MODERN

DANCE
“The dancer’s body is simply
the luminous manifestation of
the soul” – Isadora Duncan
Modern Dance
 It is a style of dancing where dancers
are free to express their feelings
through movements without adhering
to any rules in dance particularly that of
ballet.
 It is actually a rebellion against the
confining nature of classical ballet.
 Unlike ballet, the dancers of modern
dance use their own interpretations
instead of structured steps.
 The movements are not always
necessarily light, beautiful, and
effortless, but instead strong
and sometimes ugly.
 Modern dance uses more torso
on a horizontal than a vertical
plane, and new varieties of
tilting, twisting, and bending
movements.
 Beauty and ethereal
qualities of the
human situation is
what is mostly being
emphasized in
ballet.
 Modern dance
portrays the actual
human situation as
it is.
Characteristics of
Modern Dance
1. Technique
This teaches the
dancers to control the
body and making it an
instrument.
The main goal of each
technique is “to develop
an instrument (which is
the human body) that is
capable of expressing
any and all aspects of
human behavior.
2. Improvisation
This refers to the spontaneous
movement performed by
dancers in response to
suggestions by the
choreographer.
Various images, ideas, feelings,
or other stimulating events may
be motivations for
improvisations.
Modern dance allows freedom to
the dancer.
3. Choreography
The form in this dance mostly represents the
personal and emotional experiences of its
creators.
The intent and style of the dance
choreography are not limited to certain areas
or subject matters, giving the
choreographers freedom to choose their
own.
Basic Modern
Dance Skills
1. Dance walk – an even rhythm pattern in
which an alternate transfer of weight
occurs from one foot to another. Walks
help maintain body weight ready for
immediate action.

2. Run – an even rhythm pattern in which

there is an alternate transference of
weight of one foot to the other. It is faster
and requires more energy.
3. Waltz – an even rhythm with counts 1 2 3/1 2 3/.

4. Gallop - this is two steps performed in uneven rhythm

1&2/1&2/, long-short. One foot always maintains the lead.
5. Leap – in the gap between take-off and landing, the
body is suspended in the air with both feet off the floor for a
short flight of freedom.
6. Rolls - log rolls, forward roll, backward roll
 Homework
#1 Students will answer the activity given in
Edmodo.
#2 Video recording:
Students will perform the following:
1. Basic movement in waltz (with partner)
2. Front roll
3. Back roll
Guidelines:
 Whole body capture.
 PE uniform or t-shirt and jogging pants.
 The video will be sent to your subject teacher’s
messenger.