LESSON 1 MOVEMENT, RHYTHM AND DANCE

Movement is practically defined is a change of position in space. Whenever there is no change of

position, there is no movement. The use of body or any body part is important in all movements.

Rhythm is a term which denotes an aspect of a quality of movement that is sometimes thought of
as dance. When an individual move in response to a particular rhythm or music we call the movements
as rhythmic movements or rhythms. Structured forms which start creative rhythmic movements are
called rhythms.

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.

LESSON 2 FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS

Locomotor Movement skills are used to move the body from one place to another as in
walking, skipping, leaping, sliding, and galloping or to project the body upward as in jumping and
hopping. The forms the foundation of gross motor coordination and involve large muscle movement.

Non- Locomotor Movement skills are performed without appreciable movement from place to
place. They include bending, stretching, swaying, pulling, pushing, turning and twisting/ circling.

LESSON 3 DIFFERENT DANCE FORMS

1) Ballet Dance

The term "ballet" originates from the Italian

word "ballare" meaning "to dance". Ballet is said to be
a combination of choreography and art, scenic design,
lighting, costume, graceful movements and usually
solemn music. It is an artistic dance like no other,
which can be used to express different emotions or to
tell a story.
2) Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dances are done with a partner, almost

always a man and a woman. For this reason, it is known
as the social dance, because of the interaction between
the two dance partners. There are several popular types
of ballroom dances including the Cha Cha, foxtrot,

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jive, lindy hop, mambo, paso doble, quickstep, rumba, samba, tango, and waltz.

3) Break Dance
Break dance also known as a street dance was
originated by Puerto Rican Youths and African
Americans. This dance form consists of four major
movements – power moves, downrock, toprock and
freezes. This is a modern kind of dance that involves
abstract body steps that may or may not convey
anything. It is usually practiced by the youth.

4) Creative Dance

Creative dance is a form of dance that provides

the potential for personal expression. There is no right
or wrong way of moving and the classes are designed to
expand and extend movement range by drawing
inspiration from a range of external stimuli including
music, props, emotions and working with other dancers.

5) Ethnological Dance

Ethnic dance is simply a dance that is

characteristic of a particular cultural group. Under
this definition even the polka, which is almost always
considered a social dance, may be called ethnic, as it
began in a culturally distinct region of Europe.

6) Folk Dance
Folk dance is a typical form of dance that is
usually extensively performed in the rural areas. It talks
of the folklore or the village plight. It is a traditional
type of dance pertaining to one set of people or
community. The costumes are interesting and usually
depict the traditional dress of the community.

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7) Hip-hop
Hip-hop is a style of dance that evolved from hip-
hop culture and is typically danced to hip hop music.
Breakdancing is the most well known type of hip-hop
dance, but other styles include krumping, popping and
locking. It is generally very energetic and allows the
dancer to have freedom of movement within the routine
and incorporate their personalities.

8) Jazz
This type of dance is very fun and energetic. It is
typically paired with upbeat music such as hip-hop or
show tunes to add a theatrical flare. Jazz dancers often
have more freedom to express their own individual
personality through their dance performances. These
dances usually have quick footsteps, lots of leaps and
turns and unique moves.

9) Contemporary
It is a style of expressive dance that combines
elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz,
lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive
to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance
movements.

10) Popular Dance

Social dance is dance which is recreational and
usually performed with a partner and in groups or as a
community activity for fun and enjoyment.

11) Tap Dance

Tap dance is probably best known for the type of
shoes the dancers wear. Tap dancers wear special shoes
with metal taps on the soles that allows them to create
their own drum like rhythmic patterns and sound while
they dance. Although a majority of the focus in this
dance is on the feet, jazz dancers use their upper bodies
and arm a lot to blend the movements of their routine.

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LESSON 4 CLASSIFICATION OF DANCE ACCORDING TO SOURCE OR INFLUENCE

1) SPANISH OR WESTERN INFLUENCE DANCE

The Westernization of Filipino culture brought changes in style of dancing among Filipinos
embracing all new trends and fashions which somehow become classics.

 Polka sa Nayon- (Origin: Batangas) a ballroom polka that was

usually danced during town fiestas and in big social affairs.

 Mazurka Boholana- (Origin: Bohol and in other provinces) a

traditional bottom dance which was originally performed with
couples scattered informally about the room with no definite
sequence of steps and direction followed.

2) MUSLIM DANCE- These are dances which have touch of Hindu, Japanese, Chinese and Arab-
Persian culture.

 Singkil- (Origin: Lanao del Sur, Mindano) Singkil is a dance of

Muslim royalty.

 Pangalay- (Origin: Sulu) This is a traditional fingernail dance

that is performed at wedding celebrations held by affluent
families.

3) CORDILLERA DANCE- They are dances classified with ceremonial gatherings, courtship, war,
festival and imitation of nature.

 Banga- (Origin: Kalinga) literally mean pots, this dance

illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce
warriors. Heavy earthen pots, as many as seven or eight at a
time, are balanced on the heads of maidens as they trudge to the
beat of the "gangsa" or wind chimes displaying their stamina and

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 strength as they go about their daily task of fetching water and balancing the banga".

 Bendayan- (Origin: Benguet Province, Northern Luzon) Also

popularly called Bendian, this circle dance of the Benguet of
Mountain Province is restaged, keeping true to the dance's context
and meaning. Long known as a dance to celebrate the arrival of
successful headhunters, the Bendayan has taken a new face. It is
part of every Benguet festivity with the circles slowly giving way
to other formations and interpretations.

4) TRIVAL OR ETHNIC DANCE- Lumad or tribal suite are dances of ethnic pagan origin that
portrays rituals to honor pagan gods.

 Dugso (Tribe: Talaindig/ Origin: Bukidnon) A dance of

thanksgiving.

 Binaylan (Tribe: Higaonon/ Origin: Agusan) The Bagobo tribe

from the central uplands of Mindanao originated this dance which
imitates the movement of a hen, her banog, or baby chicks, and a
hawk. The hawk is sacred, and it is believed that the hawk has the
power over the well-being of the tribe. The hawk tries to capture
one of the chicks and is killed by the hunters.

5) RURAL DANCE- Rural suite originated in the Christian Lowlands of the Philippines. The dances
embody the many joys of work and life among simple countryfolk, who tend to their farms during
the day and relax after a hard day’s work through dancing. The annual fiestas to celebrate the patron
saints of the barrios symbolize the mixture of pagan and Catholic belief.

 Binasuan- (Origin: Bayambang, Pangasinan) Meaning "with the

use of drinking glasses", this vibrant shows off balancing skill of
the performers. Glasses filled with rice wine are placed on the
head and on each hand carefully maneuvered with graceful
movements.

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  Pandanggo sa ilaw- (Origin: Lubang Island, Mindoro) The term
pandanggo comes from the Spanish word fandango, which is a
dance characterized by lively steps and clapping that varies in
rhythm in 3/4 time. This particular pandanggo involves the
presence of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, balanced on the head and
the back of each hand.

LESSON 5 CLASSIFICATION OF DANCE ACCORDING TO FUNCTION

1) MIMETIC- is a style of dance that simply imitates behaviour found in nature, particularly of
animals.

 Itik-Itik (Origin: Surigao in Mindanao) depicts the movements

of wading and flying itik (ducks). Dancers mimic the short
swaying gait of waddling feet and the intense energy of close-
cropped flapping wings.

 Mananagat (Origin: Bogo, Cebu) depicts fishermen at sea.

Dancers in long-line formations mimic women scooping water
from the banca (canoe) with bamboo shells and men wielding
wooden paddles.

2) COURTSHIP- dances that depict love-making or love-theme. Example Rogelia, Lulay, Hele-Hele
Bago Quiere

 Kuratsa (Origin: Eastern Visayas and Bohol) This dance

portrays a young playful couple’s attempt to get each other’s
attention. It is performed in a moderate waltz style.

3) FESTIVAL- These dances are performed in connection with celebrations, a feast, a barrio fiesta,
good harvest and good fortune.

 Ati-Atihan (Origin: Kalibo, Aklan) This Sto. Niño festival

started it all. One of the oldest religious celebrations in the
country, Ati-Atihan is characterized by a parade filled with face-
painted celebrants, indigenous costumes and weapons, tribal

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 dances, and loud drumbeats.

4) OCCUPATIONAL- These are dances that depict actions characterizing certain occupations,
industries and phases of human labor. They are reflected in Pabirik, Mananguete and Kin-aras.

 Mananguete (Origin: Tolambugan, Lanao) It depicts in

pantomime all the stages of tuba gathering such as sharpening the
scythe, cleaning the bamboo containers, climbing coconut trees,
getting tuba, pounding, squeezing and straining the sap of the
mangrove bark, mixing and then tasting the finished product.

5) SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENT- It depicts dance with funny movements from entertainment.

 Kinoton (Origin: Ilocos Sur) It is a comic dance that depicts the

movement of a person bitten by ants.

6) RELIGION- performed in connection with religious vows, practices and ceremonies. A religious
dance may be performed to drive away evil spirits, ask for a favor to have a child, give thanks for
having recovered from sickness, favors granted and vows fulfilled. Example Dugso, Obando,
Sinurog.

 Subli (Origin: Bauan, Batangas) The term “subli” is from two

tagalog words “subsub” meaning “falling on one’s head” and
“bali”, which means “Broken”. This version is originally a ritual
dance which is performed during fiestas as a ceremonial worship
dance to the town’s icoon, the Holy Cross.

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