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Types of Dances: Objectives
Types of Dances: Objectives
Objectives_________________________________________________________
By the end of this module students will have completed the following
objectives:
To do List:___________________________________________
Watch video
Assignment 1:1
Quiz 1
Lectures/Discussions/Video: ___________________________
Dance, the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to
music and within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an
idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the
movement itself.
Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse
channeled by skillful performers into something that becomes
intensely expressive and that may delight spectators who feel no
wish to dance themselves. These two concepts of the art of dance
—dance as a powerful impulse and dance as a skillfully
choreographed art practiced largely by a professional few—are the
two most important connecting ideas running through any consideration of the subject.
In dance, the connection between the two concepts is stronger than in some other arts,
and neither can exist without the other.
Types of Dances
Popular couple dances without set patterns are classified as social and ballroom
dances. Most social dances are characterized by the man leading and the woman
partner following whatever steps, styling, and rhythmic variations he chooses and
indicates.
Social dances are usually done to introduce people with one another during a
formal social gathering or to welcome guests to a social gathering. Many of the social
dances like polka and mazurka started as folk dances while some were deliberately
designed for its social purpose, such as the waltz, regoudon and polonaise (Nimor,
2006). Social dancing is believed to had existed since the beginning of human society in
some forms.
Ballroom dancing has lots of benefits for young people. It is less threatening to
their young developing bodies compared to many sports such as football, basketball
and hockey that endanger forming cartilage, break bones and in some cases
disfigurement cause by various swinging sticks and equipments. Ballroom dancing
provides general conditioning for the body. Mentally, it stretches the thinking and the “do
– it” abilities of the young. The sense of achievement is a confidence builder. Teamwork
of couples is more stimulating to concentration and learning. For older groups,
competitive dancing is an excellent learning achievement and self-confidence. Socially,
the young people have an opportunity to interrelate with others, especially the opposite
sex, in a setting that includes discipline and emphasis on courtesy and consideration for
others. Ballroom dancing provides lesson on social skills that will be beneficial to the
youth for the rest of their lives.
Ballroom dance training offers unique advantages. It is not only a rhythmical
exercise that adds life, graceful muscular movements but it is also a group recreation. A
child who has learned ballroom dancing gains not only improved posture and
coordination but ease in relationships with companions. Dancing is one means of
instilling graceful body coordination; it is also a muscular activity that brings social ease.
A girl who has learned to be a good ballroom dancer never fades into a wall flower. A
Boy who can dance is spared from many agonies of a teenage self – consciousness.
Children who dance well are popular, ones instilled, those ingredients of a good
manners are never forgotten. Ballroom dancing offers more than mere steps it includes
charm of manners and consideration of others.
DANCE POSITION
Ballroom or Social Dance Position – partners stand face to face, shoulders and
hips parallel. Boys R hand is placed around Girl’s waist. Girl’s L hand rests lightly
against his R shoulders. Boy’s L hand is raised to the side holding the Girl’s R hand.
The fingers of her R hand rest lightly in the palm of the Boy’s L.
Open or Conversation Position – partners stand side by side, both facing the
same direction. Girl R of partner. Boy’s R is around Girl’s waist in back. Girl’s L hand
rest lightly on Boy’s R shoulder. Outside hands may be joined with arms extended
forward or the outside hands maybe on hips or side.
Shoulder – Waist Position – partners face each other. Boy’s places hands on
Girl’s waist. Girl’s hands are on the Boy’s shoulders.
Cross – Hold Position – partners stand face to face, R hand joined over L hands,
extended about waist level.
Promenade Position – partners stand side by side, both facing on the same
direction. Girl at R of partner. The hand crossed in front, R hands joined over L.
Schottische Position – partners stand side by side, Girl to R of Boy both facing
the same direction. Boy’s R arm around Girl’s waist, her L arm shoulder behind his R
shoulder, her L hand resting lightly on that shoulder, free hands on waist.
Varsovienne Position – partners stand side by side, girls stands to the R and
slightly in front of Boy. Boy reaches R arm over the girl’s R shoulder and takes her R
hand in his, his L holds her L a little above his L shoulder.
Swing is a rhythmic rotation of a couple performed with a walking step or shift steps.
Elbow Swing – hook designated elbows firmly of the hand carried at the height of
the locked elbows. While swinging, pull away from partner at shoulders.
One Hand Swing – with the elbow bent and down , join the designated hands at
shoulder height. In balancing “pull against pull” while swinging, apply pressure against
the thumbs and heels of hands, pulling away at shoulders.
Two – Hand Swing – Boy present hands at shoulder height with palms up, elbows close
to sides and should support while balancing “pull against pull” leaning away at
shoulders.
Waist Swing – In a modified closed ballroom dance positions with R foot and hips
adjacent the support weight of the body on the R foot swing, balance “pull against pull”,
leaning away from partners at shoulder.
Star post – Partners are in opposite directions, their right hands holding each
other, lady facing away from audience ; while gentleman faces the audience.
Challenge position- Partners face each other about a step apart without touching.
Cuddle or skating position – Woman is at man’s left or right side, both facing the
same direction; one arm of man is across woman’s back.
SOCIAL DANCE GUIDELINES
In common usage, Ballroom dance refers to the ten dances of International Standard
and International Latin, though the term is also often used interchangeably with
International standard dances.
International Style
International Standard dances are normally performed with Western Music.
A couple dances counter clockwise around a rectangular floor following the
line of dance.
Costume
Women – full gown Men - bow tie and tail coats or tuxedos, vest
Dances :
1. Slow Waltz 2. Tango 3. Viennese Waltz
4. Slow Foxtrot 5. Quick step
International Latin Dances are performed with contemporary Latin American Music and
with the exception of a few traveling dances.
Costume
Women – Short skirted Latin outfits Men - outfitted in tight fitting shirts and pants
Dances :
1. Cha-cha 2. Samba 3. Rumba 4. Paso doble 5. Jive
RUMBA
The name Rumba was originally applied specifically to the dancing style with
lascivious movement of the hip, bosom and other flexible parts. The Rumba influence
came in the 16th century from the black slaves from Africa. The native Rumba folk dance
is essentially a sex pantomime danced extremely fast with exaggerated hip movements
and with a sensually aggressive attitude of men and a defensive attitude on the part of
women.
The music is written in 4/4 time, which gives 4 counts to each bar of music, 1, 2,
3, 4. The beat values are 2, 3, 4-1 or quick, quick, slow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqRusrNEO8U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X41ktilIBp4
Cha-cha-cha
There are various theories as of the origin of Cha-cha. It could derived from the
Spanish chacha meaning nursemaid, or chachar meaning to chew coca leaves, or from
char meaning tea. This dance evolved from the Mambo and has its origins in the
religious ritual dances of West Africa. The music is usually in 4/4 time, sometimes 2/4.
The Cha-cha-cha is a Cuban dance, based on the Rumba. Counting is 1,2, 3 and 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prfi2BeR0nA
Reggae
First developed in Jamaica in the late 1960’s. The term reggae more properly
denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and
rocksteady. It is based on rhythmic style characterized by accents on the off-beat known
as the skank. It usually accents the second and fourth beat in each bar.The music is 4/4
time and counting is 1, 2, 3,4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l9Ms-edU3I
Samba
Comes from Brazil. It differs from other Latin- American dances because it is
lively and vigorous and the feet is constantly leaving the floor. It is literally a bouncing
step. It involves much knee action with the dancers bodies resembling a swinging
pendulum as they sway and turn. 2/4 time 1 ah 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg2xczHbvao
Waltz
It is the first dance to use closed dance position. The waltz was to be performed
solely for the demonstration of elegance and not pleasure. The name comes from the
German word to revolve, turning with smooth gliding steps. Music is ¾ time 1, 2, 3.
https://youtu.be/ZjIJS3z1r08
Paso Doble
It finds its roots in the Spanish style music of the 1930’s. It is popularly known as
the man’s dance, portraying the story of the matador with ( the female being ) his cape
where the matador is to weild his cape according to the anger and intensity of the
roaring boar.
https://youtu.be/mxcWBw45Psg
Jive
The origin of the word jive is unknown but it may refer to jivetalk, or bad
mouthing. This word reflects the character of the dance for it is sassy and loud. It came
from the African American slaves. It is known by many names, sometimes called Swing,
Jitterbug, Lindy hop, or Charleston, although it is completely different dance. Music is
4/4 time 1,2,3 and 4/ 1 and 2, 3 and 4.
https://youtu.be/RkvXKZnybV4
Swing
An outgrowth of the jitterbug, it is marked by quick, strenuous movements
sometimes accompanied by acrobatics in its present form; it maybe a lively smooth
dance. Benny Goodman is the band leader credited with the developing the rhythm of
Swing. It is named after Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic ocean in
1927 Music is 4/4 time sometimes 3/4 1,2,3,4/ 1,2 ah 3
https://youtu.be/26-1t15R_MU
Tango
Originated in the lower class of Buenos Aires especially in the Bario de Las
Ranas. It was first known as baile con corte- the dance with a stop. It is characterized
by sudden changes of direction and its many flaring and dipping steps. Music is 2/4 time
1,2/ 12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg-RLNKHeKM
Foxtrot
An American dance evolving from trotting dance in 1913. Dancers gliding around
the dance floor with little up and down motion. It is known as the first truly American
ballroom dance, was named after Harry Fox. Music is in 2/4 time 12/ 1,2
https://youtu.be/Vh5QoiBOTAE
Activities: _____________________________________________________________
References
http://hnupe.weebly.com/pe-2.html