The Elements of Dance

What is the purpose of dance?

• First, think of the purpose
of paintings, short stories,
poems, etc.
• The purpose of dance, like
all art forms, is to convey a
message or to present an
idea for a particular
purpose.
The Elements of Dance
The elements of dance are
tools that allow
choreographers and
performers to bring their
visions to fruition.
Space
These spatial designs are an integral part of dance,
giving dancers a purposeful reason for moving.

•Space is where the

body moves.
• As dancers move
through space, their
bodies create
patterns on the
floor and in the air.
Space: The Body

• The Body is the

instrument of dance.
• Just as a painter paints
with a brush, in dance it is
through the body that
movements appear.
Space: The Body

Whole Body
Body parts—head, arms, knees, etc.
Body zones—body areas of front,
back, left side, and right side
Body bases—whatever supports the
rest of the body; for example, when
kneeling the base is the knees
Space: Personal
Personal space is also
called kinesphere. Personal
space is reached while
stationary.
Space: General

General Space is the

space shared by all.
It reaches beyond
personal space.
Space: Locomotor
Walk: One foot is always in contact with the floor.
Run: Neither foot is on the ground at some point in the
movement.
Hop: A transfer of weight by a springing from one foot
to the same foot.
Space: Locomotor
Leap: Like a run, but you stay in the air longer.
Skip: A skip is a combination of a step and a hop on the
same foot, so the leading foot alternates.
Gallop: A combination of a step and leap so that the
same foot is always leading.
Slide: A close sideward step, with the same foot always
leading.
Space: Non-Locomotor: Movement in One Place

Balance: move all body parts away from its center

Bend: closing up at body joints
Stretch: opening up a body joints
Push: bending or stretching with illusion of resistance.
Swing and Sway: a shifting or weight right to the point
of falling, and a controlled shifting of weight.
Space: Shape
Shape is the design of the
body’s position.
Aspects of shape are
open/closed;
symmetrical/asymmetrical;
angular/curved
Space: Directions, Pathways, and Focus

• Directions are forward, backward, sideways, up, and

down.
• Pathways are the straight and curved designs made in
the air or on the floor by the person’s movement.
• Focus is where the eyes are directed.
Force/Energy

• Force/Energy describes
the muscular tension
used to move.
Force/Energy
• Tension: feels hard and
tight
• Release: feels soft and
loose
• Free flow: When energy is
released freely (Jazz)
• Bound flow: When
energy release is
controlled (ballet)
Time
• Beat: The underlying pulse
• Even rhythm: movements of equal duration
• Uneven rhythm: movements of unequal duration
• Tempo: slow to fast
• Duration: The length of time the movement lasts