Thread: What are you working on??

Thanks to an epiphanette while working with planetsuzanna in the artist circle, I have been thinking about movement in two ways: size and intensity. So each movement is graded on a scale of 1-5 in size, and 1-5 in intensity. A 1 is small, a 5 is Huge. A 1 in intensity is ephemeral, floating, effortless; a 5 is full of tension, gooey, muscular, emotional. 3 is average - home base. ohhiuiybvvvvvbccbcnghm.hm mn,hk,.h.,k,llul m[nt m fjjrgjtuhtuh0ij4iyhyu8g0orhi4t5886++6-=6=-65555=mvfk=/4=7

LOL... I just saw this post today and see that my 4 year old tiger has been at it again. If you want the full explanation see my post below!

Alimah

Originally Posted by alimahdances

Thanks to an epiphanette while working with planetsuzanna in the artist circle, I have been thinking about movement in two ways: size and intensity. So each movement is graded on a scale of 1-5 in size, and 1-5 in intensity. A 1 is small, a 5 is Huge. A 1 in intensity is ephemeral, floating, effortless; a 5 is full of tension, gooey, muscular, emotional. 3 is average - home base. ohhiuiybvvvvvbccbcnghm.hm mn,hk,.h.,k,llul m[nt m fjjrgjtuhtuh0ij4iyhyu8g0orhi4t5886++6-=6=-65555=mvfk=/4=7

did you have some extra help with the last bit?

eta: is everything ok?....

I was going to ask if your cat sat on the keyboard!

Edna

everything OK over there?

Do we need to call doctor House?

Hi alimah,

Wowser! That is an interesting concept, would like to learn more about it. Especially the last part.... hm hm bzhur de bi dum....

That's a very interesting and intelligent perspective on movement! Go on, Alimah!

Oh, LOL!!!!!!! My dashing young 4 year old helped me with the last bit!! I didn't realize he managed to hit Submit Reply as well!!! Where's the blushing smiley when you need it???

I hadn't posted it because it seemed too crazy. But, since it obviously got a lot crazier, here is the rest! Putting the two gradations of size and intensity together, I can find a way to make a little more sense out of closing sections, just for example. The rhythm changes, the music gets very big, but it looks silly to have big bombastic movements for the rest of the piece, so I travel with intensity level at about 3, size at maybe 1, and speed at maybe 4. Then there are some breaks, so speed comes down to 1, intensity goes up to 4, and size goes to 3. Then there is a moment which is the most important to me to communicate to the audience, so it gets a little space around it, then is hit with a 5 in intensity. Etc. As I'm writing this, I think Dominic's sentence might have made more sense, but I am trying!

Another really helpful way to use this is in drum solo. As I was watching video of myself doing drum, I realized that the percussive movements often need a great deal of intensity, but the arms (unless they are creating the accents) need to have only a level 1 or 2 amount of intensity. But, if I don't really think about them, they either try to do level 5 along with the hips, or they freeze.

I created a blog of practice ideas that I (and anybody else who wants to join in the conversation) am experimenting with to further artistic expression and reward in my dance. It is: Artist Circle

I would love to hear what other people are working on!!

and, thanks for bearing with me and my little helper!

Alimah

I'm trying to slow myself down - I prefer dancing very frenetically, lots of shimmies and drops.

Mostly because if you mess those up you're going too fast for people to notice!

So I need to work on a slow number as well.

Plus I have a new costume that will go well with my instructor's choreo to a version of Zeina - the choreo goes up to the taxim and then I'm on my own for the rest!

Originally Posted by yaalini

I'm trying to slow myself down - I prefer dancing very frenetically, lots of shimmies and drops.

Mostly because if you mess those up you're going too fast for people to notice!

So I need to work on a slow number as well.

Plus I have a new costume that will go well with my instructor's choreo to a version of Zeina - the choreo goes up to the taxim and then I'm on my own for the rest!

Oooh, sounds tasty. I've been thinking that practicing 1/2 choreography and 1/2 improv within a piece gets you the best of both worlds.

Alimah

Originally Posted by alimahdances

I've been thinking that practicing 1/2 choreography and 1/2 improv within a piece gets you the best of both worlds.

Alimah

In complete agreement here. It's a structured form of feeling the music without being robotic.