Skip to main content

Dance notation systems

1

Laban systems

What is the difference between Labanotation and Laban Movement Analysis?

Labanotation addresses the 'what' of the movement while Laban Movement Analysis addresses the 'how' of the movement.Check your answer

2

Systems of movement notation

Name two other major systems of movement notation.

  1. Benesh Movement Notation
  2. Eshkol-Wachmann Movement Notation
Check your answer

3

Similarities in systems of notation

Name two similarities between Labanotation and Benesh system of movement notation.

  1. Both are abstract systems (symbolic).
  2. Both use a similar staff (divided in columns that refer to different parts of the body.)
Check your answer

4

Differences in systems of notation

Name main differences between Labanotation and Benesh system of movement notation.

  1. Labanotation is read from bottom to top while Benesh is read from left to right.
  2. Labanotation records time through length of symbol while Benesh symbol maintain length.
  3. Labanotation incorporates dynamics and effort indications.
  4. Labanotation signs refer visually to the directions of movement while Benesh signs refer to its flow.
Check your answer

5

Categories of graphic notation

What are the five categories of graphic notation identified by Ann Hutchinson Guest in her book Choreo-graphics?

This is the reproduction of a dance notation score that shows an intricate floor pattern for a dancing couple. It shows a music score on top of the movement. Under the score there is a note that says 'The Rigadoone composed by Mr Isaac'. The whole sheet is written by hand with ink.

The five categories are:

  1. Words and words abbreviations
  2. Track drawings
  3. Stick figure (visual)
  4. Music note
  5. Abstract

You can preview this book in: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=eWhwhrZzbDoC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (opens in a new window).

Check your answer

6

Labanotation signs

To which of those categories of graphic notation does Labanotation belong?

This is a short labanotation score that reads '6. Pas de bourree'. The accompanying music is shown on the left hand side.

Abstract. The signs in Labanotation are symbols that need to be learned to be understood.Check your answer

7

Benesh signs

To which of those categories does Benesh Movement Notation belong?

This is a short extract of a Benesh notation score. It shows a staff with five horizontal lines with some notation symbols.

Stick Figure (visual).

Hutchinson Guest classifies the Benesh system as visual but it could be argued that it is also quite abstract in the sense that the signs are not transparent or evident to the reader. In this system, as well as in Labanotation, the staff columns refer to the body but the signs used to describe movement are highly abstract.

Check your answer