Laban Movement Analysis, Labanotation, Dance and Movement: Information, Clues, Links, and Other Useful Starting Points

RUDOLF VON LABAN,[born Dec. 15, 1879, died July 1, 1958] dance theorist and teacher whose studies of human motion provided the intellectual foundations for the development of central European modern dance. Laban also developed Labanotation, a widely used movement-notation system.  After choreographing ballets and directing several art festivals, established his Choreographic Institute in Zürich in 1915 and later founded branches in Italy, France, and central Europe. In 1928 he published Kinetographie Laban, a practical method for recording all forms of human motion, now commonly known as Labanotation. In 1930 he became director of the Allied State Theatres of Berlin, where he choreographed many works for large "movement choirs."  ... Laban's theories and teaching had great impact in central Europe. His analysis of forms in movement, known as choreutics, was a nonpersonal, scientific system designed, like Labanotation, to apply to all human motion. Based on the individual's relation to surrounding space, choreutics specified 12 primary directions of movement derived from complex geometric figures. Another of his theoretical systems, called eukinetics, was designed to increase the dancer's control of dynamic and expressional movement. Mary Wigman, one of his pupils and one of the originators of the modern dance in central Europe, based much of her dramatic choreography on a relationship between individual and space similar to the one Laban postulated in choreutics. Sigurd Leeder and Kurt Jooss, also pupils, further developed and made extensive use of eukinetics in their teaching and choreography.  ... In 1938 Laban joined Jooss and Leeder at their school at Dartington Hall in Devon, Eng. During World War II, Laban made a number of studies of industrial efficiency, devised a series of corrective exercises for factory employees, and published Effort (1947). In 1953 he moved to Addlestone, Surrey, where he continued his teaching and research; with Lisa Ullmann, he also conducted the Art of Movement Studio. [adapted from  Encyclopedia Britannica ]

Beyond Dance: Laban's Legacy of Movement Analysis by Eden Davies

Laban for Actors and Dancers: Putting Laban's Movement Theory into Practice: A Step-By-Step Guide by Jean Newlove --- Reviews: This handbook, complete with graded exercises, is for teachers and students of both drama and dance, who want to use the Laban system of movement. Although almost every professional actor and dancer in North America and Europe is familiar with the work of German-born movement teacher, Rudolf Laban (d. 1988), his system of analyzing and recording movement has the misleading reputation of being a ``difficult'' and ``complex'' technique. Author Jean Newlove, a renowned movement teacher, takes the reader step-by-step through the basic principles of movement, with graded exercises at the end of each chapter. She also provides practical examples of how movement training can be used in the development of characters in specific plays. ... This book is very practical and offers plenty of ideas for anybody working with actors or preparing an acting part themselves. I have used the exercises with a variety of ages and it has worked well with all. They have enjoyed trying the suggested techniques to explore and develop their characters for performance purposes.

Mastering Movement: The Life and Work of Rudolf Laban by John Hodgson --- Reviews: Like Picasso in painting, Stravinsky in music, or Stanislavski in theatre, Rudolf Laban (1879-1958) has been a seminal influence in contemporary arts. His mark can be found in the work of artists as diverse as the international dancers and choreographers Mary Wigman, Kurt Joos and Pina Bausch. The Laban system of notation is used througout the world. This is the first major study of Laban's movement theories and practice, exploring the ideas on mastering movement and giving the reader a practical understanding of balance and harmony in the human body--the core of Laban's thinking.

A Handbook for Modern Educational Dance by Valerie Monthland Preston-Dunlop

Modern Educational Dance by Rudolf Laban

Laban's Theory of Movement: A New Perspective by Samuel Thornton

The Language of Movement: A Guidebook to Choreutics by Rudolf Von Laban (a rare book, worth getting if available).

The Influences of Rudolph [I.E. Rudolf] Laban by John, Foster

Modern Educational Dance by Valerie Monthland Preston-Dunlop

In Just Order Move: The Progress of the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance, 1946-1996 by F. M. G. Willson

Laban for Actors and Dancers by Theatre Arts Books

Effort: economy in body movement by Rudolf von Laban (another classic)

Handbook of Modern Educational Dance by Preston

Creative Approaches to Child Development With Music, Language, and Movement: Incorporating the Philosophies and Techniques of Orff, Kodaly and Laban by Grace C. Nash

Body, Space, Expression: The Development of Rudolf Laban's Movement and Dance Concepts (Approaches to Semiotics, 75) by Vera Maletic

Labanotation: The System of Analyzing and Recording Movement by Ann. Hutchinson

Orchesography by Thoinot Arbeau - Reviews: A book to have if you're interested in Renaissance dance and which is especially useful for beginning dance reconstruction as it's quite accessible.

Ballet Barre Enchantments by Linda A. Crist

Dance Notation for Beginners: Labanotation/Benesh Movement Notation by Ann Kipling Brown

Moving Notation: A Handbook of Musical Rhythm and Elementary Labanotation for the Dancer (Performing Arts Studies) by Jill Beck -- Reviews: presents an integrated approach to the study of rhythm and movement notation. .... provides a complete course in rhythm notation, as well as a comprehensive introduction to Labanotation, with cross-references that enable the reader to learn both subjects more quickly and thoroughly. The text is punctuated with Maxims (rules to remember), to help readers consolidate their learning, and "symbol clusters" , a technique for reading music notation and labanotation with increased speed and overall comprehension. ... Assignments in each chapter, featuring integrated work in rhythm and dance, point readers towards varied applications of their learning, moving them beyond theoretical understanding. The assignments begin simply, with studies in beat division and walking, and progress to work with a variety of meters, and cross-phrasing of movement and music.

Dance of Court and Theater: The French Noble Style, 1690-1725 by Wendy Hilton

The Illustrated Dance Technique of Jose Limon by Daniel Lewis

Ballet Barre and Center Combinations Volume 2 Music by Linda A. Crist

La Vivandière: Pas de Six (Language of Dance Series, No 6) by Arthur Saint-Leon

Practical kinetography Laban by Valerie Monthland Preston-Dunlop

The Bournonville Heritage: A Choreographic Record, 1829-1875: Twenty-Four Unknown Dances in Labanotation by Knud Arne Jurgensen

Illustrated Dance Technique of Jose Limon (08506) by Daniel Lewis

The Flower Festival in Genzano: Pas De Deux (Language of Dance Series, No 1) by Ann Hutchinson Guest

Shawn's Fundamentals of Dance (Language of Dance) by Ted Shawn -- Reviews: This book gives access to the works of one of the great pioneers of modern dance. Ted Shawn's work has stood the test of time in providing a fundamental approach to dance for beginners.

La Vivandière: Pas de Six (Language of Dance Series, No. 6) by Arthur Saint-Leon

 A fascinating concept that's with History worth tracking, Labanotation [adapted from  Encyclopedia Britannica] - originates in 1928 as Kinetographie Laban. The basic symbol used in writing Labanotation is the rectangle, which is modified in shape to show direction of movement; in length to show duration of movement (rhythm); and in shade to show level. Labanotation is written on a vertical, three-line staff, with the centre line representing division of the body into left and right halves and the two columns used for symbols indicating means of support and left and right leg gestures. Additional columns of symbols show position for body, arms, hands, and head. The staff is read from bottom to top and is written from the performer's point of view rather than from the observer's. Labanotation is the most widely used of all movement-notation systems, for it incorporates all necessary directives in one set of symbols and clearly indicates the relation of one movement to those that precede and follow. It has been used in anthropology, physical therapy, drama, and industrial production studies and in recording movement in such sports as diving and ice skating....  frequently utilized  in recording dance choreographies. ... has been employed to record a wide variety of dance styles, including ballet and modern, Spanish, African, and Hindu dance. Several major choreographers have made extensive use of Labanotation, because--unlike motion pictures or videotapes, which record only one particular performance--Labanotation is able to record with exactness all the original specifications of the choreographer. ... widespread use of Labanotation has resulted in the establishment of several dance-notation centres, notably in the United States and Great Britain.  .