Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Horton (Part I): Modern Dance Technique

Experiential  Work

Begin class by trying to embody the main movements demonstrated in the videos below.

 I. Warm Up

Warm Up

Balance


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II. Research Work

The following video gives an overview of Horton's technique.
Genealogy and Review

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III. Choreographic Work

Each one of this movements below contributes to your acquisition of new vocabulary. Using the videos, your own instincts and creativity, try to recreate the movements listed below.

LESTER HORTON TECHNIQUE

  • Flat Back
  •  
  • Lateral Strectches
  •  
  • Primitve Squat
  •  
  • Coccyx Balance
  •  
  • Lateral T
  •  
  • Twists
  •  
  • Back Bends
  •  
  • Plies (first and second positions)
  •  
  • Arms Position
  •  
  • Lateral Torso Bends
  •  
  • Forward Torso Bends (with and without plie)

Activity:

After observing videos on Horton Technique create 4 moves in order to choreograph a phrase that you will add to your solo phrases.

IV. Written Component

a) What is the main difference between Dunham's and Horton's techniques?

b) How did it feel in your body to switch from one to the other?

c) What do you think is the main function of Horton's technique?

d) What did you like best about it?

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STUDENTS' WORK


DAN 211 Class 3/31: Horton (Part I): Modern Dance Technique

 

Experiential  Work

Begin class by trying to embody the main movements demonstrated in the videos below.

 

 I. Warm Up

https://youtu.be/SGKClA27FI4

 

Warm Up

https://youtu.be/dCte8t_EQRk

 

Balance

-------------------------------------

 

II. Research Work

 

The following video gives an overview of Horton's technique.

https://youtu.be/CetI5-6D_SM

 

 

Genealogy and Review

---------------------------------

III. Choreographic Work

 

Each one of this movements below contributes to your acquisition of new vocabulary. Using the videos, your own instincts and creativity, try to recreate the movements listed below.


LESTER HORTON TECHNIQUE

  • Flat Back
  • Lateral Strectches
  • Primitve Squat
  • Coccyx Balance 
  • Lateral T
  • Twists
  • Back Bend
  • Plies (first and second positions) 
  • Arms Position
  • Lateral Torso Bends 
  • Forward Torso Bends (with and without plie)

Activity:

After observing videos on Horton Technique create 4 moves in order to choreograph a phrase that you will add to your solo phrases.

IV. Written Component

a) What is the main difference between Dunham's and Horton's techniques?

Dunham is much less stiff than Horton´s technique. She allows the body to flow more, but Horton´s technique is much more about alignment such as straight arms, legs, extending to infinity, etc. Dunham plays a lot more with undulating movements and chest and hip movements that don´t rely so much on a stiff axis like Horton´s technique does.

b) How did it feel in your body to switch from one to the other?
It was very interesting to experience the difference. One, Dunham´s, felt freer and airier. You are able to add a little more of your own rhythm to it. It is more grounded, about legs being bent, and rounder arms. Horton´s movement felt much stiffer on my body. It forced me to think about my flexibility and to focus on stretching my body parts as much as I could. It has a very centered axis in the center of the body. Horton´s technique definitely felt harder on my body.


c) What do you think is the main function of Horton's technique?
I think that the main function of Horton´s technique is to develop strength and flexibility in the body. It is about stretching and keeping a connection between all the different parts in your body for you to be able to move them smoothly through the constant energy in motion. It is about working the body as a whole into a solid instrument that can be used in any way due to its strength and knowledge of how each body part moves and the effects that has on the body´s balance, movement, etc.


d) What did you like best about it?

What I like the best about it is that after doing it you feel the same feeling that you get after the stretching sessions that we did in class every day. Your body feels stretched out and ready to be moved. You also feel relaxed and with much less tension, which increases your range of motion. After doing it I was more aware of my body and alignment, and about keeping my back straight and my head up high.

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Videos






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