Benesh movement notation
Encyclopedia
Benesh Movement Notation (also known as "choreology" and "dance script") is a system of dance notation
that can document any form of dance or human movement. Invented by Joan and Rudolf Benesh
in the late 1940s, the system uses abstract symbols based on figurative representations of the human body.
Like Western
music notation Benesh notation uses a five line stave
that reads from left to right with bar lines to mark the passage of time. Because of this Benesh can be presented with a timeline or musical accompaniment. The five lines of the Benesh stave coincide with the head, shoulders, waist, knees and floor (from top to bottom) and additional signs are used to notate the dimension and quality of the movement.
Benesh Movement Notation is used in the contexts of physical therapy
, choreography
documenting, and teaching the Royal Academy of Dance
ballet
syllabi
, and is one of the most widely used dance notation systems in western culture
.
At the public launch of Benesh Movement Notation in 1955, Rudolf Benesh
defined "Choreology", or "dance script" as the aesthetic and scientific study of all forms of human movement by movement notation.
In 1997 The Benesh Institute, international centre for Benesh Movement Notation was amalgamated with the Royal Academy of Dance
.
Dance notation
Dance notation is the symbolic representation of dance movement. It is analogous to movement notation but can be limited to representing human movement and specific forms of dance such as Tap dance...
that can document any form of dance or human movement. Invented by Joan and Rudolf Benesh
Rudolf Benesh
Rudolf Benesh was a mathematician and created the Benesh Movement Notation for dancing. He was son of a Czech father and an Anglo-Italian mother....
in the late 1940s, the system uses abstract symbols based on figurative representations of the human body.
Like Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
music notation Benesh notation uses a five line stave
Staff (music)
In standard Western musical notation, the staff, or stave, is a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch—or, in the case of a percussion staff, different percussion instruments. Appropriate music symbols, depending upon the intended effect,...
that reads from left to right with bar lines to mark the passage of time. Because of this Benesh can be presented with a timeline or musical accompaniment. The five lines of the Benesh stave coincide with the head, shoulders, waist, knees and floor (from top to bottom) and additional signs are used to notate the dimension and quality of the movement.
Benesh Movement Notation is used in the contexts of physical therapy
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
, choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
documenting, and teaching the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
syllabi
Syllabus
A syllabus , is an outline and summary of topics to be covered in an education or training course. It is descriptive...
, and is one of the most widely used dance notation systems in western culture
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
.
At the public launch of Benesh Movement Notation in 1955, Rudolf Benesh
Rudolf Benesh
Rudolf Benesh was a mathematician and created the Benesh Movement Notation for dancing. He was son of a Czech father and an Anglo-Italian mother....
defined "Choreology", or "dance script" as the aesthetic and scientific study of all forms of human movement by movement notation.
In 1997 The Benesh Institute, international centre for Benesh Movement Notation was amalgamated with the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
.
External links
- The Benesh Institute
- Royce Neagle realistic virtual performance driven by machine-readable Benesh Notation
- Royal Academy of Dance UK
- Open Benesh Website
- Centre Benesh (in French)