written by balletboy  on 20.02. at 02:18:24

This is all IMHO, in my humble opinion!  I don't claim to have all the answers, but I think I know the problem you are facing, and I have a possible solution.

The problem is that you are intellectualizing dance.  You are thinking so much about perfecting the movement that your mind cannot work fast enough to do the movement, even the basic movement.

When I got into advanced classes, I got into a similar problem.  My mind was absorbed in admonishments to my self: "Don't do that!" that I was stumbling through the dance.

IMHO, I have to say that the best danseurs I know feel the movement, but don't think about it.  They have a musicality that can see the movement performed, not the intellectual thought of move foot two inches here, then point, then, then then.  You cannot reduce dance to a scientific equation.  The brain cannot be so controlled that you can order it to move your body.  The brain needs to do these movements with a grace, not a robotic order.

The purpose of basic classes is to ingrain in the brain those basic patterns we link to dance.  You practice tendus so when the foot extends it moves through extension of the toes, the ball of the foot, then the heel.  You do basic classes so that this becomes automatic, so you don't think about the perfection of that move.  Then when you get to intermediate classes you integrate the automatic movements of plie, tendu, etc. into one flowing motion.  If you're in an intermediate class thinking about making the basic movements, not doing them automatically, you're falling into trouble.

The reason we do basic movements to music is to develop the musicality of dance.  The music is there to distract us from thinking things like OK release this muscle, tense that muscle, extend this, etc.  The reason some people, like me, count the music is to distract their minds from the robotic nature of the movement.  You have to see time pass through graceful movement, not through a series of individual jagged muscle movements.

I have to be honest, because I probably would never had made it as a professional.  This was because there was a point when I realized my body was not perfect, but could do the basic movements with grace.  I would sacrifice percision for my own personal satisfaction.  You can dance to be a robot of perfection, or you can dance to portray the emotions you have.  And if you fight robotics against emotions, you'll become a "schizophrenic" danseur.

My suggestion would be go back to basic classes and learn the basic movements as musicality in movement, not as instructions you call out to your brain.  Make them automatic, not robotic.  Make every basic exercise an expression of your emotion, not an expression of precision.  End every barre exercise with a flourish, like it was entertaining, not a collapse in despair. I always hit a "pose" at the end of every barre or centre exercise, with a confident look, not a look like a scared sheep giving the impression that I was ashamed of what I just did.  Be proud of everything you attempt, even if you know it was not perfect.  You may not "fool" your teacher, but many of your classmates with marvel at your confidence.  Then you connect with the teacher and ask what you did wrong, and work to fell the movement as he or she suggests.  That's learning.

So a lot of IMHO.  But I came to beleive that dance was exposing my emotions to please the audience, because real people get annoyed with perfection that they cannot achieve.  Show your heart, not arrogant perfection.  I guess that's why I like some school recitals rather than some arrogant professionals (I won't name names!).  IMHO, dance comes from the heart, not from the brain.

balletboy

• Thanks for an intellectual answer... - Mancer at - 20.02. 17:42:14