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How did Coordination Method Dance Notation use letters and numbers to record movement in China?
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dance notation
Comparison of five systems of dance notation. (A) Starting position: stand with feet together. (B) Step forward on the right foot (count 1). (C) Land to the left, feet together, knees bent (count 2).
Created in the early 1980s by Wu Ji Mei and her husband, Gao Chun Lin, Coordination Method Dance Notation is recognized as the first true system of dance notation developed in China.1
The system is based on a logical analysis of movement and is designed to be compatible with standard computer keyboards. To record movement, it utilizes a combination of letters of the alphabet, numbers, and a small set of abstract signs. When notating, these symbols are placed beneath a Western-style music staff, which serves to indicate the timing of the movements.1
Because of its logical structure and accessibility, the method has been applied beyond traditional dance forms to include movement in sports and physical education.1