Dance as an Art

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the definition, features, elements, and kinds of dance based on the provided lecture notes.

Dance

A rhythmic and expressive movement of the body in successive movement usually accompanied by music.

Mother of the arts

Commonly said of dance because it is the oldest of the art which reflects man's age old need to communicate different emotions such as joy, grief, and excitement.

Movement within the body

One of the two kinds of movement in dance which includes the hand and arm.

Movement from one space to another

The second of the two kinds of movement in dance involving travel through different areas.

Music

A feature of dance used as accompaniment that somehow motivates the dancer's movement.

Movement (Feature)

Refers to action of dances with the use of their bodies to create organized patterns.

Theme

Pertains to the content or main of the dance and conveys the message of the dance.

Techniques

Refers to the skill in executing movement where a dancer has complete control over the muscles of his body to be considered technically proficient.

Design

Refers to the arrangement of movements according to pattern in time and space.

Properties and Costume

Contribute to the visual effect of dance and can relate closely to the beliefs and environment of the people.

Time (Element)

An element of dance composed of speed (slow, medium, fast, freeze, suspend) and rhythm (pulse, beat, pattern, syncopation).

Space (Element)

An element of dance including place, size, level, direction, and pathway.

Place

A component of space that can be personal or general.

Size

A component of space described as small, medium, or big.

Level

A component of space described as low, middle, or high.

Direction

A component of space involving forward, background, left, right, up, and down.

Pathway

A component of space consisting of straight, curved, zigzagged, or turning routes.

Energy

An element of dance characterized as light, strong, weak, sharp, or smooth.

Body

An element of dance consisting of shape (lines, curves, angles) and parts (head, neck, shoulder, arms, back, stomach, fingers, legs, bottom, toes).

Movement Concepts

Determined by two types: Locomotor and Nonlocomotor.

Ethnologic Dance

A dance indigenous to a certain country, used to distinguish religious dances designed as hymns of praise to a god or to bring good fortune.

Social Dance

A popular type of dancing for pleasure generally performed by pairs or groups following a definite step or pattern and specific rhythms.