UNIT I 

INTRODUCTION
TO RHYTHMIC
MOVEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
■ This unit is prepared for students to gain knowledge on the
importance of rhythmic activities, the role it plays in the
development of nationalism, and the preservation of our
cultural heritage. It will help the students to improve self-
expression through dance interpretation, creation and
performing simple movements.

■ Rhythm is the basis of music and dance. Rhythm in dance

is simply expressive movement made with or without music.
All body movements tend to be rhythmic – the beating of the
heart, the breathing of an individual, or even the growth of
the living things has rhythm in it. Most movements that take
place in physical education classes contain rhythm.
Definitions: For better understanding of the discussion that
follows, the following terms are hereunder defined:

Rhythmic - is a measured motion or flow,

characterized basically by recurrence of elements or
features as beats, sounds, or accents.

Rhythms - denote an aspect of the quality of

movement, which is sometimes though as dance.
Structured forms, which start creative rhythmic
movements, are sometimes called rhythm.
 Dancing - is a means of expressing one’s emotions
though movement disciplined by rhythm. It is an act of
moving rhythmically and expressively to an
accompaniment. The word dancing originated from the
German word “damson” which means to stretch. All
dancing is basically made up of stretching and relaxing
movements.

 Dance - is a sense of movements set to music where

there emerge organization, structure, and pattern.
 SCOPE OF RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES
 
■ Rhythmic Activities
Is the response of a person displaying his emotional and mental reaction to
rhythm? In all nature, every individual makes rhythm like foot tapping, head
movement, body sway while music is playing. In other words, the body
moves as a physical response or as an expression of feelings and the
fundamental principles of time, space, and force are observed. 

■ Fundamentals of Rhythm
To better facilitate the learning of dances and other activities, we should
first understand the elements of rhythm, elements of movement space,
and the qualities of movements. (Andin and Miñas, 2004)
Elements of Rhythm

1. Underlying Beat or Pulse Beat. The underlying beat is the

steady continuous sound that is heard or felt throughout any
rhythmic sequence. The constant steady pulsation is called pulse
beat. It is the steady sound which serves as the constant measure
upon which all rhythmic structure or relationship depends. The
underlying beat determines the time signature of a piece of music
or movements.

2. Measure. This refers to the identical grouping of underlying beats.

3. Rhythmic Pattern. This refers to a definite grouping of sounds or

beats related to the underlying beat. It is also called the melody
pattern because the rhythmic pattern follows the words or melody.
4. Phrasing. A musical phrase is a group of measures that gives
the feeling of unity. The end of a phrase may suggest a change in
direction or movement.

5. Accent. This is the force or emphasis given to any one beat in a

series of pulse beats in a measure.

6. Tempo. This is the rate of speed of the movement, music or

accompaniment.

7. Intensity. This is the quality of movement or music. It refers to

dynamics or force such as heavy or light.
 Fundamental Movements

There are three basic natural movements: the locomotor, non-locomotor or

axial movement, and the manipulative skills (Andin and Miñas, 2004).

• Locomotor Movements are used to move the body from one place to
another or to project the body upward as in jumping and hopping

• Non-Locomotor Movements are performed without appreciable movements

from one place to place or movements of the various parts of the body in fixed
base

 Manipulative Skills involve object handling that develops manipulative skills

like ball skills. Other objects promote other skills like better hand and eye and
coordination.