Folk Dance Basics: Positions Overview

Folk Dance Overview

• Folk dances are indigenous to specific communities, reflecting the customs and traditions of ordinary people.
• They evolve naturally over generations and can be traditional, customary, or recreational in nature.

Fundamental Positions in Folk Dance

Arm Positions

• First Position: Arms raised to form a circle in front of the chest, slightly curved, with fingertips 1 inch apart.
• Second Position: Arms open sideways at shoulder level.
• Third Position: One arm raised above the head; the other remains in the second position, slightly curved.
• Fourth Position: The arm in the second position is raised forward while the raised arm above the head stays in position.
• Fifth Position: Both arms lifted above the head, similar posture to the first position but elevated.

Feet Positions

• First Position: V-shape with heels touching and toes pointed outward.
• Second Position: One foot moved sideways with feet parallel, about 12 inches apart.
• Third Position: Heel of one foot touching the arch of the other, both turned outward.
• Fourth Position: One foot put forward while the other remains stationary, about 12 inches apart.
• Fifth Position: Heel of the front foot touching the toe of the other, both feet pointing outward.

Francisca Reyes Aquino

• Born March 9, 1899, in Bocaue, Bulacan.
• Educated in Physical Education with degrees from the University of the Philippines and Sargent College in Boston.
• Recognized as the Folk Dance Pioneer in the Philippines and the National Artist for Dance.
• Known as the Mother of Philippine Folk Dance and a dedicated researcher.

Characteristics of Folk Dance

• Traditional in nature and characteristic of the community it represents.
• Expressive in behavior, encompassing emotions and storytelling.
• Simple, with basic rhythmic patterns, and often created by unknown choreographers or through communal efforts.
• Functions in the cultural life of the folk people, often tied to community events or rituals.

Major Regional Classifications of Philippine Folk Dance

• Dances of Mountain Tribal People: Non-Christian dances, such as Banga (Kalinga Pot Dance).
• Lowland Christian Dances: Influenced by Western culture; examples include Pandanggo sa Ilaw and Maglalatik.
• Ethnolinguistic Dances: From Southern Islands with Arabic and Indo-Malayan influences, like Singkil and Pangalay.

Time Signature and Rhythmic Counts

• The time signature indicates the number of beats per measure and the note that receives one beat.
• Common rhythmic counts include 1, ah, 2, ah; 1, and, 2; and 1, 2, 3, 4.

Fundamental Folk Dance Steps

• Touch Step: Used in 3/4 time signature with rhythmic counts of 1, 2, 3.
• Step Pattern: Point the right (left) foot in fourth position; close to the left (right) foot in the first position at count 3.

Additional Dance Steps

• Bleking Step: Similar time signature and rhythmic count as Touch Step, further emphasizing the rhythm in folk dance.

Folk Dance Overview

• Folk dances are indigenous to specific communities, reflecting the customs and traditions of ordinary people.
• They evolve naturally over generations and can be traditional, customary, or recreational in nature.

Fundamental Positions in Folk Dance

Arm Positions

• First Position: Arms raised to form a circle in front of the chest, slightly curved, with fingertips 1 inch apart.
• Second Position: Arms open sideways at shoulder level.
• Third Position: One arm raised above the head; the other remains in the second position, slightly curved.
• Fourth Position: The arm in the second position is raised forward while the raised arm above the head stays in position.
• Fifth Position: Both arms lifted above the head, similar posture to the first position but elevated.

Feet Positions

• First Position: V-shape with heels touching and toes pointed outward.
• Second Position: One foot moved sideways with feet parallel, about 12 inches apart.
• Third Position: Heel of one foot touching the arch of the other, both turned outward.
• Fourth Position: One foot put forward while the other remains stationary, about 12 inches apart.
• Fifth Position: Heel of the front foot touching the toe of the other, both feet pointing outward.

Francisca Reyes Aquino

• Born March 9, 1899, in Bocaue, Bulacan.
• Educated in Physical Education with degrees from the University of the Philippines and Sargent College in Boston.
• Recognized as the Folk Dance Pioneer in the Philippines and the National Artist for Dance.
• Known as the Mother of Philippine Folk Dance and a dedicated researcher.

Characteristics of Folk Dance

• Traditional in nature and characteristic of the community it represents.
• Expressive in behavior, encompassing emotions and storytelling.
• Simple, with basic rhythmic patterns, and often created by unknown choreographers or through communal efforts.
• Functions in the cultural life of the folk people, often tied to community events or rituals.

Major Regional Classifications of Philippine Folk Dance

• Dances of Mountain Tribal People: Non-Christian dances, such as Banga (Kalinga Pot Dance).
• Lowland Christian Dances: Influenced by Western culture; examples include Pandanggo sa Ilaw and Maglalatik.
• Ethnolinguistic Dances: From Southern Islands with Arabic and Indo-Malayan influences, like Singkil and Pangalay.

Time Signature and Rhythmic Counts

• The time signature indicates the number of beats per measure and the note that receives one beat.
• Common rhythmic counts include 1, ah, 2, ah; 1, and, 2; and 1, 2, 3, 4.

Fundamental Folk Dance Steps

• Touch Step: Used in 3/4 time signature with rhythmic counts of 1, 2, 3.
• Step Pattern: Point the right (left) foot in fourth position; close to the left (right) foot in the first position at count 3.

Additional Dance Steps

• Bleking Step: Similar time signature and rhythmic count as Touch Step, further emphasizing the rhythm in folk dance.