Modern Dance Technique I

Class Material

 

On this page, you will find listed some of the movement material from class, for which you are responsible to retain and improve. Out of class review of this material will no doubt have a direct impact upon your process, progress and assessment in this course.

Use the link to language/terminology for more details of the terms. For a deeper learning experience, I suggest you use the language, say the term, as you perform the movement associated with each term.

Also, use your resources, fellow dancers (dance-111a or dance-111b) and myself, when you need assistance.

Explore diligently and enjoy the journey.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13
Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Day 19 Day 20 Day 21 Day 22 Day 23 Day 24 Day 25 Day 26

 

 

Week 1 -- Day 1 -- Monday, 02/05/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPT
LANGUAGE
Introductory and general concepts
  • Personal kinesphere (near, intermediate, far)
  • Interpersonal space
  • Stance in narrow parallel position & 1st position
  • Alignment
  • Breath as initiation/support for movement
  • Movement of Spine
    • Cervical / Neck
    • Thoracic / Chest, Ribs
    • Lumbar / Lower
    • Neutral Spine
    • Forward Flexion
    • Lateral Flexion
    • Hyperextension
  • Personal kinesphere (near, intermediate, far)
  • Interpersonal space
  • Narrow parallel position
  • Alignment
  • Spinal Movement
Breathing/
  • Exploring expansiveness of personal space/kinesphere (height/width/depth)
  • Weighted, sinking pelvis
  • Sitz bones / heels / floor connection
  • Forward, sideward, backward curve in torso/neck
  • Oppositional pulls (pelvis down/upper extremities out)
  • Fold ability-deep flexion in crouch position
  • Alignment in push-up position
  • Standing and sitting alignment
  • Personal kinesphere
  • Sinking
  • Pouring
  • Rising
  • Plié
  • Visualize
  • Breath
  • Spine
    • Cervical / Neck
    • Thoracic / Chest, Ribs
    • Lumbar / Lower
    • Neutral Spine
    • Forward Flexion
    • Lateral Flexion
    • Hyperextension
    • Rotation
  • Sitz bones (ischial tuberosity)

 

 

Week 1 -- Day 2 -- Wednesday, 02/07/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE
Cognitive Recall of Previous Class Material (concepts & movement)
  • See previous class meetings above for specifics
  • See previous class meetings above for specifics
Breathing/
Reaching/
Lunging/
Roll Downs/
Push-ups/
Abdominal Work
  • Exploring expansiveness of personal space/kinesphere (height/width/depth)
  • Weighted, sinking pelvis
  • Sitz bones / heels / floor connection
  • Movement of Sine
    • Forward, sideward, backward curve & rotation in cervical, thoracic & lumbar spine
  • Oppositional pulls (pelvis down/upper extremities out)
  • Fold-ability, deep flexion in crouch position
  • Alignment in push-up position
  • Standing and sitting alignment
  • Coordination of torso articulation and movement of extremities
  • Personal kinesphere
  • Sinking
  • Pouring
  • Rising
  • Plié
  • Visualize
  • Breath
  • Spine
    • Cervical / Neck
    • Thoracic / Chest, Ribs
    • Lumbar / Lower
    • Neutral Spine
    • Forward Flexion
    • Lateral Flexion
    • Hyperextension
    • Rotation
  • Sitz bones (ischial tuberosity)
  • Gestural pathways in space
    • Spoke
    • Arc
Stationary
Footwork (111-A)
  • Stance in narrow parallel position & 1st position
  • Articulation of the foot (ankle joint/toes)
  • Variation in timing
  • Alignment
  • Sinking pelvis
  • Narrow parallel position
  • 1st position
  • Sustained
  • Journey
  • Destination
Walking pattern w/o Torso
  • Locomotion
  • Change of weight
  • Change of direction
  • Variation in timing
  • Traveling forward/sideward
  • Sinking Pelvis
  • 2nd position
  • Advancing
  • Surging
Adagio (1st 8 counts)
  • Variations in Time and Energy
  • Quick attack/accent in movement & breath
  • Slow, sustained movement
  • Sinking pelvis
  • Focus
  • Spinal Actions
  • Distinguish between extended knees and flexed knees
  • Adagio

 

 

Week 2 -- Day 3 -- Monday, 02/12/07: Review
 
  1. Cognitive Recall of Previous Class Material (concepts & movement)
  1. Opening torso Phrase
    1a) Breathing
    1b) Spoking-Arcing w/o Torso
    1c) Torso Articulation (forward, lateral, hyperextension) of torso
    1d) Spoking-Arcing with Torso
    1e) Repeat 1a-1d in half the time
    1f) Arm Reaching/Torso Articulation/Lunging (change of weight) Series
    1g) Roll Downs/Push-ups/Abdominal Work

Concepts & Language

  • coordination of breath support
  • spatial pathways
  • sinking/rising
  • change of weight
  • movement initiation
  • spinal movement
    • (flexion, extension, hyperextension, rotation)
  • focus
  • joint mobility (fold-ability)
  • awareness of personal kinesphere
  • abdominal support
  • upper body strengthening
  • releasing/yielding extraneous muscular tension
  • sequencing
  1. Walking pattern w/Torso
    3a) 8 counts; Step-pivot through 2nd position-end w/ fast steps to side, facing back (180 degree rotation)

Concepts & Language

  • Locomotion
  • Change of weight
  • Change of direction
  • Variation in timing
  • Traveling forward/sideward
  • Flowing through body actions, journey of movement vs. destination of shape
  • focus
  • coordination of stepping pattern with torso articulation
  • sinking pelvis
  • 2nd position
  • advancing
  • surging
  1. adagio (3 phrases / 8 counts each) - inversion - floorwork - backroll

Concepts & Language

  • variations in time and energy
  • quick attack/accent in movement & breath support
  • slow, sustained movement
  • sinking pelvis
  • quality change
  • arcing
  • spoking
  • turning
  • focus
  • spinal actions / torso articulation
  • distinguish between extended knees and flexed knees

 

 

Week 2 -- Day 4 -- Wednesday, 02/14/07: Review
  1. Cognitive Recall of Previous Class Material (concepts & movement)
  1. Opening torso Phrase
    1a) Breathing
    1b) Spoking-Arcing w/o Torso
    1c) Torso Articulation (forward, lateral, hyperextension) of torso
    1d) Spoking-Arcing with Torso
    1e) Repeat 1a-1d in half the time
    1f) Arm Reaching/Torso Articulation/Lunging (change of weight) Series
    1g) Roll Downs/Push-ups/Abdominal Work

Concepts & Language

  • coordination of breath support
  • spatial pathways
  • sinking/rising
  • change of weight
  • movement initiation
  • successive movement of spine from supine position through lateral and forward flexion initiated by moving sitz bones toward floor
  • spinal movement
    • (flexion, extension, hyperextension, rotation)
  • focus
  • joint mobility (fold-ability)
  • awareness of personal kinesphere
  • abdominal support
  • upper body strengthening
  • releasing/yielding extraneous muscular tension
  • sequencing
  1. simple Walking pattern w/Torso
    Stepping on counts: 1 - 2 - 3 - & - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - & - 8; with arc-like arm gesture (starting opposite arm/leg)

Concepts & Language

  • Locomotion
  • Change of weight
  • Variation in timing
  • Traveling forward
  • Flowing through arm gesture
  • focus from beginning to end of arcing pathway of arm gesture
  • coordination of stepping pattern with torso articulation
  • sinking pelvis
  • advancing
  • surging
  1. Walking pattern w/Torso
    3a) 8 counts; Step-pivot through 2nd position w/ fast steps to side, facing back (180 degree rotation)
    3b) Scallops - creating 1/2 figure 8 spatial floor pathway using simple walking pattern above

Concepts & Language

  • Locomotion
  • Change of weight
  • Change of direction
  • Variation in timing
  • Traveling forward/sideward
  • Flowing through body actions, journey of movement vs. destination of shape
  • focus from beginning to end of arcing pathway of arm gesture
  • coordination of stepping pattern with torso articulation
  • sinking pelvis
  • 2nd position
  • advancing
  • surging
  1. adagio (3 phrases / 8 counts each)

Concepts & Language

  • variations in time and energy
  • quick attack/accent in movement & breath support
  • slow, sustained movement
  • sinking pelvis
  • quality change
  • arcing
  • spoking
  • turning
  • focus
  • spinal actions / torso articulation
  • distinguish between extended knees and flexed knees

 

 

Week 3 -- Day 5 -- Monday, 02/19/07: Review
  1. Cognitive Recall of Previous Class Material (concepts & movement)
  1. Opening torso Phrase
    1a) Breathing
    1b) Spoking-Arcing w/o Torso
    1c) Torso Articulation (forward, lateral, hyperextension) of torso
    1d) Spoking-Arcing with Torso
    1e) Repeat 1a-1d in half the time
    1f) Arm Reaching/Torso Articulation/Lunging (change of weight) Series
    1g) Roll Downs/Push-ups/Abdominal Work

Concepts & Language

  • emphasized dancer focus traveling upward & backward to support/supplement hyperextension of the spine
  • flowing through body actions
  • emphasized an awareness and intention of the release of the neck (resulting in curved cervical spine) while going to and through the floor roll after our last spinal rotation on the floor
  • emphasized the movement of the torso away from the neutral standing base of support in forward/lateral flexion and hyperextension of the spine
  • See previous class meetings above for other specifics
  1. stationary foot articulation sequence
    1st part: ball-down-ball-down-ball-toe-ball-down
    2nd part: ball-rotate-return-down-toe off-down-off-down-off-down
    2a) without plié in narrow parallel position
    2b) with plié in narrow parallel position
    2c) repeat 2a & 2b in 1st position

Concepts & Language

  • foot articulation
  • foot strength, stretch
  • change of weight, balance
  1. Walking pattern w/Torso
    3a) 8 counts; Step-pivot through 2nd position w/ fast steps to side, facing back (180 degree rotation)
    3b) Scallops - creating 1/2 figure 8 spatial floor pathway using simple walking pattern above

Concepts & Language

  • emphasized sinking pelvis & after reach on count 6
  • emphasized the importance of knowing the sequence
  • emphasized traveling
  • emphasized forward flexion on count 5
  • See previous class meetings above for other specifics
  1. Walking across the floor
    step-step-step, together-step
    without & with torso/arms

Concepts & Language

  • sinking pelvis
  • locomotor steps, traveling
  • change of weight
  • See previous class meetings above for other specifics
  1. Pedestrian movement activity
    assigned students to select and practice pantomiming a pedestrian movement activity (such as 'brushing teeth') that will be used as source material in the creation of a movement solo

Concepts & Language

  • creativity
  • problem solving
  • movement analysis of pedestrian activities

 

 

Week 3 -- Day 6 -- Wednesday, 02/21/07: Review
  1. Cognitive Recall of Previous Class Material (concepts & movement)
  1. Opening torso Phrase
    1a) Breathing
    1b) Spoking-Arcing w/o Torso
    1c) Torso Articulation (forward, lateral, hyperextension) of torso
    1d) Spoking-Arcing with Torso
    1e) Repeat 1a-1d in half the time
    1f) Arm Reaching/Torso Articulation/Lunging (change of weight) Series
    1g) Roll Downs/Push-ups/Abdominal Work

Concepts & Language

  • emphasized dancer focus traveling upward & backward to support/supplement hyperextension of the spine
  • attention to flowing through body actions, rather than 'hitting' the predominant beat in a phrase in a percussive, staccato fashion
  • emphasized an awareness and intention of the release of the neck (resulting in curved cervical spine) while going to and through the floor roll after our last spinal rotation on the floor
  • emphasized the movement of the torso away from the neutral standing base of support in forward/lateral flexion and hyperextension of the spine
  • See previous class meetings above for other specifics
  1. stationary foot articulation sequence
    1st part: ball-down-ball-down-ball-toe-ball-down
    2nd part: ball-rotate-return-down-toe off-down-off-down-off-down
    2a) without plié in narrow parallel position
    2b) with plié in narrow parallel position
    2c) repeat 2a & 2b in 1st position
    2d) repeat above with 3 faster toe presses starting on count '5-and'

Concepts & Language

  • foot articulation
  • foot strength, stretch
  • change of weight, balance
  1. Walking pattern w/Torso
    3a) 8 counts; Step-pivot through 2nd position w/ fast steps to side, facing back (180 degree rotation)
    3b) Scallops - creating 1/2 figure 8 spatial floor pathway using simple walking pattern above

Concepts & Language

  • emphasized sinking pelvis & after reach on count 6
  • emphasized the importance of knowing the sequence
  • emphasized traveling
  • emphasized forward flexion on count 5
  • See previous class meetings above for other specifics
  1. adagio (3 movement sequences of 8 counts each)

Concepts & Language

  • variations in time and energy
  • quick attack/accent in movement & breath support
  • slow, sustained movement
  • sinking pelvis
  • quality change
  • arcing
  • spoking
  • turning
  • focus
  • spinal actions / torso articulation
  • distinguish between extended knees and flexed knees
  1. Pedestrian activity phrase
    performed pedestrian movement activities (such as 'brushing teeth') as solos in small groups

Concepts & Language

Incorporate the following into your pedestrian movement activity:
  1. forward flexion of the spine
  2. lateral flexion of the spine

  1. hyperextension of the spine
  2. spoke-like pathway (a gesture of the arms and/or legs)
  1. arc-like pathway (a gesture of the arms and/or legs)
  2. Extremes of time: fast & slow

 

 

Week 4 -- Day 7 -- Monday, 02/26/07: Review
Video Students Performing Class Material

 

 

Week 4 -- Day 8 -- Wednesday, 02/28/07: Review
Video Students Performing Class Material

 

 

Week 5 -- Day 9 -- Monday, 03/05/07: Review
  1. 'X' Floor Phrase
    1a) Distal Initiation with fingertips, toetips & body half (8-counts/180 degree rotation)of movement across the bodyto initiate
    1b) Spoking-Arcing w/o Torso
    1c) Torso Articulation (forward, lateral, hyperextension) of torso
    1d) Spoking-Arcing w/o with Torso
    1e) Repeat 1a-1d in half the time
    1f) Arm Reaching/Torso Articulation/Lunging (change of weight) Series
    1g) Roll Downs/Push-ups/Abdominal Work

Concepts & Language

  • Distal/peripheral initiation
  • Spiraling/twisting movement of spine
  • Successive movement
  • Clarity of initiation
  • Clarity of spoke-like & arc-like pathways
  • Body half (homolateral)
  • Lateral flexion
  • Forward flexion
    • Fetal
  • Hyperextension
  • Core awareness, support & strength
  • Flowing energy
  • Expanding/contracting personal kinesphere
  1. Opening torso Phrase
    1a) Breath support / upperextremity motion / torso movement / rising & sinking
    1b) Spoking-Arcing w/o Torso
    1c) Torso Articulation (forward, lateral, hyperextension) of torso
    1d) Spoking-Arcing w/o with Torso
    1e) Repeat 1a-1d in half the time
    1f) Arm Reaching/Torso Articulation/Lunging (change of weight) Series
    1g) Roll Downs/Push-ups/Abdominal Work

Concepts & Language

  • Breath support / upperextremity motion / torso movement / rising & sinking
  • emphasized dancer focus traveling upward & backward to support/supplement hyperextension of the spine
  • attention to flowing through body actions, rather than 'hitting' the predominant beat in a phrase in a percussive, staccato fashion
  • emphasized an awareness and intention of the release of the neck (resulting in curved cervical spine) while going to and through the floor roll after our last spinal rotation on the floor
  • emphasized the movement of the torso away from the neutral standing base of support in forward/lateral flexion and hyperextension of the spine
  • See previous class meetings above for other specifics
  1. stationary foot articulation sequence
    1st part: ball-down-ball-down-ball-toe-ball-down
    2nd part: ball-rotate-return-down-toe off-down-off-down-off-down
    2a) without plié in narrow parallel position
    2b) with plié in narrow parallel position
    2c) repeat 2a & 2b in 1st position
    2d) repeat above with 3 faster toe presses starting on count '5-and'

Concepts & Language

  • foot articulation
  • foot strength, stretch
  • change of weight, balance
  1. Walking pattern w/Torso
    3a) 8 counts; Step-pivot through 2nd position w/ fast steps to side, facing back (180 degree rotation)
    3b) Scallops - creating 1/2 figure 8 spatial floor pathway using simple walking pattern above

Concepts & Language

  • emphasized sinking pelvis & after reach on count 6
  • emphasized the importance of knowing the sequence
  • emphasized traveling
  • emphasized forward flexion on count 5
  • See previous class meetings above for other specifics
  1. adagio (3 movement sequences of 8 counts each)

Concepts & Language

  • variations in time and energy
  • quick attack/accent in movement & breath support
  • slow, sustained movement
  • sinking pelvis
  • quality change
  • arcing
  • spoking
  • turning
  • focus
  • spinal actions / torso articulation
  • distinguish between extended knees and flexed knees
  1. Pedestrian activity phrase
    performed pedestrian movement activities (such as 'brushing teeth') as solos in small groups

Concepts & Language

Incorporate the following into your pedestrian movement activity:
  1. forward flexion of the spine
  2. lateral flexion of the spine

  1. hyperextension of the spine
  2. spoke-like pathway (a gesture of the arms and/or legs)
  1. arc-like pathway (a gesture of the arms and/or legs)
  2. Extremes of time: fast & slow

 

 

Week 5 -- Day 10 -- Wednesday, 03/07/07: Review

 

 

Week 6 -- Day 11 -- Monday, 03/12/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 6 -- Day 12 -- Wednesday, 03/14/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 7 -- Day 13 -- Monday, 03/19/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 7 -- Day 14 -- Wednesday, 03/21/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 8 -- Day 15 -- Monday, 04/02/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 8 -- Day 16 -- Wednesday, 04/04/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 9 -- Day 17 -- Wednesday, 04/11/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 10 -- Day 18 -- Monday, 04/16/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 10 -- Day 19 -- Wednesday, 04/18/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 11 -- Day 20 -- Monday, 04/23/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 11 -- Day 21 -- Wednesday, 04/25/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 12 -- Day 22-- Monday, 04/30/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

Week 12 -- Day 23 -- Wednesday, 05/02/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 13 -- Day 24-- Monday, 05/07/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

Week 13 -- Day 25 -- Wednesday, 05/09/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE

 

 

Week 14 -- Day 26-- Monday, 05/14/07: Review
MOVEMENT
CONCEPTS
LANGUAGE