The Technical & The Technical & Expressive Expressive Nature of Nature of

DanceDanceDynamicsDynamics

Dynamics – How we moveDynamics – How we move

The use of differing graduations of energy to perform a movement is often described as

adding dynamic quality to movement.

You have to be able to describe movements in terms of dynamics

The SIX dynamic qualities The SIX dynamic qualities

• Sustained = slow, smooth, continuous, even• Percussive = sudden, sharp, choppy, jagged• Swinging = sway, to & fro, pendulum,

undercurve• Suspended = stillness, balance, high point• Collapsed = fall, release, relax• Vibratory = shake, tremble, wiggle

Practical Bit!! Practical Bit!! Walking with Dynamic QualitiesWalking with Dynamic Qualities

• Get in to twos• Create a series of walks up to 16

counts (basic)• Add a slow, lyrical style to the series

(Heavenly)• Add a quick, rhythmic style to it

(Groove Potion)• Try mixing the lyrical with the quick

(??)

Features of DynamicsFeatures of Dynamics• Rudolph Laban defined 4 main

features of dynamics• Each feature has two extremes• Combine the first three of these

features brings about a particular action (EFFORT ACTION)

• The last feature describes how you can dance the effort action (bound or free)

Laban’s Features of Laban’s Features of DynamicsDynamics

Factor Qualities Basic Vocabulary

Time Sudden >

Sustained Quickly > Slowly

Weight Firm >

Fine Touch Strongly >

Gently

Space Direct >

Flexible Straight >

Winding

FlowFlow Bound >Bound > FreeFree Tight Tight >>

LooseLoose

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space ActionsSudden Firm Direct

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space ActionsSudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap,

stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space ActionsSudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap,

stamp, dig, gallop, leap

These actions can be done in a tight, controlled & bound manner

Or in a loose, wild or free way, giving them a sense of flow

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions

Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions

Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump

Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions

Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump

Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop

Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions

Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump

Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop

Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl

Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions

Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump

Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop

Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl

Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract

Sustained Firm Flexible Wring, spiral

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions

Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump

Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop

Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl

Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract

Sustained Firm Flexible Wring, spiral

Sustained Fine Touch Direct Glide, stroke, release, creep

Laban’s Effort ActionsLaban’s Effort ActionsTime Weight Space Actions

Sudden Firm Direct Punch, kick, slice, grab, slap, stamp, dig, gallop, leap

Sudden Firm Flexible Whip, whisk, turning jump

Sudden Fine Touch Direct Dab, tap, pad, skip, hop

Sudden Fine Touch Flexible Flick, swirl

Sustained Firm Direct Press, pull, push, contract

Sustained Firm Flexible Wring, spiral

Sustained Fine Touch Direct Glide, stroke, release, creep

Sustained Fine Touch Flexible Float, drift, sway, hover, weave

Dynamics of a JumpDynamics of a Jump• Jumps can be danced• Quickly, strongly,with a directly

aimed kick in the air• Small, tight shunt with a strong,

direct & sudden, sharp landing• Series of quick, delicate hops and

skips which skim the floor on a winding path

Arm GesturesArm Gestures• The arm reaching forward can be danced with

(let’s all do this…!)• The wrist flexed and pressing the air forward

(strongly), in a straight line forward• The palm faces the floor and the fingertips lead

the gesture with a fine touch (delicately) and slowly gliding over the air

• The tension & energy can be different – switch the actions around as described below

• Use force & strength• Use softness & gentleness

Paintings & DynamicsPaintings & Dynamics• Look at paintings & see how they can

help you “see” dynamics in dance• The colours in the painting can

HIGHLIGHT an image• Strong colours (Red, black, brown)• Delicate colours (white, blue, yellow)• Colour Paintings vs Black & White

Paintings

Colour Paintings by Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky

Colour Paintings by Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky

Colour Paintings by Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky

Colour Paintings by Colour Paintings by KandinskyKandinsky

Picasso’s GeurnicaPicasso’s Geurnica

Paintings as InspirationPaintings as Inspiration• Colourful paintings can give rise to• Many varied characters in a dance, each

with their own identity• Or many dancers with similar movements• Black & White paintings are stark in

contrast• Convey a different atmosphere, mood and

theme• The width & length of lines (and whether

repeated) could be compared to a dance sequence

What could these steps be?What could these steps be?• A

What could these steps be?What could these steps be?• A• B

What could these steps be?What could these steps be?• A• B• C

What could these sequences be?What could these sequences be?

• A• B• C• D

Dynamics - HomeworkDynamics - Homework

• Discuss the dynamic qualities you can see in the photographs opposite

B

CD

A

Reading – to doReading – to do• From “Dance” Textbook by Pam

Howard• Read Page 57• Copy down & learn the Dynamics

Vocabulary• This vocabulary will give you the

words required to describe how a movement action is being performed

DVD to watchDVD to watchPlease choose a DVD and watch it• Give a BRIEF synopsis of the DVD

(story line/content/Choreographer/Music etc)

• A description of one of the dances & comment on the use of the dynamics