LESSON 2- DANCE FUNDAMENTALS

DANCE FUNDAMENTALS

Anybody who has a very little training or no background at all in dance will
have difficulty learning the dance activities. Having knowledge of the fundamental
skills, fundamental movements, different positions of the arms and feet, dance
terms used and the fundamental dance steps are an advantage.

BASIC ARMS AND FEET POSITIONS

There are five (5) fundamental positions of the arms and feet in dance. These
positions apply to all forms of dances although they are widely used in the teaching
of folk, ballet and modern dances.

Before the fundamental positions could be taught, it is important that the

- The weight of the body should be on the feet before the start of the
fundamental exercises.
- The trunk is kept erect with the spine maintaining the normal curve. The
head is held high with the chin up.
- The arm positions follow the rule of opposition which is also the rule in
balance, for example, when the right foot is in front, the left arm is the one
raised and not the right; reverse the arm position, when left foot is placed in
front of the right.
- The arms move from the shoulders and not from the elbows.
- Arms make a round soft curve. This keeps the arms away from the trunk.
Avoid sharp angles of the elbows.
- Elbows must not sag but must be lifted and out of sight in the frontal view.
This will further avoid the sharp angles
- Hands must be at waist level in the 1st position; shoulder level at the 2nd
position; the lower hand at shoulder level in the 3rd position;
 - The lower hand at shoulder level in the 3rd position; lower hand at waist
level in the 4th position; in overhead positions of the 3rd, 4th and 5th
positions, arms must be slightly in front of the head so that they are visible
when the eyes glance upward.
- Coordinate the head with arm movements. The head turns and eyes look at
the hands that moved or are positioned farthest from the body or the hands
that are closer to the audience. Face in front in the 1st position and slightly
upward in the 5th position.
- Arms are always relaxed and never held stiff. Fingers are relaxed and not
held close together. The finger position, when the arms hang loosely at the
fundamental dance position, sides are the same when executing the
fundamental positions.
- Mastery of the positions is necessary for proper execution. Bear in mind that
these positions are used when dancing and merely for warm-up positions.
- Begin every dance activity with warm-up exercise using the fundamental
positions.

POSITIONS OF THE ARMS AND FEET

• FIRST POSITION

Arms are placed in front on chest level, with elbows lifted and the hands
almost meet at the center.

The heels are joined together and the toes are pointed on the opposite
direction, 45 degrees wide, or wider. The legs are straight.

1st Position

ARMS: Both raised forward in a circle in front of chest with the finger tips about
an inch apart.

FEET: Heel close together, toes apart with and angle of about 45 degrees
• SECOND POSITION

Arms are spread out of the side in a round manner. The hands should be a
little rounded, and the elbows are carried to make the position rounded.

The legs are placed separately at the side, with the heels facing each other
and the toes of each foot facing opposite sides. The legs are kept straight

2nd Position

ARMS: Both raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.

FEET: Astride sideward about a pace or 1 foot distance.

 THIRD POSITION

Arms are extended like a letter "L". The hands should be a little rounded and
not dropped, and the elbows are carried to complete the position.

One foot is placed in front of the other foot, in a turned-out position where
the toes of each foot are facing the opposite sides. The heel of the foot at the front
is placed at the middle of the other foot.
 FOURTH POSITION

Arms are separately placed upward and in front. The arms on top should be
placed not directly above the head but a little forward where the performer could
see the palm above, and on a level where she/he could still see the one beside
her/him.

One leg is positioned at the front of the other leg, approximately one foot
apart. The toes of each foot face opposite directions. The legs are kept straight in
this position

4th Position

Arms: One arm raised in front as in 1° position: other arm raised overhead.

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

 FIFTH POSITION

Both arms are placed upward. The arms should be positioned not directly
above the head but a little forward where the performer could see the palms, and
on a level where she/he could still see the one beside her/him. Shoulders should be
relaxed in this position

Like the third position, one foot is placed in front of the other foot, in a
turned-out position where the toes of each foot are facing the opposite sides. The
heel of the foot in front is directly in contact with the toes of the back foot. And the
toes of the foot in front are aligned with the heel of the back foot
5th Position

Arms: Both arms raised over head.

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

FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENTS

Dance is basically a combination of two natural types of movements, the

LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENTS

 Walk and Step- Moving a moderate pace on feet, lifting one foot only after the
other foot has touched the floor ground. There is a transfer of weight in every
step made. Legs swing from the hips while the arms swing naturally at the
sides.
 Run - Moving on foot with springing steps at rapid pacing such that for an
instant, both feet are off-ground during each step
 Jump -Involves springs and talking off with one foot or both and landing on
both feet
 Hop - A springing of one foot and landing on the same foot
 Skip - Follows the same procedure as doing the hop but bouncing lightly with
alternative steps and
 Leap - A spring on one foot and landing on the same foot to any direction
 Gallop - Moving in continuous forward or sideward direction with one foot
leading
 Slide - Gliding along the floor with either foot
AXIAL MOVEMENTS

 Flexion - A joint is to bend or decrease the angle between the bones of the joint.
Movements of flexion are directed in the sagittal plane of the body. Example:
flexion of the head, arms, trunk, legs, etc.
 Extension - A joint is to generally straighten it. It is the reverse position of
flexion.
 Hyper-extension - Extreme, men abnormal extension. Example: bridge stand
 Rotation - Is to turn the moving bone about its axis. Rotation toward the body
is internal or medial rotation; from the body is external or lateral rotation.
Example: rotation of the head of saying "no".
 Circumduction - Is a circular movement permitted at ball and soccer, condylar,
and saddle joint. Example; circumduction of the head, shoulders, feet, etc.
 Abduction - A joint moves a bone away from the midline of the body (or hand
or foot). Example: moving of the arms and legs away from the body.
 Adduction - A joint moves a bone toward the midline of the body (or in the
case of the fingers or toes, toward the midline of the hand or foot). Example:
moving of the arms and legs towards the body
 Contraction - shortening forming an inner curve of the joint
 Release - to straighten up
 Pendular - Swinging/swaying arms/legs forward, backward or sideward
 Vibratory - Is the shaking and beating of the body parts. Example: vibratory
movement of the hands, arms, legs, etc.
COMMON DANCE TERMS

ABRASETE - Girl at the right side, hold R arm of partner with her L hand, free
hands down at the sides. This term is of Spanish origin and is used in Rigodon and
in other dances. Arms in Lateral Position - Both arms are at one side, either
sideward right or left.

ARMS IN REVERSE T- Arms are side horizontal, elbows bent at right angles,
forearms parallel to head, palms forward or facing inward, fist loosely closed.

BILAO - To turn palms of hands up and down alternately, hands at waist level in
front, elbows close to waist. Brush - Weight on one foot, hit the floor with the ball
or heel of the other foot (the free foot) after which that foot is lifted from the floor
to any direction.

CABECERAS - When dances are in square formation, the couple occupying the
width of the hall are called cabeceras or head couples.

CLOCKWISE - Like the motion of the hands of a clock. R shoulder is toward the
center of the imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the
right.

COUNTERCLOCKWISE - The reverse direction of clockwise. L shoulder is

COSTADOS - When dancers are in square formation, the couples occupying the
length of the ball are called costados or side pairs.

CROSSED ARMS - Partners are facing each other or standing side by side, girl at
the right of boy. They join their L hands together and their R hands together; either
Rover Lor Lover R hands.

CROSS-OVER - Two couples (the vis-à-vis) are opposite each other. Each couple
proceeds in a straight line to the opposite place. The girls pass by their L shoulders
between the boys. Boys bow to each other when they meet at the middle or about
one-third of the way, then proceed to the opposite place.
CUT - To displaces quickly one foot with the other, thus completely taking off the
weight of the body from the displaced foot.

DRAWN - To pull one foot along the floor close to the other which has the weight
of the body, the weight may not be transferred.

FREE FOOT - The foot not bearing the weight of the body.

FREE HAND - The hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything

HANDS ON WAIST - Placed hands at the waist line (at the smallest part of the
trunk), knuckles in fingers pointing in rear.

HAPAY - To flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat or glass of wine to somebody as

HAYON-HAYON - A Visayan term to placed one forearm in front and the other
at the back of the waist.

INSIDE FOOT -The foot nearest one's partner, when partners stand side by side

INSIDE HAND - The hand nearest one's partner, when partners stand side by side.
JALEO - Partners turn once around clockwise (with R elbows almost touching) or
counterclockwise (with L elbows touching) using walking or any kind of dance
step

KUMINTANG - Moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counter
clockwise direction.

OUTSIDE FOOT -The foot away from one's partner, when partners stand side by
side.

OUTSIDE HAND - The hand away from one's partner, when partners stand side
by side.

PANADYAK - To stamp in front or at the side with R(L) foot and tap with the
same foot close to the L(R) foot weight of the body on L foot.

PLACE - To put foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it.
The sole of the foot rests on the floor
PIVOT - To turn with the ball, heel are whole foot, on a fixed placed or point
POINT - Touch the floor slightly with the toes of one foot, weight of the body on
the other foot

SALOK - To swing the arm downward-upward passing in front of the body as if

SALUDO - Partners bow to each other, to the audience, opposite dancers, or to the
neighbors with feet together.

SAROK - Cross the R(or L) foot in front of the L(or R), bend the body slightly
forward and cross the hands (forearms) down in front with the R (or L) hand
(forearm) over the L (or R)

SET- A dance formation like a square or a unit formation composed of two or

STAMP - To bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor (like doing a
heavy step) with or without transfer of weight

STAR WITH RIGHT HAND - Four or ore people join R hands at center and
circle around clockwise using walking or any kind of dance step.

STAR WITH LEFT HAND - Same as star with R hand, but joining L hands and
turning counter clockwise

SUPPORTING FOOT - The foot that bears the weight of the body

TAP - Slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot, flexing the ankle joint keeping
weight of the body on the other foot. There is no change or transfer or weight
TRANSFER WEIGHT- Shifting of weight from one foot to the other foot when
stepping or misaligning the waist like in doing hip-swaying movements

WEIGHT ON BOTH FEET - Body weight is equally distributed on both feet

WHIRL - To make fast turns by executing small steps in place to right or left