'Labanotation' is a form of movement notation developed by Rudolf
Laban. It is primarily used for the archival notation of ballet
but can in principle be used to notate any form of movement. It
uses a special, vertical stave with between four and twenty-five columns,
depending on the complexity of detail being recorded. On this stave are
placed symbols representing the movements of the centre of gravity and
support together with leg, arm, head etc. gestures.
Multiple staves can be used in the notation for several
dancers and separate floor-plans are used to show the
general movement and relative orientations of individuals or groups.
The prime reference is
"Labanotation: the System of Analysing and Recording Movement"
by Ann Hutchinson (pub: Dance Books) and the
principal organisation is
'The Dance Notation Bureau'
in New York.
