Understanding choreography Flashcards
What is an action?
Actions are what the body is doing.
What are the 5 main groups of actions?
1) Jump
2) Turn
3) Gesture
4) stillness or balance
5) Travel
What is a jump?
Rising into the air using the muscles in the legs and feet
In the exam, they might refer to a jump as an ‘elevation’ this is the action of going up without support such as a jump
What is a turn?
Turnig around an axis or rotate
What is a gesture?
An action/ movement that does not involve a transfer of weight from 1 body apart to another
What is a stillness or balance?
When the body is not moving
What does ‘travel’ mean?
Moving from one place to another
Name 3 examples of a travel
A leap
A aerial
A step-ball-change
Name 3 examples of a stillness or balance
A handstand
A bridge
A leg hold
Name 3 examples of a gesture
A click
A wave
A head roll
Name 3 examples of a turn
A pirouette
A fiouette
A step turn step
Name 3 examples of a jump
A fire bird
A side leap
A box jump
What are dynamics?
Dynamics are how the body is moving, this relates to the speed, energy and flow of the movement
What is an example of a dynamic?
Any of the following:
- Fast/ slow
- Sudden/ sustained
- Wavy/ sharp
- Direct/ indirect
- Soft/ Heavy
Why are dynamics important?
Dynamics add texture, colour, interest and variety to the dance and can help to show choreographic intent. Without dynamics, the dance would be boring
What is space?
Space is where the body is moving
What can space relate to?
- Where a dancer is placed or where they move on a stage or in another performance space
- The direction in which the dancer is facing/ moving for example: Right, left, forward, backward
- The pathways a dancer uses when travelling for example: zig zag, circular, semi - circle, straight line, diagonal line
- The level the dancer is on, for example on the floor or jumping
- The size and shape of a movement
What are relationships?
Relationships are about the way in which a dancer dances with others
What are the 8 relationships?
1) Lead and follow
2) Formation
3) Complement and contrast
4) Mirroring
5) Accumulation
6) Contact
7) Counterpoint
8) Action and reaction
Why do we have relationships?
So you are able to see connections, add texture and character
What is lead and follow?
One dancer leads and the other follows
What is formation?
Where the dancer stands, e.g.
x x x x x
x x x x x
What is complement and contrast?
Complement - Actions/ shapes that are similar but not exactly copied
Contrast - Complete opposite movements to another dancer
What is mirroring?
One or more dancers use the other side of their body to create a mirroring effect
What is accumulation?
One dancer starts, others join in until they’re all in unison
What is contact?
Touch, lean, lift or support eachother
What is counterpoint?
A number of different solos at the same time, these can be completely different stories
What is action and reaction?
2 dancers having a conversation through movements
What is a structure?
Structure is the framework on which a dance can be built
Why is structure important?
- To enhance the audiences knowledge of meaning of the dance
- Helps you as a choreographer both in structure and accompaniment (music)
- To help the dance with a beginning middle and end
What is binary?
It has 2 sections
The first section is established while the second provides a contrast e.g.
A+B
What is ternary?
It have 3 sections
The 1st and 3rd are similar while the second provides contrast e.g.
A+B+A
OR
A+B+C
What is rondo?
A music or dance form with alternating and repeating sections e.g.
A+B+A+C+A+D
(All the A’s tell the same story or are the chorus)
What is narrative?
A dance that tells as story
What is episodic?
A piece of choreography with several sections linked by a theme
What is a motif?
An action or sequence that is repeated and can be developed
Why are motifs important?
- Can be repeated, varied and developed to help structure and organise a dance
- Helpful to communicate to the audience the choreographic intent
What different body part could you use to develop a motif?
Any of the following:
What action could you add to develop a motif?
Any of the following:
- travel
- gesture
- take away actions
- stillness or balance
- can increase motif count
- jump
- turn
What different body part could you use to develop a motif?
Any of the following:
- arms
- legs
- feet
- neck
- back
- head
What change in space could you use to develop a motif?
Any of the following:
- directions
- formation
- change stage direction
- pathways
- levels
- shape
What change in dynamics could you use to develop a motif?
Any of the following:
- sharp
- fast
- explosive
- slow
- heavy
What change could you make to develop a motif?
re - order the motif
What is repetition?
Performing the same action or phrase again
Why would you use repetition?
To show the choreographic intent and show emphasis
What is contrast?
Movement or shapes that have nothing in common
Why would you use contrast?
To show 2 characters and their different stories, it’s not just about one thing
What is a highlight?
Important moments of the dance
Why do you have highlights in choreography?
To show the choreographic intent and to add texture
What is a climax?
The most significant moment of the dance
What the difference between a highlight and climax?
There are multipule highlights, there is only 1 climax
What is manipulation of numbers?
How the number of dancers in the group is used
What is unison?
When 2 or more dancers performing the same movement at the same time
What is cannon?
When the same movements over lap each other
