Definitions of key terms used in the GCSE dance specification (8236). Students should be familiar with and understand these terms.
accessory
An additional item of clothing, for example gloves.
Actions
What a dancer does, for example travel, spin, lift, gesture, stand still, use body parts, work the floor and carry weight.
Acceleration
Accelerated motion.
I follow
The sound you hear during a dance. For example, percussion.
Accumulation
When one dancer performs a series of moves and others join in at different times until they are all performing together.
air pattern
A pattern traced in the air by part of the body.
Alignment
Correct positioning of body parts in relation to each other.
assessment
Recognition and understanding of the properties of dance.
artistic intent
The purpose of a dance; what the choreographer intends to communicate.
until
Creative ability.
Acoustic
It has to do with sound.
Hearing adjustment
An audible accompaniment to the dance, such as music, words, singing and natural sound (or silence).
Balance
A stable or maintained position achieved by an even distribution of weight.
Binary
A composition in two parts or sections.
Rule
When the same movements overlap in time.
choreographic approach
The way a choreographer does the dance.
choreographic devices
Methods used to develop and differentiate the material.
choreographic intention
The purpose of the dance; what the choreographer intends to communicate.
choreographic procedures
Activities involved in creating dance such as improvisation, selection and development.
Choreography
The art of creating dance.
Climax
The most important moment of the dance.
Additional
Perform actions or shapes that are similar, but not exactly the same, to another dancer.
component resources
Characteristics of choreography such as style, stimulus, theme, number/gender of dancers, action content, choreographic principles, form and structure, physical and aural configurations.
Contrast
Movements or shapes that have nothing in common.
I check
The ability to start and stop movement, change direction and maintain form effectively.
Coordination
The effective combination of body parts.
Fantasia
Clothes worn by the dancers in the performance.
Counterpoint
When dancers perform different phrases at the same time.
critical appraisal
Assessment of dance based on knowledge and understanding, including original knowledge.
dance film
Where dance and cinema are an integral part of a work. This includes documentaries, animations, dance on camera and a screen adaptation of a play.
dance for the camera
Where the choreographer collaborates (or is) the director. where the intention is to produce a dance work in a multimedia format that cannot be achieved in live performance.
dance costume
What does the dancer wear in lessons and rehearsals.
Deceleration
Slowing down the movement.
Development
The way to handle the motion material.
Direction
Facing a movement.
Duet
Two artists.
Dynamic
The properties of motion are based on variations in speed, force and flow.
dance elements
Actions, space, dynamics and relationships.
Lifting
The action of 'lifting' without support, as in a jump.
Final stage
A performance space with the audience on one side. also known as "end-on".
Episodic
A choreography with many sections, connected to a theme.
Implementation
Perform actions with the required intent.
expressive skills
Aspects that contribute to the performance and engage the audience, such as focus and musicality.
Extension
Strains of one or more muscles or limbs.
Facial expression
Using the face to show mood, emotion or character.
Production characteristics
Lighting, sets, properties, costumes and soundstages.
Flexibility
The range of motion at the joints (which include muscles, tendons and ligaments).
focus (use)
Use of eyes to enhance performance or performance qualities.
Form
The general form and structure of a dance.
Formations
Shapes or designs created in space by dancers.
Fragmentation
Using parts of a phrase or pattern.
Better times
Important moments of a dance.
ideational
Relating to ideas or concepts.
Improvisation
Exploring or creating movement without programming.
in the round
A performance space with the audience seated on all sides.
Intention
Objective or desired result.
Interpretation
Finding the meaning found in the movement or finding the movement found in the idea.
Isolation
An independent movement of a body part.
Cinestésico
Sensory perception (or awareness) of movement and position.
Flat
Ground clearance: low, medium or high.
Lighting
Performance area lighting.
logical order
The flow of phrases or parts of a dance.
manipulation of numbers
How the number of dancers in a group is used.
mental rehearsal
Think or visualize the dance.
mental skills
These include commitment, concentration, confidence, working memory, systematic repetition, mental rehearsal, rehearsal discipline, rehearsal planning, response to feedback and the ability to improve.
Motility
The range of motion at a joint. the ability to move smoothly from one action to another.
Reason
A movement phrase that encapsulates an idea that is repeated and developed throughout the dance.
motivational development
Ways in which a movement phrase can vary.
movement material
The question of dance: actions, space, dynamics and relationships.
movement memory
Automatic recall of learned movement material without conscious thought.
The musicality
The ability to bring out the unique qualities of the accompaniment in the performance.
Narrative
Dance that tells a story.
Ways
Designs tracked in space (on the ground or in the air).
Patterns (spatial)
A repeating pattern traced in space (on the ground or in the air).
Implementation
Presentation of dance to an audience.
Performance (personal)
Acquisition and development of physical and expressive skills.
performance environments
Different dance configurations, such as in-the-round, proscenium and site-sensitive.
Phrase
A short sequence of interlocking movements.
wording
The way energy is distributed when executing a movement phrase.
physical abilities
Aspects that enable effective performance such as posture, alignment, balance, coordination, control, flexibility, mobility, strength, endurance, extension and isolation.
Posture
The way the body is held.
professional job
Original choreography by a nationally or internationally recognized person or company.
Projection
The energy the dancer uses to connect and engage the audience.
prop / property
A portable object used on a ball, for example a suitcase.
Foreground
The arch or opening which creates the effect of a frame and separates the stage from the auditorium.
essay topic
Characteristics and skills needed to improve performance, such as commitment, systematic repetition, teamwork, accountability and efficient use of time.
Relationships
The ways of interaction of the dancers. the connections between the dancers.
Repetition
Perform the same action or phrase again.
Reciprocating
Reversal of a movement phrase.
rhythmic content
Repetitive patterns of sound or movement.
Rondo
A form of song or dance with alternating and repeated sections, for example verse and dance.
safe execution
Perform actions safely.
safe work practice
Personal care, respect for others, safe execution and dance preparation and rehabilitation.
Sensitivity to other dancers
Awareness and connection with other dancers.
sensitive location
Dances designed for (or relating to) non-theatrical venues.
Only
An artist.
Space
The "where" of movement, such as planes, directions, paths, shapes, patterns and patterns.
Spatial perception
Awareness of the environment and effective use of it.
space project
The way the elements of the space (can be personal space and public space) were considered, used and designed.
preparation/script
The presentation of the dance in the performance space which includes props, furniture, props, projection and props.
Energy
Ability to maintain physical and mental energy for periods of time.
stimulus/stimulus
Inspiration for an idea or movement.
Power
Muscle power.
Structure
The way the material is organized to create the whole.
Construction equipment
The ways in which a dance is made, constructed, commissioned or organized.
Style
Characteristic way of dancing.
fusion style
The combination of features of two or more styles.
systematic repetition
Repeat something neatly or orderly.
Tangible
It is related to the sense of touch.
Technical skills
These include accuracy of action, timing, dynamic, rhythmic and spatial content and stylistically accurate reproduction of movement.
Triune
A composition in three parts.
Rhythm
The use of timing or meters when matching movements to sound and/or other dancers.
transitions
Links between phrases or dance sections.
harmony
Two or more dancers performing the same movement at the same time.
Unit
A sense of "wholeness" or harmony.
Optical
About sight.
Specifications that use this feature:
- GCSE 8236 Dance