Motion Analysis as Pedagogic Tool in Dance

Abstract

Excellence in dance arises due to a truly exceptional match between movements of all body parts of a dancer and is ruined by tiny imperfections and flaws in performance. We analyzed the technical canon of dance technique by using an analogy to the morphological subsystem of linguistics and described the very basic elements of any dance technique and its roots in human motion system – morphemes of human motor action as an analytic and pedagogic tool in dance. This definition led to a critical analysis of some aspects of traditional teaching methods and questions of attention focus and motor skill learning in dance completed by some relevant historical perspectives. In the biomechanical lab, the practical use of these specific morphological instructions was tested and proved by kinematic data of dancer’s performance while in jumps before and after corrections given by the author.

Finally the new concept Danamos – dance.art.master.system is described with its core, the seven basic motion morphemes of human motor action, its relevance to any artistic motion sequence, and the cooperation of mental and physical action.