MCP's Academy of how to make a routine to music good and do other things to music good too.

Ye, there are audio cues at times, too...exactly the same as you said...but those are usually within specific troupes and not a 'structured' cue as some of the others are.

The thing about Fat Chance is that they've been dancing together for so long that their cues can be very subtle and the rest of the group will still catch it and go into the correct move.

Yep...the leader is generally in the left-front and the change in leaders works just like it would in a game of volleyball...you rotate until someone else decides to take the lead...that way, if someone decides they really don't want to lead, they just keep going till a new leader takes over.

Either way, it's a great system...and sooooo much fun!!!

that's almost exactly what I said when bek first showed me that clip; when I was looking for it, I could begin to pick up some of the cues, but some... I can't even see when I know they must be there. is a testament to the fluidity with which they do it.

I've been fascinated with the idea of "someone" developing a similar system for spinning; you're right about the fire introducing another level of complexity, for both visual and audio cues. it's sometimes difficult to see or hear much of anything else around you when you've got flames whooshing past your head.

still, I think it'd be a very worthwhile pursuit; if nothing else, the development process would get a group thinking about ways to improve the way they work as a cohesive unit.

there's lots about belly dancing that intrigues me, with respect to it's applicability to being integrated with (my) spinning. rhythm, isolations, body control in general etc, but some of that probably belongs in meg's other "how to move good" thread.

Hi Pogo

One other challenge we're facing as a troupe is not always being able to see each other at all times. I've been harping on about how we should move away from a proscenium based format into an in the round style of choreography for years now because experience=ence has shown, we usually perform in the round. This has led to wanting performers to direct their attention away from the other performers and toward the audience members, wherever they may be and that redirection of attention tends to screw up timing.

Most, nay all, of the "partner" stuff I've been watching on my screen here, is specifically set up to appeal to either a video camera or whoever's sitting front and center. I understand why this is done ( IMO it's easier ) and it makes from some pretty cool effects from that one, limited, POV.

Ye, I can understand the thing of not being able to see past the fire...it really would make it hard to see cues...

But, as far as being able to see each other, or a leader...that's one thing I forgot the mention...the formation and way we stand in ATS is set up such that all the troupe can see the leader...staggered lines and you stand at a slight angle, facing just a lil to the left...that way, you can see the leader without having to keep your head turned in that direction...

Might help? *shrugs*

I thought I see twice ... smile.

Back on, truly it's like 4 year ago when I come to this,
writing on music, to one song I like, for performace.

But I've found I can't do the same thing twice, or even
once for long period. I can repeat a move,but I faild
at repeating routine.

From then, I'm practising to whatever music I've come
to find. It's interesting in a way you understand
the rhythm and how to work with it.

Also I've experimented with several music style, but I
didn't found music that I really can't spin to, execept
Rock music, but I rather wan't then can't.

It's maybe cause of tune, but really good music
can get you into it too.

that counts,

:R

I'm working on some routines now. And since my general work space is my bedroom (le sigh) the choreography is limited. Right now my focus seems to be on doing a few very specific things at specific points but leaving a lot of it up to improv within certain set parameters.

Like...for begining doing rope dart tricks in small circles with both hands free (not holding excess rope), then maybe do some horizontal work for a different section. It's a bit more like jazz, which lately seems to be what I'm dancing too anyway.

One of the most fun types of music to spin to, to me, is pretty much also the hardest for me to dance to. A free-form drum circle. I love hooping to a drum circle, but as far as dancing goes, with the ecstatic rhythms that are usually used on the drums,it makes it really hard to execute dance moves.

Now, if it's a dumbek drum circle, no problem, but most times it's djembe's which are more geared towards a tribal rhythm, whereas, with a dumbek, the rhythms are generally middle eastern. Since belly dance has it's roots in middle eastern dance, the rhythms are more suited to the movements that we do.

I did get very lucky when I went to Shakori Hills music festival this past fall. There were probably 20 drummers and just a bunch of people standing around and dammit, I wanted to dance!!! So, lil miss extrovert decided she was gonna try it, anyway! When one of the drummers on one of the largest drums saw me, he instigated a more structured rhythm and I was actually able to dance for about 15 minutes without looking like a complete idiot...*giggle* I was glad that there was someone there that knew that if they kept up that frantic rhythm, I'd not be able to dance to it...not without looking like I was having a seizure, at least! I love doing improv, but without the right music, it ain't easy!!!

I can dance to just about any type of music and one of these days, when I have the stamina to work thru it, I'm gonna work something up for Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata...the whole movement.

I'm just a lil bit crazy!

This is a fantastic way to map out a song! One could use this method to build a performance of, well, really any kind. Dance, poi, juggling...

Well put together! Thanks so much for this!

Great song to highlight- Tiersen has been a favorite of mine for awhile
Both for poi and playing music.

Great post! I have been wanting work on a choreographed routine for quite sometime now and this is definitely going to give me a good starting point if only to get a basic one to start with.