Benesh Movement Notation

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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 1940's, 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.

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[edit] References

Benesh, R. and Benesh, J. (1983) Reading Dance: The Birth of Choreology. McGraw-Hill Book Company Ltd, ISBN 0-285-62291-9
Neagle, R.J. and Ng, K.C. (2003) Machine-representation and Visualisation of a Dance Notation. in Proceedings of Electronic Imaging and the Visual Arts - London July 2003.