Elements of dance

• Elements of Dance

  • Body
  • Action
  • Time
  • Space
  • Energy
• Body


  The instrument of dance
• Action


  Any human movement included in the act of dancing
• Elements of Space

  • Direction - which way the dancer faces
  • Size - magnitude of a body shape
  • Pathways - patterns made as a dancer moves
  • Levels - the vertical distance from the floor
  • Shapes - the form created by the body's position
• Time


  The relationship of one movement or part of a movement to another. How fast or slow, etc.
• Elements of Energy

  • Dynamics
  • Flow
  • Weight
• Choreography


  The art of arranging dances
• Theme


  The basic idea of the dance
• Rondo


  A dance structure with three or more themes
• Narrative


  Follows a specific story line to convey specific information
• Variations


  Contrasts in the use of dance elements, repetitions
• Importance of Posture

  • Proper breathing
  • Balance
  • Core stability
• Ballet – a classic form of dance growing out of the french nobility, its root is Court dances
• Tap – percussive dance form; Tap dance, an American dance form which concentrates on footwork
• Jazz – American music marked by lively rhythms with unusual accents
• Modern – a form of dance developed by dancers interested in breaking from ballet tradition