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Tutorial overview
These composition tutorials provide you with practical examples that apply to manipulating the elements of dance.
Tutorial 1 focuses on the element of space. Tutorial 2 concentrates on the elements of time and dynamics.
There are questions that will assist you to focus on how you have used these elements in your own composition.
Tutorial 2
Using time and dynamics in a phrase
In order to do this second tutorial, review the elements of dance> time and elements of dance>dynamics in composition.
Read these, then view the video and read the descriptions, then answer the questions.
Look at the first phrase and consider the following aspects of the elements of time and dynamics.
Time
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Tempo |
Probably best described initially as medium, (steady and fluid), changing to faster (pushing arms and hopping section along the diagonal USP to DSOP). This creates a feeling of excitement. The tempo is fast (fall to the floor that creates a feeling of climax). The tempo slows on the lunge to the USP corner, possibly creating a sense of reflection, and finally to slow, the foetal position on the floor possibility creating a feeling of pain or hiding or introspection. |
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| Duration |
In conjunction with tempo, note that the duration of the movements from the first key shape are sustained (taking several beats to complete), moving to a single beat for the next key shape, through the locomotor pattern on the diagonal, to the fall to the floor. The duration changes again for the lunge and the final key shape on the floor. |
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| Momentum |
In this phrase there is a sense that the momentum increases from the first key shape to the third key shape and then decreases to the end of the phrase. |
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| Beat |
The beats here are quite regular (although not the type of regularity attributed to marching), which gives a sense of steadiness and fun (child–like hopping section). But later changing to irregular (fall to the floor, attempted rise and fall back), suggesting uncertainty and doubt. |
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| Meter |
In this phrase the accents fall at regular intervals providing a predictable structure that supports the hopping movement, although the sustained melody line provides some contrast over the top of the regular beat. |
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| Stillness |
The use of stillness in this phrase (follows the dramatic fall to the floor prior to and following key shape 3) heightens the dramatic effect by providing contrast to the continuous movement preceding it. |
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Dynamics
| Release of energy |
Words that describe the release of energy in this phrase are: Sustained (from key shape 1), strong (from key shape 2), sudden (fall to the floor), sustained (key shape 3), and collapse (key shape 4). The intensity or force that is required to enable the body to move in the desired way shows both lightness and heaviness. Heaviness is seen in key shape 1 and in the attempt to push up off the floor, as well as the fall to the floor and attempt to rise again (following key shape 3). The body giving into heaviness, and sinking to the floor follows this. In contrast, the child–like movements in the hopping section, create a sense of lightness. Having lightness and heaviness in the phrase as well as providing variety allows the composer to clearly contrast happier memories of childhood freedom with the heaviness linked to the strong feelings of reaching out, pulling back and hiding. |
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The interaction of the time, weight and force components create the qualities (feelings or emotions) that the composer wishes to convey to the audience or viewer. In this phrase there are strong contrasts used to create these qualities: heavy and light, slow and fast, regular and irregular, predictable and unpredictable enabling the viewer to see and feel the contrasting emotions: happy and sad, joy and pain, that reinforce the idea of reaching out, and being held back at the same time.
The elements of dance, space, time and dynamics (and their different components), work together to communicate a composer’s intent. The dance composer manipulates them in order to create the idea they wish to communicate. If you look at the summary of significant features in the tutorial on space (and the whole phrase), in conjunction with the interpretations resulting from the analysis of the time and the dynamics components, you will see how they work together. You will also be able to see how and why the dance composer has employed them in this way to realise their specific purpose (intent) and to communicate the desired meaning.
Activities
Now that you have seen this phrase:
What would you do in the next phrase to reinforce the intent and motif using time and dynamics?
Would you manipulate the dynamics or would you maintain it ?
Would you use repetition?
Reflect on the most significant phrase in your core composition:
Is the intent enhanced by your use of time and dynamics throughout your phrase?
Is the motif seen and manipulated in the phrase?
Have you focused on any particular elements of time or dynamics, tempo, duration, stillness, rhythm, beat, momentum weight and heaviness in this phrase? Why?
What is the relationship of this phrase to the ones before or after it?
Is the motif seen in the transitions between the phrases?
Can you manipulate the tempo, beat, momentum or effort to better reflect the intent of your dance in this phrase?
Is the interplay of time and dynamics giving you the desired quality that reflects your intent?
What is the relationship of this phrase to others in your dance?
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