Selecting the structure which best expresses the dance idea is fundamental.

Dance and music closely resemble in so many ways. The shape of a dance or a piece
of choreography is based on common musical forms. These compositional forms are
traditional frameworks which have set patterns categorized as sequential, contrapuntal,
episodic, and other compositional forms.

Sequential Forms

These forms contain themes/ motif which progress in a specific order.

They are arranged accordingly.

AB (two-part) form – the simplest of the sequential forms and is similar to

a verse and a chorus of a song. It is a binary form with two contrasting
sections consisting of a beginning section (A) followed by a second
section (B). Each section contains elements that contrast in tone or
quality. Examples of which are light and dark, huge and tiny, love and
hate. This form is commonly used in many folk dances and songs.

ABA (three-part) form – composed of introductory theme (A), a

contrasting theme (B), and a restatement of the original theme (A). (A) is
the unifying theme and the center of interest, then (B) gives contrast. The
original (A) returns either as an exact repetition or in an easily
recognizable variation or development. Most popular songs use this form
where there is chorus (A), a verse (B), and a repetition of the chorus (A)
which is often somewhat elaborated to highlight the idea of the song.

Rondo form (ABACA) – in this form, the unifying theme (A) returns after
each contrasting theme. (A) appears after every contrasting section at
least three times, but it can itself be varied. It can be described as
ABACADAEAFA development of movement idea. Here, sections (B), (C),
(D), (E), (F) are the contrasting themes while (A) is constantly repeated
every after each section.

Theme and Variations form – the motif is a series of movements to

which variations are added throughout the development of the entire
choreography. The motif/ theme can be a single phrase or several
movement phrases placed together in a sequence. The order of the
movements is kept the same all throughout the variations. It can take the
form of subtle adjustments in dynamics, space, style, mood, and tempo.

Contrapuntal Forms
 Here, several themes are woven together in choreography to form a
complex structure. The main theme is seen against itself or against one or more
other themes. There are four contrapuntal forms of dance:

Ground Bass – single theme starts the dance and is repeated all the way
through the dance while other contrasting themes are simultaneously
performed with it. This form is best done in a group working either in
contrast to each other or against a soloist. The repeated theme can be
performed by a group while a soloist or a smaller group dances the other
theme with more complex combination of movements. It can also be
performed in a circle wherein the dancers in a circle perform the repeated
theme while the soloist or smaller group in the center performs the
contrasting theme.

Round or Canon – consists of two or more movement phrases or theme

in which the main movement phrases is imitated exactly and completely
by the successive movements, but done in staggered manner. For
instance, the first dancer performs the theme, the second dancer enters at
the end of the first half-phrase, the third enters at the start of the second
phrase, and the fourth enters on the last half of the second phrase. The
round ends in the same order as the last dancer finishes off the movement
or theme.

Fugue or Accumulation – a choreographic form that is constructed by

adding on different movement or dance phrases in every repetition of the
main movement theme. The movement phrases or the motif can be
developed by reversing, inverting, augmenting, or diminishing throughout
the dance.

Suite – every section of the dance (beginning, middle and end) use
different tempos and qualities. Commonly, it has a moderate beginning, a
slow middle section, and a fast and lively end section.

Episodic Form

Episodic forms are not musical forms; instead, they are found in literature.
They tell a story through connected and progressive sections called episodes.
Narrative form is an episodic form that tells a story or conveys an idea and the
sequence of the story determines the structure of the dance. As in all good soap
operas, each section or chapter reveals more of the plot and has its own
interests, variations, and contrast. Classical ballet often uses this form.
Other Compositional Forms

Natural structures – mostly come from natural structures such as the

seasons, life cycles, and everyday life experiences. All these present rich
materials for organic dance structure.

Collage – consists of “a series of movement phrases that are often

unrelated but have been brought together to create a single dance with a
beginning, a middle, and an end”.

Tableau – different movement phrases are performed by different dancers

simultaneously in the same space. The dancer may execute a ableau at a
different location on the stage and connect transitional movements for
each scene to produce a progression of moving snapshots.

Chance – the movement phrases are performed in random order and

spatial placing. Every time the dance is performed, it is done in different
order and therefore has a different appearance.