Martha Graham Syllabus: The Characteristics of Graham Technique

If you're a contemporary dancer, knowing who Martha Graham is, is a must! She's like the ultimate inspiration for dancers and choreographers even today. Martha Graham revolutionized dance with her bold techniques and performances that packed an emotional punch. 

She flipped the script on classical ballet, creating a whole new way of moving that captured raw, real human emotions. In this article, we'll dive into who Martha Graham is, what makes her dance style so unique, and break down the magic behind the famous Graham Technique. Get ready to be inspired!

Who is Martha Graham?

Martha Graham, born in 1894, was a groundbreaking choreographer and dancer whose career spanned over seven decades, leaving a lasting impact on modern dance. 

Known for her emotionally intense and symbolically rich work, she saw dance as a form of personal expression. Initially trained at the Denishawn School, Graham eventually developed her own unique style and founded the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1926. 

She created 181 choreographic works, including iconic pieces like "Appalachian Spring" and "Lamentation," and collaborated with renowned artists, cementing her legacy as a major innovator in the arts.

The Characteristics of Martha Graham's Dance

Martha Graham's dance style is known for its intensity, precision, and expressiveness. Her choreography was often abstract but deeply rooted in emotional themes, exploring the complexities of human experience. Several key characteristics define her approach to dance includes:

1. Contraction and Release

A core principle of Graham's technique is contraction and release, a movement pattern that mirrors the natural rhythm of breathing and symbolizes the flow of human emotion. 

Contraction involves pulling the torso inward to create tension, while release expands the body, representing freedom and expression. This contrast lies at the heart of Graham’s technique which is to serve as a metaphor for emotional struggles and triumphs.

It offers a deeper, more visceral approach to dance that embraces both tension and resolution.

2. Spirals

Graham’s movements are often characterized by spirals, which involve twisting the body to create powerful lines and shapes. Spirals originate from the torso, reflecting the connection between the body’s center and its outer movements. 

This technique allows dancers to explore range, flexibility, and expression through their entire bodies, breaking away from the rigid verticality of classical ballet.

3. Angular Shapes and Sharp Movements

Graham’s choreography often features sharp, angular movements, as opposed to the soft, rounded movements typical of ballet. These angles reflect tension and struggle, highlighting the emotional intensity that is central to her work. 

This distinctive style set her apart from other modern dance pioneers and remains a hallmark of her technique.

4. Focus on the Core

Graham emphasized the importance of movement originating from the core, or the center of the body. The core is considered the emotional and physical powerhouse of the body, and Graham believed that expressive movement begins there. 

This focus on core strength and control is vital for executing the sharp, precise movements that define her technique.

5. Emotional Expression

Martha Graham viewed dance as a means of expressing deep, often subconscious emotions. Her choreography frequently explored themes of love, grief, anger, and fear, with each movement reflecting an emotional truth. 

Graham’s dances were not merely about form but also a vessel for storytelling and emotional exploration. Her approach to emotional expression was also bold and revolutionary.

The Martha Graham Technique

The Martha Graham Technique is one of the most respected dance techniques worldwide, known for pushing the limits of how the human body can express deep emotions through movement. Let's break down some key elements of this technique:

1. Contraction and Release

At the heart of the Graham Technique is the idea of contraction and release. Imagine pulling your stomach muscles in tightly, creating tension in your core—that's a contraction. 

Then, when you let that tension go and open up your body, that's a release. Graham believed this back-and-forth between contraction and release mirrored the emotional ups and downs we experience in life.

Think about when you're upset, when you might clench your body in frustration (contraction). But when you calm down, you take a deep breath and let everything go (release). Dancers usually use this in their movements to show powerful emotions like sadness, joy, or anger.

2. Exploration of Gravity

Unlike ballet, where dancers try to float and look light, the Graham Technique embraces gravity. This means dancers use the weight of their bodies to connect to the ground, creating a more grounded, strong feeling in their movements. 

It’s less about flying through the air and more about using the body’s weight to create emotion and movement.

Instead of jumping to look light and graceful, a dancer might purposely fall to the ground, using their body’s weight to express heaviness or despair. Or they may push off the ground with force, showing power and resistance.

3. Floor Work and Spirals

In Graham’s technique, dancers spend a lot of time working on the floor, transitioning smoothly between standing and seated positions. Floor work helps dancers build strength, flexibility, and a close connection with the ground. 

Spirals are also important which means twisting the body in a way that creates dynamic, swirling movements, adding depth to how dancers move through space.

For example, a dancer might start seated on the floor, then spiral their torso to rise smoothly to standing, adding dramatic flair to a simple movement. This allows dancers to explore their body’s full range of motion, twisting and turning to express different emotions.

What an Inspiring Figure!

The Martha Graham Syllabus is an essential complement to the CSTD (Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing) Contemporary Syllabus, particularly for older students looking to deepen their understanding and mastery of contemporary dance. 

While the CSTD Contemporary Syllabus provides a strong foundation in modern and contemporary dance, the inclusion of the Graham Syllabus offers a more comprehensive approach, introducing students to one of the most influential techniques in modern dance history.

It is undeniable that the Martha Graham Syllabus still exists and is widely used in CSTD Contemporary Dance Testing to this day. If you are interested in improving your skills in contemporary dance, you can learn it by joining Rockstar Academy's Contemporary dance program. 

Rockstar Academy is a member of CSTD (The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing) that fully implements its comprehensive Contemporary Technique syllabus. Rockstar even holds several events and competitions for contemporary dance, such as Elite Championships and RockOlympics, so students can perform and gain benefits from it. 

Additionally, Rockstar also offers a free trial class, so you can experience the excitement and energy firsthand before signing up. It’s the perfect chance to try out your new favorite hobby and be completely risk-free! So, why not give it a go and see what you're made of?

FAQ

What is the Martha Graham Technique?

The Martha Graham Technique is a modern dance method that focuses on core strength, emotional expression, and the principles of contraction and release. It emphasizes grounded movements, spirals, and the connection between breath and movement.

How is the Graham Technique different from ballet?

Unlike ballet, which focuses on lightness, grace, and elevation, the Graham Technique is more grounded and angular. It embraces gravity, uses floor work extensively, and emphasizes emotional expression through dynamic tension in the body.