leg gesture. The gesture limb begins from first or fifth position, passes through passé, to extend at 90° or higher to the front (en avant), side (a la seconde), or back
Dèveloppé
A high straight leg kick in which the gesture leg makes a swooping circular arc across the front of the body.
Fan kick
Position in which the legs are in parallel, the back is kept flat, parallel to the floor, with the torso hinged at the hips. [Horton]
Flat back
Weight-bearing position of the foot in which the heel is lifted with extreme metatarsal dorsiflexion.
Forced arch
A large, swift leg “kick” with the knee extended and foot pointed or flexed. Performed to the front, side, or back and from first, fifth, or the
point tendu.
Grand battement
A modern dance technique developed by Martha Graham, based on “contraction and release” as the motivation of all movement. Includes term such as spiral, tilt, and pitch turn.
Graham technique
Legs are in parallel, pelvis is pressed diagonally forward, torso tilted diagonally backward, knees are bent and approximately 3” off the floor, heels are raised to 1/4” relevé. [Horton]
Hinge
A modern dance technique by Lester Horton. Includes terms such as flat back, primitive squat, T, table, and stag.
Horton technique
A modern dance technique based on the concept of “fall and recovery”, developed by Doris Humphrey. A predecessor and mentor to José Limón of Limón technique.
Humphrey technique
Moving one part of the body, such as the head, shoulder, ribs, or hips, while the rest are immobile.
Isolations
