LC 1 Dance History and Nature

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Brief History and Nature of

Dance
Health Optimizing Physical Education
WHAT IS DANCE?
In its purest, most basic form,
dance is art, the art of body
movement.
NATURE AND HISTORY OF DANCE

Nature of dance Dance differs from


athletics and other daily activities because
it focuses primarily on an aesthetic or even
entertaining experience
Why do people dance?
I.To please the gods
II. To please others
III.To please themselves or self expression
IV. To build community
Brief history of dance It is said that the first use of dance was as a
gesture in order to communicate.

● as a means of religious expression ANCIENT EGYPT


● as an aid to military education ANCIENT GREECE Ancient Greeks
believed that a man’s grace in dance equaled his prowess in battle,
therefore dance was incorporated in their basic education.
● way of expressing tribal unity PHILIPPINES
● as an approach for courtship PHILIPPINES
BENEFITS OF DANCE

PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF DANCE •develops muscular and cardiovascular endurance •improves


flexibility, coordination, balance, and body composition •enables joint mobility •helps prevent
osteoporosis •lowers risk of cardiovascular diseases

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF DANCE •helps keep the brain sharp •decreases risk of
dementia and Alzheimer’s disease •decreases depressive symptoms •increases self-esteem
and improves body image •aids in releasing emotional tension

SOCIAL BENEFITS OF DANCE •gives sense of togetherness within a group •encourages positive
social interaction and interpersonal relationship in a group •contributes to the individual’s
potential for self-actualization in society

CULTURAL BENEFITS OF DANCE •promotes cultural values


SPACE elements of dance

SPACE - the area that the dance performers occupy and where they
move - can be divided into four different aspects, also known as spatial
elements

● Direction - The performers can go forward, backward, diagonal, circular,


and so on.
● Size - Movements can be varied by doing smaller or larger actions.
● Level - Movements can be done in a high, medium, and low level.
● Focus - Performers may change their focus by looking at different
directions .
● Movement Difference: Sizes and Levels Similarity: Movement
Difference: Focus and Levels
TIMING elements of dance

● TIMING The movements in timing can be executed in varying


tempo (speed). Performers move with tempo of an underlying
sound known as beat or pulse.
● DANCE ENERGIES Movements are propelled by energy or force.
This force can either initiate or stop an action. Dance uses
different energies. Varied use of these minimizes the monotony
of the movements in the performance.
SIX QUALITIES OF DANCE ENERGIES I. Sustained II. Percussive III. Vibratory IV. Swinging V.
Suspended VI. Collapsing

1. SUSTAINED Movements are done smoothly, continuously, and with flow and control. It does not have a clear
beginning and ending.
2. PERCUSSIVE Movements are explosive or sharp in contrast with sustained movements. They are accented with
thrust of energy. They have a clear beginning and ending.
3. VIBRATORY Movements consist of trembling or shaking. A faster version of percussive movements that
produces a jittery effect.
4. SWINGING Movements trace a curved line or an arc in space. The movements are relaxed and giving in to gravity
on the downward part of the motion, followed by an upward application of energy.
5. SUSPENDED Movements are perched in space or hanging on air. Holding a raised leg in any direction is an
example of a suspended movement.
6. COLLAPSING Movements are released in tension and gradually or abruptly giving in to gravity, letting the body
descend to the floor. A slow collapse can be described as a melting or oozing action in a downward direction.
BODILY SHAPES elements of dance

It refers to how the entire body is molded in space or the configuration of body parts. The body can be
rounded, angular, or the combination of the two. Other body shapes can be from wide to narrow and
from high to low. They can be symmetrical and asymmetrical.

BODILY SHAPES Symmetrical bodily shapes Balanced shape; movements are practically identical or
similar on both sides.

BODILY SHAPES Asymmetrical bodily shapes Unbalanced shape; movements of two sides of the body
do not match or are completely different from each other.

GROUP SHAPES elements of dance

GROUP SHAPES In this element, a group of dancers perform movements in different group shapes/
they are arranges in ways that are wide, narrow, rounded, angular, symmetrical, or asymmetrical, and
are viewed together as a total picture or arrangement.

BODILY SHAPES Symmetrical, narrow group shape

BODILY SHAPES Asymmetrical, rounded group shape


DANCE APPRECIATION AND COMPOSITION

What makes a good dance? displays a significant meaning or conveys a message lifts and
transports the audience from their seats has a beginning, middle, and end / conclusion must
have a shape or form for an effective choreography

Terms to understand Form Form is the instrument by which ideas and elements are arranged or
combined into a logical sequence which results in unity and consistency. It is the organizing
factor of any dance composition. Phrase A phrase is the smallest unit of form in the whole
dance. It can be related to a sentence in writing compositions. Motif A single movement or a
short phrase of movement that embodies the style and intention of the dance is called a motif.
A good dance contains this in order to be able to convey its meaning or intention to the
audience.
Characteristics of a good dance I. Unity II. Continuity and Development III.Variety and
Contrast IV.Transition V. Repetition VI.Climax
UNITY characteristics of a good dance

characteristics of a good dance: UNITY The interconnected phrases of the dance are coherent and flow smoothly
together. The movements fit together and each plays an important role that contributes to the entirety of a dance.

CONTINUITY AND DEVELOPMENT characteristics of a good dance

characteristics of a good dance: CONTINUITY AND DEVELOPMENT The structure of the dance are organized
progressively, making each movement phrase move naturally into the next. There is a continuous development of the
movement phrase and the audience is swept along to the end.

VARIETY AND CONTRAST characteristics of a good dance

characteristics of a good dance: VARIETY AND CONTRAST Variety and contrast in movement phrases add excitement
and flavor to the dance. Changing the direction, use of energy, timing of a movement phrase, and avoiding repeating
them in the exact way are ways to add variety to the dance.
TRANSITION characteristics of a good dance

characteristics of a good dance: TRANSITION This is the link between movements, phrases, and
sections of the dance. It makes the logical progression of the dance flow smoothly. Also, it is vital
because it keeps the unity and continuity of the dance.

REPETITION characteristics of a good dance

characteristics of a good dance: REPETITION Some phrases need to be repeated in choreography so


that the audience can see those movements again and identify its significance. Usually, when a certain
phrase or a section of choreography is repeated, it is the main message of the dance.

CLIMAX characteristics of a good dance

characteristics of a good dance: CLIMAX This is where the apex of energy in the dance is reached. It is
similar to the climax in a story where a series of events culminates. The climax may be a fast and
enraged blast of energy action, or it could fade away to a gentle and quiet exit that marks the end of a
particular story. The music will often assist both the choreographer and the audience when
determining this point of development.
CHOREOGRAPHIC FORMS IN DANCE

CHOREOGRAPHIC FORMS IN DANCE I. Sequential II.Contrapuntal III.Episodic IV.Other compositional forms

SEQUENTIAL FORMS I. AB (two-part) form II.ABA (three-part) form III.Rondo Form (ABACA) IV.Themes and
variations form

CONTRAPUNTAL FORMS I. Ground bass II.Round or Canon III.Fugue or Accumulation IV.Suite

OTHER COMPOSITIONAL FORMS I. Natural structures II.Collage III.Tableau IV.Chance

EVALUATING A GOOD DANCE

How is the quality of a dance evaluated? The success of any dance performance may depend on who the
evaluators are. Appreciation on the importance of dance comes from the points of view of the choreographer,
the dancer, or the audience.

Evaluators’ roles Choreographer They will evaluate a part of an ongoing process of developing a personal style
which is both spontaneous and organized. Dancers They will evaluate according to the specific demands that
the performance places on them. Motif They will evaluate according to the particular context of the dance.
MAKING A DANCE CRITIQUE

Stages in assessing a dance Description Here, the evaluator / critic notes


down the composition of the dance in terms of the elements and the
characteristics of dance Examples of which are noting down the variation,
unity, space, time, and so on. Interpretation Involves an appreciation of the
ideas, content, images, and style contained within the dance. Evaluation
Takes into consideration how effectively the features and context of the
dance have been utilized in the actual performance of the dancers to
portray the content and quality of the dance.

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