Theory Discussions 1985-2000

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[This site was created for the
Theory Bulletin Board on the Dance Notation Bureau web site.]
 
The links below go to facsimiles of minutes and related papers for DNB theory meetings from 1985 to 2000. The original documents are in the DNB archives. For minutes of theory meetings from 1954 to 1984, go to Theory Discussions 1954-1984; from 2007 to the present, go to the "Minutes for Theory Meetings Thread" on the Theory Bulletin Board.

(Site prepared by Mei-Chen Lu and Charlotte Wile)



1985 Discussions
Topics: Balanchine Style – Back Attitude; Front Attitude; Glassade; Bows; Passé; En dehors Pirouette; Russian Arabesque; Cou-de-pied; Rond de Jambe en l’air; Balancé; Grand Battement; Soutenu; Jeté en tournant; Live Arms; Crois´Devant; Effacé Devant; Ecarté Devant; Ecarté Derriere

Topic: Timing       

Topics: Wavy Line; Pin Usage; Destination Description; Resultant Bows; Body Part Surfaces; Duration Line Vs. Action Stroke; Retained Contact; 8 and 4 Degree Scales for Folding; Center of Gravity in Open Positions; Relationship Indications and Terminology; Wrist Bulge; Facing and Addressing; Canons; Constant Cross; Group Formations; Initiation; Accents

Topics: Double and Single Bar Lines; Wavy Line; General/Loose Statements; "Ad Lib." Has a Period; Modifications of Relationship Bows; Relationship Pins; Space Hold;  Destination Description With Freedom of Path; Resultant Bows; Beginning/Ending on Either Foot

Topics: Penetrating and Inside Relationships; Body Part Surfaces; Leading/Guiding, Bulging; Crossed First Position; Retained Contact; Duration Line/Action Stroke; Second Position Ballet Arms; Center of Gravity Over the Balls of the Feet; "Hand" Hooks; Grasping the Waist 
            
Topics: Hold Sign; Retention symbols

Topic: Validity of Part Leading (Guidance) Bow
                                                                                                           
Topics: Facing/Addressing; Lateral Spreading (Separating) and Closing (Joining); Repeats; Arms; Joint Vs. Limb; Contraction/Folding; Hold Weight; Dynamic Signs 

Topics: Canons: Relating the Extremity of a Limb to the Line of Direction (relating to a person, object, or focal point); Direction for Curved Paths and Turning Space
     
Topics: Vertical, Arc-Shaped Bows;  Motivation; Accents

Topics: Placement of  Hooks; Blinded Turns; Passive (Resultant) Turns; Turning While Curving; Small Bow (resulting); Cancellation of a Rotation; Cancellation of a Facing Direction by a Rotation Back to Normal; Carry - Hold; Sliding Along the Leg; Folding the Arm; Cancellation of Facing; Layout of the Score; Stage Left/Stage Right- From Director's or Dancer's Point of View

*Note: The material on page 4 of this document is excerpted from minutes dated July 3, 1985

1986 Discussions
             
Topics: Symbol for the Eyes/Buttocks; 6/8 Scale; General/Specific Signs; Shifting hips and Shoulders; Body Part Symbols Inside a Turn Sign; Sitting; Folding/Contracting

Topics: Falling (when the center of gravity is already center, falling of a limb or body part); Either Side or Either Direction; Understood Carriage of the Arms Vs. Straight; Free End Vs. the Extremity of the Arm; Looking Above; Grasps, Touches; Where Are the Fingertips When the Hand is Up (Place High)
    
Topics: Repeats; Second Position Ballet Arms; Added Detail for Clarification; Cancellation of Rotation/Twist for Body Parts; Repeat Indications; Relationships (meeting lines and mini floor plans); Body Surfaces; Center of Gravity; Nearness; Group Circling in Rank or File; Développé: Use of "V" Sign; Succession Signs; Unfolding; Arms - Placement on the Staff; Head Indications - Sequence of Symbols; Thumb Edge Facings With Arm Rotations

Topics: Supports - Placement of Hooks; Stepping and Turning Simultaneously; Resultant Bow; Can a Rotation Cancel a Facing?; Head Facings and Head Tilts; Validity of Contacts; Autography - Placement of Pins; Divided Column; Palm Facings, Thumb Facings; Dynamic Signs; Indication of Passive Turning; Timing of Exits for More Than One Dancer; Numbering of Measures and Counts  
 
Topics: Continuation of Circular Path; Two Degree Contraction for Supports; The Exact Performance Symbol Vs. an Asterisk; General Vs. Specific Timing; Sliding Supports and Sliding Steps; Accents
Topics: Bow With a Hold Sign at the End; Distal Reference; "X" in the Support Column  
                      
1987 Discussions

Topics: Body Key; Grasping and Supporting; Timing for Contact and Support Bows; Folding
Topics: Headward and Footward; Enclosing Relationship vs Retention of a Relationship; Timing for Contact and Support Bows                                                                                                                                                                   
Topics: Short, Vertical Bow; Facing; "o" Sign in the SC Because of Duration Line; Scoring; Hooks on Supports

Topics: Zed Caret with Preparatory Gestures for a Step
          
Topics: Contraction of the Arm; Folding of the Arm   
                   
1988 Discussion

Topics: Rotating When Off the Vertical; Distance of Sitting; Center of Gravity at the Point of Support; Ambiguous Terminology (Free End, Non Movement Indications); Normal Rotation for Leg Gestures; Time Signs; Definition of Rhythm

1996 Discussions

Topics: Head’s Position when Lying; Carets and Zed Carets; Resultant Bows; Bows and Addressing; Facings; Grasping
Topics: Floor Plans; Ad Lib; Away Sign as a Cancellation

1998 Discussions
Topics: Succession; Walk with Hip Movement; Foot Hook on Support; Head Area and Head; Accents; Retention in the Body; Turn
Topics: ICKL; Secret Turns; Kin vs LN

1999 Discussions
Topics: Turn Signs and Body Parts; Floor Plans; Partial Weight Cancellation; Disappear; Tick Marks for 6/8 Time; Center of Gravity; Distance When Sitting; Flexion; Angling

Topics: Floor Work, Floor Plan Issue; Cancellation of Partial Support; Center of Weight; Distance of Sitting Down; Floor Plans; Space/Body Widens; Swivel and Non-swivel Turns; Timing of Relationship Bows
Topics: Floor Plan Labels; Floor Work; Floor Plans; Canceling a Partial Weight; 6/8 Time Signature; Center of Gravity; Distance When Sitting; Contraction, Flexing/Bending; Angling; Repeats
Topics: Swivel Turn; Contact Bows

Topics: Falling, Swiveling/Rolling, Scoring; "X",  Open Position and Pins with Changement; Hip Signs in Support Column; Inclusions; Folding and Stretching; Carets after Back to Normal Sign; Accent Sign and Sound; Ad Lib with Supports; Folding the Elbow
Topics: Center of Gravity; Staff; Inclusion Bow; Ad Lib

2000 Discussions
Topics: Spatial Variation; Sign for Digital Center; Deviations; Distance of Travel; Length of Step
Topics: Direct Path; Size of Deviation; Time Signs; Initiation Bow; Zed Carets