Here are some common dance terms used in modern dance:
1. Contraction and Release:
- Contraction refers to the inward compression of the body's energy and muscles.
- Release is the sudden or gradual expansion of that energy outward.
- These concepts form the core principles of modern dance movement.
2. Fall and Recovery:
- Fall describes a dancer's deliberate, controlled descent to the floor through a loss of balance.
- Recovery is the skilled return to an upright position after the fall.
- Falls and recoveries create moments of tension and release in modern dance.
3. Floor Work:
- Movements performed directly on the floor, often involving rolling, stretching, and balances.
4. Off-Balance:
- A technique in which dancers shift their weight off-center to create a sense of instability and vulnerability.
5. Suspension and Momentum:
- Suspension involves holding the body in an unbalanced position, often defying gravity.
- Momentum is the force generated by the dancer's movements and used to transition between positions.
6. Weight Sharing:
- A technique where dancers support and balance each other's weight, creating intricate and dynamic partnering sequences.
7. Flowing/Continuous Movement:
- Modern dance often emphasizes smooth and seamless transitions between movements, as opposed to distinct, abrupt changes.
8. Improvisation:
- The spontaneous creation of movement sequences without prior planning.
- Improvisation is central to modern dance, allowing for exploration and personal expression.
9. Non-Linear Movement:
- Unlike ballet, modern dance movements are not confined to straight lines or precise patterns.
- Dancers follow unconventional pathways and angles.
10. Space:
- Modern dance practitioners pay attention to the use of space in their performances, exploring different levels and dimensions.
11. Time and Rhythm:
- Modern dance allows for variations in tempo, syncopation, and polyrhythms, breaking away from standard musical patterns.
12. Abstraction:
- Modern dance often moves away from literal or narrative representations, focusing instead on the emotional and abstract qualities of movement.
13. Authentic Movement:
- A technique that encourages dancers to connect with their inner selves and let the movement arise naturally from their emotions and sensations.
14. Grotesque:
- Deliberate exaggeration and distortion of body shapes or movements, often used to express intense emotion.
15. Limp-Arm Style:
- A technique characterized by relaxed arms and hands that hang loosely at the dancer's sides.
Understanding these terms provides a deeper insight into the intricacies of modern dance, which continues to evolve and push boundaries in the world of contemporary dance.