The Elements of Dance

There are Elements of Dance. 3

The Elements of Dance SPACE

The Elements of Dance SPACE TIME

The Elements of Dance SPACE TIME FORCE

1st Element of Dance SPACE

1st Element of Dance SPACE Area surrounding a person in which he/she is able to move.

SPACE Shape:

SPACE Shape: circles, squares, triangles, etc. made with parts of the body, the whole body, with groups of people, or by moving through space.

SPACE Level:

SPACE Level: The vertical distance from the floor.

SPACE Level: The vertical distance from the floor. (High, Medium, or Low)

SPACE Direction:

SPACE Direction: Where the body moves.

SPACE Direction: Where the body moves. (e.g. Forward, backward, up, down, sideways, diagonally, etc.)

SPACE Pathways:

SPACE Pathways: Patterns we make as we move through the air or across the floor.

SPACE Focus:

SPACE Focus: Where the dancer’s eyes look as he/she is dancing.

SPACE Size:

SPACE Size: How large or small movements.

SPACE Shape Level Direction Pathways Focus Size

2nd Element of Dance TIME

2nd Element of Dance TIME The duration of the movement

TIME Beat:

TIME Beat: The on going underlying pulse.

TIME Tempo:

TIME Tempo: How fast or slow the movements.

TIME Accent:

TIME Accent: Strong beats that usually occur at regular intervals.

TIME Rhythmic Patterns:

TIME Rhythmic Patterns: Patterns made by arranging long and short movement or strong and light movement.

TIME Duration:

TIME Duration: The length of time the movement lasts.

TIME Beat Tempo Accent Rhythmic Patterns Duration

3rd Element of Dance FORCE

3rd Element of Dance FORCE How the body uses energy while moving.

FORCE FORCE = ENERGY

FORCE FORCE = ENERGY Heavy / Light

FORCE FORCE = ENERGY Heavy / Light Sharp / Smooth

FORCE FORCE = ENERGY Heavy / Light Sharp / Smooth Tensed / Relaxed

FORCE FORCE = ENERGY Heavy / Light Sharp / Smooth Tensed / Relaxed Bound / Flowing

FORCE Bound / Flowing

FORCE Bound = releasing energy in a controlled, restrained manner

FORCE Flowing = releasing energy freely.

Elements of Dance SPACE Shape Level Direction Pathways Focus Size TIME Beat Tempo Accent Rhythmic Patterns Duration FORCE FORCE = ENERGY Heavy / Light, Sharp / Smooth, Tensed / Relaxed Bound / Flowing

MOVEMENTS

Locomotor & Nonlocomotor

MOVEMENTS Locomotor:

MOVEMENTS Locomotor: Movements that take the body from one point to another.

MOVEMENTS Locomotor Examples:

MOVEMENTS Locomotor Examples: Step

MOVEMENTS Locomotor Examples: StepHop

MOVEMENTS Locomotor Examples: StepHopGrapevine

MOVEMENTS Locomotor Examples: StepHopGrapevine Polka

MOVEMENTS Locomotor Examples: StepHopGrapevine PolkaWaltz

MOVEMENTS Locomotor Examples: StepHopGrapevine PolkaWaltzTwo-step

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor:

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor: Movements that the body can do and still stay in one place.

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor Examples:

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor Examples: Push

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor Examples: PushPull

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor Examples: PushPullRise

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor Examples: PushPullRise Fall

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor Examples: PushPullRise FallDodge

MOVEMENTS Nonlocomotor Examples: PushPullRise FallDodgeSway

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS

AB

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS AB A dance with a 2-part structure…

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS AB A dance with a 2-part structure with the second part being different from the first part.

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS ABA

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS ABA A dance with a 3-part structure…

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS ABA A dance with a 3-part structure… With the second part being different from the first part…

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS ABA A dance with a 3-part structure… With the second part being different from the first part… And the last part being the same as the first part.

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS Call and Response

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS Call and Response 1 st soloist/group moves, with the 2 nd soloist/group moving in “response”.

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS Narrative

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS Narrative A dance that tells a story using only movement. NO WORDS!

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS Narrative Examples:

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS Narrative Examples: Ballets like… The Nutcracker Cinderella Swan Lake Sleeping Beauty

COMPOSITIONAL FORMS Narrative Examples: and some FOLK DANCES such as Native American Dances or the Hula

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT

Body Alignment:

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Body Alignment: Body placement or posture, when done properly, lessens body strain and promotes dance skills.

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Balance:

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Balance: An equal distribution of weight, force, or influence

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Isolation of body parts:

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Isolation of body parts: The ability to move separate parts of the body independently.

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Elevation:

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Elevation: Movement of the body or parts of the body to a higher level.

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Landing:

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Landing: The manner and quality in which the body returns to earth following an action of elevation (e.g. leap, hop, jump, etc.)

SKILLS OF BODY ALIGNMENT Body Alignment Balance Isolation of Body Parts Elevation Landing

PURPOSES OF DANCE

Ceremonial

PURPOSES OF DANCE Ceremonial Dance done by a dancer in order to celebrate or commemorate a special occasion.

PURPOSES OF DANCE Ceremonial Perform a ritual such as an initiation of members into a group in some cultures.

PURPOSES OF DANCE Recreational

PURPOSES OF DANCE Recreational Dance done by a dancer in order to have FUN !

PURPOSES OF DANCE Recreational Square Dancing Tap Dancing Social Dances

PURPOSES OF DANCE ~ ARTISTIC ~

PURPOSES OF DANCE ~ ARTISTIC ~ Dance done by a dancer so that the viewer can appreciate the artistry of the dance.

PURPOSES OF DANCE ~ ARTISTIC ~ Ballet Jazz Modern

The Elements of Dance