Thread: So when did you decide to start performing solo?

I know it varies from person to person and situation to situation, but after reading other forums and such, I was curious. I'm talking choreographing/improving your own routine, be it a single song or a full length show. Where was it? How did you get to perform? What did you know at the time? What do you wish you know?

I've been dancing for the last 5 years, on and off, with somewhere in the 2.5-3 year margin of classes and am in the intermediate range. I myself haven't performed outside my classes (with the class)/when I did an independent study in college. I haven't lived in a place that offers a lot of opportunities like haflas, and I'm not convinced I'm good enough yet, honestly. I'm not fishing for compliments (I only know literally one active person on this board in real life), I'm being honest. I don't want to end up being one of those people of those really bland/bad dancers who should be performing but does and is obviously way out of his/her league. It's not that I'm afraid of criticism from others necessarily, it's that I don't want to give a crappy performance or be misrepresent the dance/myself.

However, I'm starting to wonder if I'm being too hard on myself. I hope this doesn't come off as catty or gossipy, but on the lj bellydancing community, someone posted about doing a performance that she's choreographing with zills and is very beginner with the zills; also, according to her, she's been dancing not that long (not even full year). She didn't specify what kind of performance it is (for all I know, it is a student or hafla performance), but the post sort of had me thinking about people in general who dance in general public performances that aren't student recitals and they're very beginner-ish, I guess, for lack of a better term.

I suppose that's the second part of the question. Is it better to wait it out or go out there and take the risk of not doing so well?

I hope all of this makes sense and wasn't too long for you all.

We all want to be the Belly Dance God/dess when we go out and perform.

We can't be all the time, and we certainly WON'T be the first time, or even the tenth!

Find a venue/situation that is "OK" with student performers (ask your teacher, perhaps) and perform as much as you can!

Why?

Because ONE performance is worth TEN rehearsals - the mindspace and energy are TOTALLY different. How can you learn how to perform if you don't do it?

I understand what's going through your mind - every Belly Dancer that reads your message understands completely! I've seen plenty of scared first time performers and/or first time soloists - and I remember being one myself. I also am very familiar with the sheer joy and jubilation that happens when you come OFF the stage after your performance!

You go girl!

If it helps at all, my own first time stories are at:

http://www.doubleveil.net/first.htm - first (troupe) performance, and:

http://www.doubleveil.net/solo.htm - first solo.

One other thing - the first solo is not intended to be a perfect thing; it is intended to get the performer on stage and get her used to being there.

So yea, you're being too hard on yourself! ,r:;

Two of my teachers asked me to sub at jobs for them. So for me, it was someone else saying "you are ready."

After that my friends started asking me to perform with them at small events.

I think there are some things you only learn about yourself and your dance after you start performing.

Because ONE performance is worth TEN rehearsals - the mindspace and energy are TOTALLY different. How can you learn how to perform if you don't do it?

The few times that I have were definitely learning experiences about myself and performing, plus the nice high afterwards :). Thanks for your stories, they're very inspiring.

I guess, thinking about it some more, is I don't want to jump the gun too much. I know there have been discussions about people teaching and/or performing too soon; I just don't want to be that person for a lot of reasons. I've seen those performances via YouTube and the like, and some of them are so repetitive, can't stay on the beat to save their lives, sloppiness, wrong moves for the way the music is going, can't utilize the prop the way they should, etc.

Hi Indigo,

Good post.
You'll know when your ready and also as someone stated your teacher will probably let you know when you're ready.
I have been dancing off and on now for nearly 9 years and I feel that I am probably an intermediate level I would be better if I would have stuck to it continuously. I am not comfortable dancing for large crowds and I have no desire to dance in a restaurant,wedding or any other large venue. I prefer dancing with other dancers at belly dance events and mostly dancing for myself at home. One day it will click inside me that I'm ready to share my dance with more people and I'll test it out for other dancers I trust will be honest with me.
Just don't let your fear of putting on a bad performance stop you from progressing yourself. For every person who complains about someone elses performance, they themselves have had one too. Don't let the fear of critisim stop you.

When it was time, my teacher had me do a "spotlight" performances within the troupe choreography... no more than a minute. This was an excellent opportunity to get my feet wet, build my confidence and skills, but not be left out there on my own.

I agree with Zorba's post-- ultimately you do just have to do it... and do it often. Venue is important; check out student showcases. Also, important make sure you limit the length of your perfomance. While the audience wants to be supportive it becomes hard when a new dancer with a limited vocabulary dances toooooooo long.

My first solo hafla performance was at about 1.5 to 2 years at the suggestion of my teacher.

Don't be so hard on the girl on LJ. I would guess if she's been dancing for less than a year and she's choreographing a solo it's probably for something like a hafla or student show. And I don't think there's anything wrong with giving things a shot in a supportive and appropriate environment when you're a beginner.

As for when you decide to make the leap? Well, the great things about haflas and student shows is that they give you the chance to get a feel for interacting with an audience in an environment where it's ok to stretch yourself. Zorba's right... no amount of rehearsal can replicate the experience of putting yourself out there.

Video of my very first solo is out on YouTube. I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the "repetitive, can't stay on the beat to save their lives, sloppiness, wrong moves for the way the music is going" videos you saw. And I'm totally ok with that. ..l;, Everyone has to start somewhere.

I didn't mean to come off as critical, but I always notice that the length of the time dancing is often noted when people write about some of the less than fine performers they see either live or via the internet. Since she never noted where she's performing, I don't know. I assume it must be something as a student event, but there have been cases where people go out and perform at something other than student-oriented venues after very short periods of time. I'm just covering both hypothetical situations.

Dude, don't sweat hypothetical situations, and don't give too much thought to what other people are doing. I swear 50% of the drama that flares up in the bellydance community online or in person happens when someone doesn't actually see a dancer or performance, but makes an opinion about it anyway.

Anyway, talk to your teacher about how you feel about your skills. It sounds like you're definitely ready to perform on a student-oriented stage for sure. Since there aren't any haflas in your area, you may want to consider organizing one. If you don't feel up to that, keep your eyes open, and connect with people here on Bhuz, so when you're traveling to other cities, you might be able to find haflas to visit.

The first performance I did was as part of a student piece at the State Fair. We had a little bit of choreography together (like two combinations), and then each of us broke off and soloed for a minute or so. My teacher did not really give us any guidanance on the solos, so it was pretty terrible, looking back. Thank God we were announced as students, but I still don't think it was a great place to have one's first performance opportunity.

I consider my first complete performance to be at Sumaya's first South Side Hafla, because at the time, there were no haflas going on in Milwaukee. I drove all the way down there on my own, having never met anyone from the Chicago dance scene other than on Bhuz. I did a full choreography that I put together myself to Hakim's El Kalam Da Kebir, and I honestly didn't think it was that bad. I knew if I wanted to get better, I had to get out there and perform at as many non-pro venues as possible, thus beginning my love affair with the Chicago BD community. Luckily, Shaia Fahrid started putting on haflas in Milwaukee and soon there were opportunities to cut my performance teeth in my own backyard as well.

I think one of the things that really had me wanting to get out there (again, in the supportive environment of a hafla) was that the idea of performing was not foreign to me. I had done other forms of dance for years and had danced publically many, many times before I ever was involved with Belly Dance. I think it would have been way more terrifying if I had never danced in public before.

Originally Posted by eshe

Two of my teachers asked me to sub at jobs for them. So for me, it was someone else saying "you are ready."

After that my friends started asking me to perform with them at small events.

I think there are some things you only learn about yourself and your dance after you start performing.

This is how it happened for me, too. My teacher said, "You want to fill in at the restaurant for me?" I probably would have never pursued that option, but if the opportunities aren't there, you might want to see what you can find and give it a shot.

Originally Posted by mish_mish

This is how it happened for me, too. My teacher said, "You want to fill in at the restaurant for me?" I probably would have never pursued that option, but if the opportunities aren't there, you might want to see what you can find and give it a shot.

..g.: It's also how I started teaching. My teacher in Canada asked me to sub first....and then I came to Japan and my teacher at the time asked me to start teaching.

I did some small gigs and various performances for my friends and family before I got my first restaurant gig after 4 years.
I would not say that I was an absolutely fabulous dancer by then, but good enough for them to keep me for over a year.

MEISSOUN

Originally Posted by eshe

..g.: It's also how I started teaching. My teacher in Canada asked me to sub first....and then I came to Japan and my teacher at the time asked me to start teaching.

I subbed for her once and I didn't enjoy it at all. I felt like a fraud!

When you feel ready do what you feel is the appropriate venue. It's possible the girl you mentioned was doing what Antimony suggests, but it's also highly probably she simply has no fear or ability to judge her skill leve aand doesn't give a damn what people think. You have to do what's right for you. I don't think time is the right measure - 5+ year dancers can be absolutely awful
and still think they're great and a 2 year dancer can smoke someone with 5 + years out of the water.

Originally Posted by indigostars

I didn't mean to come off as critical, but I always notice that the length of the time dancing is often noted when people write about some of the less than fine performers they see either live or via the internet. Since she never noted where she's performing, I don't know. I assume it must be something as a student event, but there have been cases where people go out and perform at something other than student-oriented venues after very short periods of time. I'm just covering both hypothetical situations.

Because ONE performance is worth TEN rehearsals - the mindspace and energy are TOTALLY different. How can you learn how to perform if you don't do it?



I think Zorba has hit it right on the head--no matter how much I practice at home, dancing with people actually looking at me is a whole different mental matter.

I've soloed at some haflas and student showcases, and each time, it has gotten more fun. The first few times, however, was all about just forcing myself to get out there and push through the fear, and thank goodness no one taped me because...ugh...the best thing I can say is that I didn't hurt myself

My advice? Pick the shortest song humanly possible, choreograph simply around moves you know you do well, have a killer costume, and...my top secret strategy...bring as many people as you can round up and have them cheer wildly while you dance--it will convince the rest of the audience that you must be fantastic!,r:;

And, as my teacher has said, remember that the audience wants to love you, especially knowing this is your first solo.

Originally Posted by LauraLevana

And, as my teacher has said, remember that the audience wants to love you, especially knowing this is your first solo.

YES!

I know exactly how you feel and I struggle with it myself. if I'm not perfect, I sometimes ask whether I should be allowed to perform. But I know that performing is the only way to get better at performing. So I perform at a place where many people get their start performing - while really good and experienced dancers dance at this place, so do the new performers. In fact, it was a friend of mine who said to me that I should start performing there - that it would really help my dancing.

It gives you a place to try out the things that you learn from class and videos.

Actually I'm trying to psych myself up to perform again this weekend because the last 4-5 times, I haven't gotten that performance rush and I haven't really felt like the audience loved me. But I gotta realize that isn't the point all the time, and I think i was spoiled by my first time performing there - I did have a restaurant full of friends out to support me and that makes for the best nights.

My first solo experience was after about one year of dancing. My instructor was pushing me hard to make my own choreography for a public park-setting dance event, so I took the leap with plenty of one on one instruction. Looking back, I think it was decent enough... not as polished as I'd like these days, but I don't think I made a fool of myself or anything. She pushed me a lot to get out there are do solos and gigs, and I strongly feel it's made me a better dancer. Nothing like throwing yourself to the lions to sharpen your skills and stage comfort... so long as you're well-rehearsed and are skilled enough not to make a mockery of yourself, of course.

I agree with Dani - the length of time you've been dancing doesn't have much to do with your skills in the grand scheme of things. It depends on your previous dance background (or lack thereof) as well as how much time you put into practice and who your instructors are. Plus... fortunately, or unfortunately, there's a measure of natural talent involved and someone who has less natural talent is going to have to practice twice as hard to get to the same level as someone who is more of a "natural".

So... if your goal is to do a solo - I say GO FOR IT! The others have good advice suggesting to start at student recitals and haflas... it'll help you with your comfort levels and gaining experience before doing something more formal.

I started performing after about 4 years of study and practice. I got my first venue on my own, made my own costumes and bargained for a reasonable fee. I danced weekends at an Indian Restaurant. I remember my first two costumes too, I still think they were pretty. Anyway I have some video footage from that time period and I danced much more slowly back then but the movements were still nice. I wasn't as skilled as I am now but it's nothing to be embarassed over. Of course if you have video footage of yourself from your earlier days your probably going to nit pick yourself a lot later but I think you should try filming yourself when you think your ready to perform. Watch the video and if you find it entertaining and you have all the right costuming... I say go for it! You have to jump in sooner or later or resign yourself to being a perpetual student.

Best of Luck!
~*Genisis*~

I agree with everyone here: GO FOR IT!
If you can, dance at as many student recitals and haflas as you can.

My first solo was at a student recital. guess how long I'd been dancing?


Six months. I choreographed it myself, bought a (hideous) costume, and got out there and did it. I showed it to my teacher before the recital, and she was very enthusiastic about me performing it.

Now, mind you, it certainly was NOT "gig" quality...I'd only been dancing for six months! But...the experience was awesome. I perform at as many recitals/haflas as I can now (or as many as I'm prepared for.)...because as Zorba said, "One performance is worth TEN rehearsals." He's so right. The actual experience of performing is so different than just practicing...and if you can, get video of yourself. That way, you will know what to improve on for your next solo! :)

Go for it, girl!


***edited to add****

By the way, dancing at student recitals and haflas is the safest bet as well, because, more than likely, you will be dancing for peers, and family of peers...I've found that to be the most supportive audience! (Far more supportive than the old cranky man who just wants to eat his hummus, not watch a beautiful dancer! ;) )

I started performing after 6 months. My teacher had asked me to join her troupe, but there were so many costs involved that I couldn't. Besides, although she taught Cab (Turkish) her troupe was tribal. *shrugs*

So, a friend offered to pay me to dance at a Christmas party, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Having said that, my style has evolved a great deal since then. So has my understanding of how to put together a set, etc. Much of it was from trial and error, as many dancers are reluctant to share the information. Bhuz is a great resource.

{{{HUGS}}}

I did my first solo performance at a local hafla. I had been invited to dance with my teacher's troupe a short while before and she challenged me with coming up with my own solo choreography. I found a piece of music that I loved, worked on things a bit and then showed it to my teacher. She critiqued it and made suggestions, but ultimately all the decisions were up to me.

I got a costume together, invited all my friends and went for it!

I really enjoyed it, even though I forgot a large part of the choreo in the middle and just "winged it". The audience was very supportive and cheered me on.

In reviewing the video, I saw lots of things I had to fix (can you say "Helicopter hands"?) But it was a great experience and taught me a lot.

I second (third, fourth?) the idea that a student recital or hafla is a great place to begin. The crowd will be pulling for you all the way.

As one of the not-yet-initiated myself, it seems that just performing semi-regularly really helps. I have your same fear of being the "bad" dancer (not to mention my fear of being the "culturally incorrect" dancer!), but what separates me from the performers I admire, is that they buckled down, worked hard, and put together a solo performance piece.

OK, so maybe they're also better dancers than I am...but the fact remains that they did the work, and put it out there. There's only so much "training" you can do, before you really should move on to actually playing a sport...or dancing in public!

So I've resolved to do a solo number sometime this year (I hope to perform it twice!). Maybe we can be level-up buddies?

As the one who made the post on LJ, I just wanted to clarify a couple things... And no, I'm not angry, but I didn't post the whole story on LJ.

The routine that I'm doing was choreographed by my teacher, and I'm just playing around with the zill rhythms and techniques. The original routine had some slow zilling, and I wanted to see what kinds of sounds I could put with it and if I could make it sound nice (and a bit of my own). I'm keeping some parts and changing others, all with her approval. She hasn't seen it yet, BTW.

Yes, I have only been learning for about 6 months. No, I'm not brave, and yes, I think WAY too much about what people think of me. A few months ago, my teacher wanted volunteers for a group performance, and I offered, not knowing if I could do it. We pulled it off beautifully, and I was rather proud of myself. It was a veil piece done to Youm Wara Youm, and it went over really well.

To shorten an already long story, my teacher had a hafla, and I offered (with WAY too little time to prep -- my pride got the best of me) to do a beginner zill piece that we had learned in class. I flopped. Like, halfway through the song I blanked and just walked off. And kicked myself. A lot.

My teacher has been incredibly supportive, and has been enouraging me to get back on the horse, as it were and try it again at a thing she's got going on July 7th. I'm scared out of my wits, but I'm so stubbornly determined to "get it" that I've been practicing it at least once every day, and just recently decided to play around with the zills.

I know I'm a "baby dancer" and I don't think I'm anything special. However, I've been encouraged to try and told that I looked good out there (until I walked off). I don't see it, but I'm afraid that if I don't try it again, I'll never get out there again.

Ironically enough, we did our group piece after my botched solo, and I performed that perfectly. Go fig.

So no, I have not been dancing for long, and I do not have nerves of steel. I think that this has become a challenge in my mind to get over a lot of the issues that I have, and prove to myself that I can do something right.

Did I decide to solo too early? Probably. Do I regret it? I don't know... I still have to remind myself not to kick myself too hard for blanking. Will I do it again? Yes. Do I really WANT to do it again? No. I can see the same thing happening in front of more people.

I hope I didn't put you all to sleep ,s:: with this lengthy post, but I wanted to clear that up... I didn't post about the botched solo on LJ because I was embarassed by it... I'm the one who freezes when pulled up to the open dances at the Sphinx haflas.

Linda

Welcome Linda!

as frustrating as it is to sometimes misjudge yourself or what you were ready for, it really sounds like you took that experience as a stepping stone to know what kind of preparation you personally need to perform. Even the worst experiences have silver linings when you can learn from them.

It's great that your teacher is being supportive! And this time you know what you're getting in to. And it's also wonderful that you have available to you a hafla environment where beginner dancers are welcome.

I hope you stick around Bhuz.

I've actually posted before, but it was before they made the change... *grin* Been coming here off and on for about 4 months now:)

P.S. I hope I didn't sound angry or confrontational in that last post... I just felt the need to explain and clarify.

Linda

Linda, you might have found you weren't quite ready when you were actually on stage, but you did everything the right way--the venue was right for a first time student solo, you were acting with your teacher's encouragement, and as your LJ post showed, you aren't at all afraid to ask for help and clarification. You're the right kind of baby dancer :Ahappy:

Badriya (badriyaz in LJ)

P.S. I hope I didn't sound angry or confrontational in that last post... I just felt the need to explain and clarify.

No, the clarification was helpful, and I didn't mean to necessarily direct this at you, because you certainly aren't the first person who has danced before s/he was ready for it and you seem smart enough to know that and to grow from it.

Your post because of the ambiguity, did get me thinking last night, since I think most people have experienced, either through someone else or through their own actions, someone going into a setting way ahead of when they were prepared. I have a friend who is involved in acting endeavors who basically have gone from an absolute beginner stage (literally one semester long class) to trying to do a professional setting pretty much instantly. Sometimes, she's lucked out with small things, most of the time she has not. She has yet to really study what she's doing or work on improvement, but that's another story.

She also believes that I try to get gigs, paid gigs (she tries to get paid for her craft) and such, as a solo dancer. I know I'm not at that point yet, but I started thinking about it last year that I wish I had more opportunities to do performances by myself after having done 3 different solos things at school functions.

So in short, you aren't necessarily what got me started on this train of thought and I wasn't attempting to accuse you of anything or be disdainful, but your post reminded me about it. It sounds like you're on a path that's much more sound than my friend.

Originally Posted by indigostars

Your post because of the ambiguity, did get me thinking last night, since I think most people have experienced, either through someone else or through their own actions, someone going into a setting way ahead of when they were prepared. I have a friend who is involved in acting endeavors who basically have gone from an absolute beginner stage (literally one semester long class) to trying to do a professional setting pretty much instantly. Sometimes, she's lucked out with small things, most of the time she has not. She has yet to really study what she's doing or work on improvement, but that's another story.

Please keep in mind that pro gigs and haflas are just not comparable.

One of the reasons teachers organize haflas in the first place is to give their students a place to try things out and push themselves. A safe place to aim high, even if sometimes people falter. The audience at a hafla knows that they're not there to see pros. It is really great to watch someone give their all, even when that person is just a beginner feeling out what they're capable of.

Also, someone who may be ready to solo at a hafla may be years from the point of being able to solo in a professional context.

The question of "when is someone ready to go pro?" Is a lot more complex. Part of it has to do with how skilled their dancing is, but that's not enough. Are they ready to recover gracefully from unexpected mishaps? Are they able to put on a good show even when the audience is uninterested or difficult? do they have the buisiness skills to market themselves effectively and appropriately?

Of course many people have no interest in going pro at all. Honestly, the idea of getting all up in someone's hummus is horrifying to me. Having to entertain strangers with potentially bad table manners just isn't my scene. ..l;,