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Choreographic Forms
Canon
A canon is commonly referred to as a “round” in the musical world. This form is effective with children of all ages due to its familiarity. When “Row, row, row your boat” is sung as a round, one group sings this first line while another group is silent. Then when the other group sings the first line, the original group sings “gently down the stream,” etc. Singing or other music may or may not accompany a movement canon:
| Phrase |
Group 1 | Group 2 |
| 1 | Side-step for 8 counts |
|
| 2 | Walk forward 4 counts and
backward 4 counts |
Side-step for 8 counts |
| 3 | Grapevine right 4 counts
and left 4 counts |
Walk forward 4 counts and
backward 4 counts |
| 4 | Bend forward, bend right,
bend backward, bend left (each 2 counts) |
Grapevine right 4
counts and left 4 counts |
ABA
The ABA form might be compared to a sandwich. The sequence includes an initial movement phrase, (A), a second movement phrase (B), and a repeat of the first phrase (A):
| Phrase |
All Movers |
| 1 | Side-step for 8 counts |
| 2 | Walk forward 4 counts and
backward 4 counts |
| 3 | Side-step for 8 counts |
Rondo
A rondo alternates a primary movement pattern (A) with any number of additional
movement patterns (B, C, D). With four total patterns, the sequence is ABACAD:
|
Phrase |
All Movers |
1 (A) |
Side-step for 8 counts |
2 (B) |
Walk forward 4 counts and
backward 4 counts |
3 (A) |
Side-step for 8 counts |
4 (C) |
Grapevine right 4 counts and left 4 counts |
5 (A) |
Side-step for 8 counts |
6 (D) |
Bend forward, bend right,
bend backward, bend left (each 2 counts) |
Theme & Variation
The theme and variation form begins with an initial movement pattern (A), and then adds subsequent variations of that pattern (A1, A2, A3):
| Phrase |
All Movers |
1 (A) |
Walk forward 4 counts and
backward 4 counts, beginning right foot |
2 (A1) |
Walk forward 4 counts and
backward 4 counts, beginning left foot |
3 (A2) |
Walk diagonally forward (right) 4 counts and backward 4 counts, beginning right foot |
4 (A3) |
Walk diagonally forward (left) 4 counts and backward 4 counts, beginning left foot |
Individual choreographic forms may be used as described here, or combined in a variety of ways. Teachers just need to be sure that the complexity of choreographic forms in a dance remains suitable for a given developmental level. An example is provided in which the line dance "Popcorn" combines aspects of the ABA, Rhondo, and Theme Variation forms:
© Steven A. Henkel, 1/06