Actions |
What the body is doing. Includes locomotor and non-locomotor movements; for example, running, jumping, twisting, gesturing, and turning.
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Alignment |
Body placement or posture; proper alignment lessens body strain and promotes dance skills.
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Asymmetry |
Uneven, irregular design.
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Body bases |
Body parts that support the rest of the body. For example, when standing, the feet are the body base; when kneeling, the knees are the body base.
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Body parts
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Arms, legs, head, torso, and so on. |
Body zones |
Body areas of right side, left side, front, back, upper half, and lower half.
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Binary form |
Two-part structure: AB.
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Dance phrase |
A logical sequence of movements with an observable beginning, middle, and end.
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Directions |
Forward, backward, sideways, up, and down.
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Duration |
The length of time needed to do a movement; very short to very long.
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Dynamics |
The dance element which relates to how a movement is done.
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Energy |
Muscular tension used to move; ranges from a little to a lot.
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Even rhythm |
Movements of equal duration; for example, walking.
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Form |
Structure of dance compositions.
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General space |
The dance area.
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Kinesphere |
See personal space.
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Levels |
Movements might take place on three levels: high level, middle level, and low or deep level.
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Locomotor movements
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Movements that travel from one location to another. |
Metric rhythm |
The grouping of beats in a recurring pattern.
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Motif symbols |
Symbols that represent movements.
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Movement vocabulary |
All the actions the body can make.
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Non-locomotor movements
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Also called axial; movements which do not travel; moving or balancing on the spot.
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Pathways |
Patterns or designs created on the floor or in the air by movements of the body.
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Personal space |
Also called kinesphere; the space reached while stationary.
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Qualities |
Characteristics of a movement.
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Relationships |
The body's position relative to something or someone.
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Rondo form |
A dance structure with three or more themes where one theme is repeated: ABACAD ...
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Shape |
The design of a body's position.
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Size |
Magnitude of a body shape or movement; from small to large.
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Speed |
Velocity of movements; from slow to fast.
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Symmetry |
A balanced, even design.
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Ternary form |
Three-part structure: ABA .
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Time signature |
A symbol that denotes a metric rhythm; for example, 3/4, or 4/4.
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Uneven rhythms |
Movements of unequal duration; for example, skipping. |