Lyrical, Modern, & Contemporary Dance... what's the difference?

[@alwaysdancing4987]

Amazing video! I couldn't understand the difference between lyrical, modern and contemporary before so it helped a lot.

[@margaretpughdance]

Thank you so much! I'm glad I could help out :)

[@uikmnhj4me]

Unfortunately it’s not a totally accurate video. She has some experience with modern, but most modern styles are farther from ballet than she’s describing.

[@trinityslade]

this is such a well done, lovely video! thank you!! ive been dancing 20 years, but was never clear on the distinction between modern and contemporary, but this cleared it up for me 100%! thanks for putting the time into this :)

[@starrbling1143]

Okay, so this is what I've gathered. Lyrical - inspired by ballet, looks similar to ballet but with different techniques Modern - someone said "fuck all these rules" and basically did the opposite of ballet. Everything is grounded, but it still has some similarities (i.e pointed toes) also, modern refers to an entire era of dance from the 1900s Contemporary - someone looked at basically every new style derived from modern and ballet and said "okay, mix them all up". from hip hop, jazz, latin and afro themes, modern and ballet

[@uikmnhj4me]

Not entirely. Contemporary is much closer to ballet than modern dance. Most forms of modern do not point toes. But as there are no rules, you can. Modern is an exploration of your relationship with gravity, so while it’s known for floorwork, there are many famous modern pieces that involve a lot of airtime. It’s all about momentum and subverting expectations.

[@uikmnhj4me]

Meanwhile, contemporary has actual moves with names that you can do “right” and “wrong.”

[@anonymixx8106]

Thank you so much. I've been struggling here as someone who is figuring out their dance style after starting to dance

[@lovaeriksson3162]

thank you so much for this! i finally understand the difference between 3 styles i would have called the same a few months ago. this was very helpful:)

[@keithmiklas2893]

This was excellent... thank you!

[@barefacedquestions]

Thank you so much for this. I was wondering why I've suddenly taken to lyrical dance recently. Now I understand the reason is due to my renewed interest in ballet, and lyrical dance has plenty of it.

[@thegirl211]

Thank you for the detailed information. I fell in love with the contemporary dance like crazy but they seem to have only modern in the school here :( Im heartbroken 💔

[@margaretpughdance]

If you’re interested in contemporary dance there are some online options, I know people enjoy CLI studios and steezy studios. I would probably check out cli first for contemporary but this might be a good option if there are no classes around you!

[@alfredofloyd]

My opinion is that Contact Improvisation, martial arts, somatic floor work (Bartenieff, Feldenkrais) has a huge influence on Contemporary, maybe more than modern and ballet.

[@SuperDarvit]

Thanks for the thorough descriptions, very helpful! Just wondering why you didn't use a few clips to visualize your remarks, that could enhance the video loads (I think)

[@mochigirl444]

modern = the hippie child of ballet, sold! now im learning modern, after being a competitive dancer as a teen. lol i need to reconnect with my inner child through dance!

[@margaretpughdance]

Definitely! I would highly recommend you watch some videos of Loie Fuller and Isadora Duncan, they were some of the first creators of modern dance and they always remind me to find my inner child.

[@mochigirl444]

@@margaretpughdance Wow thank you so much for the recommendations! I will look into them :)

[@stannct7582]

Thank you so much, I need to give a presentation about modern dance and your explanation really helped me out a lot!! Just for future reference for myself, modern dance starts at @3:00

[@margaretpughdance]

Good luck on your presentation! Let me know if you have any questions I can help with

[@mph24121970]

Ballet can be done to a song. Graham is a contemporary technique along with Cunningham etc. A contemporary dancer trained in many techniques and normally they have a base in something like Cunningham, Graham, Horton, Limon etc. and I would say the boundaries of dance are pushed through the choreography. Contemporary choreography can look like and be anything. You may see a contemporary piece and feel like you're watching jazz or ballet, theatre or something so weird you don't know what you're watching. I feel the description of lyrical was pretty much what I would say, but the description of contemporary is a little lacking unitards, pushing and pulling angst Lol. Though me being a contemporary dancer I have always found it so difficult to describe contemporary and I feel it's even harder now the choreography is being influenced by techniques like hip hop etc. I feel this is even leaking into the training of the traditional techniques like Graham as teachers who teach are getting further and further away from the original source and start incorporating the dance styles of today that they train in, though I guess in some way this has probably always happened. I noticed that no release techniques were mentioned in this video and release techniques have been a base for many contemporary dancers in recent years. One thing I hate when looking for contemporary dance on KZbin is that the results that come up are pretty much 95% lyrical. Lol. Babble over. Lol.

[@margaretpughdance]

I agree defining contemporary dance is hard, because it really means so many different things to different people. Especially when trying to reconcile concert and commercial contemporary. If I remade this video I would definitely talk about release technique, as that is a huge current right now in the concert world, especially in Europe, although it is a lot more prevalent in the US than it was even a couple of years ago (at least to my knowlege). Thanks for the comment, I love hearing how other dancers would describe these styles, since it really is difficult to try and verbalize!

[@erinkrizay6056]

This video was so helpful thank you!!! Here I was doing dancey stuff not even knowing how to refer to what style I was doing 💃🏼🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

[@SP-rx4tb]

Graham states she never took ballet and rebelled against it - was Ruth st Dennis and denis Shawn that took their inspiration from petroglyphs and art of Egypt her influence later was Japanese artist

[@phantompower2]

Thanks for your infomation solved my long term question of my mind.❤

[@zionnoel]

I reaaaaally want to get into dance, and so I was so joyous to watch this video and learn a little bit of simple, useful differentiation. :) Thank you!😊

[@margaretpughdance]

I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@haydaydaily792]

Great insight! I personally feel like contemporary is just the total opposite of lyrical,for lyrical you have like pointed toes etc(like you mentioned) but contemporary has like flexed foot and distorted body

[@TheSirGene]

AMAZING your knowledge base!!!

[@AmyM-z7f]

Super duper helpful! 🎉❤😅

[@oinkoink3669]

thank you very much for this explaination!

[@soutenu_ninja5678]

This is great absolutely brilliant 💙

[@heatherburch5039]

Thank you!!!! You’re a trip 😂 You made me laugh, A LOT

[@hlhath96]

thank you so much for this!

[@Siennaflower]

Thank you for this very informative video! I like listening to you. 💜

[@neigh89369]

Hi! Thank you for this comprehensive video. I'm curious to know if you could explain postmodern dance and where it fits into the timeline of different dance eras?

[@margaretpughdance]

Of course. Post modern dance came after modern in the late 20th century. I think the easiest way to sum it up is, it was a group of dancers and choreographers asking “what is dance really”. So a lot of the performances happened in non traditional spaces (parks, warehouses, etc) and lots of the movements on stage where not always recognizable as “dance moves”. There was a wide variety of work in this movement from people like Trisha brown who were developing new styles but still had a codified technique to dancer who used all pedestrian movements. There is obviously more details to be explored but I hope this little blurb is helpful :)

[@neigh89369]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate your dance history knowledge:)@@margaretpughdance

[@kingnumber10shaolinhighway81]

Thanks for that,,

[@carmeladawnreyes2241]

Thank you for your video now I understand it better

[@margaretpughdance]

I'm so glad it helped :)

[@kathleenh2782]

hiii! i'm 17 and i've been in musical theatre a *long time.* more recently i've discovered my love of dance from that sphere. i don't get to do it a lot with the schedule of theatre (only one class a week for a few months a semester and it's a youth theatre so not many complex dances which i'm very into are taught) so i'm looking into taking dance classes too. i'm not interested in street dancing but i'm also not interested in ballet. what would you recommend i look into?

[@margaretpughdance]

If you're interested in musical theatre I would suggest jazz, lyrical, or contemporary (probably in that order too). I think jazz would also help you in musical theatre (if you're interested you might want to try tap as well, a very different style lol but one that most musical theatre people do). Hope this helps!

[@disciplesvoice9104]

Please do a video on beginner improv dance

[@SP-rx4tb]

Contemporary is a catch all hybrid of styles doesn’t have to go to the floor or be barefooted - lyrical is a mix of ballet and modern yes but now we have gymnastics and a more floor driven choreography these days but strip the extra extra and you have a strong base in ballet and classical styles of modern Horton is used to make GReAT ballerinas these days as well

[@margaretpughdance]

I recently had a teacher say that it's difficult to describe "contemporary" because it is the current era of dance and it's difficult to describe a style that is still changing and evolving. I thought that was a really interesting point. Thanks for the comment :)

[@manikdas9376]

Thank you explained so well. N yes helpful 💕💕💕💕🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@margaretpughdance]

Thank you so much for watching! Glad I could help

[@justineraphaelestacio9772]

Similarites and differences in ballet,modern, jazz, lyrical

[@yasminmacneil4324]

This helped so much! I'd like to take up dance but had no idea what class to sign up to, thanks for your informative video!

[@edekker1625]

Thanx for explaining! I'd like to hear everyone's advice on the following: I'm looking for a contemporary dance class but the problem is there isn't a single dance school here that offers that style. They do offer Modern/Jazz or Classic/Modern/Jazz. But will I get the same amount of joy out of these combination classes or are the styles to different?

[@margaretpughdance]

Hi, sorry for a bit of a late reply. I think that these classes would give you the same amount of joy as contemporary. Modern and jazz share a lot of similarities as contemporary, so I would give them a try. You won't know until you try if you enjoy the style. Also know that modern, jazz, and contemporary classes can vary greatly based on the teacher. (I've had many "modern" classes that are just contemporary classes. also a lot of contemporary dancers are first trained in and regularly take modern dance classes). I hope this helps a little :)

[@edekker1625]

@@margaretpughdance thanx a lot for your reply! I'm doing a few loose Classic/Modern/Jazz classes for now, the studio is on a summer schedule so those are the only options for now. Their classes arr not bad but the Jazz is very "old school Jazz" I think. We also haven't done a choreo yet so I don't know yet if its a match. However, I did find a school that does Contemporary floorwork for both intermediate and for advanced dancers. I'm having a first trial lesson at the intermediate lessen there tomorrow. They'll have a summer stop after this week but I'm still excited.

[@margaretpughdance]

@@edekker1625 yay! I'm so glad you were able to find a contemporary class. I hope it goes well and fills that artistic calling you are chasing :)

[@PandoraGill06]

Correct me if im wrong but i feel like lyical is a loose, kind of freestyle, emotional version of ballet. Or is that modern?😅

[@bearvillebear1468]

Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the struggles in this world, God is full of justice, mercy and love. Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans . The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom. If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us back into that previously perfect image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. He will help us through the struggle, the stress, and anything we experience in the world. It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him through His power (not ourselves, we need Him to help us as it's impossible without depending on His power and instruction). He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if you had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place. He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it. He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way. NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER. Regardless of what you've done or what you're going through you CAN make it through Jesus. If you have any questions let me know xx

[@ema-ch7vj]

Great video! Can you make a video about showdance and acrodance too?

[@dance4836]

Modern: Hippie child of ballet 😂

[@sophies3264]

Thanks so much! I finally understand these difference I was trying to understand these to enroll my daughter to dance class. Each studio has thousands of classes. What would you recommend for a 8-year old who find ballet is boring ? Maybe a lyrical?

[@margaretpughdance]

Yes I think lyrical is great place for young dancers to start. It's less focused on technique and exercises (short dances used to teach and work on technique) and is more geared towards learning dances and moving. If your daughter becomes really invested in dance I would recommend adding more technical styles like ballet or modern, but if these are boring for her lyrical or contemporary would be a great option!

[@kristiii_lynn]

Hip hop dance is sooo fun

[@kanabeyondmeasure]

I'll take CONTEMPORARY for $500 Alex! 💁🏾‍♀️ It's more understood and invites culture.

[@birdworld2748]

I want to learn contemporary

[@margaretpughdance]

I may be biased but I think you definitely should!

[@mph24121970]

Try different techniques and you will find one that you love. Graham generally starts on the floor and the technique is based on contraction and release in the 70s 80s and early 90s it was thought in most contemporary schools as it made the body very strong, but it went out of fashion for a while but is now alive and kicking again. I love Graham and I personally feel it should be the base of any contemporary training. Cunningham in my opinion is more like ballet, but it uses tilts and curves of the upper part of the body. Graham is a technique that is tied to feeling and emotion, but Cunningham is much more abstract. I love Cunningham too and classes I teach are loosely Cunningham based. Another favourite of mine is Limon. This is a beautiful technique full of breath and fluidity. I just love it. Limon dancers always look amazing. Sadly I've only done a little Limon... Bugger. Lol. There are lots of other techniques ie Humphrey, Horton and now the new kid on the block that all my contemporary dancer friends seem to love is Gaga. I know absolutely nothing about this and when talking to a friend once I asked her "What is Gaga? Is it a class using the songs of lady gaga?" Noooooo!!! See put me right. Anyway I'll stop babbling and you should definitely try some contemporary dance. 🙂

[@McScott76]

Very informative. Thank you. I’m wondering if you could offer some advice. My 13 yr old daughter has danced classical ballet since she was 3. She advanced to pointe but has developed a foot condition that will require surgery and makes pointe nearly impossible. She’s heartbroken and looking for a new genre to continue her passion for dance. So… what would be the best evolution for her? Lyrical? Modern? Contemporary?

[@margaretpughdance]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I think that lyrical would be the easiest to transition to, it has a very similar quality and feeling to ballet, but without the pointe aspect. However, if your daughter likes the technical structure and rigor of ballet (the intricate techniques, the combinations for specific body movements, etc) modern dance classes (Graham or Horton) have a similar approach to technique and class structure to ballet, but modern has a very different feel and aesthetic. Another thought I had was maybe look to see if there are any "contemporary ballet" classes near you. Not all studio offer this style, but it is built off of the same ballet technique, but with a bit more freedom. Many of the classes I've taken are also in flat shoes, so no need for pointe, and this might be a bit closer to your daughters interests. I hope this helps a little bit and please let me know if you have any other questions I might be able to help with :)

[@maria_gkeka5985]

Is it late for a 18 year old to start contemporary;

[@margaretpughdance]

Definitely not! You can start dancing whenever in life, don't let a "late start" stop you from pursuing something you're interested in!

[@maria_gkeka5985]

@@margaretpughdance thank you very much i was worried!❤️

[@laylaymommie4291]

No I was 16 when I started dancing in high school. Never did a split in my life. Only one year I learned it all. The next year I became the new captain of the dance team. 😊

[@jannahlynmijares2216]

Yes amazing explanation! I know this is a year old but the term urban dance is no longer a term that is being used. The reason being is to respect the culture of hip hop and the black Afro/Latin/Caribbean communities from which it was originated.

[@margaretpughdance]

thank you! I had researched about this conversation earlier this year and had filmed a video about it that I lost due to technical problems, but it is really fascinating to hear all the opinions on categorization and names, although I never found an answer as to what to call this genre of dance. What term do you use?

[@zoehannah6278]

😂🤦‍♀️

[@WhyYoutubeWhy]

Angst in contemporary?! What?! Girl, I don't know where you took classes, but here it can be anything. A lot of emphasis on emotions, whatver they may be. There is also a lot of experimentations, stuff we cannot do in any other type of dance. There is no special technique, it's basically the same as the other techinical types, like you still need to hold your core and have your feet and knees in alignement to not get injured. As experimental as it can be though, I don't think just rolling once and eating a sandwhich be considered dancing. That's like the dude who just put up a toilet in a museum and said it's art when he didn't do anything to it.

[@margaretpughdance]

I said angst mostly because a lot of people I know joke about how, especially competition contemporary, often really leans into angsty emotions. I had not malintent with my words, I'm actually majoring in contemporary dance in college right now. I would agree however, that contemporary dance can be many things. I think that is one of the hard parts about trying to define or summarize contemporary dance, since if you asked the question to a commercial contemporary dancer today and a postmodern choreographer from the 60s, they would give you very different answers! thanks for your thoughts :)

[@lalalisamanoban2724]

Is hip hop considered modern dance?

[@margaretpughdance]

Hip hop is not considered modern dance. Modern dance refers to a technique that was derived from ballet, so ballet and modern are similar. Hip hop on the other had has no ballet influence. It was developed by African American communities starting in 1970s. The movement of hip hop has a foundational movement of bounces and rocks, while modern has it movement foundations on balletic alignment of the body (to simplify basically really good posture). I'm planning on making a video explaining hip hop further in the future, but I hope that this is helpful :) let me know if you have any other questions!

[@SnowPyramid]

9:49 that was beautiful lmao

[@becomingbrie7232]

Thank you so much for this !

[@margaretpughdance]

of course! thank you for watching