FALSE DANCE STEPS

Evening Star, Issue 19757, 6 January 1928, Page 2

FALSE DANCE STEPS

WRITTEN SCORE SETS A STANDARD Parisian and oilier dancers, whether of the waltz, the two-step, or the Charleston, may find themselves called on to bo more precise in their gyrations and to indulge Jess in “ personal gestures.” A system has been invented, and may be brought into general use, by which all the steps of a dance are expressed in written or printed notation (says the New York ‘Times’). Not only each step, but each turn of the body as well, can be indicated on the printed music page. Instead of the customary five lines, seven are used, and on these each group of notes in _the rhythm of the dance is accompanied by signs denoting the precise position of the feet and attitude of the body. A dot on one of the lines indicates the stepj each line being reserved for an individual step. An upright stroke to the right or loft, helorc the dot, indicates the direction of the step, while circular steps are denoted by horizontal strokes. Symbols over the dots indicate Hie extent of the turn—a quarter-circle, half-circle, or whole circle denoting respectively a quarter, half, or full turn. It is pointed out that this notation system will enable the creator of a new dance to have his work copyrighted. On the other hand, a critical observer of a. dance will be able to detect the false steps that are taken, precisely as a musical critic can detect the false notes that are played or sung. Whether the average dancer will be willing to study The printed notation and adhere strictly to the rrinted steps is another question