THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVISATION

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.