A definitive book for students of dance and movement studies, Labanotation is now available in a fourth edition, the first complete revision of the text since 1977. Initiated by the movement genius Rudolf Laban, and refined through fifty years of work by teachers here and abroad, Labanotation, the first wholly successful system for recording human movement, is now having the effect on ballet and other forms of dance that the prefection of music notation in the Renaissance had on the development of music. This book makes it possible to record accurately, for study and reconstruction, the great dance creations of the theater, as well as such diverse activities as time/motion studies for industry, personnel assessment and physical therapy. So comprehensive that it can indicate even facial expressions, the system is also simple enough for a child to learn easily as an integral part of athletic or dance training.

AcknowledgmentsAuthor's Note to the New EditionPreface by Stephanie JordanChapter1 A Brief History of Dance Notation2 Introduction to Labanotation3 The Approach to Movement Notation4 Fundamentals of Labanotation5 Variations in Steps6 Positions of the Feet7 Aerial Steps (Springing)8 Turns9 Arm Gestures10 Leg Gestures11 Space Measurement; Flexion; Extension12 Floor Patterns, Paths13 Touch and Slide for the Legs14 Parts of the Limbs15 Parts of the Torso; Inclusions16 Tilting (Inclining)17 Turning (Rotation) of the Limbs18 Rotation of the Torso and Head19 Specific Flexion and Extension; Contracting, Bending20 Relationship21 Repeat and Analogy Signs22 Scoring23 Supporting on Various Parts of the Body24 Equilibrium, Loss of Balance25 Systems of Reference26 Variations in Positions, Paths, and Steps27 Specific Parts of the Limbs; Movements of Hands; Manner of Performing Gestures28 Types of Revolutions; Dynamics; MiscellaneousAppendicesA Alternate VersionsB Old VersionC Orthography and AutographyD Upper Body MovementE TerminologyGlossary of SymbolsIndex