DANCE AS AN ART 2.

Timing – movement in timing may be executed in varying tempo

(speed). Performs move with the tempo of an underlying sound,
Dance is a rhythmic and expressive movement of the body in successive movement known as beat or pulse.
usually accompanied by music. It has been said to be the mother of the arts, for it’s the 3. Dance energies – movement propelled by energy or force. A force
oldest of the art which actually reflects man’s age old need to communicate different can either initiate or stop an action.
emotions such as joy, grief, excitement and others.
6 Qualities of dance energies:
Dance simply started as man’s own life for almost all occasions, in whatever aspects, as 1. Sustained – movements are done smoothly,
birth, death, healing of the sick, asking for forgiveness, war, marriage – were celebrated continuously, and with flow and control.
by dancing. There are dances that express thankfulness for a good harvest, in celebration 2. Percussive – movements are explosive or sharp in
of religious festivities, or just a mere pleasurable expression of the body. It uniquely contrast with sustained movements.
intensifies different moods and emotions that somehow deepen everybody’s feelings. 3. Vibratory – movements consist of trembling or
shaking. A faster version of percussive movements
that produce a jittery effect.
4. Swinging – movements trace a curved line or arc in
WHY PEOPLE DANCE space.
5. Suspended – movements are perched in space or
 It has been used in worship hanging on air.
 It plays a role in courtship 6. Collapsing – movements are released in tension
and gradually or abruptly giving in to gravity, letting
 It serves as a form of acquaintance for a man and a woman.
the body descend to the floor. A slow collapse can be
 It is an expression of the joy one feels.
described as a melting or oozing action in a
 It brings victory or somehow restores health to life.
downward direction.
 It even breaks the monotony of daily activities. 4. Bodily shapes – refers to how the entire body is molded in space or
 It serves to entertain others. the configuration of the body parts. The body can be rounded,
 It gives beauty and inspiration to others. angular, or a combination of two. They can be symmetrical and
 It provides personal and effectiveness of communication. asymmetrical.

SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THE DANCE AS A FORM  Symmetrical – balanced shape, movements are
identical or similar on both sides.
Two kinds of movement
 Asymmetrical – unbalanced shape; movements of two
1. Movement within the body which includes the hand and arms. sides of the body do not match or completely different
2. Movement from one space to another. from each other.

FEATURES OF DANCE ELEMENTS OF DANCE: BODILY SHAPES

1. Music- it is closely related to dance for it plays a significant role in it. It is “Asymmetrical, rounded group shape”
used as accompaniment that somehow motivates the dancer’s movement.
2. Movement – it refers to the action of dances with the use of their bodies
to create organized patterns.
3. Theme – it pertains to the content or main ingredient of the dance. It Kinds of dance
actually conveys the message of the dance.
4. Techniques – it refers to the skill in executing movement. As a dancer, 1. Ethnological dance – this is a dance that is indigenous to a certain race
one needs to have a complete control over the muscles of his body for him in hymns of praise to a god, or to bring good fortune in peace and war.
to be said technically proficient. They are symbolic in meaning that they can’t be understood easily by
5. Design – it refers to the arrangement of movements according to pattern persons who don’t belong to the ethnic group.
in time (either fast or slow) and space (one’s position in relation to his 2. Social dance – these are popular type of dancing for pleasure as generally
background). performed by pairs or group of people following a definite step or pattern.
6. Properties and Costume – these contributes to the visual effect of Most of these have specific rhythms and coordinated with the movement
dance. The costumes can somehow relate closely to the beliefs and and steps of the body, hand foot and head.
environment of people. a. Ballroom dance – it actually originated as square
dance which was followed by waltz, tango, foxtrot,
ELEMENTS OF DANCE swing, etc.
b. Folk dance – it usually derived from ethnic dances.
1. Space – the area the performers occupy and where they move. It People all over the world have their own folk dances as
can be divided into four different aspects, also known as spatial distinct to their specific culture.
elements. 3. Modern dance – a term to describe contemporary dance. A style of
a. Direction – dance movements can travel in any dancing where dancers are free to express their feeling through movements
direction. without adhering to any rules in dance particularly that of ballet.
b. Size – movements can be varied by doing larger or
smaller actions.
c. Level – movements can be done in a high, medium, or
low level.
d. Focus – performers may change their focus by looking
at different directions.
FUNDAMENTAL POSITIONS OF ARMS AND FEET

POSITIONS ARMS FEET

Arms encircled in front at chest level, relaxed, Feet close and heels parallel, touching toes at
First
fingers slightly apart 45 degrees

Arms raised sideways a little below shoulder

Second Open parallel stride sideward
level

One arm encircles overhead and the other Feet close-crossed. Heel in-step touching,
Third
raised sideways knees locked

One arm encircles like in first position; the

Fourth Feet open-crossed
other arm overhead

Fifth Both arms overhead Feet close-toes

 PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE
Folk dance
- Are the indigenous dances of any specific “folk” or the
common people. They are traditional customary or
recreational dance forms of a given country which have
naturally and were handed down across generations.
- Are related to everything of importance in our daily lives,
such as customs, rituals, and occupations of a specific group
of people
- Defined Philippine folk dance as a “traditional mode of
expression that employs bodily movements of redundant
linked to definitive features of rhythmic beats or music”
(Lopez, 2006)
CHARACTERISTICS OF FOLK DANCE
1. It is traditional
2. It has an expressive behavior
3. Simple, basic rhythm dominates the folk dance and
establishes the pattern of movement
4. It is created by an unknown choreographer or by communal
efforts
5. It performs a function in the life of the (folk) people.
What are the differences between folk, national, and ethnic
dance?
- Folk dances are traditional dances found in a certain
country while national dances are also traditional folk
dances but have a national scope. They are popular and
widely dances throughout a given country, often with a
number of regional variations.
- Francisca Reyes- Aquino- she is a Bulakeña, the first
National Artist for Dance and Mother of Philippine Folk
Dance. Acknowledged as the pioneer of folk dancing in the
Philippines.
- 1920- started to research on folk dances, making trips to
remote barrios in Central and Northern Luzon
CLASSIFICATIONS OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
1. Life- Cycle dances
- Dances that serve as ritual as one passes to a different stage
in life such as from birth to childhood to adulthood; from
singlehood to marriage; ad from life to death.
Different dances that portray life cycle:
 Courtship dance- are dances that depict making or/are dances
with love themes.
Example: Hele Hele bago Quiere, Lulay,
Maramion, Rogelia
 Wedding Dances- are performed by newlyweds, by friends,
relatives of the bride and groom or by the father of the bride and
mother of the groom.
Example:
 Pandang- Pandang- bride and groom
and friends or relatives of each side.
 Soryano- dance by the parents pf the
future groom, the visit of the parents of
the bride
 Pantomina- bride and groom
2. Festival Dances- Performed in connection with celebration a
feast, a barrio, fiesta, good harvest, and good future.
Example: La Jota, Putong
3. Occupational Dances- Are dances that depict actions
characterizing occupation industries and phases of human labor.
Example:
 Pabirik-depicts the different stages of gold
panning
 Mananguete- tuba gatherer
 Rice Festival- has the largest number of dances
(Magtatanim, Paggapas, Paggiik, Pahangin,
Pababayo, Pagtatahip)
4. Religious or Ceremonial Dances- Are performed in
connection with religious vows, practices and ceremonies. A
religious dance maybe performed to drive away evil spirits and for
having recovered from sickness, favors granted and vows fulfilled.
Example:
Sinurog, Obando, Dugso
5. Game Dances- Are dances that have some play elements and are
recreational purposes.
Example:
Pabo, Lubi-Lubi, Sinenalan, Gayong-gayong
6. Comic dances- Are dances with funny and humorous
movements mainly intended for entertainment
Example:
 Makonggo- movements of monkey
 Kinoton- imitates the movements of person bitten
by ants
7. War dances- are intended to show imaginary combat or duel
with the use of fighting implements like bolo or spear.
Example:
Sagayan, Inabaknon
8. Social dances- are dances danced during social gathering
Example:
Rigodon, Lanceros
ETHNIC DANCE
Ethnic dances or ethnological dances are those performed in
primitive tribes and have retained their close kinship with religious
ritual and community custom. These dances may “require a certain
level of special performing skills” (Kraus, 1962)
TYPES OF ETHNIC DANCES
 Ritual Dances- dances that depict ritual ceremonies.
Example: Dugso (Bukidnon) and Pagdiwata (Palawan)
 Life-cycle dances- dances relating to the cycle of human life
such as birthing, courtship, wedding, and funeral.
Example: Binasuan (Pangasinan) and Daling-daling(Muslim
courthipdance from Sulu)
 Occupational Dances- dances that exhibit and occupation of
the dancers.
Example: Mag-asik (Cotabato) and Mananagat (Cebu)
THREE MAJOR REGIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF
PHILLIPINE FOLK DANCES
 Tribal dances from the Cordilleras- include the non-
Catholic dances from the Cordilleras
 Lowland Christian dances- dances coming from places with
Western influences such as that of the Tagalogs, Ilokanos,
Pampangueños, Pangasinense, Bisayans, and Bicolanas. These
dances are influences by Hispanic, and European cultures.
 Muslim dances- dances from the people of the Southern Islands
of the Philippines such as in Mindanao and Sulu. These dances
are influences by Arabic and Indo-Malayan cultures