The Elements of Dance

1. Dance is a way of knowing and communicating.
All societies use dance to communicate on both
personal and cultural levels and to meet
physical and spiritual needs.

2. Dance , as with all the arts, has its
own language. We need to learn
this language in order to fully
understand and appreciate the
world of Dance.

3. The Language of Dance
Elements : Time , Space and Force
Choreographic Forms : Theme and Variations,
Rondo and Narrative
Styles : (Characteristics of) Ballet ,
Tap , Jazz and Modern

4. ELEMENTS
TIME : the relationship of one movement or part of a movement
to another. Includes pulse , speed ( or tempo) , duration rhythm ,
and phrases.
Pulse : the on going underlying
beat
Tempo : the speed with which a movement is performed
Duration : the length of time a movement lasts : a long time ,
short time or something in between

5. Rhythm : a flow of sound or movement having regular
accented beats : a movement or activity in which some
action repeats regularly : patterns made by arranging long
and short sounds or strong and light sounds
Syncopation : a temporary accenting of a normally weak
beat in music to vary the rhythm
Phrasing : a grouping and articulation of a
group of notes
Accent : a movement or shape performed in such a
ways as to give emphasis

6. ELEMENTS
 Space : the area of space occupied by the dancer’s
body ; includes direction , size , pathways , levels
and shapes.
 Direction : which way a dancer faces or moves ; e.g., forward
,backward , sideways , up and down.
 Size : magnitude of a body shape or movement ; from
small to large movements

7.  Pathways : pattern made as a dancer moves through the
air or on the floor ( straight , vertical , horizontal , zig –
zag ): can be made with loco motor or non- loco motor
movements , separately or in combination
 Levels : the vertical distance from the floor. Movement
take place on three levels : high , middle or low and
deep.
 Shapes : the form created by the body’s position in space.
Aspects of shape are open/closed, symmetrical , angular
and curved.

8. ELEMENTS
 FORCE : ( energy) degree of muscular tension and use
of energy while moving.
 DYNAMICS : how a movement is done
 FLOW : continuity of movement (bound/free
flowing
 WEIGHT : strength (force) lightness of movement (heavy/light)

9. Choreographic Forms
Choreography : is the art of arranging
dances.
Theme : the basic idea of the play , which the author dramatizes
through the conflict of characters.
Rondo : a dance structure with three or more themes where one
theme is repeated . ABACAD
Narrative : choreographic structure that’s follows a specific story line to
convey specific information through a dance
Variations : contrasts in the use of the dance elements ,
repetitions.

10. THE END