Checklist for Learning Combinations #5: Changing Directions
February 12, 2013
Some of you who are adult beginners (or former dancers returning to class) find it difficult to remember and execute center combinations and you’ve asked if I can help you. I’ve come up with a checklist for Learning Combinations which you will see in my first eight posts.
If you find you’re tripping over your feet, can’t keep up with the music, and lose your concentration and can’t remember the sequence of movement, it may not be because you can’t remember, but more because you may have some technical issues.
Today we’re going to discuss Changing Directions.
Do you really know how to change directions?
As you advance, in some combinations you will begin traveling downstage right to corner 2, then turn back and travel upstage to corner 6, or perhaps turn left and travel downstage to corner 8.
The first thing you must do when you change direction from corner 2 to corner 8 is change your head. In every class I see students trying to change directions with the head on the wrong shoulder.
When I travel downstage to corner 2, my head is on my left shoulder and I’m looking towards corner 8. When I change direction and move towards corner 8, my head will be on my right shoulder and I will look towards corner 2.
And, again, I find that students are late in doing this. You tend to want to always look where you’re going. Traveling downstage to corner 2, you want to lean forward and look at corner 2. And vice versa, to corner 8.
This makes you lose your balance, and you can’t move your feet as needed.
So, the first thing you must do when you change direction is change your head—change your gaze—change your corner. You must use your eyes and look in opposition to the direction you are traveling. This will place your head where it belongs. And, when your head is where it belongs, then you can move your feet and legs properly.
Our next post will be about Keeping Tempo.
To dance is to live — Finis
We also recommend:
Know exactly what you mean. Keeping the mind and body in sync requires concentration and these reminders will help with that. Thank you.