UNIT II

What is Dance?

Dance the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself. Is
a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement? This movement
has aesthetic and symbolic value, and acknowledged as dance by performers and observers within a
particular culture. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire of movements,
or by its historical period or place of origin. An important distinction is to be drawn between the contexts
of theatrical and participatory dance, although these two categories are not always completely separate; both
may have special functions, whether social, ceremonial, competitive. Erotic, martial, or sacred/liturgical. Other
forms of human movement are sometimes said to have a dance-like quality, including martial
arts, gymnastics, cheerleading, figure skating, synchronized swimming, marching bands, and many other forms
of athletics.
Significance and Benefits of Dance
Dancing is a part of the dynamic cultural expressions of all societies and every individual
has the potential ability to dance. The inclusion of dancing in Physical Education program of schools is simply
to develop potential into actual skill and to expose everyone, especially the youth to many benefits of the
learning to dance.
1. Dancing promotes development since people involved in dance improve their:
 Grace and rhythm
 Posture and biomechanics
 Discipline
 Dedication, motivation and determination
 Self-esteem and self confidence
 Self- actualization
 Values of cooperation, resourcefulness, obedience and respect
2. Dancing improves emotional, mental, social and physical well-being.
3. Dancing provides a happy, fulfilled and satisfying life.
4. Dancing improves reflexes and awareness of one’s body and the immediate environment
5. Dancing educates oneself and the audience during the performance of a dance.

Fundamental position of arms and feet

First Position Second Position

a. Arms are rounded are raised a. Open arms to the sides, arms
in front of the waist. Palms are are rounded, palms facing
facing in, wrist is relaxed. each other.
b. Feet – heels together; feet b. Feet – stride stand sideward
turned out 45 degrees. position ; feet About 6 inches
.

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 Third Position Fourth Position
a. Arms – one raised a. Arm- one arm is raised
overhead while the other overhead in 5th position
arm is in second position and the other arm is in first
opened at side. position.
b. Feet- heel on one foot b. Feet from the third
touches the instep of the position, slide the front
other foot foot diagonally forward
and end in the stride stand
forward position.

Fifth Position

a. Arms – both are raised

over head
Arms are rounded, palms
facing in-ward downward.
b. Feet- heel of the one foot
touches big toe of the
other foot.
c.

Phases of Dance
 Singing Movement Dance or Song
This includes action songs and singing games; in this rhythmic activities, the children usually
sing the verse and the verse tell the children how to move. A singing movement song is usually an
interpretation of an old story, a fable, a celebration. It is also known as creative rhythms or
interpretative dances.

Creative rhythms can be taught to children using the following themes as bases:
o Nursery Rhymes
o Poems
o Songs
o Animal/ Plant movements
o Domestic/ Occupational activities

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 Folk Dance

is defined as a traditional dance of a specific folk handed down from generation to generation in
the manner of all tradition. This dance is native to them and evolved by them instinctively and
spontaneously. Dances of the people depict their way of life, their culture, tradition, rituals,
occupations, emotions.
Folk dances show stories of the people, products of certain tribes, mimicry of certain
animals. Folk dancing is taught in school in all educational levels in order to make the younger
generation aware of their own cultural expressions and develop in the sense of national pride,
identity and patriotism.

 Social and Ballroom Dance

are usually done to introduce people attending formal social gathering to each other or
welcome guest to social gathering. It includes all dances form which bring individuals together in dance
designed for group participation and enjoyment. It is usually accompanied by popular music.

Ballroom dance is some forms of social dance which is performed by a male and female
couple during grand balls. Many of ballroom dances originated as folk dances from:

Europe: Polka, schottische, waltz and mazurka

Latin America: samba, bossa nova and carioca from brazil
Argentina: Tango
Cuba: Cha cha cha, salsa, rumba, conga and mambo
Colombia: Cumbia
America: jive, foxtrot, Lindy hop, swing and charleston

In Physical Education, these dances are taught so that the dancers develop social graces,
coordination and teamwork.

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 Theatrical Dance

refers to that form of dance performed in theaters or on stage to entertain spectators.

Three kinds of Theatrical Dance

 Ethnologic Dance

Ethnic dance sometimes referred as folk dance, ethnic means being a characteristic of particular
group of people, or coming from a particular place. This term means that ethnic dance does not just refers to
those dances which are labeled as tribal or those done by indigenous groups or primitive tribes dancing around
bonfire.
Folk dance troupes are also organized by many groups in order to preserve and promote culture and retain
ethnic identity and pride.

 Ballet
is a theatrical dance with choreographic or drama plot that integrates music, dance and stage
designs (props, sets, costumes). It also refers to technique and dance form strictly based on a well-codified
theatrical school of dance. The term ballet originated from the Spanish bailar meaning to dance and
Itallian balleto “to dance”. It started at the courts of France and Italy during Renaissance but became
established as a standard dance form in the 17th century. Because ballet became formalized in France, a
significant part of ballet terminology is in the French language.

 Ballet Terms
 Arabesque - a position in which the dancer stands on one leg, straight or bent, with the other
extended to the back at 90 degrees.
 Assemble - a jump from one to both feet, usually landing in fifth position.

 Pique - Stepping directly onto the point of a foot.

 Pirouette - A complete turn of the body executed on one leg; the working leg is placed with
the foot drawn up to the ankle or knee of the supporting leg.

 Plie - A bending of the knees in any of the five positions. Demi plie: a half bending of the
knees, with heels on the floor. Grand plie: a full bending of the knee

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 Modern Dance
It is also called contemporary dance, is a theatrical dance form of contemporary approach,
technique or style hence the term. This dance form emerged and is reflected from 20 th century. The term
modern should not be confused with “popular” or “pop” dance, often times erroneously called modern dance.
Dance techniques in modern dance stem from individual conceptions and formulations with a lot
of room for creation and improvisation while the area of performance may be informal spaces or outdoors
unlike the formal standardized prescription for ballet. Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis are considered the
founder of American modern dance.

Modern dance is said to be a revolt against the strict codes of ballet. In modern dance, the
performers dance as they feel and movements are not restricted as ballet. Modern dance sometimes known as
impressionistic dance.

Dance Terms

1. Abracete – Girl at the R side, holds the R arm of partner with her L hand, free hand down at sides.

2. Arms in lateral position – both arms are at one side, either R & L.

3. Arms in reverse “T” position – Arms are horizontally sideward, elbows at right angles, forearms parallel
to head, elbows are at shoulder level, fist slightly closed, facing each other.

4. Bilao – bend elbows close to waist, hands in front, fingers point forward, palms down, Turn hands up and
down alternately.

5. Brush – to hit the floor with the ball or heel of one foot after which that foot is listed from the floor in any
direction.

6. Cabeceras – dancers are in square formation; the couples occupying the width of the hall.

7. Cast off – dancers are in a long way formation, head or lead couple countermarch outward to the end of the
line where the last couple was, counter march inward to proper places.
8. Clockwise - following the direction of the hands of the clock. The R shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle.

9. Costados – dancers are in a square formation; the dancers are occupying the length of the hall is called
“costados” or side couples

10. Counterclockwise – the reverse direction of clockwise – the L shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle.

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 11. Cross-over – two couples are opposite each other. Each couple proceeds in a straigth line to the opposite
place. The girls pass by their L shoulders between the boys. Boys bow to each other when they meet
at the middle or about one third of the way, then proceed to the opposite place. Upon reaching the
opposite place, partners turn R about, girls stand partner’s right side.

12. Curtsy – point the R foot in rear of the L foot; bend knees slightly.

13. Cut – to displace quickly one foot with the other.

14. Do-Si-Do (dos-a-dos) – partners are facing each other. Starting with the R foot, take 3 walking steps
forward to partner’s place passing each other by the R shoulder; step the L foot across the R foot in
front; without turning around, take 3 walking steps backward, to proper place. Close L to R.

15. Folded arms – bend arms in front of the chest and put one forearm on top of the other.

16. Free foot – the foot not bearing the weight of the body.

17. Free hand – the hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.

18. Hapay – to flourish or offer a handkerchief or glass of wine to somebody as a sign of invitation.

19. Hayon-Hayon – to place one forearm in front of the waist and the other at the back of the waist.

20. Inside Hand\Foot – the hand or foot nearest one’s person partner when standing side by side.

21. Jaleo – R hand on waist, elbows almost touching, partners turn around once
clockwise using any kind of dance steps.

22. Kewet – with fist slightly closed, thumb sticking out turn the wrist outward.

23. Kumintang – moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction.

24. Link elbows – or hook elbows – hook elbows with partner or any dancer.
.
25. Masiwak – turn the hand from the wrist counter-clockwise them raise and lower wrist once or twice. This is
an “Ibanag” term.

26. Outside Hand\Foot – the hand or foot away from one’s partner when standing side by side.

27. Panadyak – to stamp, in front or at the side with the R foot and tap with the same foot close to L foot.

28. Place – to put to the sole of the whole foot in a desired position without putting the weight on it.

29. Point – to touch the floor lightly with the toes, no weight.

30. Salok – to swing the arm downward upward to fifth position passing in front of the body as if scooping.
The trunk is bent forward following the movement of the arm doing the “salok.”

31. Saludo – with feet together, partners bow to each other, to audience, or to opposite dancer.

32. Sarok– with the weight of the L foot, point R foot across the L foot in front, bend the body slightly toward
the pointing foot and cross the R arm over the L arm.

33. Stamp – to bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor.

34. Tap – Flexing the ankle point, rap lightly with the ball or toe of the free foot.

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35. Whirl turn – rise on toes and make fast turns by executing mincing steps in place

Dance Position
Couple Position Conversation Position Escort Position or Facing Position
Abracete

Butterfly Position Swing out Position Shoulder waist Position Close ballroom Position

Open ballroom Position Star Position Wrap Position Promenade Position

Back cross Position Varsouvienne Position Reverse Varsouvienne Position

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 DANCE FORMATION

FILE or COLUMN or LONGWAY or CONTRA SET LONGWAY or CONTRA SET

RANK FORMATION (facing front) (partners facing)

SET OF TWO COUPLES SINGLE CIRCLE DOUBLE CIRCLE

(facing partners) (facing center) (facing counterclockwise)

SINGLE CIRCLE
(facing partner)

SINGLE CIRCLE SET OF FOUR COUPLES DOUBLE CIRCLE

(facing counterclockwise) (In a square formation facing (partners facing)
center)

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 SINGLE CIRCLE
(facing counterclockwise)
Additional Learning:

For additional learning you can visit this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkAUYA8hUPU

UNIT 3
Social 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. Sometimes it does not require a partner but simply a number of
people in a group. Dance is generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to the music, used
as a form of expression, social interacton or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

1. CHA CHA CHA

The cha cha onomatopoeically from the sound of the feet in the chasse which was
included in many of the steps (Sadie, 1980). It is dance currently at about 120 beats per minute, The steps are
taken on the beats, with strong hip movements as the knee straightens on half beats between.

Count pattern:

1,2 cha cha cha or 1,2,3, 4 and 1

2. SAMBA
The New American Dictionary of the Music describe samba as “ a very lively Brazilian dance of African
origin in 4/4 time.The variety of samba taught in North America and European Ballrooms tends to be waltz
like – smoothly moving around the floor with a steady bounce. The only important thing is to remember is
that the dance is done in triple step – meaning, three steps are performed in 2 beats.

Count pattern:

1 a2 1 a2 or 1 a2 3 a4 5 a6 7 a8

3. JIVE

Jive is a dance, one of the five International Latin ballroom dances. It originated in the United States from
African-Americans in the early 1940s. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the earlier forms of
Swing dance such as the Jitterbug. The basic steps for jive are based on a simple six beat sequence: 1-2-3-a-
4-5-a-6. The count begins with the rock step (left foot step back, right foot in place), followed by the two
triple steps (chasse) that are counted: 3-a-4, 5-a-6.

Count pattern:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 1-2-3-a-4-5-a-6

4. BOOGIE

Boogie Dance, or Boogie-woogie is a form of swing dancing that was originally known as “Barrelhouse”
dancing. It is called boogie-woogie in Europe, but this dance is more commonly known as East Coast swing
in the United States. During the 1950s, today’s boogie-woogie would have been known as “rock ‘n’ roll.”
Although the dance can go with boogie-woogie music, it’s more often paired with rock music. Because rock
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 ‘n’ roll dance was already established in dance competitions (Acrobatic Rock n’ Roll), boogie-woogie had to
find an alternate label. It adopted a name based on the music with which it was often paired: fast-paced,
boogie-woogie style piano. (Pinetop Smith writing the first official Boogie Woogie song in 1928. Boogie is a
repetitive, swung note or shuffle rhythm, "groove" or pattern used in blues which was originally played on the
piano in boogie-woogie music. ... Today, the term "boogie" usually refers to dancing to pop, disco, or rock
music.

5. LINE DANCE

A line dance will have a certain number of counts, meaning the number of beats in one complete
sequence of the dance. For example, a 64-count dance would contain 64 beats. The number of beats does not
necessarily equal the number of steps, however, as steps can be performed between two beats or over more than
one beat. Line dancing is exactly what its name implies: people dancing in lines to music. Line dances are
choreographed dances with a repeating series of steps that are performed in unison by a group of people in lines
or rows, most often without the dancers making contact with one another.

All the dancers performing a line dance face the same direction and perform the steps at exactly the
same time. Although there are usually several lines, small groups may only form one line, but it's still
considered a line dance even if only two people are participating.

Dance Originated from Year Dance Styles

Latin America
1950’s Rhythm Dance/ Latin
(Cuba)
Cha cha cha

African 17th century

– 20th century
(Brazil) Rhythm Dance/International Latin

Samba

United States from Rhythm Dance/

early 1940s
African-Americans International Latin

Jive

African-American 1950’s Swing Dance Style

Boogie

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 1970s to
Europe Variety of dance Styles
early 1980s

Line dance

 Swing

Swing dance is a group of dances that developed with the swing style
of jazz music in the 1920s–1940s, with the origins of each dance predating
the popular swing era. During the swing era, there were hundreds of styles of
swing dancing, but those that have survived beyond that era include:

Lindy Hop Balboa Collegiate Shag and Charleston Today, the best-known of these dances is the Lindy Hop
which originated in Harlem in the early 1930s. While the majority of swing dances began in African
American communities as vernacular African American dances some influenced swing-era dances, like Balboa,
developed outside of these communities.

Basic steps swing for men

1&2: Triple step (chasse) to the left (left-right-left)

3&4: Triple step to the right (right-left-right)

5: Step backward with your left foot

6: Weight shifts to your right foot

Basic steps swing for women

1&2: Triple step (chasse) to the right (right-left-right)

3&4: Triple step to the left (left-right-left)

5: Step backward with your right foot

6: Weight shifts to your left foot

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Additional Learning:

For additional learning you can visit these links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FvsnqL124Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=t6sCkOD7jnc&list=PLR_A_2ivJDExmlklTuN4k4i7mCVQM5eIF&index=1

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