fun with density and dynamics - practica session notes

Saturday 25 September 2010 at 15:43
27th Sept practica plan

fun with density and dymanics

Objective: share some ideas that may help you to maintain connection while changing speed, resistance and direction. to have fun with it.

sub-themes: patience, respect


1. density
what is it? level of resistence.
altering density adds an expressive dimension and allows greater connection at higher or lower speeds of movement and for changes in direction. changing density creates dynamics in a dance.
when changes in density are unintentional or incongruous with the music then connection is diminished.
how can you lead it? followers, how do you understand when it's being led, what do you feel?
compression to increase density. leader adds compression to frame. follower holds their frame and translates the tension into legs to create more resistence. keep shoulders back and down. channel resistence into floor, not shoulders.
relaxation to decrease density.
exercise: transition from normal to slow walk. try with and without change in density.
question: what does changing density (as an option that can be chosen sometimes) add to the experience?
talk about what happens with above idea with a lack of patience or respect. e.g. scenario: supposing follower doesn't understand about the frame, or leader or follower does not wait for the other?

2. dynamics
change in speed and force. change in density makes expressing dynamics in the music easier.
musical example: slow and fast passages. demonstrate clearer connection and expressiveness through changing density.
game: stop the leader. follower increases densisty quickly to mark a beat of pause, causing the leader to stop. it's a bold and playful movement that adds excitement and new sensitivity to a dance. it can also remind a leader that tango is a dialogue, not a monologue. some leaders can get confused or take offense. best used with good rapport and as an occational surprise. speaking of dynamics this action from the follower can really alter the emotional dynamics in a dance and spark fresh creativity from the leader. the stop the leader idea can be used sublty to great effect, it is also especially nice in close embrace.
talk about what happens without respect from leader or follower with above idea.
breaking the embrace is one example of reducing density to nill (show example). stopping the leader is an example of dialing it up to 11.

any questions?

what observations or discoveries have you made playing with these ideas?

3 elements to walking as one - practica session notes

at 15:11
This the first posting of my session notes for the guided practica I've started giving at Povey's dance studio in Southampton. (Essentially for the first hour I work around a theme and share related ideas, principles, examples and exercises to help people develop their tango.) They're fairly rough, as notes go, but I hope someone might get some use out of them. Eventually they may all get distilled into a new book on tango next year. This first session I over planned slightly and only ended up getting 2/3s of the way through.

'3 elements to walking as one.' given on 20th Sept:


Objective: share some ideas that may help you to connect more deeply and consistently in your tango, which will improve confidence and creative potential. The elements are: smoothness, opposition and density.

participation - question: what can you do with these principles that you couldn't without them?

sub-themes: patience, respect

1. smoothness
forget about the step. frame.
contrast with stepping as an autonomous action
"what do you need to do to make it smooth?"
tips: rolling weight from foot to foot. gripping the floor. quick movement of trailing leg. (straight back leg for style and avoiding leg clashes)

2. opposition (or resistence) in every direction
exercise: two forward steps followed by two back steps. play with level of oposition
ideas: mirroring, frame, innertia. (respond to push with push, pull with pull, like moving through water, it resists in all directions of movement)
application: secarda chain - try with and without opposition. (with, typically feels much nicer for everyone, no rush, more controlled and flowing)
question: how does it feel for leaders? how does it feel for followers?

3. density - level of opposition
dynamics.
intentional change in opposition or resistence. adds expressive dimension.
question: how can you lead it? followers, how do you understand when it's being led, what do you feel?
compression to increase density: leader adds compression to frame. follower holds their frame and translates the tension into legs to create more resistence. keep shoulders back and down. channel resistence into floor, not shoulders.
relaxation to decrease density.
game: stop the leader

any questions?

what observations or discoveries have you made playing with these ideas?

hiatus and open-source tango

Thursday 23 September 2010 at 15:47
It's been a while. I've thought about blogging, but just not made the time in recent months. The main reason for breaking the hiatus is my starting to run a guided practica and wanting to share my session plans. My reason for doing that is partly because I'm interested in the input of other teachers and dancers, I enjoy sharing ideas and partly because posting them online will encourage me to make the notes more readable. Next year I plan a book on tango, which these notes may grow into part of. Two session plans will follow in the next day or so.

I'm pretty excited about beginning to teach tango 'officially'. I know that it will enhance my own learning as well as that of others. The practicas are currently held at the Povey's dance studio in Southampton, 159 Shirley road, every monday, 8-11pm. They are open to all and cost £3 per person to cover hall costs.

Other news. The revised edition of 'Healthy Loving Relationships' is very nearly finished. What was a 133 page book is now 280. Yep, it's become quite a fat little pocket book. But so much improved over the original. It's now a 2 year project over all. Committing myself for the last year to re-working it, without income, has been a struggle. One I wouldn't swap for anything else though. The sense of inspiration, contribution and deepening understanding I've gained is truly priceless. All that remains now is to gather a little more feedback and proof readers (so get in touch if you'd like to be a part of this project). I feel confident about getting it out there before the end of Oct, but we shall see.

One recent development that helped spur me on was the generous offering of feedback from a number of experts in the field of conflict resolution, on the section of my book covering conflicts in relationships and how to resolve them in a way that maximizes everyone's benefit. I'm very excited about that.

Well that's it for now.

Accept to mention my new fitness obsession: Kettlebells. Essentially solid iron cannon balls with handles that you lift and swing. I'm quite smitten with mine. It's just so simple and effective. There's a lot of skill involved in using it as well as strength (please don't start using one without at least studying a instructional book on it. Serious injuries await you, otherwise). It requires full concentration and delivers a lot of rewards for the effort. Three 20 minutes sessions a week is all you need. I admit, with pride, mine lives at the bottom of my bed. On that thought, I'll say good night.

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