Understanding Rhythm and Movement

Rhythm

• The term "rhythm" comes from the Greek word "rhythmos", meaning "any regular recurring, symmetry".
• Rhythm is characterized by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different directions.

Movement

• Movement is defined as motion or change in position.
• Types of movement include:
• Swinging movement: characterized by a noticeable impulse, continuous momentum, and unrestrained follow-through.
• Sustained movement: impulse and completion of movement are not easily discernible.
• Percussive movement: marked by a strong impulse with a completed checked follow-through, characterized by staccato quality and executed against resistance.
• Vibratory movement: rapid impulse with rapid relaxation, resulting in a close sequence of constructions and relaxation.
• Suspended movement: momentary interruption of the continuity of the movement, characterized by a sense of suspension.

Dance

• Dance is an art form that typically refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic to music.
• Functions of dance include expression, social interaction, and presentation in a spiritual or performance setting.
• The three elements of dance are:
• Space: includes aspects such as floor plan, direction, focus, level, dimension, and contour.
• Dynamics: includes aspects such as measure, tempo, underlying beat, phrase, accent, and intensity.
• Rhythm: see above.

Locomotor and Axial Movements

• Locomotor movement: body travels from place to place, usually identified by weight transference on the feet.
• Types of locomotor movement:
  • Walk/step: transference of weight from one foot to the other.
  • Run: same as walk except the body leaves the ground between weight changes.
  • Leap: same as run except the body is suspended in air between weight changes.
  • Hop: leaving the floor from one or two feet and landing on one foot.
  • Jump: leaving the floor and landing on both feet.
  • Gallop: a combination of a step and a leap.
• Non-locomotor movement: body performs without appreciable movement from place to place, involving movements of the various parts of the body in a fixed base.
• Types of non-locomotor movement:
  • Flexion: bending or shortening of the body part occurring at a joint.
  • Extension: turning or twisting, circling.
  • Pendular: swinging/swaying arms forward, backward, or sideward.
  • Percussive: striking and hitting; pulling and pushing.
  • Vibratory: shaking and beating.
  • Sustained: a slow, smooth flowing movement with a balance throughout the series.
  • Suspended: a sharp movement followed by a series of slow or prolonged movements.

Dance Styles

• Ballet: a formalized kind of performance dance, originated in the Italian Renaissance courts, and developed in France and Russia.
• Characteristics: uses music and dance to tell stories, emphasizes structured steps.
• Origin: comes from the French word "ballare", meaning "to dance".
• Modern Dance: a dance style that rejects many of the strict rules of classical ballet, focusing on expression of inner feelings.
• Characteristics: centers on a dancer's own interpretations, emphasizes creativity in choreography and performance.
• Origin: created as a rebellion against classical ballet in the early 20th century.