Dance Terminology AB/ABA form abstraction accent adage aesthetic criteria African dance á la seconde alignment allegro allegro, petit allegro, grand arrière, en arrondi assemblé attitude attitude Greque avant, en arabesque axial movement balance ball change Ballet ballon ballonné barre, la bas, en body image body roll bourrée bows A two part compositional form with an A theme and a B theme. The binary form consists of two distinct, self contained sections that share either a character or quality (same tempo). A three part compositional form is when the second section contrasts with the first section. The third section is a restatement of the first section in a condensed, abbreviated, or extended form. An idea or concept conveyed through movement and removed from its original context. A strong movement or gesture. slow and sustained Standards applied in making judgments about the artistic merit of a work. Dance from the second largest continent of Africa with its 54 countries and seven dependencies, convey non written histories of African life past, and present, through dance, music, and song. to the side The relationship of the skeleton to the line of gravity and base of support. brisk, lively enchâinments with small quick steps enchâinments with big jumps backward rounded (arms) assembled; put together at the same time a pose with a bent gesturing leg arm position: 4rth crossed 1st and 4rth crossed bras bas forward a pose with a straight gesturing leg Movement anchored to one spot by a body part which is organized around the axis of the body and is not designed for travel from one location to another. Also known as non locomotor movement. Examples include stretching, bending, turning in place, gesturing. Only the available space in any direction is used while the initial body contact is being maintained. A state of equilibrium referring to the balance of weight or the spatial arrangement of bodies. Designs balanced on both sides of center are symmetrical; balanced off center, are asymmetrical One foot steps on the ball, then shifts weight to the other foot which is flat. Known as a triplet in Modern dance and a balancé (ball change back) and waltz step (ball change front) in ballet. A classical Western dance form that originated in the Renaissance courts of Europe. By the time of Louis XIV (mid 1600s), steps and body positions underwent codification. bounce bounced, like a ball the ballet hand rail low arms (bras bas) (5 th en bas) An acceptance of one s body as it is in a positive way, with recognition of the possibilities of its capabilities and limitations. Articulating the spine from head to tail, or the reverse dance with little stuffed steps A physical gesture made by performers to acknowledge the audience s applause
bras bras bas cambré canon center practice chaînés changé changement changement I talien chassé chassé passé choreography cloche, en coda composé arms 5 th en bas, low arms arched; port de bras en arrière A movement sequence, or piece of music where parts are successive, and overlapping each other A portion of the ballet class that follows the barre exercises. chains; chain links changing a sauté that changes the front foot in the air both feet come up like a pas de chat chassed; sliding step a chassé that passes from 4rth to 4rth Dance writing is the creation and composition of dances by arranging or inventing steps, movements, and patterns of movements. like a bell; bell shaped the last ensemble dance in a ballet compound composition principles Unity, continuity (transitions), and variety (contrasts and repetition) in choreography. Contemporary dance a style of dance that incorporates and modifies a wide range of techniques and styles contraction contretemps contretemps, demi contrast cou de pied, sur le counterbalance coupé couronne, en couru croisé croix, en dance dance forms dance phrase dance sequence dance structures A quick rounding of the spine ( C curve) with an exhalation of breath. in syncopation or against time a temps levé and a chassé passé To set side by side to emphasize differences. In dance two contrasting movements might differ in energy; space (size, direction, level); design (symmetrical/asymmetrical, open/close); timing (fast/slow, even/uneven); or two or more different themes or patterns. on the ankle A weight that balances another weight which usually refers to one or more dancers combining their weight in stillness or in motion to achieve a movement or design that is interdependent. to cut arms held in a curve above the head (5 th en bas) running crossed, shaded position in the shape of a cross (front, side, back, side) Movement selected and organized for aesthetic purposes or as a medium of expression rather than for its function as work or play. The organization or plan for patterning movement; the overall structural organization of a dance or music composition (e.g., AB, ABA, call and response, rondo, theme and variation, canon, and the interrelationships of movements within the overall structure). A partial dance idea composed of a series of connecting movements and similar to a sentence in the written form. The order in which a series of movements and shapes occurs. The way in which a dance is constructed or organized; a supporting framework or the essential parts of a dance.
dance study A dance phrase that investigates a specific idea or concept through improvisation or composition de côté sideways dedans, en inwards (pull door closed); inside dégagé to disengage the foot from a closed to an open position dehors, en outwards (push door open); outside demi bras arm position between bras bas and 2 nd (above tutu) demi plié the half movement in the plié exercise with the heels on the floor demi pointe half pointe, working towards ¾ pointe derrière behind dessous under dessus over détiré drawn out detourné sous sus with full turn detourné, demi sous sus with half turn devant in front dévelopé unfolding of the leg direction directional movement; a choreographical term dos à dos back to back down stage The front of the stage closest to the audience. droite, à to the right dynamics The energy of movement expressed in varying intensity, accent, and quality. écarté separated, thrown wide apart échappé feet move away from each other in 4rth and 2 nd éffacé open position èlévation ability to jump high èlevé to rise with straight legs emboité in a box en l air in the air enchâinment linking; combination (of steps) entrenant turning a circle in place; around yourself épaulé, épaulment shouldered (one shoulder turns toward hip of front leg) extension ability to hold leg in the air face, en (de) facing the audience directly (downstage) fan kick a big kick that brushes inwards then outwards (or reverse) creating a fan shape faille giving way, shifting weight (from one leg to the other) fan kick a kick that makes a circular motion from the hip, outward or inward fermé closed first position le première position, heels together, toes apart flow a continuously smooth movement quality
fondu frappé focus melting; plié on one leg to strike (like a match) A gathering of forces to increase the projection of intent referring to the dancer s line of sight. folk/traditional dance Dance associated with a nationalistic purpose, usually performed today as a surviving portion of a traditional celebration and done for social gatherings or as recreation. force/energy glissade glissé, battement grand battement genre gesture improvisation intent isolation Jazz dance jazz walk Hip Hop An element of dance characterized by the release of potential energy into kinetic energy. It utilizes bodyweight, reveals the effects of gravity on the body, is projected into space, and affects emotional and spatial relationships and intentions. The most recognized qualities of movement are sustained, percussive, suspended, swinging, and collapsing. to glide to slide allowing the foot to leave the floor a big kick 45 degrees and up A particular kind or style of dance, such as ballet, jazz, modern, folk, tap. The movement of a body part or combination of parts, with emphasis on the expressive aspects of the move. It includes all movements of the body not supporting weight. Movement created spontaneously that ranges from free form to highly structured environments, always including an element of chance. The state of having one s mind fixed on some purpose. Movement done with one body part or a small part of the body. Examples are rolling the head, shrugging the shoulders, and rotating the pelvis. Movement isolations and complex, propulsive polyrhythms. It is an outgrowth of African American ragtime, jazz, spirituals, blues, work songs, and is considered an American dance style. A turned out low walk, across the stage with oppositional shoulder movement A style of popular music and dance based on the urban experience and often including elements of other styles such as funk or rhythm and blues inversion Turning the body inward towards the mid line, center of the body kinesthetic principles Physics principles that govern motion, flow, and weight in time and space, including, for example, the law of gravity, balance, and centrifugal force. labanotation Liturgical dance locomotor lunge Modern dance motif movement pattern movement problem musical phrasing musicality A system for analyzing/recording human movement invented by Rudolf von Laban (1879 1958). Also known as praise dance which is performed within a religious context Repetitive movement progressing through space from one spot to another. Movements include walking, running, galloping, jumping, hopping, skipping, sliding, and leaping. One leg is bent and the other leg is straight. A type of dance that began as a rebellion against steps and positions and values expressive and original or authentic movement. It is a twentieth century idiom. A distinctive and recurring gesture used to provide a theme or unifying idea. A repeated sequence of movement ideas, a rhythmic movement sequence, a spatial design on the floor or in the air, or a specific relationship or grouping of people. A specific focus or task that serves as a point of departure for exploration and composing, usually with specific criteria. The grouping and articulation of a group of notes that form a logical unit. Attention and sensitivity to the musical elements of dance while creating or performing.
opposition parallel parallel first parallel second partner/group skills pas de bourrée passé pathways pelvis, neutral pelvis, tucked pelvis, tipped phrasing Postmodern dance piqué Opposite arm to leg. two lines in a plane that do not intersect or touch at a point feet together, heels and toes, or separated slightly to accommodate the knees feet in the anatomical position with the feet aligned under the hips Skills that require cooperation, coordination, and dependence, including imitation, lead and follow, echo, mirroring, and call and response. combination of stuffed steps A position where the toe of one leg touches the knee of the other; can be parallel or turned out A line along which a person or a part of the person, such as an arm or head, moves (e.g., her arm took a circular path, or he traveled along a zigzag path way). The neutral pelvis moves with the body, and is parallel to the floor The tucked pelvis is accomplished by curving the tail of the spine forward The tipped pelvis is accomplished by tipping the tail of the spine behind the body The way in which the parts of a dance are organized. A type of dance introduced by Merce Cunningham that emerged in the 1960 s that is generally characterized by a departure from narrative theme and evocative emotion. pricked; a sharp movement of the foot place, en To dance in place without moving from the exact location pirouette plié port de bras positions of the arms prep position projection pulse relevé repetition retrograde rhythm rond de jamb à terre ronde de jamb, grand whirl or spin To ply apart. Demi plié 2 counts, heels stay on the floor. Grand or full plié a 4 count plié heels release on two and return to the floor on three, straighten the knees on four. Carriage of the arms. Full port a bras (through fifth), Simple port a bras (through first). Bras bas (arms low), first, second, third, fourth (open), fourth (closed). The starting position to perform the first step of a movement phrase. A confident presentation of one s body and energy to communicate movement and meaning vividly to an audience. It also refers to performance quality. The underlying and consistent beat. To rise with a shift of weight The duplication of movements or movement phrases within choreography. The act of taking a sequence of choreography and reversing the order from back to front. A structure of movement patterns in time; a movement with a regular succession of strong and weak elements; the pattern produced by emphasis and duration of notes in music. A circling of the leg on the floor with the heel forward, en dehors or en dedans A circling of the straight gesturing leg in the air, en dehors or en dedans ronde de jamb en l air With the leg en l air in second position, and the knee held in place, the lower leg makes an ellipse in both en dehors or en dedans second position The feet are aligned with the hips, turned out and spaced the distance of one and a half of your own feet, wider for non ballet dance forms and pre professional dancers
shape skills soutenue Social dance space spatial stylistic nuance speed stage right (SR) stage left (SL) Tap dance technique tempo tendu time tilt transition triplets turn out unison unity up stage variety weight weight bearing windows work Positioning of the body in space: curved, straight, angular, twisted, symmetrical, or asymmetrical Technical abilities; specific movements or combinations. A piqué step de coté into a sus sous, or fifth position, around oneself ending up with the other leg in front Dance done in a social setting. It is traditionally referred to as ballroom dance but includes all popular social dances performed with or without partners. An element of dance that refers to the immediate spherical space surrounding the body in all directions. Use of space includes shape, direction, path, range, and level of movement. Space is also the location of a performed dance. Of or relating to space or existing in space. Relationships of distance between dancers A subtle difference in style of meaning; the subtle or slight movements that identify the distinct characteristics of a particular performer or the dances of a particular choreographer or period. Time versus distance travelled The performers own right when they are face to face with the audience. The performers own left when they are face to face with the audience. A type of dance that concentrates on footwork and rhythm. This type of dance grew out of American popular dancing, with significant roots in African American, Irish, and English clogging traditions. The physical skills of a dancer that enable him or her to execute the steps and movements required in different dances. Different styles or genres of dance often have specific techniques. The speed of music or a dance. stretched tendon; to brush the foot on the floor An element of dance involving rhythm, phrasing, tempo, accent, and duration. Time can be metered, as in music, or based on body rhythms, such as breath, emotions, and heartbeat. A movement of the upper body laterally and downward with a shift of the hips off center The bridging point at which a single movement, the end of a phrase, or even the end of a larger section of a dance progresses into the next movement, phrase, or sequence. traveling ball changes that can travel forwards, backwards, side to side with the ball foot in front, or, in the back of the straight leg An equal outward rotation of both legs that begins at the hips. Dance movement that takes place at the same time in a group. The feeling of wholeness in a dance achieved when all of the parts work well together. Behind the performers; the back of the stage. A quantity or range of different things. To maintain audience interest, the choreographer must provide variety within the development of the dance. Contrasts in the use of space, force, and spatial designs as well as some repetition of movements and motifs provide variety. The observable quality of heaviness in a movement The supporting leg that carries the weight of the dancer s body Students line up in the empty space of each previous line. A piece of choreography or a dance EJK/08/22/16