DANCE CONCEPTS REVIEW

1. DANCE CONCEPTS REVIEW

2. SPACE • SIZE: large, small • LEVEL: high, mid-level, low • SHAPE: curved, straight • DIRECTIONS: forward, backward, sideways, diagonal, upward, downward • PATHWAY: straight, curved, circular, zig-zag • RELATIONSHIPS: near, apart • FOCUS: a central point or focus of attention; can be single or multiple

3. TIME • SPEED OR TEMPO: slow, fast, acceleration, deceleration • BEAT: pulse (steady, accented or irregular)

4. FORCEThe use of energy while moving • CHOREOGRAPH: To compose a dance • CHOREOGRAPHY: The art of arranging dances • CONTRAST: Difference between related things • TRANSITION: Passing from one action or place to another • PARTS OF EVERY DANCE: A beginning shape, middle movements, a final shape

5. FORCE, continued • LOCOMOTOR • MOVEMENT FROM PLACE TO PLACE-TRAVELS • Jump, hop, skip, walk, run, slide, leap, roll, crawl, gallop • NON-LOCOMOTOR or AXIAL • MOVEMENT IN PLACE • Stretch, contract, turn, bend, balance, twist, shake, gesture, push, pull, rise, fall, dodge, sway

6. PURPOSES OF DANCE CEREMONIAL: Of, relating to, or forming a ceremony: Celebration, Initiation, Hunting, Religious RECREATIONAL: Way of refreshing mind or body: Folk, Social ARTISTIC: Characteristic of art or artists, showing skill and imagination, for an audience, expresses thoughts or feelings; Ballet, Jazz

7. COMPOSITIONAL FORMS • AB:perform one movement phrase or theme followed by a different movement phrase or theme; • ABA: Perform one movement phrase or theme followed by a different movement phrase or theme, followed then by a repetition of the first movement phrase or theme; • CALL AND RESPONSE: A caller verbally directs the actions to be performed and the dancers respond by doing the action, or the music calls out and dancers react or a voice calls out and voices respond or dancers initiate and music responds. Often associated with African music and dance but also used elsewhere.

8. COLONIAL AMERICAN DANCE • European origin • Wealthy learned from Dancing Masters, others from imitating; • Posture – upright, straight, light • Mostly feet moving • Often in two lines facing. Men and women together. Non-democratic. Top couple most important • Most Recreational purpose • A later dance KERA calls Colonial: Virginia Reel • Music: fiddle, flute, sometimes piano. Occasional voice as music.

9. NATIVE AMERICAN DANCE • Grounded (low level) – respecting Earth • Learned from community or elders • Posture – knees bent. Upper body sometimes upright, sometimes bent over. • Mostly feet moving • Mostly Ceremonial purpose (today also Artistic and Recreational) • Themes of nature, animals, spirits, initiation, hunting, life cycle events • Call and Response: dancer responds to drum sounds • Music – drums, rattles, voice. Traditionally flute only for courting • Often in a circle • Often women only or men only – different movements for each gender • Women’s dances have meanings • Men’s dances tell stories • Examples: Friendship Dance, Round Dance, Bear Dance

10. WEST AFRICAN DANCE • Grounded (low level) – respecting Earth, occasional leaps • Learned from community • Posture – bent knees, many body parts move in isolation to different rhythms at the same time. Often flat, bare feet • Mostly Ceremonial purpose. But could be Artistic for dancing before the Chief or King or could be Recreational. • Themes of nature, animals, spirits, initiation, life cycle events, work • Movements sharp, energetic, strong, big, free flow. Although often low, can be high. • Call and Response: dancer responds to drum sounds, sometimes drum responds to dancer, voices respond to each other. Dancers play the drum sounds with their bodies. • Music – drums, rattles, gourds, percussion voice. Often fast, use of pulse, pattern, breath • Often in a circle or line following a circular path with musicians in the center • Sometimes tell stories through a dance • Often women only or men only – different movements for each gender • All dancers equal, but with a chance to solo supported by the community