The Structures and Purpose of Dance

1.1 What is dance?

• Definition-dance is a method of expression, using the human body moving through space with varying amounts of force and time.

Three Purposes of Dance

• Artistic Dance – performed on a stage for an audience – Examples?

• Recreational Dance – Dances performed in a social setting – Examples?

• Ceremonial Dance – celebrating life events, religious rituals and other occasions reflecting cultures/traditions – Examples?

Dance Movement

• Movements – Actions made by the body• Locomotor Movements – Actions of the body

that cover space – Examples?

• Non-locomotor Movements – Actions of the body that do not cover space– Examples?

1.1 Dance Notes Quiz1.What is the title of the chapter?2.What is the title of this section?3.Definition-dance is a method of ________________, using the human body moving through space with varying amounts of force and ______________.4.List the three types of dance purpose.5.Actions of the body that cover space are considered non-locomotor. T/FWrite Locomotor/Non-locomotor?6.Skipping 7.Jogging8.Bending9.Twisting10.Jumping up and down

1.2 Dance Elements

Force – The use of energy while moving.Space – The area covered by dance movements • Directions- Forward, backward, sideway, up, down,

etc.• Level-low, medium or high• Pathways-circle, straight, zigzag• Shape –The design of the body as it exists in space.Time

Tempo-How fast or slow Beat- even or uneven Duration- how long or short the movement

1.2 Dance NQ

1. What is the title of this section?2. How many dance elements?3. List the dance elements4. List the elements under space5. Directions include __________, backward,

___________, up, down, etc.6. This element includes pathways7. This element using tempo8. Shape is the design of the body as it exists in space. T/F9. Define-tempo10. Beat is how long or short the movement is. T/F

Force Activity 1• Stand up and stick your index finger in

the air• Using light, flowing and freeing

movements.–Write your whole name in print–Write your whole name in cursive• Was this difficult?• Describe what it was like?

Force Activity 2

• Making your elbow bound tight to body, unable to bend–Write your name in print–Write your name in cursive• How was this activity different from the

first one?

Force Activity 2

• Turn to a partner• Write a letter on their back have them guess

the letter.• Write a number on their back have them

guess the number• Switch – What force/energy did you have to use for them

to figure out the letter/number?– Did you have to do it a couple of times?

Force Activity 3

• With your partner• Act out yourself pushing a heavy object• Relax• Act out yourself pull a heavy object• Relax– Think about what kinds of force/energy you had to

use to showcase both these movements?

Space Activity

•NO TALKING AT ALL!!!• Follow the leader– Using the elements of space• Shape, Pathways, Levels, Directions

– Have people follow you from one side of the lobby to the other.

Time Activity

Group 1• Beat 1-stomp right foot• Beat 2-clap• Beat 3-stomp left foot• Beat 4 clap

Group 2

• Beat 1- clap• Beat 2- stomp right, stomp left• Beat 3-slap right leg, slap left leg• Beat 4- clap

We are going to create rhythms. Each person must have 4 beats. I will randomly pick people to show their beats and then put people together to form a rhythm.

1.3 Dance Forms • Call and Response

– African, soloists performs with a second group answering• AB

– Dance made up of two contrasting sections• ABA

– Third part of dance is repeated

• Narrative– Dance conveys a story line

• Theme and Variation– Set of movements are repeated but with other movements added.

• Rondo– Three or more themes where one is repeated…. ABACAD

(A choreographer is a person whodesigns the movements of a dance.)

1.4 Dance Styles

• Ballet-swan lake– French– Romantic time period – Recreational Court Dances– Five ballet positions– Tells a story– All forms of choreographed dance have Ballet roots– Traditional costumes, tights, ballet shoes– Weightlessness and graceful movements

Jazz

• Began in the “Roaring 20’s”• African American roots• The Charleston and the Varsity Drag• Costumes are tight fitting, stretchy material so

not to hindered movement-relate to theme of dance

• Stylized movements with an emphasis on isolation of body parts.

Tap

• Ceremonial dance, African roots, traditional Irish step dancing and English Clogging

• Soloists or tap lines• Technical footwork, taps on hard surfaces like a stage

to increase the sound of the tap• Costumes can be a range from tuxedos to street

clothes• Tap shoes are leather with metal plates on the heels

and toes• Tap legend-Bill “Bo Jangles” Robinson

Modern Dance

• 1920s• Rebellion from the stiff ballet style• choreography– no universal set of steps– improvisation – lets each choreographer have own unique style– very wide range of moves, steps

• Martha Graham-pioneer of modern dance, made social and political statements.

Traditional Swing Spiderman Swing

• 1940s, WWII• Music from the “Big Band” era• Glen Miller Band• Costumes are from the time period, very

formal, dresses and suits.

Ballroom

• Earliest forms the 16th century• Mostly known in the 20th century• Costumes are flowing dresses, while men are

in form fitting outfits• Cha-Cha, Waltz, Tango, etc• Dancing with the Stars

Hip-Hop /Break Dancing

• 1980s, • Originated in the streets of New York City• Low movements, on the ground, popping and

locking, tight movements• Costumes are usually loose fitting or street

clothes

Line Dancing

• 1990s, Honky Tonk Stomp• Country/western clothing, cowboy boots• People would do certain movements together

at the same time• Conga Line, Electric slide, Cha-cha Slide

The Evolution of Dance

• Using hit songs over the past decades and their dance moves.