The Technical & Expressive Nature of Dance Dynamics

Dynamics – How we move The use of differing graduations of energy to perform a movement is often described as adding dynamic quality to movement. You have to be able to describe movements in terms of dynamics

The SIX dynamic qualities Sustained = slow, smooth, continuous, even Percussive = sudden, sharp, choppy, jagged Swinging = sway, to & fro, pendulum, undercurve Suspended = stillness, balance, high point Collapsed = fall, release, relax Vibratory = shake, tremble, wiggle

Practical Bit!! Walking with Dynamic Qualities Get in to twos Create a series of walks up to 16 counts (basic) Add a slow, lyrical style to the series (Heavenly) Add a quick, rhythmic style to it (Groove Potion) Try mixing the lyrical with the quick (??)

Features of Dynamics Rudolph Laban defined 4 main features of dynamics Each feature has two extremes Combine the first three of these features brings about a particular action (EFFORT ACTION) The last feature describes how you can dance the effort action (bound or free)

Laban’s Features of Dynamics FactorQualitiesBasic Vocabulary TimeSudden > SustainedQuickly >Slowly WeightFirm > Fine TouchStrongly > Gently SpaceDirect > FlexibleStraight > Winding Flow Bound > Free Tight > Loose

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirect

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap These actions can be done in a tight, controlled & bound manner Or in a loose, wild or free way, giving them a sense of flow

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap SuddenFirmFlexibleWhip, whisk, turning jump

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap SuddenFirmFlexibleWhip, whisk, turning jump SuddenFine TouchDirectDab, tap, pad, skip, hop

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap SuddenFirmFlexibleWhip, whisk, turning jump SuddenFine TouchDirectDab, tap, pad, skip, hop SuddenFine TouchFlexibleFlick, swirl

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap SuddenFirmFlexibleWhip, whisk, turning jump SuddenFine TouchDirectDab, tap, pad, skip, hop SuddenFine TouchFlexibleFlick, swirl SustainedFirmDirectPress, pull, push, contract

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap SuddenFirmFlexibleWhip, whisk, turning jump SuddenFine TouchDirectDab, tap, pad, skip, hop SuddenFine TouchFlexibleFlick, swirl SustainedFirmDirectPress, pull, push, contract SustainedFirmFlexibleWring, spiral

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap SuddenFirmFlexibleWhip, whisk, turning jump SuddenFine TouchDirectDab, tap, pad, skip, hop SuddenFine TouchFlexibleFlick, swirl SustainedFirmDirectPress, pull, push, contract SustainedFirmFlexibleWring, spiral SustainedFine TouchDirectGlide, stroke, release, creep

Laban’s Effort Actions TimeWeightSpaceActions SuddenFirmDirectPunch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap SuddenFirmFlexibleWhip, whisk, turning jump SuddenFine TouchDirectDab, tap, pad, skip, hop SuddenFine TouchFlexibleFlick, swirl SustainedFirmDirectPress, pull, push, contract SustainedFirmFlexibleWring, spiral SustainedFine TouchDirectGlide, stroke, release, creep SustainedFine TouchFlexibleFloat, drift, sway, hover, weave

Dynamics of a Jump Jumps can be danced Quickly, strongly,with a directly aimed kick in the air Small, tight shunt with a strong, direct & sudden, sharp landing Series of quick, delicate hops and skips which skim the floor on a winding path

Arm Gestures The arm reaching forward can be danced with (let’s all do this…!) The wrist flexed and pressing the air forward (strongly), in a straight line forward The palm faces the floor and the fingertips lead the gesture with a fine touch (delicately) and slowly gliding over the air The tension & energy can be different – switch the actions around as described below Use force & strength Use softness & gentleness

Paintings & Dynamics Look at paintings & see how they can help you “see” dynamics in dance The colours in the painting can HIGHLIGHT an image Strong colours (Red, black, brown) Delicate colours (white, blue, yellow) Colour Paintings vs Black & White Paintings

Colour Paintings by Kandinsky

Picasso’s Geurnica

Paintings as Inspiration Colourful paintings can give rise to Many varied characters in a dance, each with their own identity Or many dancers with similar movements Black & White paintings are stark in contrast Convey a different atmosphere, mood and theme The width & length of lines (and whether repeated) could be compared to a dance sequence

What could these steps be? A

A B

What could these steps be? A B C

What could these sequences be? A B C D

Dynamics - Homework Discuss the dynamic qualities you can see in the photographs opposite B C D A

Reading – to do From “Dance” Textbook by Pam Howard Read Page 57 Copy down & learn the Dynamics Vocabulary This vocabulary will give you the words required to describe how a movement action is being performed

DVD to watch Please choose a DVD and watch it Give a BRIEF synopsis of the DVD (story line/content/Choreographer/Music etc) A description of one of the dances & comment on the use of the dynamics