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Gestures

1

Definition of gestures

Fill in the gaps choosing the appropriate word below to produce a definition of gestures as understood in Labanotation theory.

This is a drawing of a male oriental dancer. He is only wearing some baggy trousers. His body is decorated with bracelets in his arms and a string around his neck and accross his mody. He has weavy black hair. He is moving forwards but looking backwards twisting his torso. Both arms flexed, his left arm upwards with his palm facing up and his right arm downwards with his palm facing down.

A gesture is the movement of any limb that has no . Limbs are attached to the body by a end but also have a end. Direction and level of gestures are determined by both of the limb. Individual body may perform different gestures at the same time. All gestures must be performed on a direct unless a is indicated. A is reached when a limb finishes an action and there is no other indication of movement. Therefore, an empty space in a gesture column indicates that the limb stays .

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Word bank: deviation, ends, fixed, free, parts, path, position, still, weight

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2

Change of levels in gestures

What is the difference between these two arm movements?

Labanotation score.
Movement a)

Labanotation score.
Movement b)

In a) there is a single gesture to the right that travels from middle to high level.

In b) there are two gestures. One to the right middle and the other to the diagonal front high. These are two separate gestures in two different directions and levels.

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3

Gaps in gestures

If there is a gap in the score between the gestures of the limbs, it means that the limbs go back to normal.

This is a black and white photograph of a female dancer. She is wearing a long black leotard with a net hunging from her shoulders. She is stepping wide with her right leg. Her upper torso and head tilted backwards and her arms to the sides raising upwards.

a)
b)
That's correct.Wrong. If there is a gap between gestures, the limbs will remain in the same state or position in regard to the body.Your answer has been saved.
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4

Gesturing parts

Other than arm and leg gestures, what other body parts can gesture?

This is a pencil drawing of a male dancer. He is stepping forward with his right leg, his arms raised and his head tilted backwards. He is wearing red dungarees, waistcoat and neck scarf.

Any part of the body that does not carry weight. This could be the head as well as the torso and its parts.Check your answer

5

The step-gesture rule

Explain the step-gesture rule.

The rule specifies that:

  1. a gesture and a step cannot happen at the same time.
  2. the gesture always happens a fraction of a count later.
  3. a gesture and step can happen simultaneously only when there is a spring action.
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6

Gestures versus steps

What is the difference between gestures and steps in Labanotation?

This is a pencil drawing of a female oriental dancer. She is wearing a green an blue trousers with skirt on top and a short sleeve shirt. She has decorative bracelets in her ankles, arms and a headset. She is moving with her right leg bending in front resting her toes on the floor. Her arms and head facing to the left.

Gestures are non-weight bearing while steps imply support and are weight bearing.Check your answer

Score analysis

Now, study this notation and answer the following questions:

Labanotation score.

7

What is the direction and level of the arm gestures in the starting position?

Arms begin side middle. Right arm right side middle, left arm left side middle.Check your answer

8

What is the direction, level and timing of the left leg gesture?

The left leg gestures forward middle during beats one and two.Check your answer

9

Describe the path of the arms at beats three and four.

The arms move from place high to place low. As these are fourth degree points, the hand will pass near the shoulder joint on the way to place low. This will create a straight path.Check your answer