HUMANITIES
A versatile subject which consists of the
seven arts: painting, sculpture,
architecture, music and dance,
literature, theatre and cinema. These
seven arts are the branches of
learning that will help you understand
the study of the humanities.
It comes from the word “humanus” meaning
human ,cultured and refined.
To be human is to possess the qualities and
attributes of man and have the feelings and
dispositions proper to man. It is also a study of
the different cultural aspects analyzes man’s
frailties in life and how this can be improved.
Culture basically includes speech, knowledge,
beliefs, arts, technologies, ideals and rules.
To be cultured means to be refined and well-versed
in the arts, philosophy and languages.
It is also a means of understanding man and his
affairs.
ART
Art is very vital in our daily existence. The arts are
the concrete evidences in the study of humanities.
The body of arts consists of ideas, beliefs and
values of the past , present and even of the future.
It comes from the Aryan root word, “AR” which
means to join or to put together. The Latin term
“ARS” means everything that is artificially made
or composed by man. According to Leo Tolstoy,
“art is a means of union among all men, a means
of communication.” To Aristotle, “art has no other
end but itself. All arts are patterned on nature. It is
also the right reason for making things.”
The Scope of Humanities
The humanities is a many-faceted subject. It consists of the
visual arts, literature, drama and theatre, music and
dance.
1.The visual arts are those we perceive with our eyes. They
may be classified into two groups:
a.
Graphic arts-two-dimensional surface.
This term covers any form of visual artistic representation
especially painting, drawing, photography, etc…
b. Plastic arts- three-dimensional surface.
This group includes all fields of visual arts in which materials
are organized into three-dimensional forms like
architecture, landscape architecture, interior design,
sculpture crafts, industrial design, dress and costume
design, theatre design, etc…
2. Literature is the art of combining spoken or written
words and their meanings into forms which have
artistic and emotional appeal.
Drama-a story re-created by actors on stage in front of an
audience.
Prose Fiction- includes narratives created by an author as
distinguished from true accounts.
Essay-a non-fiction expository writing ranging from informal,
personal topics to closely critical treatments of important
subjects
Poetry- highly expressive nature using special forms and
choice of words and emotional images. Narratives include
epics, romance and ballads and lyric forms includes the
sonnets, ode, elegy and song.
Miscellaneous are history, biography, letters, journals,
diaries, and other works not formally classed as literature.
3. Music- an art of arranging sounds
in rhythmic succession generally in
combination. Melody results in this
sequence and harmony from the
combinations. It is a creative and
performing art.
Groups
Vocal Music-composed primarily to be
sung.
Instrumental Music- is written for
instruments of four general types:
» A. Keyboard (piano, keyboard and organ)
» B. Stringed ( violin, cello, guitar, ukulele,
banjo)
» C. Woodwind (flute , clarinet, oboe, piccolo,
English Horn, bassoon)
» D. Brass winds (saxophone, trumpet, French
Horn, trombone)
Music combined with other arts
Opera-drama set to music. It is mostly or
entirely sung with an orchestral accompaniment.
Operetta and Musical Comedy- a drama set to
music
but is light popular romantic often
humorous or comic. It uses spoken dialogues.
Oratorio and Cantata- sacred musical drama
in concert form based from biblical accounts
and made of recited parts with orchestral
accompaniment.
4. Drama and Theatre- a drama or play is a story
re-created by actors on a stage in front of an audience.
Types of Drama
Tragedy- serious in nature in which the central character
comes to some sad and disastrous ending and also portray
sufferings.
Melodrama- the emphasis is on the action rather than on the
character. Action is sensational or romantic and usually has
a happy ending.
Types of Melodrama
» Romantic Comedy- light amusing tales of lovers in
some dilemma which is finally solved happily.
Farce- light humorous play whose
emphasis is on the jokes, humorous
physical actions, ludicrous situations and
impossible characters.
» Comedy Of Manners- “drawing room
comedy” is sophisticated and
sometimes satirical. It uses witty
dialogues and characters are usually
high society types and situations are
unreal.
5. Dance- involves the movement of
the body and the feet in rhythm.
Types of Dances
Ethnologic- include folk dancing associated
with national and cultural groups.
Social or Ballroom Dances- popular type of
dancing generally performed by pairs.
Ballet- a formalized type of dance which
originated in the royal courts of the Middle
Ages. They may be either solo or concerted
dances and generally built around a theme or
story.
Modern-are sometimes called contemporary
interpretative dances and represents
rebellion against the classical formalism of
ballet. It is a personal communication of
moods an themes.
Musical dances- dances performed by
soloists, groups, choruses in theatres,
nightclubs, motion pictures, and television. It
combines various forms of ballet, modern,
tap, and acrobatics.
Methods in Presenting Art Subjects
1. Realism- presentation of subjects as it is. It is
also the portrayal of objective reality.
Example: “Queen” by Audrey Flack
“ The Stone-Breaker” by Gustave
Courbet
2. Abstraction- it means to move away or to separate.
The artist is more concerned about the presentation of a
part or a portion of a subject.
Types of Abstraction
a. Elongation-subjects are lengthened or stretched out.
Ex. El Greco- “The Resurrection”
“ St Martin and The Beggar
b. Distortion-subjects are in a mishappen
condition.
Ex. Henry Moore- “Recumbent Figure”
c. Cubism- the use of geometrical shapes and
forms.
Ex. Pablo Picasso- “The Three Musicians”
“Nude in a Rocking Chair”
Georges Brake- “Violet and Palette”
Fauvism-emphasis on pleasure; the artists are nonconformists. Colors are not realistic and are mostly
bright.
Ex. Henry Matisse- “The Joy of Life”
“The Dance”
Dadaism- from the French word “DADA” which
means hobby-horse
- a movement meant to shock the public.
Ex. Marcel Duchamp- “Fountain”
Romanticism-rich and filled with emotion
Ex. Eugene Delacroix –” Liberty Leading
the People”
– Idealistic and subscribed to the ideas of
liberty, freedom , justice, and equality.
Juan Luna- “Spollarium”
Impressionism- is concentrated on the
artist’s impression of the moment.
Ex. Claude Monet-”Sunrise”
Eduord Manet- “The Beet Waitress”
Expressionism- based on non-rational and emotional
concepts
– Harsh, morbid, brutal, introspective
– Free distortion of form color through which the
painter gives visual form to inner sensations or emotion
Ex. Vincent Van Gogh- “A Starry Night
“ Sunflower
“ Irises”
Surrealism- based from the Freudian Theory
“Psychoanalysis; aimed to bring the elements of
the subconscious to the surface
Ex. Salvador Dali- “Persistence of Memory”
KINDS OF SUBJECTS
1. Landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes- these
are artworks that show the physical
environment.
2. Still Life- groups of inanimate objects
arranged in an indoor setting such as
objects as dishes of food on a dining table,
pots and pans on a kitchen table, etc…
3. Animals- the earliest known paintings are
representations of animals.
4. Portrait- is a realistic likeness of a person
in sculpture, painting, drawing, or print.
5. Figures- is the traditional chief subject of
artists showing the human body, nude or
clothed.
6. Everyday Life- this is the artists observation
of people going about their usual ways,
performing their usual tasks.
7. History and Legend- shows a significant
scene in the past; legend pictures the
mysteries behind the folk stories.
8. Religion and Mythology- arts are used to
instruct, to inspire feelings of devotion and to
convert non-believers; many artists have
been inspired by the beauty and magic of
mythological characters.
9. Dreams and Fantasies- a dream may be of
lifelike situation; it may be realistically
represented, but if the figure suggests the
strange, irrational, and the absurd, we would
right away classify it a dream picture.
PAINTING
The art of applying color or other organic or
synthetic substances to various surfaces to create
a representational, imaginative or abstract picture
or design.
The earliest known paintings were executed on
the walls of caves and rock shelters some 30, 000
years ago during Paleolithic period. Some may be
seen in Western Europe, Southern and Saharan
Africa and Australia.
Elements of Painting
Line- it is man’s own invention; extension
of a point.
Kinds of Lines
Straight Lines
Vertical lines- power, stability , strength
Horizontal lines- relaxation, calmness, at peace,
laziness
Diagonal lines- movement
Curve lines- graceful movements, fluidity,
flexibility
Shape- it is an area on a flat surface enclosed
by a line.
Texture- it refers to the feel or tactile quality of a
surface of an object; the roughness or
smoothness of an object.
Size- it is the smallness or largeness of an object.
Color- it is a series of wave lengths which strike
our retina. Spectrum consists of different
colors-red, orange, blues, indigo and violet.
Physical Property of Color
Hue- is a quality which gives color its
name. The color of the spectrum are
therefore called hues.
Value- is the lightness or darkness of
color.
Intensity- is the strength of the color’s
hue. Brightness or dullness of color.
Classification of Colors
The Primary Colors are original colors which cannot be derived from
any color combination. They are red, blue and yellow.
The Secondary Colors are the combinations of two primary colors.
They are green, orange and violet.
The Tertiary Colors are the combinations of both the primary and
secondary colors. They are yellow green, yellow orange, blue
green, blue violet, red orange, and red violet.
A Complementary Color scheme is composed of one of the primary
colors and the combination of two others. For example, the
complementary color of red is green, made by mixing yellow and
blue.
Analogous colors are three neighboring colors in the color wheel with
one distinct color among them.
COLOR INTERPRETATION
Cold colors-winter, spring, not aggressive in hue
Warm colors- summer ,fall, friendly in character
Red- excitement, danger, war, heat, anger,
aggressive
Orange- autumn, warmth, movement, can be
disagreeably hot in effect
Green- spring, summer foliage, safety, coolness,
restful and pleasant
Yellow- sun, warmth without heat
Blue- coolness, happiness, pleasure, popular with
men
COLOR INTERPRETATION
Purple- coolness, royalty
Cool colors- dignity, formality
Warm Colors- informality, excitement
Pink- femininity
Black-mourning, sorrow, death
White- purity, innocence
Brown-humbleness, nobility
Mediums of Painting
Pigment- is that part of the paint which supplies
the color, is fine powder ground from some clay,
stone, or mineral extracted from vegetable matter.
1. Encaustic- a medium that combines fry pigments with
the heat-softened wax and in modern times. Resin
2. Tempera- are earth or mineral pigments mixed with
egg yolk and egg white. Since the paint dries quickly,
corrections are difficult to make.
3. Fresco- is the application of earth pigments with water
on a plaster wall while the plaster is still damp. Color then
sinks into the surface and becomes an integral part of the
wall.
4.Watercolor- is tempered paint made of pure ground
pigment bound with gum Arabic. It gives a delicate and
luminous texture to the painting.
5. Oil- the pigment is mixed with linseed oil and applied to
primed canvas. It is flexible. Oil paints are slow to dry and
the painting can be changed and worked over a long period
of time.
6. Acrylic- synthetic paints using acrylic polymer emulsions
as binder are the newest mediums and the ones that are
widely used by today’s painters. They dry quickly like the
watercolor and also flexible like the oil. They do not tend to crack,
turn yellow or darken with age.
Arts Related to Painting
Mosaic- it is related to painting only because it creates
pictures on flat surfaces. They are wall or floor decorations
made of small cubes or irregularly cut pieces of colored
stones or glass called tesserae.
Stained Glass- a translucent glass colored by mixing
metallic oxides into the molten glass or by fixing them onto
the surface of the clear glass. The glass is then cut into
shapes and assembled into the desired image and held
together by strips of lead.
Tapestry- are fabrics into which colored designs have
been woven.
SCULPTURE
It is a three- dimensional artwork, an art
of reproducing objects in relief or in the
round out of hard materials by means
of chisel, carved work, art of molding in
clay or other paste materials, figures or
objects to be later cast in bronze or
other metals or plaster of Paris.
MEDIUMS OF SCULPTURE
1. Clay- a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when
moist but hard when fired.
2. Ice- is the name given to one of the 14 known solid
phases of water. It is a crystalline solid which can
appear transparent or opaque bluish white color.
3. Marble- a metamorphic rock resulting from
regional or rarely contact metamorphism of
sedimentary carbonate rocks, either limestone or
dolostone.
4. Ivory- is ideal for decorative art
because it is hard, close grained, and
takes to carving and dyes well. Its
durable, many specimen survive and
provides clues into the art.
5. Wood- can make many forms, from a
tree to a house, from a piece of
furniture to a door, from something
functional to something sculptural.
KINDS OF SCULPTURE
1. Relief. These are the sculptures which
are identifies as embossed sculptures in
which images are set a against a flat
background.
2. Free- Standing. This is the kind of
sculpture in the round such as statutes
and monuments which are either scaled
or done in life size.
3. Kinetic or Mobile Sculptures. These are
identified as moving sculptures which in
some cases are suspended in air to
move
PROCESSES IN SCULPTURE
1. Molding. This is the additive wherein the
building up of form is done to complete
the artwork.
2. Carving. This is the subtracting method
wherein the removal of the unnecessary
portions of the material used is done.
3. Fabrication. This is the putting-togetherprocess wherein welding is an example.
4. Casting. This is setting up the negative
mold in order to produce the positive
mold.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF
SCULPTURE
Pre-Historic Sculpture. The primitive
people produced the so called fertility
statues. It has been described as
giving emphasis on the female sexual
attributes. It emphasizes the
women’s wide hips and opulent
breasts. Primitive men made this for
fear of extinction and it will remind
them to go on and on to produce
more offsprings.
History of Sculpture
Egyptian Sculpture. The Sphinx is the most
popular piece in Egypt. It is a huge
sculpture which is described as the human
head with a body of a croaching lion. The
head of the Sphinx is symbolic of the
pharoah, the mighty ruler of Egypt, and the
body of the croaching lion is symbolic of
the mighty country Egypt. Therefore it
symbolizes the mighty strengths and
protective power of Egypt.
Greek Sculpture
The Golden Age of Athens was the complete
fulfillment of the term classic, for it was the
culmination of the ideals of the time and of the
ancient world as well. It falls into four classes:
1. Sculptures created without regard to their
ultimate location or method of display. Freestanding
2. Statues identified as kore otherwise known as
female standing sculpture
3. Statues identified as kouros otherwise known a
male standing sculpture
4. Sculptures designed as ornaments for specific
positions
Roman Sculpture
Given the Etruscan descendant of
naturalism, Roman portraiture set an
early standard of excellence that
became the model for the whole
Western tradition.
It falls into two classes: portraits and
historical relief. Both reflect the highly
developed Roman taste of realism.
BAROQUE SCULPTURE
A restless, dynamic style with its
diagonals and floating curved lines, its
striking chiaroscuro, and its sensous
textural effects. Gian Lorenzo Bernini
was the Baroque artist par
excellence. His known sculpture is the
“Ecstacy of St. Therese.”
Byzantine Sculpture
Sculptured relief during the Byzantine were used to
adorn magnificent palaces and churches. It is the
richest expression of Christian dogma.
Renaissance Sculpture
It showed some traces of classical influence in the
pulpits of the Cathedrals of Pisa and Sienna.
The great master of this period is Michealangelo. His
masterpiece was the “Pieta” , today a treasure of
St. Peter’s in Rome.
MUSIC
It is literally defined as the art of
organizing sound so as to elicit an
aesthetic response in a listener.
Music moves us ,it makes us feel the
tears but cannot trace the source
says Leticia Landen.
Franz Liszt defines it as the language of
the heart.
PROPERTIES OF MUSIC
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pitch- highness or lowness of tone
Duration- longness or shortness of tone
Volume- loudness or softness of tone
Timbre or tone color- individual quality of
the musical sound
The human voice is the oldest and still the
most popular medium of music. It is the
most personal and direct medium as it
comes from within the human body.
The Six Classes of Voices
1. Soprano- high -register female voice
2. Mezzo-soprano-medium-register female
voice
3. Alto or Contralto-low-register female
voice
4. Tenor-high-register male voice
5. Baritone- medium-register male voice
6. Bass- low-register male voice
ELEMENTS OF MUSIC
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Duration- refers to the continuance of time
wherein a sound can be made to last for a
longer or shorter period of time.
Pitch- it means the location of tone in the
musical scale in relation to high or low.
Melody- it consists of a series of pitches and
durations. It displays an overall balance between
ascending and descending motion.
Harmony- it is simultaneous sounding of two or
more tones like when a singer accompanies his
melody with the guitar or a piano.
Timbre- it enables the listener to distinguish one
sound from another or one instrument from
another.
Voice According to Timbre
Coloratura Soprano-highest and lightest of all
voices.
Lyric Soprano-is less high and flutelike and
usually sings sweet songlike melodies.
Dramatic Soprano- is heavier and can
convey intense emotionism dramatic
situations.
Mezzo-soprano- is between the soprano and
contralto in quality and range.
Contralto- has low and rich in quality voice.
Tenor- highest type in men’s voice.
Lyric Tenor- is suited to songlike melodies.
Dramatic Tenor- has heavier voice an is
capable of conveying intense emotions.
Baritone- has a range between tenor and
bass
Bass- has the lowest and deepest quality.
6. Dynamics- it refers to force or
percussive effects: degrees of loud
and soft. Forte means loud; piano
means soft.
7. Texture- refers to the number of
tones we are asked to comprehend
simultaneously.
8. Form- is also called structure which
is as necessary to a work.
Different Forms of Music
Absolute Music-instrumental music
A capella- Choral music sung without
instrumental accompaniment
Anthem- A religious or patriotic song
Aria- An extended song for a soloist, usually
accompanied by an orchestra
Chamber Music- Music played by an
ensemble of two to nine instruments
Chanson- song
Chorale-A religious song sung by a
congregation
Concerto-A composition for a solo
instrument or orchestra
Dances- Dance music that goes with the
steps of the dance
Nocturne- a dreamy piece of a piano
Oratorio- A religious work that requires
soloist, chorusand, and an orchestra
Overture- A piece of orchestral music that is
played at the start of an opera
Pastoral- Any piece of music in a rustic mood,
using instruments in imitation of a
shepherd’s pipe.
Prelude- A general name for an instrumental
piece, usually a short piano piece
Program Music- Instrumental music built
around a poem or story
Sonata- A composition usually in three
movements which makes use of the formal
pattern of fast, slow, and fast
Symphony- A piece of orchestra based on the
same principle of the sonata
7. Color- it is the result of the difference
in timbre in the various instruments
and voices.
8. Style- it reflects the composer’s
personal idiom which differentiates his
work from that of others; he also
reflects the style of the period in which
he lives.
Different Kinds of Instruments
Stringed Instruments
Violin Family-all members have basically
The same shape, design and body parts. Each of the
instrument have a neck over which runs the fingerboard
and the peg box which contains the pegs. The body has
2 F-holes which are the sound holes where the sound
resonating around the body of the body escapes and
gives a full rich note. Strings are made of fine guts from a
pig or goat, steel, nylon or gut that is wound with the
thread of silver or aluminum.
Sound is produced with a bow, a wooden stick with strands
of horsehair, is rubbed on the strings. The hair needs to
be coated with a soft, sticky gum called resin to make the
string vibrate properly. Changing the speed of bowing
changes the width of vibration which in turn affects the
intensity of the tones.
Violin-smallest and has the highest voice that is
equal to the range of the highest female voice.
Viola- tenor violin that is larger than the violin.
Strings are heavier and thicker.
Violin Cello- tenor base of the violin family. Equal
to the vocal tenor. Playing it by sitting between
your legs and the neck rests to your shoulder.
Five feet tall with a floor rest and spike.
Double Bass- largest and it’s six and a half tall
and has a flat back. It is the bass of the violin
family and played by standing or sitting on a high
stool.
WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS
These are blown by the player and he alters the
pitch of the notes by shortening and lengthening
the column of air vibrating inside the instrument.
He does this by covering and uncovering little
holes with keys work by his fingers .
1. Flute- original shepherd’s pipe. A straight tube 2
feet long with six finger holes and fourteen keys.
It is the soprano of the woodwind.
2. Piccolo- means small in Italian. Highest pitched
orchestral instrument.
3. Oboe- highest sounding of the double reed
instruments. The body is cone-shaped which is
narrowest at the mouthpiece and widest at the
bottom.
4.English Horn- alto of the double reed quartet.
Known as countryman. Has a bell-shaped
mouthpiece and produces melancholia,
suffering and nostalgia.
5.Clarinet- cylindrical instrument with a cupshaped mouthpiece. Two feet long with
holes covered with metal parts.
6. Saxophone- Adolph Sax invented it.
Cross between woodwind and brass and has
a cone shaped body made of brass with its
lower bent into a U-shaped design and upper
end like goose-neck.
BRASS INSTRUMENTS
1. Trumpet- leader and soprano of the brass instrument. Has a
cylindrical body which flares into a bell. The mouthpiece is
shallow and it is a versatile instrument and plays almost all
kinds of melodic signs and running passages.
2. Trombone-has a wide and shallow mouthpiece and uses a slide
to change the length of the tube. Sound is produce by blowing
high with a compressed lips of the player. The lips vibrate as
they are pressed against the mouthpiece.
3. French Horn- designed in curly-eves for decorative purposes. A
twelve feet of conical tube with a funnel-shaped mouthpiece
and a twelve –inch wide bell.
PLUCKED INSTRUMENTS
1. Guitar- invented by Antonio Torres. The classical
guitar has six strings and have a wooden body
which acts as resonator, a round sound hole to let
out of the musical sound.
2. Banjo- a traditional plucked instrument developed
from the native instrument banjar of the African
slaves. Capable of playing syncopated melodies.
3. Ukulele- developed from the Portuguese guitar
called “machete.” It is a favorite instrument of the
natives of Hawaii. It has four strings strummed with
a peak or the fingers.
Percussion instruments
Largest group of musical instruments. They
produced sound in diversified ways by hitting,
striking, banging, shaking, tapping , crashing,
rubbing, clanging, beating and twirling. Also
called battery or kitchen instruments.
1. Bass drums- largest in the drum family. Sound is
produced by beating the drum heads with a soft
beater. It is connected by a lever to a foot pedal
which produces the thumping sound.
2. Snare drum- a two-headed unpitched drum. It got
its name from the snares and rolls produced
when the strings vibrate.
3. Field drum- small horizontal drum like the bass
drum. Used it jazz and pop bands.
4. Tubular bells- row of tubes of different lengths
suspended from a rack. When struck with a small
mallet, a church-like sound is produced.
5. Temple bells- in China, they are in a form of a
chime consisting of 13 bells. Modern China has
16 bells hung into two rows of a frame.
6. Chimes- sets of bells similar to the clock which
sounds every quarter of an hour.
7. Gongs –sometimes called “tom-tom” A large
piece of metal shaped like tin lid. The player
strikes the gong with a large drumstick provided
with a padded head.
KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS
They are usually stringed instruments.
1. Clavichord- oldest in the group date back
to about 1400. Makes a soft musical
sound.
2. Harpsichord- looks like a piano but
doesn’t sound like one. It has a bright
twangy sound and strings are plucked not
hit.
3. Piano- made on the early 1700’s. It
provides a wide range of notes and it is 3
meters long and takes a lot more space.
Electric Guitar- has a solid body. The
vibration of the strings are changed into
electrical signals. Signals sent to the
machine called amplifier, which turn them
back into sound. A loud speaker then picks
up the sound and increases it further.
Special effects are of the amplifier are used
like if a wobbly note is required, the player
presses a pedal known as a vibrator. A fuzzbox produces a whirring sound. A reverb
make an echo and the wah-wah pedal
produces a wailing wah-wah noise.
FAMOUS MUSICIANS
1.
Franz Lizst- he led the awakening of the
country’s musical consciousness. He originated
the idea of establishing national music schools.
2. Johann Sebastian Bach- One of the great
German composer and musicians. He was
considered a musical genius of all time. Some of
his works are the “Goldberg Variations,”
“Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue,” “English
Suites” and his greatest passion is “St. Mathew
Passion.” His church music were his greatest
musical achievements.
3. Ludwig van Beethoven- A German
composer and considered as one of the
greatest composers who ever lived. He
was also called “The Shakespeare of
Music.” His music includes Symphony No.
3 entitled “Erotica”. Symphony No. 5
became a symbol of resistance in Germanoccupied Europe during World War II.
Symphony No. 6 called “Pastoral” reflects
hid love of nature. Symphony No. 9 ,
“Chorale,” was considered as peak of
symphonic music.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart- He was
one of the outstanding Austrian
composers. A master of classical
period and also a musical genius. His
first opera was “La finta
Semplice.”He produced “The
Marriage of Figaro” and “Magic
Flute.”His symphonies were “The
Jupiter” “Requiem Mass” a choral
work which he had written as if in
anticipation to death.
DANCE
It is an expression in rhythmic
movement of an intensified sense of
life. An expressive body movement
usually coordinated into pattern and
adapted to musical accompaniment.,
it is the oldest of the arts reflecting
man’s aged-old need to
communicate joy or grief by using the
most immediate instrument at his
disposal, his body.
KINDS OF DANCES
1.
Communal Dances- members of primitive tribal cultures
invented dance as a magic, a strategy, a method and for
survival. Dance was their way of life.
2.
Ritual Dance- Unlike the communal dance, it is a
conscious dance organized in its design, purpose and
meaning.
3.
Folk Dance- it developed from the racial or regional
memories of older motifs in communal dance.
4.
Social Dance- this dance has a gay and lively character. Its
nature reflected related elements of the respective time
periods-the elaborate and bulk fashions in clothes, the
spacious floor areas of court and places, and the elegance
of the successive periods.
MOVEMENT AND ELEMENTS OF
DANCE
Movement is the medium of dance.
Elements of Movement
Space- It is the area that surrounds us. It is the place where we move
such movements creates patterns and designs.
Time- Dance utilizes time in ways that determine the rhythm, tempo
and duration of movements.
Duration- refers to the length expanded by a movement. Duration to
movement could either be long or short.
Tempo- is the speed of dance either slow or fast or moderate.
Rhythm- beat of the dance. It goes with the beat of the music.
Force- it is the energy which is always present when motion occurs.
ELEMENTS OF DANCE
1.
2.
3.
4.
Theme- an important element that tells of the
messages that the dance is trying to convey.
Movement- it is the action of dancers as they
use their bodies to create otr organize a pattern.
Body movements can be in the form of steps,
gestures of arms and hands, facial expression,
turns and runs.
Techniques- it refers to the skill in executing
movement. A technically proficient dancer has
complete control over the muscle of his body.
Music- it motivates the movements of the
dancers. It also serves as background that
further captivates the spectator.
5. Costume and Props- it enhance the effect
of the dance. They are the visual
elements which are reflective of the
costumes , beliefs, and environment of
the people.
6. Choreography- it refers to the form and
arrangement and organization of dance
steps and movements.
7. Design- it is the plan or organization of
movement in time and space.
8. Scenery- it refers to the setting or
background, the place of action to make
the dance more realistic and beautiful.
Philippine Folk Dances
1.
Binasuan- originated in Pangasinan Province “meaning
with the use of drinking glasses, this vibrant dance
basically shows off balancing skill of performers. Glasses
filled with rice wine are placed on the head and on each
hand carefully maneuvered with graceful movements.
2.
Rigodon- originated from Spain, this dance is commonly
performed at formal affairs like inaugural balls where
prominent members of the government participate and
enjoy.
3.
Pandanggo sa Ilaw- comes from the Spanish word
“fandango” characterized with lively teps and clapping
while following a varying ¾ beat. It requires excellent
balancing skill to maintain the stabiltiy of three tinggoy, otr
oil lamps, placed on the headand at he back of each
hand.It originated in Lubang Island, Mindoro.
4. Sublian- the term came from two tagalog words “subsub”
meaning falling on head and “bali” which means broken. A
ritual dance of the natives of Bauan, Batangas, which is
shown during fiestas as a ceremonial worship dance to the
dance to the town’s icon, the holy cross.
5. Kuratsa- commonly performed during fiestas in Bohol and
other Visayan towns, this dance portrays a young playful
couple’s attempt to get each other’s attention. It is
performed in a moderate waltz style.
6. Itik-Itik- an Imitation of the movements of “itik” or a duck, as it
walks with choppy steps and splashes water on its back
while attracting its mate. Originated from Surigao del Norte.
7. Tinikling- considered the national folkdance with a pair of
dancers hopping between two bamboo poles held just above
the ground and struck together in time to music. Originated
from Leyte Province.
8. Maglalatik- originally performed in Binan, Laguna as a mockwar dance that demonstrate a fight between the Moros and the
Christians over the prized latik or coconut meat during the
Spanish rule, and also shown to pay tribute to the town’s
patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.
9. Maria Clara- the dance is a mix of Spanish gracefulness and
customized native props, such as bamboo castanets and
Asian fan.Female dancers wear Maria Clara dress that typifies
the European style while men are in Barong Tagalog,
10. Carinosa- is a word that describes an affectionate, friendly
and lovable woman. It is performed in flirtatious manner with
fans and handkerchiefs to assist the dancers’ hide-and-seek
movements.
11. Sakuting- Originated in Abra, this dance interprets a mock
fight between Ilokano Christians and non-Chrisitans with
training sticks as props. It is traditionallyperformed during
Christmas at the town plaza or from house-to-house as a
caroling show.
12. Dugso- Bukidnon, A thanksgiving dance from the talaindig
tribe.
13. Pangalay- from Zamboanga del Sur . A Muslim dance
originally performed by wealthy families during a wedding
ceremony, this fingernail dance is a now a popular festival
in Sulu.
14. Ati-Atihan Festival- Originated from Kalibo, Aklan. Every
third week of January, the town of Kalibo breaks into frenzy
of sound, beating of drums, cans, coconuts, and blowing of
whistles as accompanied by people and the celebrants
shouting “Hala Bira.”
15. Obando Dance- named after a town in Bulacan, is a dance
of rural Philippines, attire of the native “Balintawak” and
“salakot” for the ladies and “barong Tagalog and “buntan
hat” for the gentlemen.
16. Kapil sa Munsala- a dance of the Maranaw showing the art
of dancing with handkerchief.
17. Mangi-ngisda. - meaning fisherman that depicts
a fishing sequence in song and dance.
18. Bilaan- depicts the lively, simple movements of
birds inflight and as they preen themselves,
beautifully portray tribal maidens. Costumes were
worn typical of the ethnic tribe Bilaan from
Cotabato.
19. Binanogbanog Dance- a dance in imitation of the
hawk which is held in reverence to the bird so as
not to do harm in their community.
20. Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko- a couple is
showing-off their skills while dancing on top of a
narrow bench.
21. Jota Cavitena- a dance that show a strong Spanish
influence. Costumes are elaborately embroidered “Maria
Clara” and “barong Tagalog.” Castanets fashioned from
bamboo provide clacking sounds adding to lilting sound.
22. The Ifugao Dance- depicts mountain tribes of the
Philippines dancing to the sound of the “gangsa.” (Brass
Gong)
23. La Simpatika- literally means charming and lovable. This is
the story of beautiful, gracious maiden who is desired by
many young men in the village. She dances with each one
and finally makes her choice, leaving the three others
broken-hearted.
24. Banga- literally means claypot, used as water or food
container. These claypots are balanced on the head by the
Igorot women as they wind up and down the mountain trail.
25. Sua-Sua Dance- a dance from Jolo. It is a
courtship dance of the lover to his lady love
accompanied by a song, comparing her to the
delicate little white blossoms or the pomelo.
26. Pagdiwata Dance- originated from the Tagbanua
tribes of Palawan which depicts rituals after a rice
harvest. The rice are held as part of an appeal for
continued protection.
27. Singkil- a famous dance from Mindanao. The
Princess, the prince and their retinue, in a pose for
singkil. An intricate dance where the dancer’s feet
dart precautiously in and out of a complicated
pattern of clacking of bamboo poles.
BALLROOM DANCES
1.
Country dance or square dance- It is an English dance of
folklike character. Two facing lines, one of men and the
other of women, perform a great variety of movements
desired from more specific dance types. It became
Europe’s favorite dance.
2.
Rigaudon – it was derived from the riguletto, An Italian
round dance. A French Provencal dance of a quick duple
meter with an eight note upbeat. It is a serious or comic
dance. In Spain the quadrille is also the rigaudon.
3.
Cotillon- The name came from the French word “petticot”.
It originated in France and spread out to England and
America. As variety of steps and figures were executed by
the leading couple to music of almost any type, either in
duple or triple meter and imitated by other dances.
4. Fandanggo- It is a Spanish dance accompanied
by characteristics castanets rhythms and guitars. It
was originally a vocal dance and expresses
amorous passion.
5. Quadrille- it is performed in a square in which two
or four couples dance opposite each other. It
derived from the country dance and originally
contained five figures derived from that source.
6. Cha-Cha- It was introduced to the US by a group
of tourists. It is in the form of mambo to a rumba
beat by the Cuban Orchestra America. The basic
beat consist of slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, the
last three beats corresponding to the nonsense
syllables “cha-cha-cha.”
7. Charleston- it is a modern dance of the jitterbug variety which
originated in Charleston. The rhythm is sharply accentricated
and the dancers place special emphasis on the syncopated
upbeat. They twist the balls of their feet inward and outward,
creating hazardous side steps.
8. Conga- It is a contemporary Cuban dance. Its rhythm is
march-like, but in every measure the second beat is
anticipated by a sixteenth note.
9. Mambo- An American social dance derived from the rumba.
The dance begin with a hip swat.
10. Rumba- it is a contemporary Cuban dance of Negro origin.
It is in the square time, the rhythm vary in every bar and in
characterized by syncopation and indefinite repetitions.
11. Samba- a Brazilian dance in duple meter.
THEATRE
The word theatre came from the Greek word “theatron” which
means “seeing place.” It is a place where something is seen.
And the companion of term drama comes from the Greek
word “dran” which means “to do.” It is something done, an
action. Thus, theatre; something is seen, something is done.
An action is witnessed.
Both theatre and drama are general terms but have distinct
meanings. Theatre often denotes the elements of the whole
theatrical production and drama, a more limited term, tends
to refer mainly to the plays produced in such a “theatrical
environment. To use a modern metaphor, theatre is the
“hardware” of a play production, and drama is the
“software.” This reflects on the words’ separate
etymologies: theatre is that which “is seen” and drama is
that which “is done.”
ELEMENTS OF THEATRE
There are several works and distinctions in theater that are
generally divisible into a number of crafts:
PRODUCING-which includes securing all necessary personnel,
space and financing; supervising all production and
promotional efforts; fielding all legal matters; and distributing
all proceeds derived from receipts.
DIRECTING- which includes controlling and developing the
artistic product and providing it with unified vision,
coordinating all its components, and supervising all
rehearsals. The director blends all production elements to
produce a certain effect of powerful ensemble.
ACTING- in which actors perform roles of characters in a play.
Most fundamental in theatre.
DESIGNING- in which designers map out the visual and audio
elements of a production, including the scenery, properties,
costumes, and wigs, make-up, lighting. Sound concepts,
programs, advertising, and general ambience of the premises.
BUILDING- in which carpenters, costumers, wigmakers,
electricians, makeup artists, recording and sound engineers,
painters, and a host of other specially designated craftspeople
translate the design into reality by constructing and finishing in
detail the “hardware” of the show.
CREWING- in which technicians execute in proper sequence and
with carefully rehearsed timing the light and sound cues and
shifting of scenery, as well as oversee the placement and return
of properties and the assignment, laundering, repair, and
changes of costumes.
STAGE MANAGING- which includes the responsibility
for running a play productions in all its complexity in
performance after performance. The stage
manager is said to be the official time keeper of the
production.
HOUSE MANAGING- which includes the
responsibility for admitting, seating, and providing
for the general comfort of the audience.
PLAYWRITING- which is a class by itself, which
involves the drafting and stitching of story and
themes that would give life in theatre. The script is
the skeleton of the play.
SOURCES AND ORIGINS OF
THEATRE
Drama is probably a more recent art than painting or
singing because of its complexity: it is an activity
that requires many people with different skills, all
working together- not ot mention the large group of
people who gather at one place and at one time to
witness it.
a. Storytelling- here the public is relating daily
adventures, stories of the hunt and conquest, and
histories of the family and the tribe. Storytelling
soon developed the elements of character
impersonation; specifically, the imitation of voices,
gestures, and facial expressions and more
important, the imitation or representations of
emotions.
b. Ritual- this is a ceremonial act
performed for religious or cultural
reasons, either to summon gods and
influence nature (as with rain dances
or healing ceremonies) or to dignify
and memorialize an important social,
political, or mythic event. This
normally involves elements of stagingcostume, music, formalized speech,
and props-often with totemic
properties crucial to stage events.
THEATRE IN ASIA
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Khon-mask-theatre of Thailand
Wayang Wong- the dance-drama of Java
Kamyonguk-mask-dance theatre of Korea
Xiqu- the Chinese opera
Sanskrit- the dance theatre of India
Kathakali- the story play of India
No- most revered and cerebral mask theatre of
Japan
Kabuki- the most popular theatre of Japan
Bunraku- the puppet theatre of Japan
THREE STAGES FORMATS
1. PROSCENIUM STAGE- the
audience are seated in front of the
actors. It is the most popular format
because it is easy to block actors.
Acting Area
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2. THE ARENA STAGE- the audience
were seated intimately around the
acting area. This format requires wise
planning and professionalism in
acting because the actors are seen in
all angles while on stage.
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Acting Area
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3. THRUST STAGE- this stage is
featured with an extension wherein
the audience can be seated in front or
within the extended portion of the
stage.
Acting Area
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9 Dimensions of the Stage
Upper Right
Upper Center
Upper Left
Middle Right
Center Stage
Middle Left
Down Right
Down Center
Down Left
THEATRE JARGONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Traveler- the curtain that opens and closes before and
after the production.
House- the place where the audience are seated.
4th wall- that imaginary wall that separates from the actors
from the audience.
Lull- the moment of silence or air gap in theatre.
Adlib- an unrehearsed act of line done and uttered while
the production is going on.
Flag Lights- these are the lights placed above and over
the stage and acting area.
Flood Lights- light placed on stage at the flooring.
Acting Area- the are wherein all theatrical acts take place.
More popularly known as the stage.
Set Prop- the props that can be found or placed in the set.
10. Hand props- the props that are held by the actor while
acting.
11. Breakaway Prop- the prop that is intended to be broken
while on stage.
12. Spike marks- the markings on stage usually represented by
masking tapes or small (x) mark.
13. Curtain Call- the moment wherein all actors will bow on
stage for recognition.
14. Company Call- this is how the director calls the production
meeting.
15. Blocking- the positioning of actors on stage.
16. Stage Business- the act that actors do while waiting for their
lines.
17. Improvisational acting- this is unrehearsed and unscripted
acting like the one being done whenever auditions.
18. Scene Transition- popularly known as “lights-off”
wherein the actors prepares for the next scene.
19. Quick Change- the costume change of actors.
20. Break-a-leg- means “good –luck.” Usually said
before the start of the show.
21. House Lights- the lights that illuminates the place
of the audience.
22. Open House- this is the moment wherein the
theatre is formally opened for the audience’s
entrance.
23. House music/ overture- the music being played
before the start of the show.
24. Wings- the entry and exit points of the actors.
25. Catwalk- the ceiling part of the stage wherein actors and
crews can occupy to produce an effect. Ex. Confetti falling
from the ceiling
26. Run- this is the actual performance of the play.
27. 2nd show Syndrome- a belief in theatre wherein they say
that the second show is always the worst among the runs
because many mistakes and technical difficulties take place.
However, no one has proven such belief.
28. Prompter- the man who usually follows the script while the
run. He usually cues the actors if ever they forgot their lines.
29. Company Prayer- the prayer lead by the director usually at
the backstage before the play starts.
30. Follow Spot- this is the manually held lighting equipment
that follows and illuminates that actors while on stage.