Glossary of Dance Terms

accent	a movement or shape performed in such a way as to give emphasis.
action	what the body is doing; including locomotive and non-locomotive movements.
aesthetics	standards on which to make judgments about the artistic merit of a work of art; “is the piece aesthetically pleasing?”
alignment	body placement or posture; the relationship of the skeleton to the line of gravity and the base of support. Proper alignment lessens strain on muscles and joints and promotes dance skills.
balance	Equal distribution of weight.
bases	body parts that support the rest of the body. For example, when standing, the feet are the body base; when kneeling, the knees are the body base.
binary form	two-part structure; AB.
call and response	one soloist/group performs, with the second soloist answering or entering in “response.”
canon	choreographic form that reflects the musical form of the same name, in which individuals and groups perform the same movement/phrase beginning at different times.
classical dance	dance that has been developed over time into highly stylised structures and forms within a culture.
compositional forms	structures of dance composition. Examples include:  AB—a form made up of two contrasting sections, each of which may or may not be repeated.  ABA—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 and can be in a condensed, abbreviated, or extended form.  narrative—choreographic structure that follows a specific story line to convey specific information through the story.
cool down	Following dancing, the dancer should allow the body to gradually cool down. Abruptly stopping vigorous activity causes pooling of the blood, sluggish circulation which hampers removal of waste products, cramping, soreness and even fainting. Light activity and stretching after the dance class is recommended.
dance criticism	the process and result of critical thinking about dance. It usually involves description, analysis, and interpretation of dance.
directions	forward, backward, sideways, up and down.
dynamics	the dance element that relates to how a movement is done; movement quality.
elevation	the body’s propulsion into the air away from the floor, such as a leap, hop, or jump.
ethnic dance	dances that are usually created and performed by specific ethnic groups within societies or cultures.
expression	a process of conveying ideas, feelings, and meaning through the selective use of the communicative possibilities of dance.
focus	a central point or focus of attention in the movement space; the concentration, attention, or specific energy given to movement in space.
folk dances	dances that are usually created and performed by specific groups within cultures.
force	degree of muscular tension and use of energy while moving, such as heavy/light, sharp/smooth, tension/relaxation, bound/flowing. Tension/relaxation: Tension feels hard and tight; relaxation feels soft and loose.
flow	When energy is released freely, we describe the movement as free flowing. Energy can also be released in a controlled, restrained manner.
improvisation	movement that is created spontaneously, ranging from free form to highly structured, but always with an element of chance. Improvisation provides the dancer with the opportunity to bring together elements quickly and requires focus and concentration.
initiation	the point at which movement is said to originate. It particularly refers to specific body parts.
interpret	this process of responding to works of art identifies the ideas, feelings, moods, and overall meaning communicated by the work of art. It also calls for the investigation of the influence of time and place upon the artist who created the work.
kinaesthetic	refers to the ability of the body’s sensory organs in the muscles, tendons, and joints to respond to stimuli while dancing or viewing a dance
landing	the manner and quality in which the body returns to earth following an action of elevation such as a leap, hop, or jump.
levels	the vertical distance from the floor. Movements take place on three levels: high, middle, and low or deep level.
locomotive	movements that travel from one location to another. Examples include:  walk: steps from one foot to the other, with the weight being transferred from heel to toe.  run: steps from one foot to another performed at a relatively fast tempo.  hop: a movement whereby the body is propelled through space by springing from one foot and landing on the same foot.  jump: a movement whereby the body is propelled through space by springing from two feet and landing on two feet.  leap: a movement whereby the body is propelled through space by springing from one foot and landing on the other foot.  gallop: a sliding step whereby the body is propelled through space in an uneven rhythm, so the same foot is always leading.  skip: a step and a hop, alternating feet.
movement quality	the identifying attributes created by the gathering, release, follow-through, and energy in the body, which are key to making movement expressive. Typical terms denoting movement quality include, but are not limited to, smooth, sustained and percussive.
movement theme	a complete idea in movement that is manipulated and developed within a dance.
musicality	the attention and sensitivity to the musical elements of dance while creating or performing.
narrative	following a storyline through dance,
non-locomotive	movement that is performed around the axis of the body rather than designed for travel from place to place, such as bend and stretch, push and pull, rise and sink, swing and sway, twist and turn, shake; also called axial movements.
parallel	Feet in anatomical position, knees in line with arches of feet and directly under hip joint, fist width apart, ‘train tracks’
pattern	a repetition of lines, shapes, and/or movements that results in a spatial or movement design. patterns we make as we move through the air or around the floor (i.e., straight, vertical, horizontal, zigzag). Can be made with locomotor or non-locomotor movements, separately or in combination.
phrase	a brief sequence of related movements that has a sense of rhythmic completion.
purpose	the intended function of a dance within its cultural and/or aesthetic contexts.
repetition	a choreographic device whereby a movement or motif are repeated exactly for emphasis.
rondo form	a dance structure with three or more themes where one theme is repeated; ABACAD …
shape	the form created by the body’s position in space. Aspects of shape are open/closed, symmetrical/asymmetrical, angular/curved.
space	includes directions, size, levels, and shapes.  general space—the dance area.  personal space —the area of space occupied by the dancer’s body.  size—the magnitude of a body shape or movement, from small to large.
style	a distinctive manner of moving or dancing; the characteristic way a dance is done, created, or performed that identifies the dance of a particular performer, choreographer, culture, or period.
symmetry	a balanced, even design of shapes and/or movements in space.
Tension/relaxation (release)	tense movements feel hard and tight; relaxed movements feel soft, loose, and flowing.
tertiary form	three-part structure; ABA.
time	includes duration, tempo, and beat.  duration—the length of time a movement lasts.  tempo—the speed with which a movement is performed.  beat—the underlying rhythmic pulse.  time signature: a written symbol in music that denotes a metric rhythm; for example, 3/4, 4/4.
turned out	term used to describe a dance position in which you stand with your legs and feet facing outwards. Your feet may be either together or apart. Rotation of the thigh bone in the hip socket. All rotations are functional and should occur at the hip. The lower leg and foot remain aligned with the femur.
unison	two or more people performing the same movement at the same time.
warm-up	movements and/or movement phrases designed to raise the core body temperature and bring the mind into focus for the dance activities that follow.