Dance notation is an alphabet of symbols for the writing of dance. The most functional system invented by Rudolf Von Laban and developed by Albrecht Knust during the first half of the 20th century, has been used extensively to record movements of the human body in many styles. These dance scores can be reconstructed and interpreted like music score can be read.
The symbols indicate precise analysis of body movement from the most basic motor activities such as walking, running, skipping and so on, to the most complex combination of structural elements in choreography, spatial design, rhythmic configurations, dynamic variations of dramatic movement (realized through training in exertion and in control of energy) are created on a complete dance score.
EARLY SYSTEMS
The earliest known dance script, found in the Municipal Archives of Cervera Catalonia, Spain was written about 1455 and employs five abstract signs: (- l l 3 9). The two most significant systems of dance notation (those of Charles Beauchamp of 17th century France and Rudolf Laban of 20th century Germany) were also built up in abstract signs. There were several attempts during the early 15th and 16th centuries to develop a method of recording the social dances of the day by using the initial letters of the names given to particular familiar dance patterns:
R (T) reverence (bow); this T is vertical;
b ( I ) branle ( shift from one foot to the other);
S ( _ ) = single step;
d = double step;
r (3) = reprise ( connecting movement) ;
P = Passo ( step or gesture);
Con (9) = Conge ( concluding movement).
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