Year 7 Dance · Making Dance — Choreograph and Perform · 8m read

Choreographic Devices — Repetition, Canon and Unison

Choreographers use devices to turn moves into a dance. A few simple tools can make a group sequence look professional.

Learning objective: Use simple choreographic devices to create a group dance.

By the end of this lesson you can:

• I can use repetition and canon.
• I can use unison and contrast.
• I can create a short group sequence.

Choreographic devices are editing tools. A video editor can copy, slow down, reverse or layer clips. Choreographers use devices like repetition, canon, unison and retrograde to edit and develop movement.

Making a dance

DEVICES:
• REPETITION — repeat a movement for emphasis.
• UNISON — everyone moves together.
• CANON — dancers perform the same movement one after another.
• CONTRAST — different movements at the same time.
• MOTIF — a short movement idea that is developed.

FORMATIONS:
• Lines, circles, clusters, diagonals.

| Device | What happens | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Unison | Everyone moves together | Power, unity |
| Canon | Same move, staggered start | Ripple, echo |
| Repetition | Movement repeated | Emphasis, memorability |
| Retrograde | Movement performed backwards | Rewinding, surprise |
| Accumulation | Add one move each time | Building tension |
| Contrast | Opposite qualities | Interest, conflict |

Key ideas at a glance

• Start with a motif: A short phrase to develop.
• Use devices with purpose: What effect?
• Mix devices: Unison then canon.
• Count clearly: Group timing must be precise.

Worked example (Easy)

How can canon create a "ripple" effect?

1. Method. Dancers start the same move one count apart.
2. Effect. Movement travels down the line like a wave.

Answer: Staggered starts create a ripple.

Worked example (Medium)

Use accumulation to build a phrase of 4 moves.

1. Round 1. Move 1.
2. Round 2. Moves 1–2.
3. Round 3. Moves 1–3.
4. Round 4. Moves 1–4.

Answer: Each repeat adds one move, building intensity.

Common mistakes

• Everything in unison Becomes predictable. Fix: Mix unison and canon.
• Canon without clear counts Looks messy. Fix: Assign exact start counts.

Ripple and Mexican waves

A ripple is a type of canon where each dancer starts one count after the next — like a Mexican wave at the footy.

It creates a flowing visual effect and is often used to show a passing wave of emotion or energy through a group.

Practice questions

1. Dancers performing the same move at different times is:

   1. Unison
   2. Canon
   3. Contrast
   4. Stillness

   (1 marks)

2. What is a motif?

   (2 marks)

3. Dancers moving at exactly the same time is:

   1. Canon
   2. Unison
   3. Retrograde
   4. Accumulation

   (1 marks)

4. Performing a phrase backwards is:

   1. Retrograde
   2. Repetition
   3. Canon
   4. Contrast

   (1 marks)

5. Explain the effect of canon in a group dance.

   (2 marks)

Summary

• Repetition, unison, canon, contrast.
• Motifs.
• Formations.
• Devices develop and shape movement.