Glossary of Dance Terms

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ABA A three-part compositional form in which the second section contrasts with the first section. The third section is a restatement of the first section in a condensed, abbreviated, or extended form.

abstract To remove involvement from a particular or representative context and (by manipulating it with elements of space, time, and force) create a new sequence or dance that details the essence of the original.

action A movement event.

aesthetic criteria Standards on which to make judgments about the artistic merit of a work of art.

alignment The relationship of the skeleton to the line of gravity and the base of support.

axial movement Any movement that is anchored to one spot by a body part using only the available space in any direction without losing the initial body contact. Movement is organized around the axis of the body rather than designed for travel from one location to another; also known as non-locomotor movement.

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call and response A structure that is most often associated with African music and dance forms, although it is also used elsewhere. One soloist/group performs with the second soloist/group entering "in response" to the first.

canon Choreographic form that reflects the musical form of the same name, in which individuals and groups perform the same movement/phrase beginning at different times.

chance A choreographic process in which elements are specifically chosen and defined but randomly structured to create a dance or movement phrase. This process demands high levels of concentration in performance to deal effectively with free-association and surprise structures that appear spontaneously.

choreographic Describes a dance sequence that has been created with specific intent.

choreographic structure The specific compositional forms in which movement is structured to create a dance.

classical Dance that has been developed into highly stylized structures within a culture. Generally developed within the court or circle of power in a society.

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discuss To engage in oral, written, or any other appropriate form of presentation.

dynamics The expressive content of human movement, sometimes called qualities or efforts. Dynamics manifest the interrelationships among the elements of space, time, and force/energy. See also movement quality.

elements The use of the body moving in space and time with force/energy.

elevation The body's propulsion into the air away from the floor, such as in a leap, hop, or jump.

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folk Dances that are usually created and performed by a specific group within a culture. Generally these dances originated outside the courts or circle of power within a society.

improvisation Movement that is created spontaneously, ranging from free-form to highly structured environments, but always with an element of chance. Provides the dancer with the opportunity to bring together elements quickly, and requires focus and concentration. Improvisation is instant and simultaneous choreography and performance.

initiation Point at which a movement is said to originate. This particularly refers to specific body parts and is generally said to be either distal (from the limbs or head) or central (from the torso).

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kinesphere The movement space, or the space surrounding the body in stillness and in motion, which includes all directions and levels both close to the body and as far as the person can reach with limbs or torso. See personal space. Kinesthetic refers to the ability of the body's sensory organs in the muscles, tendons, and joints to respond to stimuli while dancing or viewing a dance.

levels The height of the dancer in relation to the floor.

locomotor movement Movement that travels from place to place, usually identified by weight transference on the feet. Basic locomotor steps are the walk, run, leap, hop, and jump, and the irregular rhythmic combinations of the skip (walk and hop), slide (walk and leap), and gallop (walk and leap).

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movement quality The identifying attributes created by the release, follow-through, and termination of energy, which are key to making movement become dance. Typical terms denoting qualities include sustained, swing, percussive, collapse, and vibratory, and effort combinations such as float, dab, punch, and glide.

movement theme A complete idea in movement that is manipulated and developed within a dance.

musicality The attention and sensitivity to the musical elements of dance while creating or performing.

narrative Choreographic structure that follows a specific story line and intends to convey specific information through that story.

non-locomotor movement See axial movement

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palindrome A choreographic structure used with a phrase or longer sequence of movement in which the phrase, for example, is first performed proceeding from movement 1 to movement 2, etc.; when the last movement of the phrase is completed, the phrase is retrograded from the penultimate movement to the first movement. (A commonly used example in prose is "Able was I ere I saw Elba." In this example, the letters are the same forward to the "r" in "ere" as they are backward to the "r.")

personal space The "space bubble" or the kinesphere that one occupies; it includes all levels, planes, and directions both near and far from the body's center.

phrase A brief sequence of related movements that has a sense of rhythmic completion.

projection A confident presentation of one's body and energy to vividly communicate movement and meaning to an audience; performance quality.

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reordering A choreographic process in which known and defined elements (specific movements, movement phrases, etc.) are separated from their original relationship and restructured in a different pattern.

rhythmic acuity The physical, auditory recognition of various complex time elements.

style A distinctive manner of moving; the characteristic way dance is done, created, or performed that identifies the dance of a particular performer, choreographer, or period.

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technology Electronic media (such as video, computers, or lasers) used as tools to create, learn, explain, document, analyze, or present dance.

theatrical Dance genres primarily developed for the stage (such as jazz and tap).

traditional dance The term "traditional" is used to denote those dances and dance forms that have arisen out of the tradition of a people, such as the dances of bharata natyam, noh, or the folk dances of indigenous peoples of Europe or other areas.

warm-up Movements and/or movement phrases designed to raise the core body temperature and bring the mind into focus for the dance activities to follow.

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