LESSON 1: DEFINITION, IMPORTANCE AND ELEMENTS OF DANCE

CHAPTER 1

Dance - one of the oldest of the arts.

- is the movement of the body in a rhythmical manner usually accompanied with music
within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing
energy or taking delight in the movement itself.
- is also considered as a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected
sequence of human movement. It is an art that uses non-verbal movement in an
ordinary way to create a form, order, or statement, a movement that transcends
function and becomes communication.

Importance of Dance

1. Builds Confidence – dance is a great way to connect emotionally with an audience and
other people.
Expression, smiling, and reflection will be promoted. This creates a
health environment in which students can express their feelings in a
productive manner, while learning to control their emotions.
2. Health – dance provides the necessary daily physical fitness recommendations of most
health care
professionals. Promoting physical fitness creates an excellent foundation for future
lifelong health
and fitness.
3. Social Involvement – dance enable one to meet new friends. As a result of working on
team, partner, and
solo performances, one can develop comfort in working
independently, a taste of
healthy competition and aspiration from peers.
4. Fund Activity and Relaxation – the number rule to dancing is to find joy and fun in what
we are doing.
Dancers will feel the freedom of expression, meet new friends
and reap the
rewards of dancing.
5. Creativity and Imagination – dancers will work on creating shapes and movements
through imagination
and exploration. This is beneficial to all aspects of life, creating
endless
opportunities for future development.

Elements of Dance

a. Space – the area covered by the dance movements (this includes shape, level, directions,
and pathways)
 Directions - forward, backward, sideways up, down, etc.
 Level – the distance from the floor (high, medium, low)
 Pathways – patterns that the body makes as it moves through space or on the floor
(diagonal, zigzag,
circle, etc.)
 Shape – the design of the body as it exists in space.
b. Time – how fast or slow (tempo); even or uneven beat and long or short (duration) the
movement is rhythm,
freezes, acceleration/deceleration.
c. Energy – quality, force, effort
d. Body – zones of the body, shapes, base
 e. Action – locomotor and non-locomotor movements

CHAPTER 2

CLASSIFICATION OF DANCES

Folk Dance – a dance developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a certain country
or region. Ritual
dances are usually called “RELIGIOUS DANCES” because of their purpose. The
terms “ETHNIC”
and “TRADITIONAL” are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots
of the dance.
- a dance that tells much about a country and its people. They relate or show the
traditions, ideas,
superstitions and events of daily living of countries all over the world.
- a type of dance that is vernacular, usually recreational, expression of a past or
present culture.

Francisca Reyes Aquino – is the legendary “Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing”. It was her
dream to promote the
teaching of folk dances in the physical education curriculum of the
Philippine Schools.
Dr. Reyes Aquino received the “Philippine Republic Award Merit” for
her untiring efforts
in collecting, compiling, and propagating folk dances, and for her
outstanding
contribution to the advancement of Filipino culture in the field of dance.
- she founded the “Philippine Folk Dance Society” to bring together
Physical Education
students, teachers, administrators and individuals interested in folk
dancing.

Classification of Folk Dances

a. Geographical Classification
1. National Dances – found throughout the islands with little or no modification.
Ex. Rigodon, Cariñosa, Jota, Balitaw, Pandanggo
2. Local Dances – found in a certain locality
Ex. Tinikling – Leyte
Maglalatik – Binyang
Subli – Batangas
Biniganbigat – Abra

b. Nature
1. Occupational – depicting action of certain occupation, industry, or human labor.
Ex. Planting, Harvesting, Pounding, Winnowing, Pabirik, Mananguete
2. Religious or Ceremonial – performed in connection with religious vows and
ceremonies.
Ex. Dugsu, Sua-sua, Putong, Sta. Clarang Pinung-pino
3. Comic Dances – depicting funny movements for entertainment.
Ex. Kimbo-kimbo, Mokonggo, Kinoton, Itik-itik
4. Game Dances – with play elements (dance mixers)
Ex. Lubi-lubi, Pavo
5. Wedding Dances – performed during wedding feasts.
Ex. Panasahan, Pantomina
6. Courtship Dances – depicting love making
 Ex. Tadek-Daling-daling, Hele-hele, Bago Quiere, Maramion
7. Festival Dances - suitable for special occasion or any social gatherings.
Ex. Pandanggo, Habanera, Jota, Surtido
8. War Dances – showing imaginary combat or duel.
Ex. Maglalatik, Sagayan, Palu-palo

c. Movements
1. Active (fast energetic movements)
Ex. Tinikling, Maglalatik, Sakuting, Polkabal
2. Moderate
Ex. Cariñosa, Tgala, Purpuri, Habanera
3. Slow
Ex. Pasakat, AmorosaTiliday, Kundiman
4. Slow and Fast
Ex. Putritos, Ba-Ingles, Habanera Botolena, Alcamfor

d. Formation
1. Square Quadrille
Ex. Rigido, Los Bailes de Ayer
2. Long Formation (two or more parallel lines)
Ex. Lulay, Sakuting
3. Set – consisting of two or more pairs as a unit, partners facing each other or standing
side by side.
Ex. Binadyong , Haplik, Kakawati

e. Special Classification

These are group dances that have special distinctive features.

1. Dances with Songs

Ex. Abaruray, Manag Biday, Lulay, Rogelia, Lawiswis Kawayan
2. Old Ballroom Dances
Ex. Polka, Mazurka, Chotis, Valse
3. Dances with Implements
Ex. Maglalatik, Sakuting, La Jota Moncadena, Tinikling, Salakot
4. Dances of Combined Rhythm
Ex. Surtido, Pantomina, Los Bayles de Ayer

Types of Philippine Folk Dances

Type Origin Description Example

Maria Clara Luzon Named after the chief La Jota, Paseo de
Dance and female character of Jose Iloilo
Visayas Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere;
Spanish influence
“Filipinized” by the use
of bamboo castanets
and banico.
Rural Dance Luzon Dances illustrate the Binasuan, Tinikling
fiesta spirit and love of
life; best known type of
Filipino dance. Dance
attire girls – colorful
balintawak and
patadyong skirts, boys –
 camisa de chino and
colored trousers.
Muslim Dance Souther Characterized by vivid Singkil, Vinta
n colors and rhythmic
Mindana movements which
o reflect the influence of
arabian and indo –
Malaysian cultures.
Tribal Dances Mindana Tribal dances performed Udol, Mandaya
o essential ‘for the gods
“ceremonial and
ritual type dances”.
Cordillera Norther Dances to celebrate Uya-uy
Dance n Luzon victories, festivals,
religious rituals,
thanksgiving, etc.;
musical instruments
include nose flute,
bamboo guitar, drums
and wooden sticks.

LESSON 2: FUNDAMENTAL ARM AND FEET POSITIONS

CHAPTER 1

Feet Position

1st. Position – heels close together,

toes apart making an angle of about
45 degrees

2nd. Position – feet apart sideward of

about a foot apart.
3rd. Position – heel of one foot close
to the in – step of the other foot.

4th. Position – one foot in front of the

other obliquely forward

5th. Position – hell of one foot close to

the big toes of the rear foot.

Arms Position

1st. Position – arms raised in circle

in front of the chest with fingertips
about an inch apart.

2nd. Position – arms raised

sideward with a graceful curve a
little below shoulder level.
3rd. Position – arm raised as 2nd.
position, other arm raised overhead.

4th. Position – one arm raised in

front of the chest in a half circle,
other arm raised overhead.

5th. Position – both arms are raised

overhead.

Other Arms Position

1. Amplified – more open

positions on 1st. or 5th.
positions.
2. Lateral – both arms raised at
one side parallel to each
other.

3. Hayon-hayon – one arm

bent in front at waist level.
The other bent behind at
waist level as well.

4. “T” Position – both arms

raised at sides and bent at
the elbows so that the upper
arms are at shoulder level.

5. Reverse “T” Position –

both arms at sides and bent
at the elbows so that the
forearms are parallel to the
head, palms facing inward.