With our current reality, and been apart from each other, the classes are transforming into a mechanic activity. I can’t correct my students properly and I feel the empty space in the studio - more like an empty teacher feeling-
I have forced myself to practice my choreography, but I haven’t been successful. The feeling of the live music and the “butterflies in the stomach ” before a performance are such an important part for an artist to bring the inner self out and enjoy and transmit it with the audience. I miss it very much!!
The other day after class, I decided to just let go. I played some of the new songs I downloaded recently, and I started to move. I found myself out of compas (rhythm) a couple of times, making silly mistakes, and at some point hopeless. But I didn’t give up! I recorded my improvisation and I realized that I was limiting myself to a few combinations, and that I was repeating the same steps over and over - I know! I am my worst judge!- But on the bright side, I also saw that I was trying to feel more. To connect with the music, and with my thoughts! I wasn’t throwing complicated footwork or very tailored choreography steps. I was trying to “find myself”.
First, I started with a Tangos Flamencos’ song that I never work with before. Flamenco students know that Flamenco music follows a structure and we “sense” when the singer is going to finish a musical phrase by the decrease of his/her voice tone. My inner knowledge knew how to follow that structure but my body wasn’t responding sometimes, so I decided to do what I could in the moment. Then, I moved to dance Caña and I stole some of my students’ choreography with some Manton's work additions! I did enjoy this Palo more than the tangos. I think I was already in the mood by that time.
I want to share some of my improvisation session with you, and show you that we don’t need to be perfect, or have the perfect moves and intricate footwork all the time. We need to move!! We need to feel the music and transmit it from the inside out. Dance to yourself and dance like no one is watching! Ps: This applies for any dance style!! Improv all you can! <3
My Improvisation vídeo:
https://vimeo.com/409105185
I have forced myself to practice my choreography, but I haven’t been successful. The feeling of the live music and the “butterflies in the stomach ” before a performance are such an important part for an artist to bring the inner self out and enjoy and transmit it with the audience. I miss it very much!!
The other day after class, I decided to just let go. I played some of the new songs I downloaded recently, and I started to move. I found myself out of compas (rhythm) a couple of times, making silly mistakes, and at some point hopeless. But I didn’t give up! I recorded my improvisation and I realized that I was limiting myself to a few combinations, and that I was repeating the same steps over and over - I know! I am my worst judge!- But on the bright side, I also saw that I was trying to feel more. To connect with the music, and with my thoughts! I wasn’t throwing complicated footwork or very tailored choreography steps. I was trying to “find myself”.
First, I started with a Tangos Flamencos’ song that I never work with before. Flamenco students know that Flamenco music follows a structure and we “sense” when the singer is going to finish a musical phrase by the decrease of his/her voice tone. My inner knowledge knew how to follow that structure but my body wasn’t responding sometimes, so I decided to do what I could in the moment. Then, I moved to dance Caña and I stole some of my students’ choreography with some Manton's work additions! I did enjoy this Palo more than the tangos. I think I was already in the mood by that time.
I want to share some of my improvisation session with you, and show you that we don’t need to be perfect, or have the perfect moves and intricate footwork all the time. We need to move!! We need to feel the music and transmit it from the inside out. Dance to yourself and dance like no one is watching! Ps: This applies for any dance style!! Improv all you can! <3
My Improvisation vídeo:
https://vimeo.com/409105185
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