Quote:
Originally Posted by Elwing
Oh wow, improv dancing seems really hard to me. Don't you get nervous when you have to fill the stage for such a time all on your own? And that dress is gorgeous!
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It's definitely a process. When I started, I danced group choreographed routines. Then, I got braver and did choreographed duets or solos. After that, I got even braver and did improv with groups...and finally improv solos.
I don't really get nervous anymore after so many years of doing it. When I dance on the weekends at the Greek restaurant where I work, I do 3 sets a night-and each set has 3-4 songs and is 12-20 minutes long. I had to really learn improv skills, because in a restaurant it is impossible to go out there and do completely choreographed routines. You never know when someone is going to walk in your path, a waitress is going to come through with a tray of food or drinks, or if someone is going to get up and dance with you, or stop you and talk to you or tip you.
Some dancers do nothing but choreo'd routines for stage events, festivals, etc. but restaurant dancers have to learn to improv and not be nervous or apprehensive about it. It is just second nature to me now.
I think of it like going out and dancing in a club, or out on the dance floor at a wedding reception or something...except instead of just dancing (like one normally would) I am dancing to a particular genre of music, and using movements that are from Egypt, Turkey, Greece, etc. and using props like the finger cymbals, sword, or veil.
The longer you are involved in the dance, the easier the improv becomes. If I recognize a particular drum rhythm (certain ones are prevalant in ME dance) then I know what movements would look good to improv for that particular rhythm. If one knows many of the rhythms in ME dance, you can improv to music you have never heard before, or to live musicians even. You just have to listen.
