Dance notation

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Dance notation is the symbolic representation of dance movement, it is analogous to Movement notation but can be limited to representing human movement and specific forms of dance such as Tap dance. Various methods have been to used to visually represent dance movements including:

Related Topics:
Symbolic - Analogous - Movement notation - Tap dance

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• abstract symbols
• figurative representation
• track or path mapping
• Numerical systems
• music notation
• Graphic notation
• Letter and word notations

The primary use of dance notation is the documentation, analysis and reconstruction of choreography and dance forms or technical exercises. Many different forms of dance notation have been created but the two main systems used in Western culture are Labanotation (also known as Kinetography Laban) and Benesh Movement Notation. Eshkol-Wachman Movement Notation and DanceWriting are also in use, but to a lesser extent.

Related Topics:
Choreography - Dance form - Exercises - Western culture - Labanotation - Kinetography Laban - Benesh Movement Notation - Eshkol-Wachman Movement Notation - DanceWriting

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The first computerized notation system, which displayed an animated figure on the screen which performed the dance moves specified by the choreographer, was the DOM dance notation system, created by Eddie Dombroiwer on the Apple II personal computer in 1982. (See Dance Notation Journal, Fall, 1986, 4(2) pp. 47-48.)

Related Topics:
Eddie Dombroiwer - Apple II - Personal computer - 1982

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Several notation systems are used only for specific dance forms, for example, Shorthand Dance Notation (dances from Israel), Morris Dance Notation (Morris dance) and Beauchamp-Feuillet notation (Historical dances from the Baroque period).

Related Topics:
Dance form - Shorthand Dance Notation - Israel - Morris Dance Notation - Morris dance - Beauchamp-Feuillet notation - Historical dance - Baroque

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Hutchinson Guest's seminal book Choreographics (1989), compares thirteen historical and present-day dance notation systems (with visual examples) and through 'one to one' comparisons illustrates the advantages, and disadvantages of each system. The book is good introduction to the development and implementation dance notation systems.

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Dance notation: Notation and Computers ►