How The Dancer Prepares Can Help You Learn Modern Dance for Beginners: A Book Review
The Dancer Prepares: Modern Dance for Beginners - A Book Review
Modern dance is a form of artistic expression that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a reaction to the rigid conventions of classical ballet. It is characterized by its freedom, diversity, and experimentation with movement, music, and themes. Modern dance can be seen as a way of exploring and communicating one's identity, emotions, and ideas through the body.
The Dancer Prepares: Modern Dance for Beginners by Penrod, James Published by McGraw-Hill Humanities
If you are interested in learning modern dance, you might be wondering where to start. There are many books, videos, classes, and workshops available for beginners, but how do you choose the best one for you? One of the most popular and widely used books for modern dance students is The Dancer Prepares: Modern Dance for Beginners by James Penrod and Janice Gudde Plastino. This book is designed to provide you with concrete, practical information on both the technical and creative aspects of modern dance. It also covers the basics of anatomy, including posture and injury concerns.
In this article, we will review The Dancer Prepares in detail and help you decide if it is the right book for you. We will discuss:
What is modern dance and why should you learn it?
What is The Dancer Prepares and who are the authors?
What are the main features and contents of the book?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book?
How can you use the book to learn modern dance effectively?
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what The Dancer Prepares can offer you as a beginner in modern dance. You will also find some FAQs and a summary of our review.
What is modern dance and why should you learn it?
Modern dance is a broad term that encompasses many styles, techniques, and genres of dance that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the pioneers of modern dance include Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Pina Bausch, and many others. Each of them developed their own unique approach and vision of dance, influenced by their personal, cultural, and historical contexts.
Modern dance is different from classical ballet in many ways. For example, modern dance:
Rejects the rigid rules and structures of ballet, such as the use of pointe shoes, tutus, and specific positions and movements.
Embraces the natural movement of the body, such as gravity, breath, weight, and momentum.
Explores a wide range of themes and emotions, from abstract to narrative, from personal to political, from humorous to tragic.
Uses diverse sources of music and sound, from classical to contemporary, from live to recorded, from musical to non-musical.
Challenges the traditional roles and relationships of dancers, choreographers, and audiences, such as by breaking the fourth wall, inviting participation, or creating site-specific works.
Learning modern dance can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for anyone who loves movement and expression. Some of the benefits of modern dance include:
Improving your physical fitness, flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, and endurance.
Enhancing your mental health, creativity, confidence, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence.
Developing your artistic skills, such as musicality, spatial awareness, timing, and composition.
Expanding your cultural knowledge, appreciation, and sensitivity.
Connecting with yourself, others, and the world in meaningful ways.
The history and evolution of modern dance
The origins of modern dance can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when a number of dancers and choreographers began to rebel against the limitations and conventions of classical ballet. They sought to create a new form of dance that was more expressive, natural, and relevant to their times. Some of the factors that influenced the emergence of modern dance include:
The social and political changes brought by the Industrial Revolution, World War I and II, the women's suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, and other historical events.
The artistic and cultural movements such as Romanticism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Dadaism, Cubism, and other avant-garde trends.
The scientific and philosophical discoveries such as Darwin's theory of evolution, Freud's theory of psychoanalysis, Einstein's theory of relativity, and Nietzsche's concept of the Ãœbermensch.
The benefits of modern dance for physical and mental health
Modern dance is not only a form of art, but also a form of exercise that can benefit your physical and mental health. Some of the benefits of modern dance include:
Improving your cardiovascular fitness, as modern dance can increase your heart rate, blood circulation, and oxygen intake.
Strengthening your muscles, bones, and joints, as modern dance can enhance your muscle tone, bone density, and joint mobility.
Enhancing your flexibility, balance, and coordination, as modern dance can improve your range of motion, posture, and body awareness.
Reducing your stress, anxiety, and depression, as modern dance can release endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that regulate your mood and emotions.
Boosting your creativity, memory, and cognition, as modern dance can stimulate your brain activity, neural connections, and mental agility.
Increasing your self-confidence, self-expression, and social skills, as modern dance can help you overcome your inhibitions, communicate your feelings, and connect with others.
The challenges and opportunities of modern dance for beginners
Learning modern dance can be challenging for beginners, especially if you have no prior experience or training in dance. Some of the challenges of modern dance include:
Finding a suitable class or teacher that matches your level, style, and goals.
Adapting to different styles and techniques of modern dance that may vary from teacher to teacher or class to class.
Developing your own movement vocabulary and expression that reflects your personality and creativity.
Coping with frustration, fatigue, or injury that may arise from learning new skills or pushing your limits.
Dealing with criticism, comparison, or competition that may come from yourself or others.
However, learning modern dance can also be rewarding and enjoyable for beginners, as it offers many opportunities for growth and discovery. Some of the opportunities of modern dance include:
Exploring a wide range of movement possibilities that challenge your body and mind.
Expressing yourself freely and authentically through movement without judgment or restriction.
Improvising and experimenting with movement without fear of failure or mistakes.
Collaborating and interacting with other dancers in a supportive and respectful environment.
Performing and sharing your work with others in a meaningful and inspiring way.
What is The Dancer Prepares and who are the authors?
The Dancer Prepares: Modern Dance for Beginners is a book that aims to provide students with concrete, practical information on both the technical and creative aspects of modern dance. It also covers the basics of anatomy, including posture and injury concerns. The book was first published in 1975 by James Penrod and Janice Gudde Plastino. It has since been revised and updated several times to reflect the changes and developments in modern dance. The latest edition was published in 2004 by McGraw-Hill Education.
Holland, and Spoletto. He has written two books and contributed numerous articles to national journals. He was a founding faculty member of the dance department at UC Irvine and served as the department chair and associate dean for many years. Janice Gudde Plastino has a Ph.D. in kinesiology and dance from the University of Southern California. She teaches injury prevention, dance conditioning, kinesiology, tap, modern dance, and choreography. She has published on the subjects of dance medicine/science and dance education. She is on the editorial board for the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science and a member of the board of directors for Performing Arts Medicine Association and Music Intelligence Neural Development Institute. She has performed and choreographed nationally and internationally. She was co-director of Penrod-Plastino Movement Theatre for 15 years. She established the first dance science emphasis in education at UC Irvine in 1987 in cooperation with other health professionals. She was the 1991 National Dance Association Dance Scholar and the 2001 Dance Teacher of the year. What are the main features and contents of the book?
The Dancer Prepares is a comprehensive and accessible guide for students who want to learn modern dance. The book consists of 10 chapters that cover the following topics:
Chapter 1: Introduction - This chapter explains what modern dance is, how it differs from other forms of dance, and why it is important to study it.
Chapter 2: Posture - This chapter discusses the principles of good posture for dancers, such as alignment, balance, centering, and relaxation.
Chapter 3: Movement Vocabulary - This chapter introduces the basic elements of movement that are common to most modern dance styles, such as shape, space, time, energy, and flow.
Chapter 4: Movement Exploration - This chapter encourages students to experiment with movement through improvisation, observation, and feedback.
Chapter 5: Expression - This chapter explores the ways that dancers can communicate meaning and emotion through movement, such as gesture, facial expression, eye contact, and focus.
Chapter 6: Choreography - This chapter provides students with tools and techniques for creating their own dances, such as motif, phrase, structure, theme, variation, transition, and contrast.
Chapter 7: Anatomy - This chapter covers the basics of human anatomy for dancers, such as bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.
fractures, and blisters.
Chapter 9: Dance Conditioning - This chapter explains the importance of physical conditioning for dancers, such as warm-up, cool-down, stretching, strength training, and cardiovascular training.
Chapter 10: Dance Careers - This chapter gives an overview of the various career options and opportunities for dancers, such as performing, teaching, choreographing, directing, and researching.
The book also includes a glossary of dance terms, a bibliography of suggested readings, and an index for easy reference.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book?
The Dancer Prepares is a well-written and well-organized book that covers a lot of ground in a clear and concise manner. Some of the strengths of the book are:
It provides a comprehensive introduction to modern dance for beginners, covering both the technical and creative aspects of the art form.
It uses simple and accessible language that is easy to understand and follow.
It includes many illustrations, photographs, diagrams, and examples that help explain and demonstrate the concepts and skills.
It offers practical advice and tips on how to improve your dance performance and prevent injuries.
It encourages self-exploration and self-expression through movement improvisation and choreography.
It reflects the diversity and evolution of modern dance by introducing various styles, techniques, and genres.
It inspires students to pursue their passion for dance by presenting various career options and opportunities.
However, The Dancer Prepares also has some limitations and criticisms that should be noted. Some of the weaknesses of the book are:
It may be outdated or incomplete in some aspects, as it was last revised in 2004 and does not include the latest developments and trends in modern dance.
It may be biased or subjective in some aspects, as it reflects the authors' personal opinions and preferences on certain topics or issues.
It may be too general or superficial in some aspects, as it tries to cover too much information in a limited space and does not go into depth or detail on certain topics or issues.
It may be too theoretical or abstract in some aspects, as it relies heavily on text and does not provide enough practical exercises or activities for students to apply their learning.
It may be too expensive or inaccessible for some students, as it costs around $80 on Amazon and may not be available in all libraries or bookstores.
How can you use the book to learn modern dance effectively?
The Dancer Prepares is a valuable resource for students who want to learn modern dance. However, reading the book alone is not enough to master the art form. You also need to practice what you learn and supplement your reading with other sources of information and guidance. Here are some tips on how to use the book to learn modern dance effectively:
and tips. Review the key points at the end of each chapter and test your knowledge with the self-check questions.
Practice the skills and exercises in the book. Try to apply what you learn to your own movement and dance. Experiment with different styles, techniques, and genres of modern dance. Use a mirror, a video camera, or a partner to observe and evaluate your performance.
Supplement your reading with other resources. Watch videos of modern dance performances by different artists and companies. Read books, articles, and blogs about modern dance history, theory, and criticism. Listen to podcasts or interviews with modern dance experts and practitioners. Attend live or online modern dance classes, workshops, or events.
Seek feedback and guidance from others. Ask your teacher, coach, or mentor for advice and suggestions on how to improve your modern dance skills and knowledge. Join a modern dance community or group where you can share your experiences and learn from others. Seek professional help if you have any injuries or concerns.
By following these tips, you can make the most out of The Dancer Prepares and enhance your modern dance learning experience.
Conclusion
Modern dance is a fascinating and diverse art form that offers many benefits and opportunities for students who want to learn it. The Dancer Prepares is a comprehensive and accessible book that can help you get started on your modern dance journey. It covers both the technical and creative aspects of modern dance, as well as the basics of anatomy and injury prevention. It also introduces you to various styles, techniques, and genres of modern dance, and inspires you to pursue your passion for dance.
However, The Dancer Prepares also has some limitations and criticisms that you should be aware of. It may be outdated or incomplete in some aspects, as it does not include the latest developments and trends in modern dance. It may be biased or subjective in some aspects, as it reflects the authors' personal opinions and preferences on certain topics or issues. It may be too general or superficial in some aspects, as it tries to cover too much information in a limited space and does not go into depth or detail on certain topics or issues. It may be too theoretical or abstract in some aspects, as it relies heavily on text and does not provide enough practical exercises or activities for students to apply their learning. It may be too expensive or inaccessible for some students, as it costs around $80 on Amazon and may not be available in all libraries or bookstores.
Therefore, you should use The Dancer Prepares as a guide, not a gospel. You should also practice what you learn from the book and supplement your reading with other resources and guidance. By doing so, you can learn modern dance effectively and enjoyably.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Dancer Prepares and modern dance:
Q: Is The Dancer Prepares suitable for all levels of modern dance students?
A: The Dancer Prepares is mainly designed for beginners who have little or no experience in modern dance. However, it can also be useful for intermediate or advanced students who want to review or refresh their knowledge and skills.
Q: Is The Dancer Prepares compatible with all styles and techniques of modern dance?
A: The Dancer Prepares introduces various styles and techniques of modern dance that are common to most modern dance classes and performances. However, it does not cover all possible styles and techniques that exist in the diverse field of modern dance. Therefore, you should be open-minded and adaptable when learning from different teachers or sources.
Q: How can I get a copy of The Dancer Prepares?
A: You can buy a new or used copy of The Dancer Prepares on Amazon or other online platforms. You can also borrow a copy from your local library or bookstore if they have it in stock. Alternatively, you can access an online version of The Dancer Prepares on Google Books or other digital libraries.
Q: What are some other books that I can read to learn more about modern dance?
A: There are many books that you can read to learn more about modern dance. Some of them are:
Modern Dance Forms: In Relation to the Other Modern Arts by Louis Horst and Carroll Russell
The Intimate Act of Choreography by Lynne Anne Blom and L. Tarin Chaplin
The Vision of Modern Dance: In the Words of Its Creators by Jean Morrison Brown, Naomi Mindlin, and Charles Humphrey Woodford
Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology by Karen Sue Clippinger
Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance by Eric Franklin
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