In dance, dynamics refer to the quality of your movement(s), especially in combination with one another to form a dance routine. What are the dynamics in dance?
There are six dance dynamics in all:
- Collapsed
- Percussive
- Sustained
- Vibratory
- Suspended
- Swinging
On their own, they might not make much sense, but in this article, we’ll explain how each of the six dynamics in dance come together, complete with examples. Make sure you keep reading, as you’ll become a better dancer with this information!
What Are the Dynamics in Dance?
As we touched on in the paragraphs above, the dynamics in dance are all about how your body expresses itself, aka how it moves.
Here is an overview of each of the six dance dynamics so you can appreciate them separately and put them all together!
Collapsed
The collapsed dance dynamic is recognizable because it’s so dramatic.
While dancing is usually about holding that perfect posture and positioning for as long as possible, collapsing is the polar opposite.
You loosen your body, relax your posture, and slump if appropriate.
Any type of downward direction in dance can be identified as a collapsed dance dynamic, be it your entire body falling limp or even a limb at a time.
For example, you might swing one of your legs up, then collapse your body, then do the same with your other leg. This can be seen in the below video.
Percussive
The second dynamic of dance is percussion.
When you think of percussion, you think of drumming, right? Percussiveness is a consistent, steady beat that works better in some dance disciplines than others.
For instance, in hip-hop and jazz dancing especially, percussive movement naturally makes its way into these dance styles all the time. Even ballet incorporates percussive elements at times.
To dance in a percussive fashion means to make staccato beats with your body in a ‘sharp’ manner. For example, if you ‘hit, strike, pop, or punch’ then you are moving in a percussive manner.
Although this might sound a lot like tap dancing to you, tap dancing is generally regarded less as percussive.
Take a look at the below video for an example of percussive dancing by famed LA dancer John Silver. Notice how the beat is steady which the dancers ‘hit’ with their movement.
Sustained
Next is sustained dynamic dance movement.
To sustain something means to hold it, so of course, ballet dancing would come to mind first when you think about sustained dance moves.
Other types of dance that embrace a more flowing and continuous style would use this dance dynamic as well.
To sustain dynamic movement in dance, the dancer must prioritize being smooth, even, and constant with every motion.
Although sustained dynamics might sound very slow-going, they often build up into something that’s much faster. It’s a gradual progression though and is not fast right off the bat.
Even at the increased tempo, a dancer never loses their ability to move in a smooth, consistent way if they’re following the sustained dance dynamic.
For a visual of this dynamic, take a look at the below video.
Vibratory
The fourth dynamic in dance is vibration or vibratory movement.
You know what vibrations feel like, we’re sure. Your video game controller vibrates, and a home massager vibrates as well.
Now you’re creating that kind of movement with your body.
Thus, vibratory dance involves a lot of wobbling and wiggling. If you’re doing it especially right, then you’ll move at an incredible rate of speed.
You can vibrate your entire body from head to toe or only select parts of your body depending on what the dance discipline calls for.
For example, you might begin by gently beating your foot on the floor and then feeling the vibrations as they travel through your body once you pick up the pace.
Vibratory movement can be up and down, from side to side, or even forward and backward. The movement entails thrashing and shaking but in a way that looks very intentional and artistic.
Some good examples of vibratory movement is below.
Suspended
Next, there’s suspended dynamics in dance.
Although from the sounds of things, this seems a lot like sustained dynamics, suspended dynamics are indeed different.
It’s about suspending yourself, sort of like being in suspended motion.
In other words, think of watching a video in slow-motion or even pausing a video at a certain point to get up and grab a snack or go to the bathroom.
Suspended motion is about holding yourself in a particular position for as long as you can, lingering in that one spot. Then you pull yourself back.
Sometimes, suspended dynamics almost look like they break the laws of gravity, but of course, they never do.
An example of a suspended dance routine is rising on your feet and then lifting your arms, staying in that position, and then gradually balancing on one foot and holding for as long as you can.
For an example of suspended movement, have a look at the brilliant dance by elite dancer Sergei Polunin below. See if you can spot the suspended dance movements throughout.
Swinging
The last dynamic in dance is swinging movement.
You’re not recklessly swinging your body to and fro but rather, trying to make circular and arch-like shapes with your body.
You’ll have to rely a lot on the pull of gravity here, as your body becomes almost like a pendulum if you’re following this dance dynamic correctly.
For examples of swinging dynamics, take a look at the below video featuring the very talented Jade Chynoweth. Anytime the dancer’s circular/arc-like motions, it is generally a swinging dynamic.
How to Improve Dynamics in Dance
You may have a few dynamics in dance that could use some work. That’s true of plenty of other dancers too, so please don’t feel like you’re the only one who could stand to improve.
Recognizing that you can grow is the first step toward achieving your goals. These tips will also help to that end.
Practice
The good, old-fashioned life advice that practice makes perfect really is the truth, which is why everyone always says it.
You might not be perfect at every dance dynamic the first or second time you try them, and that’s okay.
The more you work on it and practice, the better you will be.
You’ll find that with time, you’ll be able to vibrate faster, rotate your body more accurately when moving in a swinging or percussive fashion, and collapse more naturally.
You’ll also finally be able to hold your posture when in suspended motion for more than a couple of seconds. That moment will feel truly awesome!
In the meantime, be patient with yourself. Expect setbacks and be ready to overcome them. You will achieve your goals with time!
Watch Video Tutorials
You don’t want to accidentally learn the wrong technique because you heard what a certain dance dynamic should be through a friend of a friend.
Videos such as those that we linked you to will serve as a great starting point for seeing how the various dance dynamics are performed correctly.
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can watch more advanced videos.
You can also get more hands-on with your learning and sign up for a class that teaches the dynamics of dance.
Ask for Feedback
Whether from a dance instructor, coach, or a fellow dancer whose input you trust, showcase your dance dynamics, and then ask them to give you their honest critique.
Be ready to listen to feedback that will be negative as well as positive.
Don’t drown out or push away the negative feedback. Rather, accept it and begin to incorporate it. You’ll improve your dance dynamics, so it’s worth doing.
Combine the Dynamics
Once you’ve gotten comfortable with the various dynamics of dance as singular elements, combine them into your own dance routine!
After all, dancers often use several or even all the dynamics in their routine, so you should incorporate them as much as you can together.
And just remember, dance dynamics can be merged together in one movement. So one movement could be percussive, collapsing, and swinging, all at once.
What Are the Elements of Dance vs. Dynamics?
If the dynamics of dance refer to how you move your body, then the elements of dance are about how you apply those movements.
Here are some examples of the elements of dance to show you what we mean.
Force
How much force you put into your dance movements is the difference between a light motion and a noticeable stomp.
Percussive movement uses a lot of force whereas sustained dance dynamics use far less.
Weight
No, we’re not referring to the dancer’s weight, but rather, how much weight you put into your movements when dancing.
Are you moving as lightly and elegantly as a feather such as in ballet or are your movements more forceful and thus heavier?
The heavier the movements, the slower they typically are, but the more deliberate as well.
Light movements can be faster but aren’t necessarily. They lack force and are deliberate in a different nature.
Rhythm
Dancing is all about rhythm, which makes this one of the most important elements of dance.
Rhythm is all about timing your movements so that they flow with the music.
If you dance out of step, it can throw off everyone else in your group, who may also move out of step.
Of course, not every type of dance has to follow the rhythm of the music perfectly, and for some styles, that’s a-okay.
For most dance disciplines though, being out of step feels very disjointed and takes away from the enjoyment of the experience.
Length
Think of length like a distance marathoner preparing to run a long race.
They know they have to pace themselves early on, so they have the energy to make it to the finish line.
So too should a dancer think in those same terms if they’ll be performing a long dance routine.
Burning out in the first few minutes leads to a very unsatisfactory finale, which is the punctuating moment of the whole routine!
Direction
Direction as a dance element merely refers to the direction the dancer is facing when performing.
Are you standing directly facing the crowd, or are you at a side angle to create a sense of mystery? Perhaps you’re even standing with your back turned.
In dance, one’s direction changes all the time, especially to keep an audience on their toes wondering which direction the dancers will turn.
Speed
Speed is especially prevalent with percussive and vibratory dance dynamics, as these movements must be performed very quickly.
A dancer can also slow their speed deliberately when a dance routine calls for it.
Space
How does a dancer use their space? That’s the last element of dance.
A dance space can be quite vast, such as a stage, or much smaller, like a rehearsal studio or practice room at home.
For example, a dancer can take large strides or run 20 steps instead of 10. Or a dancer can use less space and stay in one spot. Both are examples of space usage.
Conclusion
Dynamics in dance refer to one’s movement in a variety of ways. These dynamics also go hand-in-hand with various dance elements, as a dancer must use both to maximize their performances!
For related information on how to put dance dynamics and elements into real practice, take a look at our article How To Dance Naturally: A method to the madness.