Nature of Dance Flashcards
Is the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.
Dance
To represent men’s characters as well as what they do and suffer
Dance
He said that dance is “to represent men’s characters as well as what they do and suffer”
Aristotle
He said that dancing is an elegant and regular movement harmoniously composed of beautiful attitudes, and contrasted graceful posture of the body and parts thereof.
John Weaver
The crude and spontaneous movements of early man
Dance
He said that dance is the crude and spontaneous movements of early man
Gaston Vuillier
A physical expression of inner emotion
Dance
He said that dance is a physical expression of inner emotion
John Martin
Dance Periods
Prehistoric, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greek, Ancient Rome, Catholic Church in Europe, Dark and Early Middle Ages, Early Renaissance, Europe in 15th and 16th Century
Dance as major form of religious ritual and social expression within primitive cultures
Prehistoric era
A way of expressing and tribal unity and strength
Prehistoric era
An approach for courtship and mating
Prehistoric era
Means of worship, communication, and therapeutic experience
Prehistoric era
Became full blown and was richly recorded
Ancient Egypt
Reflected in wall paintings, reliefs, and in the literary record in hieroglyphs
Ancient Egypt
As a medium of religious expression
Ancient Egypt
As an aid to military education
Ancient Greek
A form of entertainment and display
Ancient Greek
They stopped valuing such qualities in art as the nation grew wealthy and powerful
Ancient rome
The Romans ceased to create and perform within the arts themselves
Ancient Rome
The Christian Fathers approved the use of dance, provided that its form and intent were holy and profound
Catholic Church in Europe
Dances then became part of worships and church services
Catholic Church in Europe
They performed dance in village squares to welcome feudal lords in the castles
Dark and Early Middle Ages
The common people are amused themselves by doing dances that were social in character
Dark and Early Middle Ages
Beginning of Social Dancing
Dark and Early Middle Ages
Two types of dancing performed by peasants
Round Dance, Couple Dance
Dancers hold each other by hand, forming a long chain and move about in an open or closed circle
Round Dance
It was not as popular as round dance as it was considered scandalous when first seen
Couple Dance
Was wholly accepted in the courts as the gradual increase of the capitalist class produced patrons of learning and art in Europe
The Renaissance
Dance and art in general gained impetus
The Renaissance
The Entertainers now became valuable appendages to the courts of Italy and France
The Renaissance
New court dances performed by nobility came about as well as the rise of art in ballet in Italy and France
Europe in 15th and 16th Century
Several other dance forms continued to sprout and spread across several countries
Europe in 15th and 16th Century
Elements of Dance
Body, Energy, Space/Level, Relationship, Time,
Dance is comprised of various body motions that express feeling and emotion. Our bodies move in ways to express ourselves using locomotor and non-locomotor movements
Body
Is the force at which we express our body motions.
Energy
To show variation and movement, we need to use our surroundings well
Space/Level
In dance, we often dance with one other person or with many people in a group. Just like with conversation, we communicate and react using our bodies
Relationship
Timing is the key to any dance. We follow the rhythm or beat to match our actions with the sound of the music
Time
Six qualities of dance energies
Sustained, Percussive, Vibratory, Swinging, Suspended, Collapsing
Movements are done smoothly, continuously, and with flow and control. It does not have a clear beginning and ending
Sustained
Movements are explosive or sharp in contrast with sustained movements. They are accented with thrust of energy. They have a clear beginning and ending
Percussive
Movements consist of trembling or shaking. A faster version of percussive movements that produces a jittery effect
Vibratory
Movements trace a curved line or an arc in space. The movements are relaxed and giving in to gravity on the downward part of the motion, followed by an upward application of energy
Swinging
Movements are perched in space or hanging on air. Holding a raised leg in any direction is an example of a suspended movement
Suspended
Movements are released in tension and gradually or abruptly giving in to gravity, letting the body descend to the floor
Collapsing
Refers to how the entire body is molded in space or the configuration of body parts.
Bodily shape
The body can be _____, _____ or a combination of two
Rounded, angular
They can be symmetrical and asymmetrical
Bodily shapes
Balanced shape, movements are practically identical or similar on both sides
Symmetrical
Unbalanced shape, movements of two sides of the body do not match or completely different from each other
Asymmetrical
In this element, a group of dancers perform movements in different group shapes
Group shapes
Members of the group are arranged in ways that are wide, narrow, rounded, angular, symmetrical, or asymmetrical and are viewed together as a total picture or arrangement within a picture frame
Group shapes
Gathering together as a group or community to dance together and get a sense of identity and belonging to a locality or cultural group
Community dance
It’s good for your heart, it makes you stronger, and it can help with balance and coordination
Workout dance
Characteristics of Dance
Unity, Continuity and Development, Variety and Contrast,Transition, Repetition, Climax
Interconnected phrases of the dance and coherent and flow smoothly together
Unity
Organized progressively, development of the movement phrase and the audience
Continuity and Development
Excitement and flavor to the dance. Changing direction, use of energy and timing of movement
Variety and Contrast
Sections of the dance. Logical progression of the dance flow smoothly
Transition
Repeated in choreography so that the audience can see those movements again
Repetition
May be a fast and enraged blast of energy action
Climax
Choreographic Forms in Dance
Themes and Variations, Narrative, Choreographer, Dancers, Audiences
Motif of a series movements to which variations are added throughout the development of entire choreography
Themes and Variations
A dance that tells a story using only movement. No words!
Narrative
They will evaluate a part of an ongoing process of developing a personal style which is both spontaneous and organized
Choreographer
They will evaluate according to the specific demands that the performance places on them
Dancers
They will evaluate according to the particular context
Audiences
Benefits of Dance
Physical Aspect, Social Aspect, Mental/Emotional Aspect, Cultural Aspect
Develop cardiovascular and muscular endurance. Improves coordination, balance, flexibility, and body composition
Physical
Help keep the brain sharp. Decreases incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Mental/Emotional
Gives sense of togetherness within a group. Encourages positive social interaction and interpersonal relationship in a group
Social
Promotes cultural values
Cultural
