History and Elements of Dance PDF

Health Optimizing P.E. (H.O.PE) 3  Introduction to Dance According to Barbara Mettler, 1980, “Dance is an activity which can take many forms and fill many different needs. It can be recreation, entertainment, education, therapy and religion. In its purest and most basic form, dance is...

Health Optimizing P.E. (H.O.PE) 3  Introduction to Dance According to Barbara Mettler, 1980, “Dance is an activity which can take many forms and fill many different needs. It can be recreation, entertainment, education, therapy and religion. In its purest and most basic form, dance is art, the art of body movement”.  Dance It is a form of art using rhythmic bodily movements expressing ideas and emotions and accompanied by music. As an art form, it may tell a story, set a mood, or express an emotion. It is also a form of recreation. It is also a form of socialization.  HISTORY Prehistoric Period The Egyptians were the first great culture to infuse its society with the magic of dance; which evolved from the most simple rituals used by hunters to find their prey. Greek Period Greek dance evolved from basic dramatic form which incorporated dance, music, spoken words, and costumes. Participation in dance and drama festival was a religious exercise not merely an amusement. There were more than 200 Greek dances designed for every mood and purpose. Roman Period Rome imported entertainers from Greece to perform theatrical pieces in honor of the gods and to amuse a population weary from a plague. Romans were influenced by Grecian models, putting the most emphasis on the spectacle and mime to the Medieval Period Originally dance movements were part of dramatic rituals, the best-known of which is the Latin Mass. By the middle ages these works moved from inside the churches to the out-of- doors. Another important rite of the Middle Ages was known Renaissance Period This Period saw the birth of the theatre in dance in the courts of Italian City states, where such dance was used as a political machinery to show splendour, wealth and power. Classic Period During the middle 17th century, ballet became a spectacle in every court. Public ballet performances involved more than just dancing because they were a mixture of poetry, music, dialogue, and elaborate dance. Such ballet performance was known as ballets a entrees. Modern Period During the 20th century, jazz and tap dance became popular as classic ballet continued to flourish. Social dances such as the fox trot, two-step, Boston, Charleston, Castle walk, Castle polka, tango, conga, and rumba.  Benefits of Dance andcardiovascular Develops Creative & Movement muscular endurance Improves coordination, balance, flexibility, & body composition Physical Lowers cardiovascular disease, BMI,the Helps keep resting brainheart sharprate Mental/ Emotional Decreases Enables incidencejointofmobility dementia & Social Alzheimer’s disease, depression Increase self-esteem & improve body Cultural image Give sense of togetherness within a group Encourages positive social interaction &interpersonal rel. in a romotes cultural values group Potential for self-actualization in society The Elements of Dance There are 4 Elements of Dance.  The Elements of Dance SPACE TIME FORCE/ ENERGY BODY 1st Element of Dance SPACE Area surrounding a person in which he/she is able to move.  SPACE Shape Level Direction Focus Size 2. Level: The vertical distance from the floor. (High, Medium, or Low) 3. Direction: Where the body moves. (e.g. Forward, backward, up, down, sideways, diagonally, etc.) 4. Focus: Where the dancer’s eyes look as he/she is dancing. 5. Size: How large or small movements. 2nd Element of Dance TIME The duration of the movement Beat- The on going underlying pulse. Tempo- How fast or slow the movements. Accent- Strong beats that usually occur at regular intervals. Rhythmic Patterns- arranging long and short movement or strong and light movement. Duration- The length of time the movement lasts. 3rd Element of Dance FORCE How the body uses energy while moving. FORCE FORCE = ENERGY Heavy / Light Sharp / Smooth Tensed / Relaxed Bound / Flowing 4th Element of Dance Part BODY Shape circles, squares, triangles, etc. made with parts of the body, the whole body, with groups of people, or by moving through space. Symmetrical or Asymmetrical Base TYPES OF DANCES Folk Dance Modern/Contemporary Dance Hip-hop Dance Ballet