ABSTRACT
This book focuses exclusively on traditional, formal approaches in dance composition because it is considered that artistic 'rules', established through generations of practice, need first to be learned and applied in many differing contexts before they can be broken, changed or ignored. There is a vast difference between dancing and composing dances. Dancing can be enjoyed for the pleasure of moving with skilled accuracy, of moving with others and for the release of feeling. According to Redfern, composing involves the moulding together of compatible elements which, by their relationship and fusion, form an identifiable 'something'. In order to effect this moulding successfully, the composer must be fully aware of the nature of the elements so that he/she may best judge how to select, refine and combine them. The material elements of the composition need to be experienced and understood and, also, the processes or methods of fashioning or combining these various elements have to be learned and practised.
