Choreography Key #2 - Dance Forms

Creating a Dance Choreography incorporates movement concepts that give it texture which in turn gives it increased visual appeal.  People are attracted to interesting movement. We need to keep the interest of the people watching in order for them to get the idea, message and ministry that is being conveyed.  There are many ways to give texture and variety to your dance;

Dance Forms
1.     The definition of dance forms is the organization or plan for patterning movement; the overall structural organization of a dance or music composition. Below are the different forms that can be utilized in a dance ministry:

     a. Theme and Variations – main steps and the others are variations of those same steps.
     b.     AB form. A two-part compositional form with an A theme and a B theme. The binary form consists of two distinct, self-contained sections that share either a character or quality (such as the same tempo).                                                                                                      
     c.      ABA form. 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.
     d.     Rondo  - ABACADAEAFA - where the first section is followed by a different section each time.
     e.     Call and response – first group or person leads and second group repeats or answers with a response. This can be a repeat of the Call or a different response. 
     f.       Suite – a multi part movement with a Moderate beginning, slow second part, fast third part or a combination of those sections. 
     g.     Canon/Round - A passage, movement sequence, or piece of music in which the parts are done in succession, overlapping one another, like Row, Row, Row your boat.
     h.     Interrelationships  - of movements within the overall structure.Connection between multiple people or groups or parts of a system among other people, people or groups.

2.     Entrances and exits - Gives the audience a beginning and ending for the dance which serves as a finished product and a complete story.
      a. All enter from one side before or after music begins..
      b. Divided to  enter from right or left of the stage.
      c. Divided to enter from all points of the stage.
      d. Placed onstage in a pose before the music starts. 
      e. All leave at the same time.
      f. All leave at different times.
      g. Divided leaving at separate times.
      h. Posed onstage at the end of the dance. 

3.     Levels  - High,  Medium,  Low (and 5 other levels that are derived from these levels)
                   a.   Low level
                         i.   Prostrate – lying down flat on the floor -  lowest you can possible go –                                       position of humility
                  ii.  Any position where you are resting on your legs but not flat on the floor –                            position of submission                                                                                                                              iii.  Lifted up on the knees, not off of the floor position of surrender

               b.   Medium level
                       i.    Deep plie’ - position of yielding, any position we are bending at the knees
                      ii.    Flat feet on the floor – position of restoration any position were you are                                     standing straight with your feet are flat on the floor. 

                 c.    High level
                      i.      Releve` or eleve` were heels are lifted off of the floor – position of seeking
                     ii.      Rejoicing – jumps, hops, leaps
                     iii.     Position of ascension – balancing your weight on something or someone                                 else.

4.     Beginning, Middle and an End.  -  For clarity, your dances should have all three (3). This         presents a complete dance. 

5.     Narrative – gives the theme, tells the story interprets and moves it along.

6.     Collage – pieces of movement that are unrelated but are brought together to create a           dance.  It may seem disconnected and needs to have a point of focus to make sense.




Continued in tomorrows KK#3