Elements of Dance

Dancing is a expression of feelings. it is a rhythmic physical movement tuned or timed to a melody. dancing is both an art and a form of recreation

Dance consists of a succession or arrangement of steps and rhythmic movements to a musical and or rhythmic accompaniment

1. as entertainment
2. as part of rituals
3. as an expression of inner thoughts

the ancient times dancing and singing and playing instrument went to gather as a part of ritual ceremonies. Mating and courtship dances serve as a means of communication

The primitive way of dancing started from stamping of foot on the ground

all activities were associated with dance like war dance, planting and harvest and fishing, courtship and wedding dance

Reasons why dance occur

1. religious reason - dance is treated like a prayer for good harvest and fertility of crops
2. recreational reason - dancing for fun and it releases energy and expresses joy

The elements of dance

1. content (theme) - provides a unifying element to the movement of the dancers. It attempts to tell a story and evoke
emotions like acting drama literature, instead of using dialogues body and movement are shown to achieve intention
2. movement -  the basic of element of dance. it means by which the dancers can externalize an inner state or condition \ then communicate with an audience.
movement can be slow or fast they may be accelerated or retard

movements of dancers occurs in space and the path of dancers make pattern of line which could straight of curve

3. music -  music is the real partner to dance. dance without music has no life at all it s an aid to the rhythmic movement
and goes the strong physical and emotional outcome, music and dance has similar role to play. it may function
as background to set the mood

4. spectacle - the sequence of movement and music creates a kind of spell in audience. the scenery and costumes add to the 
creation of the spell. A background or setting is provided by having decorations at the stage that is suitable to the dance

dance has many forms primitive, ritual, folkdance, balletm modern dance, and others

primitive - communicates to the supernatural powers

ritual - reaches mytical condition

folk dance - reflect recreational activities of a place

ballet - acts a story or idea expressed


modern dance - expresses natural movement