LESSON 1: DEFINITION, IMPORTANCE AND ELEMENTS OF DANCE
CHAPTER 1
Dance one of the oldest of the arts.
- is the movement of the body in a rhythmical manner usually accompanied with music within a given
space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy or taking delight in the
movement itself.
- is also considered as a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequence of human
movement. It is an art that uses non-verbal movement in an ordinary way to create a form, order, or
statement, a movement that transcends function and becomes communication.
Importance of Dance
1. Builds Confidence – dance is a great way to connect emotionally with an audience and other people.
Expression, smiling, and reflection will be promoted. This creates a health
environment in which students can express their feelings in a productive manner,
while learning to control their emotions.
2. Health – dance provides the necessary daily physical fitness recommendations of most health care
professionals. Promoting physical fitness creates an excellent foundation for future lifelong
health
and fitness.
3. Social Involvement – dance enable one to meet new friends. As a result of working on team, partner,
and
solo performances, one can develop comfort in working independently, a taste of
healthy competition and aspiration from peers.
4. Fund Activity and Relaxation – the number rule to dancing is to find joy and fun in what we are doing.
Dancers will feel the freedom of expression, meet new friends and reap
the
rewards of dancing.
5. Creativity and Imagination – dancers will work on creating shapes and movements through
imagination
and exploration. This is beneficial to all aspects of life, creating endless
opportunities for future development.
Elements of Dance
a. Space – the area covered by the dance movements (this includes shape, level, directions, and
pathways)
 Directions - forward, backward, sideways up, down, etc.
 Level – the distance from the floor (high, medium, low)
 Pathways – patterns that the body makes as it moves through space or on the floor (diagonal,
zigzag,
circle, etc.)
 Shape – the design of the body as it exists in space.
b. Time – how fast or slow (tempo); even or uneven beat and long or short (duration) the movement is
rhythm,
freezes, acceleration/deceleration.
c. Energy – quality, force, effort
d. Body – zones of the body, shapes, base
e. Action – locomotor and non-locomotor movements
CHAPTER 2
CLASSIFICATION OF DANCES
Folk Dance – a dance developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a certain country or region.
Ritual
dances are usually called “RELIGIOUS DANCES” because of their purpose. The terms
“ETHNIC”
and “TRADITIONAL” are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance.
- a dance that tells much about a country and its people. They relate or show the traditions,
ideas,
superstitions and events of daily living of countries all over the world.
- a type of dance that is vernacular, usually recreational, expression of a past or present culture.
Francisca Reyes Aquino – is the legendary “Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing”. It was her dream to
promote the
teaching of folk dances in the physical education curriculum of the Philippine
Schools.
Dr. Reyes Aquino received the “Philippine Republic Award Merit” for her untiring
efforts
in collecting, compiling, and propagating folk dances, and for her outstanding
contribution to the advancement of Filipino culture in the field of dance.
- she founded the “Philippine Folk Dance Society” to bring together Physical
Education
students, teachers, administrators and individuals interested in folk dancing.
Classification of Folk Dances
a. Geographical Classification
1. National Dances – found throughout the islands with little or no modification.
Ex. Rigodon, Cariñosa, Jota, Balitaw, Pandanggo
2. Local Dances – found in a certain locality
Ex. Tinikling – Leyte
Maglalatik – Binyang
Subli – Batangas
Biniganbigat – Abra
b. Nature
1. Occupational – depicting action of certain occupation, industry, or human labor.
Ex. Planting, Harvesting, Pounding, Winnowing, Pabirik, Mananguete
2. Religious or Ceremonial – performed in connection with religious vows and ceremonies.
Ex. Dugsu, Sua-sua, Putong, Sta. Clarang Pinung-pino
3. Comic Dances – depicting funny movements for entertainment.
Ex. Kimbo-kimbo, Mokonggo, Kinoton, Itik-itik
4. Game Dances – with play elements (dance mixers)
Ex. Lubi-lubi, Pavo
5. Wedding Dances – performed during wedding feasts.
Ex. Panasahan, Pantomina
6. Courtship Dances – depicting love making
Ex. Tadek-Daling-daling, Hele-hele, Bago Quiere, Maramion
7. Festival Dances - suitable for special occasion or any social gatherings.
Ex. Pandanggo, Habanera, Jota, Surtido
8. War Dances – showing imaginary combat or duel.
Ex. Maglalatik, Sagayan, Palu-palo
c. Movements
1. Active (fast energetic movements)
Ex. Tinikling, Maglalatik, Sakuting, Polkabal
2. Moderate
Ex. Cariñosa, Tgala, Purpuri, Habanera
3. Slow
Ex. Pasakat, AmorosaTiliday, Kundiman
4. Slow and Fast
Ex. Putritos, Ba-Ingles, Habanera Botolena, Alcamfor
d. Formation
1. Square Quadrille
Ex. Rigido, Los Bailes de Ayer
2. Long Formation (two or more parallel lines)
Ex. Lulay, Sakuting
3. Set – consisting of two or more pairs as a unit, partners facing each other or standing side by side.
Ex. Binadyong , Haplik, Kakawati
e. Special Classification
These are group dances that have special distinctive features.
1. Dances with Songs
Ex. Abaruray, Manag Biday, Lulay, Rogelia, Lawiswis Kawayan
2. Old Ballroom Dances
Ex. Polka, Mazurka, Chotis, Valse
3. Dances with Implements
Ex. Maglalatik, Sakuting, La Jota Moncadena, Tinikling, Salakot
4. Dances of Combined Rhythm
Ex. Surtido, Pantomina, Los Bayles de Ayer
Types of Philippine Folk Dances
Type
Maria Clara
Dance
Rural Dance
Muslim Dance
Tribal Dances
Origin
Luzon
and
Visayas
Description
Named after the chief
female character of Jose
Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere;
Spanish influence
“Filipinized” by the use of
bamboo castanets and
banico.
Luzon
Dances illustrate the fiesta
spirit and love of life; best
known type of Filipino
dance. Dance attire girls –
colorful balintawak and
patadyong skirts, boys –
camisa de chino and
colored trousers.
Southern Characterized by vivid
Mindanao colors and rhythmic
movements which reflect
the influence of arabian and
indo – Malaysian cultures.
Mindanao Tribal dances performed
essential ‘for the gods
“ceremonial and ritual
type dances”.
Example
La Jota, Paseo de
Iloilo
Binasuan, Tinikling
Singkil, Vinta
Udol, Mandaya
Cordillera Dance
Northern
Luzon
Dances to celebrate
Uya-uy
victories, festivals, religious
rituals, thanksgiving, etc.;
musical instruments include
nose flute, bamboo guitar,
drums and wooden sticks.
LESSON 2: FUNDAMENTAL ARM AND FEET POSITIONS
CHAPTER 1
Feet Position
1st. Position – heels close together, toes
apart making an angle of about 45 degrees
2nd. Position – feet apart sideward of about
a foot apart.
3rd. Position – heel of one foot close to the
in – step of the other foot.
4th. Position – one foot in front of the other
obliquely forward
5th. Position – hell of one foot close to the
big toes of the rear foot.
Arms Position
1st. Position – arms raised in circle in
front of the chest with fingertips about an
inch apart.
2nd. Position – arms raised sideward with
a graceful curve a little below shoulder
level.
3rd. Position – arm raised as 2nd.
position, other arm raised overhead.
4th. Position – one arm raised in front of
the chest in a half circle, other arm raised
overhead.
5th. Position – both arms are raised
overhead.
Other Arms Position
1. Amplified – more open positions
on 1st. or 5th. positions.
2. Lateral – both arms raised at one
side parallel to each other.
3. Hayon-hayon – one arm bent in
front at waist level. The other bent
behind at waist level as well.
4. “T” Position – both arms raised
at sides and bent at the elbows so
that the upper arms are at
shoulder level.
5. Reverse “T” Position – both
arms at sides and bent at the
elbows so that the forearms are
parallel to the head, palms facing
inward.