Dance 111: Elements of Dance

negative space

the space around and between dancers

musculoskeletal system

the system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement

ball and socket joints

hip and shoulder joints that allow for lateral, opening, closing, and circular movements

hinge joints

joint between bones (as at the elbow or knee) that permits motion in only one plane

musicality in dance

measure or degree to which a dancer is receptive and creative in their translation or rendering of music through movement. It is a key ingredient in a dancer's display of artistry

rhythm

strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound

dance phrase

a brief sequence of related movements that have a sense of continuity and artistic or rhythmic completion and that show a beginning, middle, and end

tempo

how fast or slow a dance phrase appears

measure

a segment of time within a piece of music defined by a number of beats

duple meter

2 beats per measure

triple meter

3 beats per measure

accent

stress in a particular count: 1-2-3

syncopation

movement that accents the weaker beat or an off-beat

positive space

dancers occupy space in a particular shape

locomotor movements

movements which result in a change of location (running, skipping, jumping)

nonlocomotor movements

movements that are stationary or that do not propel the mover around an area (twisting, swaying, reaching)

pathway

direction of dancer movement

floor pattern

An imaginary line of path in space taken by the dancer as they move from place to place

linear movement

movement in a straight line

curvilinear movement

occurs when the movement path is curved

facing

how the dancer orients themselves to the audience

vertical plane

movement focused on length and height

horizontal plane

focuses on movement perpendicular to standing

sagittal plane

focuses on depth, also known as the wheel plane

dynamics

changing force and intensity expended by a dancer

Energy: time

how the dancer exerts themselves, either sudden or sustained

Energy: space

how the dancer uses space: direct or indirect

Energy: weight/force

how much exertion can be seen in the movement, strong or light

Energy: flow

indicates the continuity of the dancer's movements, either free or bound

dance composition

the art of combining elements to make a fully realized dance

athletics

the sports which include running, jumping and throwing

aesthetics

deals with the notion of beauty and the philosophy of art

codified technique

a developed movement style that has its own pedagogy, set exercises and theory

floor work

movements performed on the floor

flexibility

the ability to move a body part through a full range of motion

extravaganza

an elaborate and spectacular display or event