Question 1: Describe the difference between a soft and a strong dance movement. Provide an example of how each might be used to express emotion in a choreography.

Answer: Soft movements are light, gentle, and effortless, often conveying calmness or tenderness. Strong movements are powerful, forceful, and deliberate, expressing intensity or anger. For example, a soft movement might be a gentle sway to show vulnerability, while a strong leap can demonstrate confidence or anger.

Question 2: Identify three different types of movement dynamics (e.g., sustained, percussive, vibratory) and give an example of each in a dance sequence.

Answer: Sustained: a smooth, continuous movement such as a flowing arm swipe. Percussive: sharp and sudden movements like a quick jump or kick. Vibratory: rapid shaking or trembling movements, such as trembling shoulders or hands.

Question 3: Explain how altering the speed of a movement can change its emotional impact in a dance performance.

Answer: Changing the speed can influence the mood; slow movements can create a sense of sadness or contemplation, while fast movements can generate excitement or urgency.

Question 4: Perform a sequence of three movements that demonstrate increasing intensity in dynamics. Describe each movement and its dynamic quality.

Answer: First movement: a slow, gentle sway (sustained, soft). Second movement: a quick, sharp punch or kick (percussive, strong). Third movement: a rapid, trembling shake of the torso (vibratory, intense).

Question 5: Draw a sketch of a dance pose that expresses tension through dynamic movement. Label the key parts of your pose to indicate the level of tension.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a dancer with tightly clenched fists, rigid limbs, and a tense facial expression, with the body slightly bent forward or backward to suggest strain. Labels should indicate 'tensed arms,' 'rigid legs,' and 'focused expression.'

Question 6: List two ways a choreographer can use dynamics to create contrast within a dance piece.

Answer: A choreographer can contrast slow, flowing movements with quick, sharp ones. They can also alternate between soft, gentle movements and powerful, forceful actions to highlight different emotional states.

Question 7: Describe how you might incorporate dynamics into a solo dance to tell a story of conflict and resolution.

Answer: Start with tense, percussive movements to depict conflict, gradually shifting to smoother, sustained movements to show resolution and calmness. Variations in speed and force can emphasize emotional changes.

Question 8: Sketch a sequence of four movements that demonstrate a gradual increase in movement energy. Your sketches should show different poses and dynamic qualities.

Answer: A correct sequence would start with a slow, relaxed pose, then move to a more upright, energetic stance, followed by a quick, sharp action such as a jump, and finally a vigorous, powerful leap or spin. Labels should specify 'slow,' 'moderate,' 'fast,' and 'powerful' for each stage.

Question 9: Explain the concept of 'percussive' movement in dance and give an example of how it can be used to add emphasis to a performance.

Answer: 'Percussive' movement involves sharp, sudden actions that create a rhythmic impact. An example could be a quick clap or a sudden stomp, used to emphasize a beat or highlight a dramatic moment.

Question 10: In groups, create a short phrase of movements that combine different dynamics to express a narrative of rising tension and release. Describe your group's sequence.

Answer: The sequence begins with slow, soft, flowing movements to portray calmness, then transitions into sharp, percussive actions to build tension, followed by rapid vibratory movements at the peak, and finally resolves into slow, sustained movements to depict release.