Rhythm is the heartbeat of dance, and in this lesson, you'll synchronize your steps with the pulsating rhythms that define Philippine folkdance. Learn to decipher intricate patterns and timing, creating a symphony of movement that leaves your audience entranced.

Every dancer's journey begins with mastering the fundamental positions of arms and feet. These positions serve as the building blocks for more complex choreography. You'll refine your technique, ensuring precision and grace in your every movement.

Embark on this enlightening journey into the world of dance, where each step brings you closer to becoming a masterful choreographer, a rhythmic virtuoso, and a custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines. Let's dance our way to excellence!

1. Body

- This is WHO we move

- It is the dancer’s materials

- There must be a dancer for there to be a “dance”. Without at least 1 body motion, there is no dance.

- The dancer trains constantly to master and maintain body skills so they can accurately portray the choreographer’s intent.

- Head, hands, feet. Shoulder, arms, legs, torso. Eyes, fingers

2. Action

- This is WHAT we DO to move

- It is any movement of the body while dancing

- The dancers can stay in place (axial) or travel/in moving (locomotor)

- These can be described as “actions“

- Many of these actions have specific technical names such as “arabesque” or “jete”

- Open, close, stretch, twist, rise, fall, bend, turn, jump

3. Space

- This is WHERE we move.

- An area the dancers occupies

- This is the space in which the dancer can move in any dimension

- We can move in different places, sizes, levels, directions and pathways

- It is also our relationship with other dancers and/or objects within the dance.

- Right, left, high, low, backwards, forwards, circular, linear, vertically, diagonally

4. Time

- This is WHEN we move

- There is a beginning and an end

- The timing of the movements are largely dependent on the beat and rhythm of the music, the action that you select, the dancer’s ability to perform it and the choreographer’s intent

- Movements can be performed at various speed, durations, timings and sequences

- Short, long, fast, slow, steady, unpredictable, before, after, unison, patterned

- Rhythm, pulse

5. Energy

- This is HOW we move

- This relates to the dancer’s posture, effort, force, expression and feeling

- These energy components, combined with a superior facilitation of BODY movements, equates to one very powerful dancer

- Dynamics

o Sharp, smooth, tight, loose, sudden, sustained, light, heavy, gentle, strong, gracefulness

MAJOR ELEMENTS OF RHYTHM

All movements are affected by the elements of rhythm. These elements which should be learned and understood in relation to dance are: underlying beat, measure, rhythmic pattern, tempo, accent, phrasing and intensity.

1. Underlying Beat or pulse Beat

- The underlying beat is the steady continuous sound that is heard or felt throughout any rhythmical sequence.

2. Measure

- Measure refers to the identical grouping of underlying beats. This group of note is between two bar lines.

3. Rhythmic Pattern

- A rhythmic pattern is a definite grouping of sounds or beats related to the underlying beat. A particular pattern or unequal sounds or beats must fit within or underlying beats. Sometimes, the rhythmic pattern is also called melody pattern because the rhythmic pattern follows the words of melody.

4. Phrasing

- A musical phrase is a group of measures that gives the feeling of unity. It can be likened to a sentence or an idea in itself. Learning to identify or recognize phrases is essential to learning and creating dances. The end of a phrase may suggest a change in direction of movement.

- Example:

Le ron leron sin-ta umak yat sa pa-pa ya

5. Accent

- Accent is the force of emphasis given to any one beat in a series of pulse beats in a measure.

6. Tempo

- Tempo is the rate of speed of movement, music or accompaniment. It may be fast as in running, it may be moderate as in walking or it5 may be as in ordinary sliding.

7. Intensity

- Intensity is the quality of movement or music. It refers to dynamics or force, such as heavy and light.

1. Music

- Music serves as an accompaniment for a dance performance. It could be as simple as hand claps, humming or chanting or as complicated as choral singing or musical ensemble as band orchestra.

2. Costume.

- This refers to the special clothing worn only for dance performance. Costumes usually defer from ordinary dresses worn daily in terms of cut, color and materials. Masks and accessories like headdressers, belts, footwear, jewelries, special hair styles, makeup and other beautification methods are utilized to give the performer a specific role of\r character for the performance.

3. Spectacle.

- From the term itself, a spectacle is a certain quality done to the dance top make it attractive for viewing by an audience. This means lavished costuming, choreography, movement enhancements, sets, props and other theatrical elements.

Unlike the major elements which would make dance impossible to exist if one id taken out, the dance could still be considered dance without the minor elements.

1st POSITION

Feet: Heels close together; toes apart with an angle of about 45 degrees.

Arms: Both raised forward in a circle in front of chest with the fingertips about an inch apart.

2nd POSITION

Feet: A stride sideward of about a pace or 1 foot distance.

Arms: Both raised sideward with the graceful curve about waist level.

3rd POSITION

Feet: Heel of the foot close to in-step of the other foot.

Arms: One arm raises sideward as in 2nd position; other arm raised overhead.

4th POSITION

Feet: One foot in front of the other foot of about a pace distance.

Arms: One arm rose in front of chest in a half circle as in 1st position; other arm raised overhead

5th Position

Feet: Heel of front feet close to big toe or rear foot

Arms: Both arms raised overhead

Lateral - Both arm raised at one side parallel ton each other

 T Position - Both arms raised sideward; elbows bent so that the forearms fall downward parallel to the sides of the body, palms facing inward.

 Reverse T - Both arms raised sideward, elbows bent so that the forearms are raised upward parallel to the head; palms facing in.