Dance and Rhythm I Notes

Definition: a means of expressing one’s emotions through movement disciplined by rhythm.
It is an act of moving rhythmically and expressively to an accompaniment.
Etymology: from the old German word “danson” which means “to stretch”; essentially, all dancing is made up of stretching and relaxing.

Dance refers to movement set to music where there emerges organization, structure, and pattern.
It is a composition that implies arrangement of parts into a form.
It is the art form in which human movement becomes the medium for sensing, understanding, and communicating ideas, feelings, and experiences.
Dance education’s goal is to engage a student in artistic experiences through the processes of creation, performance, and response.
It pertains to the act of movement.
Dance is one of the most beautiful forms of art that has grown in leaps and bounds. It is no longer merely a hobby; it is also a lucrative profession.
Dance is a form of expression that helps a person to discover a whole new world. Every dance has a unique identity and different appeal.

Rhythm is a measure motion of flow, characterized by regular recurrence of elements or features such as beats, sounds, or accents. This implies measurement of time, space, and energy.
All works of art require rhythm.
Rhythm is natural to every individual because of inherent bodily rhythms:
- the rhythmic beating of the heart,
- the rhythmic movement of lungs as oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is expelled,
- and other rhythmic movements of the body's organs.
Rhythm denotes an aspect of movement quality that is sometimes thought of as dance. When an individual moves in response to a particular rhythm or music, the movements are rhythmic.
It is the pattern of movement.

It is a cultural art form handed down from generation to generation.
It communicates the customs, beliefs, rituals, and occupations of the people of a region or country.
Folk dancing belongs to the people and emanates from them. Ethnic tribes have specific tribal art forms originated and danced by the people of the tribe.
Examples of folk dance: rural and country dances, jotas, mazurkas, pandanggos, among others with foreign influence.
Examples of ethnic dance: dances of the mountain peoples of the Cordilleras, dances of ethnic groups in the Cagayan Valley Region, and ethnic dances in the Mindanao Regions, among others.

Setting: the social and ballroom dance occurs at a social gathering with a more formal atmosphere than simple informal parties where recreational dances are usual.
Social and ballroom dancing are generally held in the evening; participants are usually in formal attire.
Examples: cha-cha, fox trot, jitterbug, tango, samba, rumba, quickstep, Viennese waltz, jive, and paso doble.

Includes dance mixes, square dance, round and couple dances.
Many have simple patterns and combinations of walking steps, two-step, polka step, and the waltz step.
Setting: informal gatherings and parties, reunions, and the like.

It is the highest form of dance; the end-product of exploration and improvisation of movements as the dancer or the choreographer expresses feelings, ideas, and interpretations.
This is a dance with definite form, a beginning, and an ending. The principles of art form are observed in the dance’s composition. This includes ballet, jazz, and modern or contemporary dance.

Feet: Heels close together; toes apart at an angle of about $45^ ext{ extdegree}$ .
Arms: Both raised forward in a circle in front of the chest with fingertips about an inch.

Feet: One foot in front of the other at a pace-distance.
Arms: One arm raised in front as in 1st position; the other arm raised over the head.

Refer to the movement of the body in space in any direction with the feet as the moving base.
Walking: Moving at a moderate pace on the feet; lifting one foot after the other; legs swing from the hips while the arms swing naturally.
Running: Moving on foot with springing steps at a rapid pace such that for an instant both feet are off the ground during each step.
Jumping: Springing and taking off with one foot and landing on both feet.
Hopping: Springing on one foot and landing on the same foot.
Skipping: Same procedure as hopping, but bouncing lightly with alternate steps and hops.
Leaping: Springing on one foot and landing on the other foot.
Galloping: Moving in a continuous forward or sideward direction with one foot leading.
Sliding: Gliding along the floor with either foot.

Non-locomotor movements refer to the movement of various parts of the body in space with a fixed base, which may be standing, kneeling, sitting, or lying.
Flexion
- Bending or shortening of a body part occurring at a joint
- Half-knees bend
- Full-knees bend
- Trunk forward bend
- Trunk sideward bend
- Arms forward bend
- Head forward bend
- Head sideward bend
- Elbow bend
Extension
- Turning, twisting, or circling
- Head twist
- Trunk twist
Arm/Shoulder Circling
- Right arm circle forward
- Left arm circle forward
- Both arms circling
Swing
- Swaying arms forward, backward, or sideward
- Arms swinging sideward
- Arms swinging overhead
- Body swaying right and left
Percussive
- Striking and hitting; pushing and pulling
- Arm strike with closed fist
- Arm strike with open fist
- Hit with one hand
- Hit with both hands
- Push with one arm; with both arms
- Pull with one arm; with both arms
Vibratory
- Shaking and beating
- Shake arms and hands rhythmically
- Shake hips and shoulders to rhythmic pattern
- Vibrate entire body rhythmically
Sustained
- A slow, smooth flowing movement with a balanced sequence
- Arm swinging continuously from side to side
- Arm moving laterally to right and left sides in continuous rhythmic pattern
- Arm circle swing continuously
Suspended
- A sharp movement followed by a series of slow or prolonged movements until a peak is reached
- Both arms circle swing three or four times counterclockwise and stop movement with arms diagonally forward and upward

Adin, C. & Minas, P. (2004). Dance education in the school curriculum. C.M. Recto, Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Dimapilis, N., Espeso, L. & Isip, M.L. (2010). Physical education 2: Rhythmic activities. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Philippine dance education. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?igm=1&i=121
The elements of dance. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://opd.mpls.k12.mn.us/theelementsof_dance
The philosophy of dance. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dance/
Tolentino, F.. (2006). Philippine national dances. Quezon City, Philippines: Kayumanggi Press, Inc.