Technical & Expressive Technical & Expressive Nature of DanceNature of Dance

Technical NatureTechnical Nature

Technical Elements of DanceTechnical Elements of Dance ActionsActions

What we doWhat we do Spatial AspectsSpatial Aspects

Where we move (space around us)Where we move (space around us) DynamicsDynamics

How we move (the qualities of the actions)How we move (the qualities of the actions) Why we moveWhy we move

The intention of the action (eg to express an idea)The intention of the action (eg to express an idea) RelationshipsRelationships

Who we move with (awareness of other dancers & Who we move with (awareness of other dancers & move in the space together)move in the space together)

ActionsActions

Ordinary everyday actionsOrdinary everyday actions Simple combinations of stylised dance Simple combinations of stylised dance

actionsactions Complex sequences of actions (req. Complex sequences of actions (req.

physical & dynamic skill to control & physical & dynamic skill to control & perform)perform)

Example of ActionsExample of Actions

Small ActionsSmall Actions Wagging a finger, nodding the head, circling Wagging a finger, nodding the head, circling

the footthe foot Large actionsLarge actions

Split leaps, Spread Eagle jump etcSplit leaps, Spread Eagle jump etc These can happen in your own personal These can happen in your own personal

spacespace These can happen in the general space These can happen in the general space

around youaround you

Identifying ActionsIdentifying Actions

Identify which part of the body is being Identify which part of the body is being movedmoved

Describe what it is doingDescribe what it is doing ExamplesExamples

Whole body or an arm, leg, head, shoulder Whole body or an arm, leg, head, shoulder etcetc

Make a list of the body parts which could Make a list of the body parts which could be movedbe moved

Actions: What we doActions: What we do

Make a list of the actions that you can doMake a list of the actions that you can do LocomotionLocomotion RotationRotation Weight TransferenceWeight Transference StillnessStillness Extension & ContractionExtension & Contraction ElevationElevation GestureGesture

LocomotionLocomotion

Write down the different ways Write down the different ways you can travelyou can travel

Use of feetUse of feet Walking, jogging, running, steps and jumpsWalking, jogging, running, steps and jumps

Use of different body surfacesUse of different body surfaces Rolling, curling, elongatedRolling, curling, elongated

Slide on different body partsSlide on different body parts Feet, bottom, knees, sideFeet, bottom, knees, side

Movement in different directionsMovement in different directions Forwards, backwards, sideways, turning, or on a path Forwards, backwards, sideways, turning, or on a path

of your own choosingof your own choosing

Weight TransferenceWeight Transference

Changing your support Changing your support from one body part to from one body part to anotheranother

One foot to the otherOne foot to the other Feet to handsFeet to hands Front of body to back of Front of body to back of

bodybody Write down a series of Write down a series of

weight transferences weight transferences where you may start where you may start standing and end on the standing and end on the floor, or vice-versafloor, or vice-versa

StillnessStillness

Holding the body without moving, in a Holding the body without moving, in a chosen shapechosen shape

Think about the supports for your body (eg Think about the supports for your body (eg 1 knee & 1 hand, or two hands & a foot)1 knee & 1 hand, or two hands & a foot)

The stillness can be brief, or prolongedThe stillness can be brief, or prolonged Stillness could be a balanceStillness could be a balance

GestureGesture An action that does not take weight but happens in the An action that does not take weight but happens in the

air around youair around you A wave, shake, click, nod, twist, curve, push, kick, A wave, shake, click, nod, twist, curve, push, kick,

extension or flexion extension or flexion Large or smallLarge or small Outwards from the bodyOutwards from the body Inwards to the bodyInwards to the body Above the bodyAbove the body Around the peripheryAround the periphery Towards other peopleTowards other people Make air patternsMake air patterns Express an mood or ideaExpress an mood or idea

ElevationElevation

The body is in the air with no support on The body is in the air with no support on the floorthe floor

Made up of three stagesMade up of three stages The Take-offThe Take-off The moment in the airThe moment in the air The landingThe landing 5 Recognised jumps which use the feet to 5 Recognised jumps which use the feet to

take of & landtake of & land

5 Basic Jumps5 Basic Jumps

Write down the 5 different ways that you Write down the 5 different ways that you can do jumpscan do jumps

One foot to the same foot (hop)One foot to the same foot (hop) One foot to the other (leap)One foot to the other (leap) Jump from two feet to two feetJump from two feet to two feet Jump from two feet to one footJump from two feet to one foot Jump from one foot to two feetJump from one foot to two feet

JumpsJumps

Write down all the different ways/directions we can jumpWrite down all the different ways/directions we can jump On the spotOn the spot TravellingTravelling Different leg shapesDifferent leg shapes Can use the spine - arched, tilted, contracted, uprightCan use the spine - arched, tilted, contracted, upright Can turnCan turn Go in different directionsGo in different directions Large or smallLarge or small Various arm gesturesVarious arm gestures Spatial features (shape & size of body in the air, Spatial features (shape & size of body in the air,

direction of the jump)direction of the jump)

Rotation (Turns/Turning)Rotation (Turns/Turning)

Write down all the different ways that we can turnWrite down all the different ways that we can turn Quarter, half, fullQuarter, half, full Clockwise, anticlockwiseClockwise, anticlockwise On the hipsOn the hips On the length of the bodyOn the length of the body On the kneesOn the knees On hand & feetOn hand & feet On two feetOn two feet On one footOn one foot With a jumpWith a jump

Extension & ContractionExtension & Contraction

Stretch & CurlStretch & Curl Reaching, up, down, diagonally, forwards, Reaching, up, down, diagonally, forwards,

backwards, towards, away etcbackwards, towards, away etc You can reach in different directionsYou can reach in different directions Reach at different speedsReach at different speeds Use your spine – arch & leanUse your spine – arch & lean

Describe the actions in the pictureDescribe the actions in the picture

LocomotionLocomotion Weight Weight

TransferenceTransference StillnessStillness GestureGesture ElevationElevation RotationRotation Extension & Extension &

ContractionContraction

A

BC

D

A-Z Action VocabularyA-Z Action Vocabulary

Starting at A go through the alphabet & Starting at A go through the alphabet & give at least one action word for every give at least one action word for every letterletter

If you can find two, three or four – even If you can find two, three or four – even better!better!