Dance moves or dance steps (more complex dance moves are called dance patterns,[1][2] dance figures, dance movements, or dance variations) are usually isolated, defined, and organized so that beginning dancers can learn and use them independently of each other. However, more complex movements are influenced by musicality and lyrical relevance to express emotions or refer to a message. Dance moves tend to emphasize the concepts of lead and follow and connection.
In most cases, dance moves by themselves are independent of musicality, which is the appropriateness of a move to the music (for a notable exception, see Bharatanatyam). Generally, they are memorized in sets of eight counts. Also there are two different movements: concrete and abstract. These two movements show time, space, relationship, quality and focus. For example, relationship could describe the movement of two or more different dancers. The names of moves may be somewhat arbitrary and vary from person to person and city to city.
- ^ Bethe, Monica and Brazell, Karen (1982). Dance in the Nō Theater: Dance patterns, p.192. Cornell University. "In [ Noh theater ] dance, patterns are named combinations of arm and leg movement."
- ^ Brandon, James R. (2009). Theatre in Southeast Asia, p.159. Harvard University. ISBN 9780674028746. "Dance patterns are learned; and the more codified a dance style is, the more likely it is to be preserved and transmitted intact through the years."