Role of Lyrics and Music in the Retrieval of Dance Sequences among Dancers

Abstract

Dance is an elegant type of performance art with aesthetic and metaphorical meanings. It increases one’s cognitive ability while also fostering physical capabilities such as balance, control, and coordination of bodily motions. The research’s main goal is to investigate the role of lyrics and music in dancers’ recovery of dance sequences. It would help us better understand the cognitive processes that a dancer employs to learn a dance routine. The study focused on dancers between the ages of 18 and 25. The influence of lyrical and non-lyrical music on retrieval of the dance sequence was investigated using a quasi-experimental research approach. Two videos exhibiting dance moves were employed as the study’s tool. The first video included lyrical music, while the second featured non-lyrical or instrumental music, although both videos featured the same dance choreography. The videos were provided to two groups, each of which had three trials to watch the video, memorize the instructions, and replicate it correctly according to the music. The participants’ responses were recorded in order to see which group fared better in the task. The study’s findings revealed that when it comes to retrieving dancing sequences, there is no substantial difference between lyrical and non-lyrical music. Some dancers were better at synchronizing their motions to the beat, while others were better at it with melody.