UNIT III

INTRODUCTION TO DANCE

A. Desired Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the unit, the students must have:

1. defined the meaning of dance;

2. discussed the history, characteristics and significance of each type of
dances;
3. explained the fitness value of dance and its health benefits;
4. created original dance piece through adapted movements from
different countries.

B. Values and Thought Focus:

Values: Concern, Appreciation, Patience, Attentiveness

Thought: Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto Him with psaltery
and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song:
Play skillfully with a loud noise.

—Psalm 33:2-3

C. Course Content

INTRODUCTION

Dance, like language, is found in all human societies. Dance has power.
The universality of dance is easily explained. The human body itself is its
vehicle. All societies acknowledge its power and harness it according to their
fundamental values, aesthetic, and mores. People have danced their way
through history. In every ancient culture that has left records in words or
pictures, dance is an expression of religious worship. It is used to express
national and cultural identity, with a focus on clashes between societies. Dance is
an expression of cultural mores with a focus on gender-specific behavior. Dance
is a classic art. Dance is a medium of cultural fusion. Dance is the creation of
individual artist. Dance is the indicator of who we are today or where we are
going with the focus on electric media. Dance today is not simply cross-cultural
but pan-cultural and planetary.

Dances are borrowed, degraded, adapted and transformed at rates

unparallel in the past, with consequences that cannot be predicted. Dances

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 changes with everybody that dances, It changes with the time, the
country, even the weather. It does not have one history but many. (Jonas,
Grauer pp 9-11, 1992)

What is Dance?

1. It is to move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of

steps.
2. It is a series of movements that match the speed and rhythms of a
piece of music.
3. It is an act of stepping or moving through a series of
movements usually in time to music.
4. It is to move one’s feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of
steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.
5. It is to move your body in a way that goes with the rhythm and style of
music that is being played; to move with and guide (someone) as music plays to
dance with (someone).
- Merriam Webster
6. It is a performance art form consisting of purposefully selected
sequences of human movement. This movement has aesthetic and symbolic
value, and is acknowledged as dance by performers and observers within a
particular culture. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography,
by it’s his historical period or place of origin.

“Dancing is one of the best self-expressions that involves art”.

-Britney Spears-

“Is an intense fitness program, not just something nice to watch”.

-Jamie King-
(celebrity/choreographer&creator of the Nike Rockstar workout)

“Dancing is one of the most effective medium of self-expression.

One can effectively express his thoughts, ideas, feelings and even
pent-up emotions through dancing. One can convey important
messages of love, fear, joy and even grief through dance”.
Dr. Milagros M. Aguinaldo, 2002
Ballroom Dancing a New Lifestyle
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 BENEFITS OF DANCING

1. Fitness - dancing is one of the versatile and satisfying recreation or a

form of exercise to develop fitness.
(a) Improved condition of the heart and lungs.
(b) Increase muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness.
(c) Increased aerobic fitness.
(d) Improved muscle tone and strength.
(e) Proper weight management.
(f) Development of stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.

2. Joy and satisfaction- the physical well-being of a person who

participates is improved.
(a) Better social skills.
(b) Increased physical confidence.

3. Grace and coordination- it improves response to rhythmic patterns.

Constant participation in dance activities will improve one’s neuromuscular
coordination and help one’s acquisition of grace.
(a) Improved mental functioning.
(b) Improved balance and spatial awareness.

4. Self-expression- it develops poise and good posture

(a) Greater self-confidence and self-esteem.

5. Relieved stress.

Tips for dancing

1. Do warm-up stretches before you begin a dance session.
2. Drink plenty of water before, during and after dancing.
3. Wear an appropriate attire.
4. Check with your dance instructor whether you are holding the correct
form or not.
5. Perform regular leg, strengthening exercises.
6. Move as fluidly and gracefully as you can.
7. Cool down after a dance session, including stretching.

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Types of dance and its definitions

1. Fad Dance- are also called dance crazes which are characterized by a
short burst of popularity.
Examples:
Renaissance Period- Minuet, allemande, schottische mazurka, waltz
1910-1920’s- Jitterbug, Charleston, meringue, samba, mambo
1940’s- jazz
1960’s- Bossa nova craze
1970’s- Mashed potato, twist, watusi
1980’s- Walk like an Egyptian
1990’s- Macarena

Note: Fad dance is spurred by modern communication like printed media, radio,
movies, television, and internet.

2. Novelty dance- a silly fun dance with a certain theme. This dance isfun
for the audience and the performers. This includes quirky and unusual
steps, or having unusual name.
Examples:
(1909) The GRIZZLY BEAR, (1958) The Ostrich, The Fly (1930-
1940’s) The Peabody, The Stroll, The Freddie

3. Traditional dance- a dance that evolved naturally from earlier forms, a

traditional dance of a given country native to a specific people.
“Traditional” is more frequently used when the emphasis is on the cultural
roots of the dance. A traditional dance will therefore have arisen from a
people’s cultural traditions.
Examples:
(a) JarabeTapatio (Mexican hat dance)- was named the national dance
of Mexico in 1924.
(b) The Maglalatik (Philippines)- danced in the religious procession
during the fiesta of Biñan as an offering to San Isidro De Labrador,
the Patron Saint of Farmers.
(c) Russian Cossacks (Russia)- performed during the annual Mancky
festival.
(d) Bedouins Dance (Yemen)- danced during the Sanaa Summer
Festival.
(e) Irish Step Dance (Ireland)

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 (f) Horn Dance (England)
(g) Whirling Dervishes or Sufiwhirling (Turkey)
(h) Legong (Bali, Indonesia)
(i) Dunhuang Dance (China)- a danced influenced by Buddhism and
the images of Buddha; originated from the province of Gansu.
(j) Joget (Malaysia)- mostly performed during weddings, social and
official functions.
(k) Odori (Japan)- originated in the Edo period. Odori grew out of
kabuki drama and is more oriented toward male sentiments.
(l) Mai- traditionally performed in Japanese rooms instead of on the
stage. This was developed in the 17 th century Tokugawa period. It
is heavily influenced by the elegance and sophistication.
(m) Kuchipudi (India)-the most popular traditional dance form in south
India performed with a violin, flute and the tambura instruments.

(n) Hula (Hawaii)-a dance form accompanied by chant (Oli) or song

(Mele). It was developed in the Hawaiian island by the Polynesians
who originally settled there. The hula dramatizes or portrays the
words of the Oli or Mele in a visual dance form.

Traditional dance

A. Folk Dance- a cultural art form handed down from generation to

generation.

It communicates the customs, beliefs, rituals and occupation of a region

or country. Folk dancing belongs to and emenates from the people.

Examples:
(a) Pandanggo sa Ilaw (Philippines) - derived from the Spanish word”
fandango”, this dance is designed to show off the grace, balance,
and dexterity of the performers.
(b) La Jota (Spain)- a Spanish folk dance originating in Aragon in the
north of Spain.
(c) Tarantella (Italy)- a dance for women only. A couple dance telling a
story of love in a mime.
(d) Clogging (USA)- originated from square dance in Asheville,
North Carolina’s mountain dance and folk festival (1928),
organized by Bascom Lamar Lunsford in the Appalachian region.

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 (e) Milonga (Argentina)- the root of this dance go deep into the
Argentinean folklore. It is a dance which could be said to be a
variation of the Tango. Today, it is everywhere in the country- from
club to streets.
(f) Gumboot Dance (South Africa) - is the dance that is performed by
dancers wearing Wellingtons (a type of boot). This dance was
originated from the black miners and was their form of
entertainment. This is a highly energetic type of dance.
(g) Halay (Turkey)- is a folk dance coming from Turkey’s Eastern,
South-Eastern and central Anatolia regions. It is extremely popular
and engaging dance of the country which is accompanied by
equally rich music and instruments.
(h) Baladi (Egypt)- it is a form of belly dancing. Baladi is typically a
style that evolved from the tribal areas of the country. It has a
certain mystical and romantic allure. This is very popular in Egypt.
(i) Garba (India)- it is a Gujarati folk dance which is performed
predominantly during festival of Navaratri.
(j) Casino (Cuba)- it is part of the Cuban’s tradition and social life.
Casino is the Cuban style salsa which has actually achieved great
popularity in many pockets of the world. The grooves, the steps
and the music make this an entertaining dance.
(k) Samba (Brazil)- It is a fun dance and is highly appreciated all
around the world. There are different variations of samba basedon
regions but the basic steps are similar.

B. Ethnic and Tribal Dance - any dance form which can be identified
as originating with an ethnic culture and expressing the
movement aesthetics of that culture. It would cover all ethnic
cultures, whether European, American, African, Polynesian, Asian, and
Middle Eastern.

Examples:
(a) Dugso (Bukidnon, Philippines)- a ritual dance
(b) Talip (Ifugao, Philippines)- a courtship dance

4. National Dance- is a traditional folk art which is popularly dance in most

parts of a specific country and the common dance steps is widely used by the
common people in that particular place or country.
Examples:
(a) Cariñosa (Philippines)
(b) Landler (Austria)
 (c) Vallenato and Cumbia (Colombia)
(d) Canican (France)
(e) Meringue (Haiti)
(f) Czardas (Hungary)
(g) Kathak (India)
(h) Flamenco (Spain)
(i) English Country Dance (England)
(j) Scottish Island Dance (Scotland)

5. Social Dance - a dance designed to bring people together for group

enjoyment and participation and is usually accompanied by popular music.

(a) Ballroom Dance- is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed

both socially and competitively around the world, because of its
performance and entertainment aspects.

Examples:
Charleston (1920’s)
Waltz (1960) - ballroom dancing has been a passion in Vienna for over
two hundred years. At the annual Viennese opera ball, the opera
house fills with come 6,000 party goers, at the 1960 ball, waltzers
take the floor.
Samba (1935) - the samba schools were recognized as official carnival
organization whatever the beat, the music and dance of Brazilian
carnival blend African and European elements in a powerful
cultural synthesis that virtually defines Brazilian identity.

Other Dances:
Salsa Paso Doble Foxtrot Cha Cha
Tango Rumba Jive Quick Step
Samba Swing

(b) Recreational Dance- includes dance mixers, square dancing an

d couple dances.

(c) Popular Dance- a highly recognized as a dance form in television and

other dance centers like houses and social gatherings.

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 Fresh dance styles came from the streets and clubs of the U.S., inspired
by disco, funk, and hip-hop music.

Made popular by stars such as:

Michael Jackson- from funk to musical: “Moon Walk” (1988) - uses
technique of gliding
Madonna- Vogue: Vogueing (1990) – an international dance craze
“Hung Up”(2005); krumping became globally popular.
Psy (2012) - “Gangnam Style”
Brandon Beal (2014) – “Twerk it like Miley”
Silento’ (2015) – “Whip/Naenae”

6. Theatrical Dance- a dance performed on stage to entertain spectators.

(a) Ballet- a dance of supreme standards learned from an academe. It is

a highly theatre art today which began in Italy, was developed in
France and was perfected in Russia.
Beautiful ballet is thrilling to watch and takes extraordinary dedication
to learn.

● Classical Ballet- dances with standardized rules and restrictions.

Classical ballets with their elegant corps of dancers transport the
audience to magical worlds. Ballet developed from a simple court
entertainment to amuse kings into a thrilling spectacle for everyone to
enjoy.

(b) Modern Dance- the highest form of dance for the purpose of
entertainment.
It is the end product of movement exploration and improvisation as a
dancer or choreographer expresses his/her feelings, ideas and
interpretation.
(c) Contemporary Dance- (not traditional), a contemporary interpretation
of steps and designs of folk melodies and rhythm.

(d) Jazz- a combination of ballet and modern dance. It is a classification

shared by a broad range of dance styles. Before the 1950’s, Jazz dance
referred to dance styles that originated from African American
vernacular dance.

(e) Creative Dance- it is a form of dance that provides the dancers for
personal expressions. This is to communicate through movement and
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 the dancer draws on their own inner resources to create and
express through their own unique movement. It aims to
continually expand and extend movement range by drawing
inspiration from a range of external stimuli including music, props,
emotions, etc.
e.g. “Wings of Love”- performed by a pair (Jan. 24, 2016 PGT
ABS-CBN)

(f) Character Dance- it aims to interpret a specific folk tradition of

a particular country. The movements used to be less stylized
than in classical ballet, allowing greater individual expression
anddiversity.