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A New Model for Teaching Saut de Basque

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2014

Hannah C. Wiley
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Extract

In the last decade a new body of dance-oriented biomechanical literature has begun to develop. Much of this biomechanical research indicates that in some ways traditional dance pedagogical methods are in conflict with the physical realities of moving bodies in space and the scientific laws that govern the behavior of moving bodies in space, i.e., the laws of physics. A number of traditionally accepted instructional dance precepts are being revealed as inaccurate or impossible. For example, according to traditional dance pedagogical methods, the supinated or “sickled” foot is a strictly forbidden action. However, in her study of grand allegro steps, Ryman found that in turning leaps, the push-off foot “sickled” during the take-off phase. Indeed the laws of science dictate that such twisting is essential for providing the torque necessary in any turning motion. Ryman's documentation of the “sickled” foot is an example of the limitations in the traditional dance teaching methods that currently are being exposed by dance-oriented biomechanical research.

Type
Research Article
Information
Dance Research Journal , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , Winter 1988 , pp. 9 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Congress on Research in Dance 1988

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References

NOTES

1. Ryman, Rhonda, “A Kinematic Analysis of Selected Grand Allegro Jumps”, Dance Research Annual IX (1978): 231–42Google Scholar; and Laws, Kenneth L., “Physics and Ballet — A New Pas de Deux”, Dickinson Alumnus (February 1979): 10–11Google Scholar.

2. Ryman, p. 239.

3. Hinson, Marilyn and Lawton, Terry, “Motion Photography: A Tool for the Analysis of Movement Patterns in the Creative Arts”, in Creative Arts for the Severely Handicapped, Sherrill, Claude, ed., (Fort Worth: Perko Printing, 1977)Google Scholar; and Hinson, Marilyn, Buckman, Susan, Tate, Judith, and Sherrill, Claudine, “The Grand Jeté en Tournant Entŕelacé (Tour Jeté)”, Dance Research Journal 10/1 1977–1978: 9–13CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

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6. Laws, Kenneth L., “An Analysis of Turns in Dance”, Dance Research Journal 11/1 & 2 (1978–1979): 12–19CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Laws, Kenneth L., “Physics and Ballet — A New Pas de Deux”, in New Directions in Dance, Taplin, D.T., ed., (Waterloo: University of Waterloo, 1979)Google Scholar; and Laws, Kenneth, “Precious Aurora — And Example of Physics in Partnering”, Kinesiology for Dance! 12 (August 1980): 1–3Google Scholar.

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12. Ryman, 1978, p. 237.

13. Laws, 1978-79, p. 13.

14. Glasstone, p. 62; Vaganova, p. 69; and Lawson, Joan, The Principles of Classical Dance (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1980), p. 57Google Scholar.

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16. Vaganova, p. 91.