Chinese traditional dance – theories
中國舞蹈課程
中國舞蹈的特色：
一．保留與內斂
中國文化是保留、內斂的，在編製中國舞蹈時，此特色將會是一整體特色表現的重要掌握與考量。
二．地心引力
舞動時利用地心引力，因此在走步與跑步時保持膝蓋彎曲是一重要特色。這點正好與代表西方特色舞蹈的芭蕾–“與地心引力相對抗”–的舞蹈基本理論呈相反的特色表現；東西決然迥異、對立的文化在此藉由舞蹈藝術淋漓盡致的展現無疑。
三．保持四肢彎曲
“三分保留”呈現於手部與腳步的動作，因此大多時候是保持彎曲的。
四．走步與跑步
腳步基本法：腳跟──腳掌──腳尖──蹲
保持膝蓋彎曲的特色，向前邁進時，腳跟先著地。女士走步與男士走步有別，此點因時間關係尚未介紹。跑步時身體應保持挺直（與地面呈垂直) ，跑時如“行雲流水”般，身體保持平衡不可晃動或搖擺。
五．手勢：蘭花指 －如右圖 ，爲指物時用；蝶姿勢 －爲女性的基本手姿；握拳 －爲表演武舞的基本手勢之一
請參考本網站舞蹈與服裝影片：
中國舞蹈：請至本網站右邊的 “Tracy’s Links” , 請點 “Arts” ，找到 “Dance 舞蹈” 後，從中點選您要觀看的舞蹈項目影片，您便可以欣賞和參考。
中國服飾：請至本網站右邊的 “Tracy’s Links” , 請點 “Culture” ，找到 “Traditional Clothing 傳統服裝” 後，從中點選您要觀看的中國服飾影片，您便可以欣賞和參考。
Chinese Dance
China is one of the oldest countries in the world, and Chinese dance has a history of over 5,000 years. Ancient Chinese dance was divided into two types, civilian and military. In civilian dance, dancers held feather banners in their hands, symbolizing the distribution of the fruits of the day’s hunting or fishing. In the large group military dance, the dancers carried weapons in their hands, and moved forward and backward in coordinated group motion. This later evolved into the movements used in military exercises.
Dance, music and poetry flourished during the Tang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), because of the political stability and the economic prosperity. During the early Tang period, Buddhism was introduced to China, and because trade and social relationship with other countries rapidly expanded, dances were influenced by folk dances of other countries such as India, Rome, Persia (Iran), Korea, Cambodia, Burma, Vietnam, and other Central Asian countries. In addition, it also combined with other forms of fine arts such as painting, scenery, and colorful costumes as well as poetry, classical music and drama. The combination of these colorful traditions brought the performing arts to a new peak, and the Tang dynasty has been regarded as the golden age for dance in ancient China.
Chinese Dance is classified into two categories: Traditional dance and Folk Dance. Traditional Chinese Dance includes the Lion Dance, Ribbon Dance, Fan Dance and Sword Dance…etc.. Folk dances reflect the lifestyles and customs of a people. There are about 56 distinct indigenous ethnic groups within China, each minority people or aboriginal group of China has its own folk dance forms.
Chinese dancers study Peking Opera movements, martial arts, acrobatics and theatrical movements as well as numerous forms of folk dance. Dance technique also includes work with various props, such as handkerchiefs, ribbons, weapons and fans…etc..
Characteristic of Chinese dance:
Movements emphasize on upper body
Because of the conservative lifestyle, the body should not be shown, Chinese people wear long cloth or pants to cover up their bodies. Dance movements are restricted by the clothes. Unlike Western ballet,Chinese dance emphasizes on the upper body rather than the lower body; such as: hand, eye, head, gestures, and hand and eye coordination.
Using the gravity
Unlike Western ballet against the gravity, Chinese dance uses gravity to its dance. Chinese dancers run and walk with their bending knees.
Reserving movements
Contrary to Western ballet, most of Chinese dance movements are reserving and not stretch out. Like its culture, people who talk straight forward are considered as impolite or foolish.
Using various circular patterns in dance movements
Circle symbolizes reunion, harmony and luck, Chinese dance movement use various circular shapes, like side way of 8, round waves, semicircular, spirals and oval etc..
Using props
As in Chinese culture, body should not be shown, the beauty of limbs and trunk are not emphasized; in addition to the conservative style of movements, use props can add the interest of dance presentation. The traditional props, such as different types and materials of fans, handkerchiefs, ribbons, swords, lions, dragons, umbrellas, drums, cymbals, spears, bamboo sticks, bells, tambourines, music instruments…..etc.
Delicate steps and gestures
Different style of steps and hand and finger gestures have their names and meanings.
Enhance movement accent in relation to the music
There are short special poses to emphasize the music periods to add interest dance presentation.
Our students’ Chinese dance performances:
以下照片爲我的學生的中國舞蹈演出。
華夏舞蹈班學生的中國舞蹈的演出:
Performances from Chinese Huaxia School Dance Class:
我的學生演出彩帶舞：
至今我仍然清晰的記得，當他們第一次拿到彩帶時，燦爛的笑容像花一樣展開的興奮情形。
My students perform a Chinese Ribbon Dance:
The moment they got the ribbon, I saw the big smiles on their faces. I cannot describe how happy they were about learning a Chinese ribbon dance.
我的成人學生表演腰鼓舞：
My adult students perform a Chinese waist drum dance:
我的可愛的小朋友學生也表演了腰鼓舞：
My cute students perform a Chinese waist drum dance too; aren’t they cute?
