Thread: Adventures in Improv

I've spent five years performing with a troupe, so improv can be a bit scary to me.

I decided in October that I wanted to dance to Daret Al Ayam, and I actually tried to choreograph something to it, but every time I put the music on, something different flowed out of me. I knew that was a sign I should just improvise, but that made me nervous! So I listened to the song about a MILLION times, devised a rough framework in my mind (I wanna do these kinds of moves here, and those kinds of moves there), and then I put on my best costume and got up on stage and this is what happened.


(sorry for the dark/pixelly image quality...camera phone)

I know that there are some things that could be improved. For example, I tend to get a little crazy with my arms when I shimmy. But now I'm a little less nervous about getting up and just wingin' it!

HI Luna,

There is nothing wrong with what you did, I think you did fantastic for improv. Try to incorporate more turns and/or more arabesque turns in the dance. I do mostly improv in my dances and I use the same system you use... listen to the song a million times. I try to place steps in some parts of the song (or get a rough idea of what I want to do) and improv the rest and it and so far it has worked out for me.

While learning choreos is good to create muscle memory, I tend to get a bit upset and it throws my concentration (I get lost in the choreo) if I miss a few steps here and there, IMO. Keep up the good work, girl!

Originally Posted by lunascura

I've spent five years performing with a troupe, so improv can be a bit scary to me.

I decided in October that I wanted to dance to Daret Al Ayam, and I actually tried to choreograph something to it, but every time I put the music on, something different flowed out of me. I knew that was a sign I should just improvise, but that made me nervous! So I listened to the song about a MILLION times, devised a rough framework in my mind (I wanna do these kinds of moves here, and those kinds of moves there), and then I put on my best costume and got up on stage and this is what happened.


(sorry for the dark/pixelly image quality...camera phone)

I know that there are some things that could be improved. For example, I tend to get a little crazy with my arms when I shimmy. But now I'm a little less nervous about getting up and just wingin' it!

That's awesome! Good on you for getting up there and doing it, you looked fabulous!
P.S. love the music!

Originally Posted by lunascura

So I listened to the song about a MILLION times, devised a rough framework in my mind (I wanna do these kinds of moves here, and those kinds of moves there), and then I put on my best costume and got up on stage and this is what happened.

im working on my improv skills too and thats how i do it too...