Dance: Reasons For Dancing
Dance: Reasons For Dancing
Dance: Reasons For Dancing
In all nature,
every individual makes rhythm like foot tapping, head movement, body sway while a music is playing.
In other words, the body moves as a physical response or as an expression of feeling and the fundamentals
principles of time, space, and force are observed.
DANCE
is an expression of an intensified sense of life, arising from an inner perception that stimulates both mind and body. It is
man’s natural and primitive means of expression.
the rhythmical movement of the body usually with music
to express an idea or emotion
to narrate a story
to enjoy and take pleasure in the movement itself
the most direct of the arts for it makes use of the human body as its medium
it springs from man’s love for expressive gestures, release of tension through
rhythmic movement
it heightens the pleasure of being, at the same time mirrors the life of society
it involves a successive group of bodily motions and steps rhythmically
performs and timed to music
It is both an art and a form of recreation.
ART – it may tell a story, set a mood, or express an emotion
Form of recreation – it provides fun, relaxation, companionship
COURTSHIP
Serves as a way for man and women to become acquainted before they marry.
CHILDREN
Dance because of the joy they feel
FOR SOME:
To find relief of having the same activity in their life
Provides a release of tension in our body
SOCIAL
For the sake of companionship
MOST PEOPLE
To have fun or entertain others
a. What is Movement?
Movement as defined is a change of position in space. It is governed with mechanical principles that limit the
ability of individuals to move effectively and efficiently.
These factors include the variables such as the body built, physical fitness and psychological aspects such as fear,
anxiety and self-concept.
1. Psychological Factor
Phenomena such as fear, anxiety and others affect the movement either positive or negative. All those may somehow
affect the performance of an individual.
2. Physiological Factor
Physical Fitness and body built are two main concerns that affect the human movement. Poor muscle development
and low fitness level will surely affect the movement.
3. Sociological Factor
These refer to the relationship of the performer to the group regarding social conformity and norms.
All movements take place in space. The two kinds of space occupancy are personal space and general space.
Personal Space is the maximum space available to a person in a stationary position. This includes the space that the person
can reach by stretching and twisting. General Space is the area which include one or more persons moving in space like:
gymnasium, swimming pools, classrooms, ballrooms, plaza and others.
ELEMENTS OF SPACE
1. DIRECTION
This refers to the movement forward, backward, upward, downward, sideways right and left, circular and
combination of all these.
2. LEVEL
As the body moves in horizontal plane it creates movement identified as high, medium/middle and low. It may be
represented in relative heights while standing, sitting, lying and kneeling.
3. RANGE
The maximum reach of an individual or sometimes referred to as personal space of the size of movement.
5. FOCUS
This is referred to as movement in space in relation to an object or a person’s attention or direction.
DANCE can…
Express feelings…
Joy
Anger
Helplessness
Art and religion were the most serious concerns of primitive civilizations. Their art concerns were mainly
for source of food and how to increase its supply. Although unaware of it, they made use the art of hunting, fishing
and other way of life. Religion in this matter, regards their beliefs in the supernatural beings that governs their
fate. To express their feelings, they create rhythmic movements by stamping, shaking their bodies, chanting and
other bodily expression with the use of natural accompaniment like wood, bamboo’s, dries leaves and others to
accompany their rhythmic movement and passing the tradition to the next generation. The interweaving factors
of rhythm into human beings created the dance and later developed into a high quality movement and become
part of an established art form up to this time.
DANCE ELEMENTS
1. THEME
The content or the main ingredient of a dance
Tells what a dance is trying to tell or the message of the dance
2. DESIGN
The pattern of movement in time and space. Pattern in time refers to the unaccented beats of movements
into measures. Pattern in space refers to the path traced by the dancer’s feet on the floor (ground) and the
levels on which they move.
3. MOVEMENT
The action of dancers as they use their bodies to create organized patterns
Can be divided into steps, gestures of arms and hands, and facial expression
Steps – includes leaps, turns, and runs
Gestures – express motions or ideas in sign language
Facial expression – to express feelings
4. TECHNIQUE
Skills in executing movements
5. MUSIC
The auditory background to which a dancer moves. It is something melodic and harmonious usually used
as an accompaniment.
Motivates the movement of the dancers and serves as background music that captivates the audience.
7. CHOREOGRAPHY
Forms and arrangement of a dance. Connected with the steps and movement on how a dance must be
performed.
8. SCENERY
The setting or background establishing the place of action of any dance to make more realistic and
beautiful.
Basic Divisions of Movements
a. Locomotor Movements
Movement in-space as one goes from one place to another.
Walk – a regular pace of the feet. A simple transfer of the weight from one foot to the other.
Run – a fast walk or an increased speed in walking by lifting the foot off the contact floor or ground.
Hop – with the weight of the body on one foot, spring on that foot.
Leap – with the weight of the body on one foot, spring on one foot and land on the other foot.
Gallop – a combination of a step (full transfer of weight on one foot) and a cut by the transfer of weight to the
other foot.
b. Non-Locomotor or Axial
Movement done in a stationary or fixed base
Vibratory – the shaking of body parts or beating movements that produces vibrating.
c. Manipulative Movement
Developed through handling some type of object with a variety of body parts.
1. CLASSICAL DANCE
Dances with standardized rules and restrictions. It can be religious related dance or for court and royal entertainment.
3. FOLKDANCE
A cultural art form handed down from generation to generations. It can communicate the customs, beliefs
and rituals occupation of a region or country.
5. RECREATIONAL DANCE
Includes dance mixer, square dancing and round and round and couple dances.
7. CREATIVE DANCE
The highest form of dance for the purpose of entertainment.
8. POPULAR DANCE
Highly recognized as a dance form in television and other dance centers like disco houses and social
gatherings.
FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITION AND STEPS
Feet – Closed-crossed,
heel in-step
touching knees
locked
Arms – one arm
encircle overhead Third Position
Third Position other raised
sideways
Feet – Open-crossed
Arms – One arm
encircle overhead
arm on first
position
Fourth Position Fourth Position
Feet – Close-crossed,
heel-toe touching
knees locked
Arms – Both arm
encircled
overhead, fingers Fifth Position
Fifth Position apart