The Technical & The Technical & Expressive Expressive Nature of Nature of
DanceDanceDynamicsDynamics
Dynamics – How we moveDynamics – 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 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!! Practical Bit!! Walking with Dynamic QualitiesWalking 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 DynamicsFeatures 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 Laban’s Features of DynamicsDynamics
Factor Qualities Basic Vocabulary
Time Sudden >
Sustained Quickly > Slowly
Weight Firm >
Fine Touch Strongly >
Gently
Space Direct >
Flexible Straight >
Winding
FlowFlow Bound >Bound > FreeFree Tight Tight >>
LooseLoose
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space ActionsSudden Firm Direct
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space ActionsSudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap,
stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space ActionsSudden Firm Direct Punch, 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 ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions
Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions
Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump
Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions
Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump
Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop
Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions
Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump
Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop
Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl
Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions
Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump
Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop
Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl
Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract
Sustained Firm Flexible Wring, spiral
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions
Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump
Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop
Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl
Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract
Sustained Firm Flexible Wring, spiral
Sustained Fine Touch Direct Glide, stroke, release, creep
Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions
Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap
Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump
Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop
Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl
Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract
Sustained Firm Flexible Wring, spiral
Sustained Fine Touch Direct Glide, stroke, release, creep
Sustained Fine Touch Flexible Float, drift, sway, hover, weave
Dynamics of a JumpDynamics 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 GesturesArm 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 & DynamicsPaintings & 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 Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky
Colour Paintings by Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky
Colour Paintings by Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky
Colour Paintings by Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky
Picasso’s GeurnicaPicasso’s Geurnica
Paintings as InspirationPaintings 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?What could these steps be?• A
What could these steps be?What could these steps be?• A• B
What could these steps be?What could these steps be?• A• B• C
What could these sequences be?What could these sequences be?
• A• B• C• D
Dynamics - HomeworkDynamics - Homework
• Discuss the dynamic qualities you can see in the photographs opposite
B
CD
A
Reading – to doReading – 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 watchDVD to watchPlease 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