Commonly used dance terms, definitions, derived values.
Full Out
Dancing with 100% energy, passion, performance.
8-Count
How do we break, count music? Dance to 8 counts, two 4-count measures.
‘Dance Musicality’ – how dancers hear, interpret music. Sounds chosen to dance, emote moods. Many executions, timings, textures to portray.
Ball Change
2-step move to transfer weight of one foot behind or by other foot. Just stepping twice! Kick ball change? Kick foot out before ball change.
Bass
Lowest of standard 4 voice ranges (bass, tenor, alto, soprano) or lowest melodic line in harmony. Dancers use ‘boom’ to describe bass drum sounds.
Cypher
A group of dancers in circle, take free-style turns in the centre! Long-standing cultural roots in hip hop (e.g. African, Latin).
Dynamics
Unique execution of movements. Dynamics depend on how much and fast energy is distributed. Contrasts in dynamics makes a piece look more dynamic!
Focus
Where we look while we dance! Common ones – right, left, up, down, 45′s diagonals.
Freestyle
Improvisational, spontaneous dancing to express individual styles (e.g. Hip-Hop).
Groups
Dancing in groups, taking turns to perform. Pushes outside comfort zones.
Holds
When we hold a move, pose but not move during a count.
Isolation
When we isolate one part of our body without moving other parts!
Levels
How high or low body gets? Low levels to bend knees. High levels by getting on toes.
Mark
Conscious music timing. Use % to indicate how much energy? Let’s go 50% for 1st run-through, mark next at 80%!
Milking
Extending movements, dragging out a move.
Plié
Smooth, continuous bending of knees outwards, upper body held upright.
Pictures
Rhythm
Repetitive patterns in music. Count our beats (8-count), measure movements.
Switching lines
When a class rotates from front to back, gives all a chance to be in front.
Tempo
Real-time speed of music. Slow tempo speeds to medium to fast.
Enjoy dancing!