What type of technique is used in modern dance

Cervical Spine: The vertebrae of the neck. Thoracic Spine: The chest area of the spine. Lumbar Spine: The area of the spine pertaining to the lower back vertebrae. There are five lumbar vertebrae. Head of Femur: A ball-like bone on the upper end of the femur thigh that articulates with the acetabulum, comprising the hip joint.

Hip Joint: The hip joint is comprised of the head of the femur thigh fitting into the acetabulum of the pelvis. Pelvis: A complex bony structure made up of the sacrum and the left and right hip bones os coxae. Femur: Thigh bone, large bone of the upper leg. Quadriceps: A group of four muscles located on the anterior front aspect of the thigh.

The primary function of the quadriceps is to extend the knee joint. Greater Trochanter: Bone located laterally at the junction of the shaft and neck of the femur thigh. Often considered as the outside of the hips.

Hamstrings: Because the hamstrings cross two joints, they have essentially two primary functions. First, when the hip is fixated and movement takes place at the knee, the hamstrings are responsible for knee flexion.

On the other hand, when the knee is fixated and movement takes place at the hip, the hamstrings will work in concert with the gluteals minimus and maximus to produce hip extension. Spinal Movement: head to tail movement; correlates to the movement of fish. Extension: Extension of a joint is generally to straighten it. Hyperextension: Hyperextension is extreme extension of a joint or the spine. Lateral: Movement away from the median plane or longitudinal center of the body.

Rotation: Movement around a central axis. Distal Initiation: Movement initiated by body parts situated away from the point of attachment to the body. Body Part Initiation and Awareness. Abduction: Movement away from the midline on the lateral plane. Adduction: Movement toward the midline on the lateral plane.

Accent: In music, accent refers to a stress or an emphasis on a musical event. Accents can be created by changes in loudness, by extreme pitches and by rhythmic placement. Alignment: The ability to efficiently organize the body in relationship to dancing. Attention: Mindful and conscious awareness of sensation.

Body half: The movement of the right or left half of the body, while the other half is stationary or playing a supportive role. The term is associated with Bartenieff Fundamentals and developmental movement patterns.

Brush: Gliding the foot along the floor, also known as a tendu in ballet. Cervical: Pertaining to the neck vertebrae. There are seven cervical vertebrae. Coccyx: The tailbone, which consists of three-four fused vertebrae. Conditioning : Enhancement of strength, flexibility and endurance through physical training. A dancer strives to achieve a balance of flexibility, strength, and muscular and cardiorespiratory endurance.

Core-distal : Energetic relationship between the center and the limbs. Core strength: Postural tone strength and connectivity of major muscles of the torso, hip and shoulders.

Contralateral : Cross patterning of arms and legs. A twisting action that underlies oppositional use of arms and legs. The term is associated with developmental movement patterns.

Crease : Deep folding at the hip joint. Distal: Furthest away from center. Downstage: Part of the stage closer to the audience. Downward dog: An inverted V shape form the yoga tradition with both arms and legs supporting weight. Dynamics : The use of weight, space, flow and time to create different energetic statements.

Femur: Long, upper leg bone. Flat back: Torso is suspended horizontally in space like the top of a table. Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two joints on the sagittal plane. Focus: The gaze of the eye. The difference between modern dance and jazz is that modern dance choreography is performed with a theme in mind. Jazz dance is free form and employs a variety of sharp turns, hops, jumps, leaps and jazz walks set to an upbeat style of music.

In modern dance, these movements are softer and more fluid. Modern dance from to the present has taken a very different approach.

Some choreographers and dancers include in modern dance styles hip hop, lyrical, free style and fusion, a combination of dance forms like tap, jazz, modern and ballet. Since modern dance is usually performed in themed choreographic sequences, it projects a message. Choreography of hip hop, fusion and free style dance tends to be improvisational and without specific themes. Lyrical dance may have a choreographed theme. It leans more toward interpretative dance. Ruth St. In the US, Martha Graham is revered and honored for her modern dance technique.

Among the most famous modern dancers is the statuesque Judith Jamison, whose style is a virtual testament to fluidity, grace and stature in dance. Current trends in modern dance focus less on interpretation and more on acrobatic and aerial movements in groups and with partners. Articulating crossover dance styles by adding words, drama and illusion are the most current trends. Richard Alston uses Cunningham technique in his graceful choreography.

Graham technique is characterized by floor work and the use of abdominal and pelvic contractions. The style is very grounded and the technique visibly contrary to the sylphlike, airborne ideals of ballet.

Limon technique uses the feeling of weight and "heavy energy" in the body, and movement is instigated using breath to lift, and swings through the body to create and halt movement. It also feels very nice to perform! A bit like it sounds - in Release technique, we release through the joints and muscles to create ease of movement, releasing the breath to aid the release of the body. A great relaxation technique as well as a dance style.

As a mob of dancers explored a new reference system made of various dynamics such as quick oppositional moves, shifting alignments, expressions of raw emotions, systematic breathing, dancing moves performed in non-standing positions for example lying on the floor and many as such, away from the conventional strict rules and regulations of ballet, a wave of new forms took birth which later on came to be grouped under the term, 'Contemporary Dance.

It is obvious that this process of putting together freedom took an army. Martha Graham's insistence that contemporary dance is always evolving to incorporate new music, new movement styles, and new philosophies encompasses the defining characteristic of contemporary dance, since each dancer's influences vary according to time and place, not to mention the inner voice of the artist that guides his art. Characteristics and Techniques.

What does that mean? In order to accentuate the unique choreography and edgy manner of storytelling to music, contemporary dance outfits should be synonymous with the choreography and the emotions being conveyed to the audience. Baby doll dresses paired with dance shorts are a popular choice for many performances and competitions. For those looking for something a bit more modest or classic looking, handkerchief dresses are another common option when it comes to contemporary dance costumes.

For a sharp, fluid look, especially for large teams, unitards are sometimes chosen. These full-bodied leotards are tight fitting and can be either tank tops ending with shorts or Capri pants, or long-sleeved tops with full-legged bottoms.