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Thread: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

  1. #1
    Commercial Operator Gus's Avatar
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    Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Just coming down to earth after teaching a Blues 1 workshop at the wekeend. As is usual with this type of workshop, we had a real blast. Lots of fun (even got physaically abused by another instructor ), chance to teach real technique rather than moves ... and everyone is asking for more.

    So .... got to put together an 'improvers' workshop. I've already got an advanced workshop for fixed couples but now need something in between. Lots of ideas and concepts, but what do you think that people want?

    Just to put it in perspective, the inital workshop covered;
    • weight transfer
    • frame and body form
    • basic blues step
    • basic blues step double time
    • blues step rotating
    • ladies breakouts
    • slow dip/seducers
    • some related slow moves
    • introduction to range of 'bluesable' music


    I'm thinking of introducing more about how to use the body to move your partner, more musical interpretation and Bluesing from open positions. But what else would you enjoy on a course like this? NB all attendees must have done at least one blues workshop before doing the improvers.

  2. #2
    Donna
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Quote Originally Posted by Gus
    Just coming down to earth after teaching a Blues 1 workshop at the wekeend. As is usual with this type of workshop, we had a real blast. Lots of fun (even got physaically abused by another instructor ), chance to teach real technique rather than moves ... and everyone is asking for more.

    So .... got to put together an 'improvers' workshop. I've already got an advanced workshop for fixed couples but now need something in between. Lots of ideas and concepts, but what do you think that people want?

    Just to put it in perspective, the inital workshop covered;
    • weight transfer
    • frame and body form
    • basic blues step
    • basic blues step double time
    • blues step rotating
    • ladies breakouts
    • slow dip/seducers
    • some related slow moves
    • introduction to range of 'bluesable' music


    I'm thinking of introducing more about how to use the body to move your partner, more musical interpretation and Bluesing from open positions. But what else would you enjoy on a course like this? NB all attendees must have done at least one blues workshop before doing the improvers.
    Well I was going to mention musical interpretation. You were explaining to us last week that some of the moves in blues looks better if sometimes done slow, quick and slow again. Makes it look sexier. Maybe demonstrate a few moves where this can be done? Are you going tonight?

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    Omnipotent Moderator Tiggerbabe's Avatar
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Quote Originally Posted by Gus
    everyone is asking for more.
    well, if they get their skates on, they could still make it to Aberdeen for Val & Dave's Smooth Blues Weekend
    "If you rebel against high heels, take care to do so in a very smart hat.'' George Bernard Shaw

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    Registered User Feelingpink's Avatar
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Ladies styling - what to do with the spare hand, extras to do with the feet (rondos?),

  5. #5
    Donna
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Quote Originally Posted by Feelingpink
    Ladies styling - what to do with the spare hand, extras to do with the feet (rondos?),
    Oooh yeesss... that bloody spare arm!

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    Registered User timbp's Avatar
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Quote Originally Posted by Donna
    Well I was going to mention musical interpretation. You were explaining to us last week that some of the moves in blues looks better if sometimes done slow, quick and slow again. Makes it look sexier. Maybe demonstrate a few moves where this can be done? Are you going tonight?
    Not just demonstrate where it can be done, but explain why?
    (for those of us who have limited musical ability/training/knowledge)

    Yes, I know interpretation is individual. But it is not until I understand how others interpret something, that I can start to interpret it myself.

    I can and do watch better dancers and try to absorb what they are doing in various parts of a track.

    But I would love a workshop (in any dance style) where the teachers freestyled to a track and it was recorded. Then they could go through the video and explain why they did a particular thing at each point in the music. I wouldn't expect to leave such a workshop with any more moves or style than I had before, but I would expect to have a better understanding of how to use those moves and what is good style.

    On considering further, this probably wouldn't work, as it would be primarily a question/answer (theoretical) tutorial, where most people seem to prefer a demonstrate/practise (physical) workshop.

    But the question/answer style would suit me best. I can practise any time I have a partner (and often alone), but only when the teachers are there can I get the teachers' insight into the structure/theory of the dance.

  7. #7
    Donna
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Not just demonstrate where it can be done, but explain why?
    (for those of us who have limited musical ability/training/knowledge)
    Yeah that too.

    Yes, I know interpretation is individual. But it is not until I understand how others interpret something, that I can start to interpret it myself.
    If I know the music well then I can interpret but otherwise it can be difficult. Take those who play an instrument, and they don't seem to have any problem whatsoever.

    I can and do watch better dancers and try to absorb what they are doing in various parts of a track.
    Yeah it gives you an idea. However it is better to take lessons, and what's better than to take up ballroom? Private tuition means that not only are you learning the moves and timing, but teaches you how to interpret the music properly.

    But I would love a workshop (in any dance style) where the teachers freestyled to a track and it was recorded. Then they could go through the video and explain why they did a particular thing at each point in the music.
    That is a very good idea but doesn't mean to say that you'll find it easy when dancing on your own to different types of music. I reckon it will help a bit though and just gives you an idea.

  8. #8
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Quote Originally Posted by timbp
    But I would love a workshop (in any dance style) where the teachers freestyled to a track and it was recorded. Then they could go through the video and explain why they did a particular thing at each point in the music. I wouldn't expect to leave such a workshop with any more moves or style than I had before, but I would expect to have a better understanding of how to use those moves and what is good style.
    Tried something like this last year when I was over there Tim.....

    Freestyled for a track, and told the class to stop us when we did something that they liked, and wanted us to teach them.

    So, tried some little footwork thing. Bit of musicality. Some styling point. Got nothing.

    Did a biggish dip. And yes. That was the point where they all stopped us to learn that!

  9. #9
    Registered User timbp's Avatar
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    Re: Blues 'Improvers' workshop

    Quote Originally Posted by TheTramp
    Tried something like this last year when I was over there Tim.....
    Oh dear. Was I there?
    However, a year ago I might not have got much out of such a workshop.
    Freestyled for a track, and told the class to stop us when we did something that they liked, and wanted us to teach them.

    So, tried some little footwork thing. Bit of musicality. Some styling point. Got nothing.
    And probably wouldn't have got much from me either (and still wouldn't get much from me), on one performance.
    I could probably recognise a good dance (it's one where you're leading, right?), but I doubt I would really know what makes it good. And those "little" things like footwork, musicality, styling need to be pointed out to me. I would probably start to notice them after several views of a video. That is why I suggested video a whole dance then go through it -- I'm assuming the performers would recognise these things on their first view of the video, especially if it is immediately after it was recorded.
    Did a biggish dip. And yes. That was the point where they all stopped us to learn that!
    I fully understand that. That was the dramatic moment that caught them. But the class structure as you described it set them up as audience. And as audience they were impressed by the dip.

    I would say for a dancer executing the dip is (relatively) simple; setting up to do the dip on the right beat is less easy. I'd like to know what you did 4 beats before, or 8 beats before, or maybe 16 beats before. When did you know the hit you dipped on was coming? What did you do to ensure you were ready to dip at that point?

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