dance glossary 2012 for 2013

8/16/2019 Dance Glossary 2012 for 2013

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Dance Glossary

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Copyright© School Curriculum and Standards Authority, 2012

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GLOSSARY.or the purposes of the /ance syllabus the follo!ing definitions !ill apply#

Term Definition

Accumulation A choreographic de ice !here ne! mo ements are added to e)istingmo ements in a successi e manner# t generally begins !ith mo e 1, then 1 2, then 1 2 # The !ord !as used by Trisha 3ro!n in 1451 to name a solodance !or" based on adding one mo ement gesture to another, one at a time,and repeating the gro!ing phrase !ith each ne! mo ement# As Trisha 3ro!n(s!or"s are so !idely "no!n, this !ord has spread among the dance communityand it is used no!adays to tal" about a !ay of creating choreography as acompositional method#

Analysingdance

This may be thought of as identifying the formal structures of dance andloo"ing at the relationships bet!een the components of dance# .or e)ample,6The choreographer manipulated the dancers in space to create shapes andmoments of stillness, and interspersed comple) mo ement phrases !ithsections of impro isation#&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

Artistic dance /ance that is performed primarily to e)press ideas and*or to entertain anaudience# The dance often portrays and interprets aspects of life in order tochallenge or confirm the alues of the audience#&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

Asymmetrical A shape made by the body that has no line of reflection# An unbalancedproportion in the design of the shape#

Balance The e9ual distribution of !eight# :armonious arrangement of parts#

Base ofSupport

3ase of support is a t!o dimensional area bounded by the points of contact ofthe body !ith the ground# The larger the area of the base of support the easierit is to achie e and maintain balance#

Binary A t!o part choreographic structure !ith an A theme and a 3 theme &A3'# Thebinary form consists of t!o distinct self-contained sections that share either acharacter or 9uality i#e# the same tempo, mo ement 9uality, or style#

Body As an element of dance it encompasses;• body a!areness—this centres on body shapes, body bases, body parts,

locomotor and non-locomotor mo ements• body bases—the body parts that support the rest of the body e#g# !hen

standing the feet are the body base• body parts—legs, arms, head torso, hands, feet• body acti ity—!eight transference, tra elling, turning, rising, falling

• body shapes—cur ed, straight, open, closed, symmetrical, asymmetrical#

Canon A choreographic de ice that reflects the musical form of the same name in!hich indi iduals and groups perform the same mo ement phrase beginning atdifferent times#

Choreography The art of planning and arranging dance mo ements into a meaningful !hole<the process of building a composition< a finished dance !or"#

Choreographic devices

Tools of the choreographer used for the creation of dances such as canon,motif, contrast, accumulation, repetition, re ersal, retrograde, in ersion,fragmentation, and embellishment#

Choreographic intent

The purpose behind the composition or performance of mo ement#

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Term Definition

Choreographic processes

The fundamentally accepted methods for creating dances#

Choreographic structure

Structures that a choreographer uses in the creation of a dance such as A3&binary', A3A &ternary', rondo &A3ACA', theme and ariation &A, A1, A2, A ',and narrati e#

Componentsof dance

These may be grouped together in four main categories;• mo ement—body, energy, space, time• design concepts—music, poetry, clapping, silence, soundscape,

costumes, props, lighting, performance area• dancers—number of dancers, age, gender, si=e#

&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

Contemporarydance

Contemporary dance is a broadly inclusi e term to describe an approach todance that dra!s on modern dance elements, classical ballet, release !or"and other forms of dance often reflecti e of the creati e inno ations ofparticular dance choreographers and directors# Contemporary dance may also

dra! on other dance forms including popular dance and forms from othercultures and times# 8any contemporary dance pieces reflect e)plorations ofstructure and body dynamics in space*time#

Contrast A choreographic de ice !here dance elements are altered to createoppositions, thus ma"ing contrasts such as high*lo!, big*little#

Culture The alues, attitudes, customs, practices, language and con entionscommonly shared by a particular group that forms a part of their identity as agroup and contributes to!ards a sense of shared understanding#

Descri ingdance

This may be thought of as seeing and identifying the components of the dance#.or e)ample, 6The lead dancer mo ed rapidly across the stage to >oin a trio ofmale dancers !aiting in a tableau# The stage !as large and bare#(&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

!lements ofdance

The basic &"ey' components of dance; body, energy, space, time &3%ST'#These elements can be combined and manipulated to communicate ande)press meaning through mo ement#See 3ody, %nergy, Space, Time

!m ellishment

A choreographic de ice !here detail is added to the original mo ementse9uence#

!nergy As an element of dance it focuses on the !eight and force of po!er needed toproduce and*or manipulate a mo ement#

!nergy"ualities

Shadings in the amount of energy, intensity, or po!er, subtle ariation in thetreatment of contrasts# The manner in !hich energy is applied, continued, orarrested# %nergy 9ualities can be described as; floating, s!inging, sudden,smooth, sharp, percussi e, ibratory and e)plosi e# 3y manipulating theenergy in a mo ement the choreographer creates certain 9ualities e#g# a lightfree flo!ing mo ement may create a dream-li"e 9uality, and constrainedmo ement may create an aggressi e mood#

!valuatingdance

This may be thought of as ma"ing >udgements about the dance based onidentified criteria# .or e)ample 6The contrast of mo ement and music from onesection to the ne)t !as 9uite spectacular, reinforcing the theme of the damageto the changing en ironment# t made me feel 9uite disturbed#(&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

!#perientialanatomy

?nderstanding ho! the body reacts to mo ement# Applying physical s"ills andunderstandings of biomechanics and "inesiology in both e)periential andtheoretical conte)ts#

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Term Definition

$all andrecovery

The process in mo ement yielding to and resisting gra ity# A theory in ented bymodern dance pioneer /oris :umphrey#

$ocus Conscious attention to!ard a certain point< !ith eyes, body parts, or thedirection in !hich the dancer faces# .ocus is not >ust confined to the eyes# talso in ol es the use of the !hole body focus to communicate the intention of

the dance#$orm .orm emphasises the nature of the relationships bet!een the components of

the dance# The components are put together in different !ays to create theform#&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

$ragmentation A choreographic de ice !here only a part of the mo ement se9uence*motif ismanipulated# A mo ement is bro"en do!n into smaller units#

Genre A specific category of dance that has a tradition or history and is identifiable byspecific characteristics, social and cultural conte)ts &e#g# classical ballet, >a==,contemporary, tap'#

%istoricalconte#t The historical conte)t focuses on !hen the dance !as made# The rele antde elopments in that era may influence the dance#&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

&mprovisation mpro isational structures permit the dancer elements of freedom and creati ityin ma"ing mo ement and dances# The dancer can employ any number ofcompositional strategies and creati e responses to pursue an outcome !herethe result is not fully "no!n, for e)ample a floor plan !hich is 6scored( but in!hich the mo ement is un"no!n< or the re erse, !here the mo ement isdesigned but the floor plan is open and the dancer is gi en the freedom toma"e the spacial decisions# ther decisions might affect the timing, the choiceof music, in fact any elements of 3%ST#

&nterpretingdance

This may be thought of as translating, reading or ma"ing sense of the dance!or"# .or e)ample, 6the shapes !ere sharp and a!"!ard, and although thedancers !ere together they con eyed the image of pain, loneliness andisolation(#&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

&nversion A choreographic de ice used in creating choreography that produces ariationson a mo ement phrase# n erting the mo ement phrase !ould mean e)ecutingit as if 6loo"ing in a mirror(# A for!ard step becomes a bac"!ard step<mo ement side!ards remain in a lateral plane# 3allroom dance ma"es use ofthis compositional method constantly !hen facing each other#

'inesiology The study of the acti ity of muscles, and the functioning, mechanics andstructures of the body parts in ol ed in mo ement# 8echanics refers to the

effect that energy and other forces ha e upon the body#Levels The altitude of a mo ement in relation to its distance from the floor# The height

of the dance floor#• Bo!; close to the floor !ith the intention do!n!ards#• 8edium; the le el of e eryday !al"ing#• :igh; any mo ement done !ith ele ation, not necessarily a >ump# t

implies a lifting of the chest and an up!ard focus#

Locomotor(ovement

Tra elling mo ements through space in ol ing a change in location of the bodyin space# &The basic locomotor steps are !al", run, >ump< irregular rhythmiccombinations are s"ip, slide, and gallop#'

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Term Definition

(otif)movementidea*

A mo ement or gesture or short mo ement phrase !hich has the potential tobe de eloped in the dance*!or"# A mo ement motif functions as choreographicde ice !ithin the choreography# t can contain the essence for the completedpiece and is usually repeated !ith integrity and manipulated throughout thedance#

(ovement+hrase

T!o or more mo ement ideas &motifs' lin"ed together# A series of mo ements lin"ed together to ma"e a distincti e pattern#

(ovementSe,uence

A series of mo ements, longer than a phrase but shorter than a section of adance#

(usicality The music elements of a dance performance# Attention and sensiti ity to themusical ear !hile creating or performing#

-arrative A choreographic structure that follo!s a specific story line and intends tocon ey specific information through that story#

-eutralalignment

eflecting the strongest and most balanced alignment of the spine includingthe three cur es of the spine that appears naturally in a healthy spine; at thenec", the thoracic region and the lumbar*pel ic region# Deutral alignment alsoreflects correct alignment of the ears, shoulders, hips, "nees and an"les tocreate a line directly do!n the side of the body from the ears do!n through tothe feet of the dancer# A further imaginary line, also of great assistance inestablishing and achie ing neutral alignment, runs do!n the centre of the bodyloo"ing from the front and corresponds to the median plane !hich di ides thebody into e9ual right and left hal es#

-on.Locomotor(ovement

8o ement occurring abo e a stationary base< mo ement of the body aroundits o!n a)is &Also called a)ial mo ement, it includes bending, stretching,pushing, pulling, bouncing, s!inging, sha"ing and t!isting#'

+arallel .eet in anatomical position, "nees in line !ith arches of feet and directly underhip >oint, fist !idth apart, 6train trac"s(#

+erformancepersona

3eing cognisant of choreographic intent and ho! to con ey a sense of6character( &including emotion, mood, tone and* or atmosphere' through thesustained use of body, facial e)pression and gesture#

+ersonal Style A distincti e or indi idualistic manner of e)pressing an idea# The dancer iscapable of communicating a sense of physical and*or emotional connection tothe mo ement material# ather than 6presenting( they ha e a tangible sense ofpresence and a!areness and embodiment &that includes other dancers in thespace and an audienceE' This 9uality may be influenced by body structure,type of training, prior dance e)periences, personality and indi idual 3%STpreferences#

+lacement A balanced alignment of the body, hips, torso, limbs, head, "nees, rib cage#Repetition A choreographic de ice !hereby a mo ement or motif are repeated e)actly for

emphasis or to gain interest#

Retrograde Another of the choreographic de ices used in creating dance compositions thatproduce ariations on a mo ement phrase# The mo ement phrase is performedbac"!ards, as if re!inding a ideo# This can be a challenging de ice becauseof the !ay in !hich the human body is constructed and may re9uire somephysical compromises and creati e decision ma"ing on the part of the dancer#.or e)ample, re!inding ideo#

Reversal The performance of the mo ements of a motif or se9uence in re erse order&but not in a bac"!ards direction'# .or e)ample, F,5,+,G,@, ,2,1#

Ritual dance /ance that is primarily performed in religious or other rites, and reflects specificcultural customs#

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Term Definition

Rondo A choreographic structure of three or more themes !ith an alternating return tothe main theme &A3ACA/A'#

Social dance /ance that is primarily performed for the en>oyment of participants#&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

Social conte#t A dance !or" that refers to the society or culture in !hich it is made and thatreflects the dynamics !ithin that society or culture# Such things as lifestyle,socio-economic status, employment, race may influence or be reflected in thedance !or"#

Style $ithin the broad categorisation of genre it is possible to dra! furtherdistinctions bet!een constituent groups and identify them as particular styles#.or e)ample, ballet &genre' may be identified as romantic, classical or modernin style# 8ore specific styles may relate to the country or origin or the companyor community by !hom the dance is performed# Choreographers also ha etheir o!n distincti e styles &!hich may change and de elop o er time'#&/ance Studies 7ears 11 and 12 Teacher Support 8aterial'

Symmetrical A shape made by the body that has a line of reflection &mirror line'# A balanced,e en design#

Technologies %9uipment used to help create, present, e)plain, document, ie!, interpret,analyse, or learn about dance !or"s, including dance props &e#g# scarf, chair',electronic media &e#g# ideo computers', and production technologies &e#g#lighting, costume, sound'#

Ternary A three-part choreographic structure in !hich the second section contrasts !iththe first section &A3A'# The third section is a restatement of the first section ina condensed, abbre iated, or e)tended form#

Theme and/ariation

A choreographic structure in !hich a dance phrase or section of a dance isfollo!ed by subse9uent phrases or sections that are ariations of the originalusually for the sa"e of ariety &A, A1, A2, A '#

Turned out Term used to describe a dance position in !hich you stand !ith your legs andfeet facing out!ards# 7our feet may be either together or apart# otation of thethigh bone in the hip soc"et# All rotations are functional and should occur at thehip# The lo!er leg and foot remain aligned !ith the femur#

0nison T!o or more people performing the same mo ement at the same time#

1arm do2n)cool do2n*

.ollo!ing dancing, the dancer should allo! the body to gradually !arm do!n&cool do!n'# Abruptly stopping igorous acti ity causes pooling of the blood,sluggish circulation !hich hampers remo al of !aste products, cramping,soreness and e en fainting# Bight acti ity and stretching after the dance classis recommended#

1arm.up Acti ities that raise the core body temperature and loosen the muscles beforedancing# 8o ements designed to raise the core body temperature and bringthe mind into focus for the acti ities to follo!#

Dance: Glossary 7

dance glossary 2012 for 2013

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