1

Chapter I
TIMING AND STRUCTURE

1
2

SYMBOLS

Action Stroke Free Timing Sign Angular Bracket Basic Unit Statement

= 1 second

Meter Indications Indications for Identifying Units

3 4 2 single bar line

8 4 4
double bar line

Repeat Signs Numbers

3 1 3 1 2 3 3 3
2

This chapter will discuss aspects of movement that contribute to its structure and temporal patterns:

Duration

Tempo

Pauses

Units

Chronology

Meter

Repetition
 3

BROAD STATEMENT

The broadest Motif Notation statement is made with a vertical line. This
basic symbol, called an action stroke, indicates unspecified movement action stroke
(Ex. 1a). In other words, a movement of some kind occurs. The type is 1a)
open to interpretation.1

Example 1b depicts a movement sequence. It contains four action strokes. This shows that the sequence is
comprised of four discrete unspecified movements.

The notation is read going up the page. Horizontal double lines show where the sequence begins
and ends.

Note: Many of the examples in this book contain explanatory text, as in 1b, that would not ordinarily be
included in the notation.
end

move

move

move

move
read going up
the page
begin
1b)
DURATION begin

The duration of movement is indicated by the length of symbols. For instance, in 2a, to show that the first
movement lasts three times as long as the second movement, the first action stroke is drawn three times as
long as the second action stroke. Similarly, in 2b progressively faster movements are indicated with
progressively shorter action strokes.

the first the

the movements the movements
movement movements
get get faster, then
lasts three last the
progressively
times as long slower same
faster
as the second amount of
movement time

2a) b) c) d)
4

PAUSES

Pauses are periods of inaction. They can be compared NOTE ON WRITING

to "rests" in music. The boundaries of symbols are shown with a very small
gap in the notation. The gap should be as small as
A pause is indicated by a blank space in the notation possible. Any interval larger than a slight space
represents a pause.
(Ex. 3a,b).

Symbols = movement.

No symbols = no movement.

The duration of the pause is shown by the length of the

blank space. In 3a the blank space is two inches long
and the first action stroke is one inch long, so the
pause lasts twice as long as the first movement.

two movements two movements

with a pause without a pause
between them between them

move for the same amount of

move for 1/2 the amount of time used for the first movement
time used for the first
movement
pause for twice the amount of
move for 1/2 the amount of time used for the first movement
time used for the first
movement
move for four times the amount
of time used for the first
movement

pause for twice the amount

of time used for the
previous movement

pause for eight times the amount

of time used for the previous
movement

move

move

3a) b)
 5

UNITS

The temporal progression of movement can be divided into discrete parts called units. When walking
down the street, each step might be considered a unit. Likewise, the movement of opening a door might
be divided into three units: grasping the door handle, turning the handle, and pushing the door open.

UNIT TERMINOLOGY

There are many terms for movement units, such as beat, count, bar, measure, phrase, segment, sub-unit,
micro-unit, macro-unit, sequence, excerpt, section, part, bit, portion, theme, and fragment. Universal
terminology has not been established, but context will often suggest the appropriate nomenclature. For
example, "counts" might be suitable for aerobics exercise, and "micro-units" might be suitable for an
analysis of the human gait.

UNIT ORGANIZATION

Units can be subdivided into smaller units or clustered into larger units, as illustrated in 4a,b.

4a)

1 unit travel

2 units step step

transfer flex extend transfer flex extend

6 units weight leg leg weight leg leg

4b)

1 unit
2 units 3 units
6

The division of movement into different size units is analogous to the division of speech into sentences,
clauses, syllables, words, etc., and music into phrases, measures, notes, etc. (Ex. 4c,d).

4c) SPEECH UNITS

2 units Movement units can be subdivided, or clustered into larger units.

(clauses)

Movement units can be subdivided, or clustered into larger units.

10 units
(words)

Movement units can be subdivided, or clustered into larger units.

19 units
(syllables)

4d) MUSIC UNITS

Lon-don Bridge is fall - ing down, fall - ing down, fall - ing down,

1 unit phrase

phrase phrase phrase

3 units

4 units measure measure measure measure

13 units note note note note note note note note note note note note note
 7

DEFINING UNITS

The demarcation of units can be established by various aspects of the movement, such as pauses,
repetition, metric phrasing, dynamic phrasing, or actions. Thus, a dance might have some units that
correspond to the measures in its musical accompaniment, and other units that coincide with changes in
the quality of the movement, as illustrated in 5a. The dance depicted in 5b has units defined by sections of
its music and by the number of dancers on the stage. The conversational movement in 5c has units
defined by gesticulation and pauses, and by changes in body position.

5a)
Units in a Dance

changes in
movement
qualities
(3 units)

music
measures
(4 units)

5b)
Units in a Dance

music
sections
(3 units) First Song Second Song Third Song

number of
dancers quintet solo trio duet duet quintet
(6 units)

5c)
Units in Conversational Movement

arm gestures move pause move pause move pause move

and pauses
(7 units)

position change
(2 units)
8

NOTATING UNITS

There are several ways to notate the boundaries of units.

A unit that lasts as long as an individual movement is depicted by an indication for that movement. For
instance, in 6a-d each such unit is shown with an action stroke.

Indications for individual movements may be grouped or subdivided into units defined by bar lines (i.e.,
horizontal lines) and/or numbers. In 6a numbers are used to group four action strokes into two units. In 6b
bar lines group seven action strokes into two units. In 6c bar lines group four action strokes into two units,
and numbers divide the action strokes into eight units. In 6d bar lines and numbers divide one action
stroke into 3 units.

3
6
units units units units
indicated by indicated by indicated by indicated by
action action action an action
2 strokes and strokes and 5 strokes, stroke,
numbers bar lines numbers, numbers,
and bar lines and bar lines

4
2

1 1 1
6a) b) c) d)
 9

BAR LINES

Bar lines consist of single or double horizontal lines (Ex. 7a,b).

7a) single bar line
Single bar lines identify units. The units may be of equal duration,
as in 7c,d, or of unequal duration, as in 7e.
7b) double bar line
Double bar lines indicate the beginning and end of the entire
movement selection (Ex. 7c-e).

end end
end

bar lines divide

bar lines divide the
a bar line divides the the notation into
notation into 3 units
notation into 2 units 3 units

begin begin begin

7c) d) e)

The use of bar lines to show unit boundaries in Motif Notation is similar to their use in music notation,
where single bar lines identify measures, and a double bar line is placed at the end of the score, as in 7f.

7f)
indicates the
boundaries of
measures

indicates the indicates the

boundaries of end of the
measures music
10

NUMBERS

As explained previously, units may also be delineated with numbers.

Each number is placed to the left of the staff, at the beginning of the unit it identifies (Ex. 8a-c).

For easier reading, the numbers can be different sizes. In 8b large numbers indicate phrases in a dance
sequence, and small numbers identify smaller units that the dancers count as they learn the movement.
Numbers can also be placed inside circles, diamonds, or other shapes, as in 8c below and 11a on page 13.

Note: The dotted bows are not a part of the notation.

12
fourth fourth unit;
unit second contains
2 two counts
11 phrase;
contains
counts 9-12

4 10 4
1

2 9 4
third unit;
third contains
3
unit four counts
8
2

3 3
7 1

6 second unit;
second contains
unit first phrase; 2 two counts
contains
5 counts 1-8

2
2 4 1

4
3
first unit;
first 3 contains
unit four counts
2
2

1 1 1 1
1

8a) b) c)
 11

STAFFS

Indications are written on an imaginary staff. In 9a there is one staff, and in end
9b there are three staffs.

When a staff fits into the space allotted for the notation, it begins and ends
with a double bar line (Ex. 9a).

When the allotted space is not long enough, as in 9b, the notation may be split
into two or more staffs. The first staff is placed on the left side of the allotted
space. It begins with a double bar line. To show that the notation continues,
the staff ends with a single bar line (a double bar line would indicate the end
of the notation).

The next staff begins with a single bar line. As before, a single bar line is put
at the end if the notation is to continue in a new staff.

The notation continues with as many staffs as necessary, each one beginning
and ending with a single bar line. A double bar line is drawn at the end of the
final staff.
begin
9a)

continue to the
next staff

continue to the
next staff

2 4

end

1 begin
3 5
9b)
12

GLOSSARY

The meaning of indications that are ambiguous, unusual, or not standardized can be clarified in a
glossary. For instance, 10a below and 11a,b on the next page have glossaries that stipulate the meaning
of bar lines and numbers for those scores.

The glossary may be placed on the same page as the notation, as in 10a below and 11a,b on the next page.
An optional frame around the glossary divides it from the rest of the notation. Alternately, the glossary
may be written separately in an introduction to the score, especially if it applies to more than one page of
notation. The introduction may also include other items, such as the title and date of the notation, the
name of the notator, the name of the movement analyst or choreographer, context information, sources,
illustrations, lighting and costume information, or other background material.

Conversational Movement

talking and
gesticulating while
looking around the
room

talking and
gesticulating while
looking at person
"B"

Glossary

Single bar lines indicate

changes in looking.

resting the hands

in the lap while
talking and looking at person
gesticulating while "A" talk
looking at person "A"

10a)
 13

CHOOSING UNIT SYMBOLS

Bar lines and numbers can be used separately or in various combinations, as in 11a,b. There are no rules
stating which of those indications should be used to show various unit types and sizes. Unit demarcations
should fit the context of the movement and make the notation easier to read.

In 11a note the difference between unit 1 , which has two action strokes, and unit 4 , which has one
action stroke.

Playing Baseball
Dance Sequence

swing the
bat, missing
8 the ball

7
6
5
4 wait for the
ball
3
2
4 1
2
8
pick up the
3 7 bat
run to first
6
base
5
4
3
2
2 1
8
7 walk to the
mound
6 4
5 swing the
bat and hit
4 the ball
3
2 wait for
1 1 another
ball
11a)

put the bat

in position
for
Glossary swinging
1 3
1 Numbers in ovals indicate changes in quality. b)
1 Plain numbers indicate dancers counts.
Glossary
Bar lines correspond to music bar lines.
1 Numbers indicate parts of a baseball game.
14

BASIC UNIT

So far in this chapter, the time value of an indication has been known only in
relation to other indications; it might have half the time value of a previous
= 1 second
indication, twice the time value of another, and so forth. This proportional 12a)
representation is often all that is needed. However, sometimes it is important to
stipulate exact timing. Such information is provided by a statement of the
notation's basic unit.

The basic unit is the length in the notation that is equated with a particular time = 2 seconds
b)
value. It serves as a "measuring stick" for gauging an indication's exact value and
specifying the movements tempo (pace).

A statement of the basic unit consists of the symbol drawn a selected length,
and the amount of time that length represents. The amount could be clock time,
= 4 heartbeats
or another time measurement, such as a music note (Ex. 12a-d). The statement is
written below the first staff in the notation, as in 12e,f.

As an example, look at the notation in 12e. The basic unit is inch long, with a c)
time equivalence of one second. The first action stroke is one inch long (i.e., four
times as long as the basic unit); therefore it has a time value of four seconds.

In 12f the basic unit is inch long, with a time equivalence of a musical quarter d) =
note. Each of the first three action strokes is inch long, so they each have the
time value of a quarter note.

4 seconds

1 second

1 second

2 seconds

2 seconds

4 seconds

12e) = 1 second f)
 15

CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE BASIC UNIT

As was shown on page 14, a basic unit can have various lengths and time values. It might be inch, one
inch, two inches, etc. It might represent a microsecond, a second, a minute, hours, days, or years; a
quarter note, a measure, several measures, or a large section of music; the time it takes for a heartbeat, the
inhale and exhale in a breath, a wave in the ocean, etc.

Each score should use a basic unit that supports the context of the notation. Accordingly, the examples
below use basic units suitable for the stated interpretation of indications. The basic unit in 13a helps
highlight moment to moment stepping patterns in a dance. The basic units in 13b and 13c promote the
broader, more macroscopic perception that is appropriate for indicating traveling pathways and overall
qualities in a dance.

Traveling Movement Qualities and Imagery

in a Dance Sequence for an Entire Dance

Steps in a Dance Sequence

travel to the
center of strong like
pause the stage an eagle
feet together
step left
step right
pause
travel in a light and
feet together
circle sudden
step left like a
step right sparrow

step forward

step forward
travel to the
left back focused
step backward corner of and
the stage contained
like an
step forward owl
travel to the
right front
corner of
the stage
= 1 second
13a)
= 8 seconds
= 1 minute

b)
c)
16

DRAFTSMANSHIP

Using graph paper can help make it easier to draw symbols

accurately in the final write-up. This is illustrated in 14a,
where the basic unit is four squares long. The first action
stroke has a time value that is as long as the basic unit, so it
is drawn four squares long. The second action stroke has a
time value that is 4 times as long as the basic unit, so it is 18 squares
eighteen squares long. (Note: The action strokes are slightly = 4 basic units
(move 4 seconds)
shorter than the specified lengths because of the gaps needed
to separate indications.) The squares on the graph paper may
be any size that facilitates good draftsmanship.

The most professional looking notation can be produced by

using one of the computer programs that have been
developed for drawing Laban scripts.2 4 squares
= 1 basic unit
FREE TIMING (pause 1 second)

Sometimes the timing of movement is open to interpretation. 4 squares

= 1 basic unit
In a dance improvisation, for example, the order of move- (move 1 second)
ments might be specified, but their duration and tempo could
be left to the discretion of the performer. Such freedom in
timing can be shown with the sign . = 1 second

When the sign is placed below and to the left of the initial
double bar line, as in 15a, the length of all indications have
14a)
no significance; they can have any time value. If only part of
the movement has free timing, an angular bracket can be
used to show when the free timing begins and ends, as in
15b. SYMBOL DERIVATION

The sign for free timing is derived from the

basic time sign , plus an ad lib. sign . The
basic time sign is based on the idea of an

unit 2, hourglass with the sand at the top.

use any
timing to do plus equals
two
movements
use any timing and then
while moving, pause
then pausing,
then moving NOTE ON WRITING
A bracket containing a time sign may be placed
2 unit 1,
on the right or left side of the notation.
do two
movements;
the second
movement or
lasts three
times as
long as the
1 first
movement
15a) b)
 17

CHRONOLOGY

The term chronology refers to the order in which movements or situations occur:

Consecutive occurring one after the other.

Simultaneous beginning and ending at the same time.
Overlapping partly coinciding in time.

For example, a person could move an arm and then a leg (consecutive chronology), move an arm and a
leg at the same time (simultaneous chronology), or begin an arm movement part way into moving a leg
(overlapping chronology).

Likewise, the person could turn and then hop (consecutive chronology), turn and hop at same time
(simultaneous chronology), or begin to hop part way into the turn (overlapping chronology).

leg hop
consecutive

arm turn

simultaneous

arm leg turn hop

overlapping

leg hop

arm turn
18

NOTATING CHRONOLOGY

Chronology is notated as follows:

Consecutive chronology indications are written one after the other (Ex. 16a-c).

three
two consecutive consecutive four consecutive
movements movements movements

16a) b) c)

Simultaneous chronology indications are written side by side (Ex. 16d-f).

two
two simultaneous simultaneous
movements movements
followed by followed by two
another more
movement simultaneous
two movements
simultaneous
movements

16d) e) f)

Overlapping chronology indications are written side by side, overlapping on the page (Ex. 16g-i).

two
simultaneous
movements

two movements three movements

that overlap in that overlap in time
time two
movements
that overlap in
time

16g) h) i)
 19

DIFFERENT MOVERS

When two or more people are involved in the movement, each is given a staff. The movers are identified
with word or letter labels, such as "Boy," "person 1," or "A," placed below the staffs. The staffs are joined
at the top and bottom by extended bar lines (Ex. 17a).

The temporal relationship between movers follows the rules for indicating chronology (see page 18). To
illustrate, in 17a, unit 1 the boys and girls first movements are indicated side by side; therefore, those
movements are simultaneous.

Keep in mind that in 17a, unit 1 the two movers may do the same or different movements simultaneously.
To show movers do the same movement at the same time, they share a staff, as in 17b. (Another way to
show the movers do the same movement is given on page 50.)

the boy does one

movement while the the boy and the girl do
girl does two the same movement
movements (the movement
consists of
simultaneous events)
the boy and the girl do
the same or different
movements
3 simultaneously

the boy and the girl

the boy moves while
pause
the girl pauses

the boy and girl do the

same movement (the
the girl moves while
movement consists of
the boy pauses
overlapping events)
2
the boy and girl do the
same movement

the boy and the girl

the boy and girl do the
do the same or
same movement
different movements
simultaneously
the boy and girl do the
same movement

1
17a) Boy Girl b) Boy, Girl
20

STARTING POSITIONS

A starting position is a motionless pose, situation, or condition assumed before the entire movement
selection begins. Some starting positions, such as the crouched posture of a runner before a race begins, or
the delicate quality of a dancer at the beginning of a dance, may be integral aspects of the movement
selection. In that case they would be included in the notation.

As discussed previously, the initial double bar line marks the beginning of the movement selection.
Starting positions are indicated before the double bar line (Ex. 18a-c).

An indication for a starting position has no time value, but it often is the length of the basic unit.

start in an start in a downward start in a flexed

unspecified position (direction c) position (flexion
18a) position b) will be discussed in will be discussed
Chapter III) in Chapter X)

METER
3
Meter is a musical term for the grouping of rhythmical impulses into units called measures. In a 8 meter
4
each measure contains three beats of an eighth note value. In a 4 meter each measure contains four beats
of a quarter note value.

The meter of movement may be indicated to clarify the movement's rhythm. It is written on the left side
of the staff, below the initial double bar line (Ex. 19a-c).

2 4
2
1 3
1
3 2

2 1 2
1 4
1
3 3
2
2 2
1 1 1
the movement the movement the movement
3 4 4 2
19a) 8 has a 3 meter b) 4 has a 4 meter c) 4
2
has a 4 meter
8
 21

REPETITION

Repeated movement is indicated with a slanted or horizontal repeat sign:

A slanted repeat sign is placed in a blank space that is enclosed by bar lines (Ex. 20a below and 20e on
the next page).
The sign states that the last notated unit enclosed by bar lines is to be repeated.
A sign with a number, such as 1 , refers back to a unit that is to be repeated.

A horizontal repeat sign is placed at the top right and bottom left of the unit that is to be repeated.
The unit is enclosed by extended bar lines (Ex. 20b-e).
The sign indicates the unit is to be performed an unspecified number of times.
The sign says the unit is to be performed a total of two times.
A sign with a number, such as 3 , indicates the total number of times the unit is to be performed.

Slanted Repeat Signs Horizontal Repeat Signs

repeat the last notated unit
repeat the unit an unspecified number of times
repeat unit one
1
repeat once (i.e., do the unit a total of two times)
2 repeat unit two

repeat unit three 3 repeat twice (i.e., do the unit a total of three times)
3

repeat
3 unit 3 3 perform perform
units 1-3 units 1-3 an no repeat
5 a total of unspecified (perform
three number of the unit
times times one time)
3 3

4 perform
3 the unit a
2 2
total of
4 four times
repeat
unit 1
perform
the unit a
2 total of
two times
(the
dotted
bows are
not a part
of the
3 notation)
1 1 1
20a) b) c) d)
22

3 perform SYMBOL DERIVATION

units 1-6 a
total of three The repeat sign is taken from music notation.
times
The sign for repeat an unspecified number of times contains
an ad lib. sign .

NOTE ON WRITING

Slanted repeat signs are placed in the center of a blank space.

repeat unit 1 The blank space begins and ends with a bar line, and is equal in
1 length to the unit being repeated.

repeat unit 1

3 correct incorrect incorrect

The bar lines used with horizontal repeat signs are extended so
repeat unit 1 that they frame the unit that is to be repeated.

The number in a horizontal repeat sign replaces the inside dot in

the sign.

3
2 3

3
3 3
1
20e) correct incorrect
 23

SUMMARY OF TEMPORAL INDICATIONS

MOVEMENT ASPECT HOW INDICATED

placement of symbols

Chronology

consecutive simultaneous overlapping

relative length of symbols statement of the free

basic unit timing

Duration and Tempo

= 1 second

4 seconds 2 seconds 1 second second

meter indications
Meter
3 4 6
4 4 8

bar lines and numbers

4
Units
2 3

1 1

absence of symbols

Pauses

repeat signs
Repetition
3 1 2 3
24

READING STUDY NO. 1

BASIC UNITS

Try interpreting this study using different basic units, such as those shown below. Keep in mind that the
action strokes in the notation may represent any type or style of movement.

= second = 1 second = 2 seconds

6 6 6 6

5 5 5 5

4 4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2 2 2

1 1 1 1

6 6 6 6

5 5 5 5

4 4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2 2 2

1 1 1 1
 25

READING STUDY NO. 2 READING STUDY NO. 3

METER
Study No. 2 contains changes in meter.
Each meter indication is placed before
the unit(s) to which it applies.
REPETITION
As stated in the glossary, the slashed bar lines in this
study clarify that units 8-9 are a repeat of units 6-7. In
unit 10 there is a pause. Also, note that in units 4-5 there
is only one action stroke. In contrast, in units 11-12 there
are two action strokes.

3
2
1
3
4 8 5 10
7
6

5
4
3 4 9

2
1
4
4 3
2 3 8
1
3
4 8
7
6
2 7 12
5

4
3
2
1 1 6 11
4
4
Glossary

The slashed bar lines clarify that units

8-9 are a repeat of units 6-7.
26

READING STUDY NO. 4

TRIO
In this study "A" and "B" do the same movement while "C" does separate movement. Try interpreting the
notation with the movers beginning in different locations in relation to each other. For example, the
formations in the boxes below show four ways the movers might begin.

A
C B
A B C AB A C B C
movers' beginning movers' beginning movers' beginning
beginning movers' beginning
location in#1rendition 1 location #2
in rendition 2 location in
#3rendition 3 location #4
in rendition 4

AB C AB C
 27

QUIZ YOURSELF TIMING AND STRUCTURE

(answers on page 376)

I. Match descriptions 1-18 with Ex. a-j.

3
a) e) 3 h) 4
1) Indicates exact clock time value.
2) Indicates relative time value.
3) Indicates completely free timing.
4) Indicates two movements. b) = f)
5) Indicates a pause.
6) Indicates consecutive movement.
7) Indicates a starting position.
8) Indicates "ad lib." c) g) 3 2
9) Indicates units within a unit.
10) Indicates unit 3 is repeated. 1
11) Indicates unspecified movement. j) AB
12) Indicates the end of the notation. = 1 second
d) i)
13) Indicates meter.
14) Indicates two repetitions.
15) Indicates two movers.
16) Indicates unit numbers.
17) Indicates the movement is done a total of two times.
18) Indicates the basic unit equals a musical quarter note.

II. Answer the following questions about the notation to the right.

1) What is the duration of the entire sequence?

2) How many units last second (including repeats)?
3) What is the time value of the fastest unit?
4) Using the bar lines as boundaries, how many units are there
(including repeats)?
5) What is the time value of the first pause?
6) How many times do simultaneous movements occur?
7) How many times do overlapping movements occur?
8) How many movers are there?
9) What does the single bar line at the end of the first staff indicate?
10) Which of the following are not indicated?
Chronology, meter, a pause, repetition, units, tempo, exact time
value, a starting position.

ABC ABC
= 1/2 second
28

Quiz Yourself Continued

III. Fill in the blanks.

1) Signs that are written side by side depict .

2) Signs that are written vertically one after the other depict .
3) Unspecified movement is depicted with an .
4) The beginning and end of an entire movement selection are depicted with .
5) Units can be indicated with , , and .
6) The sign says , the sign says , the sign 1 says , and the sign says .
7) The relative duration of a movement is delineated by the of an indication.
8) In order to determine exact time value, indications are measured against a .
9) The indication for a starting position is placed .
10) A very small gap between two action strokes indicates ; a large space between two action
strokes indicates .

IV. Write the following sequence using the given basic unit. Compare your notation with the notation on
page 376.

= second

Unit 1. An unspecified movement that lasts one second.

Unit 2. A pause that lasts one second.
Unit 3. An unspecified movement that lasts 1 seconds, followed by an unspecified movement that lasts
second.

V. Which of the following examples gives the most information about timing? Which gives the least?

b) =
a) c)
VI. Write the following sequence. Compare your notation with the notation on page 376.

The sequence has four measures. Each of the four measures contains three counts. The sequence has a
3 meter.
4

Measure 1. Count 1. An unspecified movement.

Count 2. Pause.
Count 3. Two simultaneous unspecified movements.
Measure 2. Counts 1-3. Two overlapping unspecified movements.
Measure 3. Repeat measure 1.
Measure 4. Counts 1-2. Pause.
Count 3. Two consecutive unspecified movements.

The entire sequence is performed a total of three times.