tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391293127288856260.post7225274545466459451..comments2023-09-27T12:44:03.592+01:00Comments on MsHedgehog: Keeping your feet together, or notmsHedgehoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05719152265628932122noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391293127288856260.post-10692012898290324522009-03-05T17:59:00.000+00:002009-03-05T17:59:00.000+00:00Hi Andreas - nice to hear from you! It's nice that...Hi Andreas - nice to hear from you! It's nice that you're reading. And a very sensible suggestion, if not common in practice.<BR/><BR/>There aren't exactly regular world shortages of bullshit on this subject. So it's true that repeated experiment is the only answer. You can't get there by reasoning or authority alone for the same reason you can't ever find reliable answers on any subject by reasoning or authority alone. But if you don't think, you won't have anything to test.msHedgehoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05719152265628932122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391293127288856260.post-3052252436548535432009-03-05T16:14:00.000+00:002009-03-05T16:14:00.000+00:00I agree with what Andreas and Anon said. I'd add t...I agree with what Andreas and Anon said. I'd add to that with 2 observations:<BR/><BR/>1) Sometimes the best way to do something (feels good, efficient, looks good, etc.) can be counter-intuitive. It would be difficult to derive from reason alone, and one may also not consider trying it to realise it "feels" right.<BR/><BR/>2) Sometimes the "best way" may feel uncomfortable only because it is unfamiliar and the body is not accustomed to it.<BR/><BR/>Therefore, it could be a good idea for dancers to build some experimentation into our own self-learning. It would help us think about why things work/ don't work, and yield some interesting solutions.Game Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01195479103119853847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391293127288856260.post-86313405474247508822009-03-04T16:10:00.000+00:002009-03-04T16:10:00.000+00:00I think the problem is when you learn mostly with ...I think the problem is when you learn mostly with your head and less with your body.<BR/><BR/>You're more like to get stuck slavishly to rules... "I must step like this" .... You start to believe there are absolute and correct ways to move rather than learning to feel that there are many ways to step but a few that are more stable, efficient, requiring less physical effort and that as a result actually feel good. <BR/><BR/>And I totally agree with Ms Hedgehog that the only way to work this out is through trial and error. <BR/><BR/>And as well as maybe asking "why" rather than "how" you might ask how should this step sequence feel. Turns were a real eye opener for me in this regard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391293127288856260.post-76691775870355075152009-03-04T13:22:00.000+00:002009-03-04T13:22:00.000+00:00Guten Tag, Frau Igel!My comment on this: whenever ...Guten Tag, Frau Igel!<BR/>My comment on this: whenever you are taught something, don't just ask "How?" but also "Why?". Always. Usually that will provide exactly the context you mention, plus it will explain a thousand other things. Ideally you arrive at the universal tango formula that explains everything...<BR/>Hugs,<BR/>AndreasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391293127288856260.post-32418109952856139712009-03-01T22:27:00.000+00:002009-03-01T22:27:00.000+00:00Well, yes - the point I had in mind was that the r...Well, yes - the point I had in mind was that the rationale is generally something we have to work it out for ourselves by trial and error.msHedgehoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05719152265628932122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391293127288856260.post-55061885718853600312009-03-01T13:06:00.000+00:002009-03-01T13:06:00.000+00:00Ms H,You're right that context is all important in...Ms H,<BR/><BR/>You're right that context is all important in helping one decide when and how to apply the "rules of thumb". I think it can help one decide if one understands the rationale behind why the teacher is emphasising it so much in the first place. For "keeping feet together", I think it's to teach dancers to move their centre of gravity through their supporting leg so as to improve balance (e.g. when doing turns, as you said). Once you understand this, you'll try to do it whenever it makes sense, but no longer slavishly. The "rule" is a lie to help one understand the truth.<BR/><BR/>Re what Geraldine said....take a look at this vid of <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW8eAGFyS60" REL="nofollow">her sister Samantha dancing with Andres</A>. Around 0.54 - 0.58, she walks back. Notice how her moving foot crosses just behind her supporting foot before extending back into the "right" line as Andres advances his step. When he lands his foot, both of their feet (e.g. his L and her R) are "in line" again.<BR/><BR/>Just my opinion but I think this helps her 1) keep her balance yet 2) get enough extension so he doesn't trod on her toes (he is half a head taller at least). Furthermore, it's easier for him to do more stuff - e.g. sacada her inside leg, or shift her onto a parallel track a la Ezequiel. It also looks imo very very cool :)<BR/><BR/>I can feel when a lady does this or not. And when she does, I feel connected to her moving foot through our torsos. It gives me lots of confidence as I know where and how far her foot is all the time. And we can do a lot with that foot. <BR/><BR/>Interestingly to get this right implies she needs to do something "extra" with her hips when walking. I've only ever heard this explained once, but don't get the impression it is often taught. Quel dommage.Game Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01195479103119853847noreply@blogger.com