I was reading through older posts on my other blog and came across this.  It kinda is a prequel to my improv post here.  Since it’s dance related I’ve copied it below…

 

I am a belly dancer.  I have been dancing for 5 years.  I perform both solo and in group numbers at recitals, restaurants and workshops.  I can create choreography in a number of different styles including Raqs Sharqi, Raqs Al Assaya and have dabbled in some fusion styling and can also incorporate props such as a veil and/or zils (finger cymbals) into the mix.  I can also learn someone else’s choreography quickly and accurately – I sometimes enjoy this more than creating my own.  It’s a good feeling bringing someone’s vision alive.  I make a lot of my own costumes and can alter store-bought bedlahs (bra/belt sets) to fit.  I have mastered the application of false eyelashes and glitter.  I can teach you to belly dance and have been an assistant in local classes.  There is one thing…that ONE thing that I am still struggling with after 5 years.  Improvisation.  Ugh.

I know some dancers who can show up at a venue not planning on dancing.  Maybe another dancer didn’t show or is stuck in traffic and the hostess of the Hafla needs someone to fill in…as in right now.   They will step up and say no problem!  Somebody grab me a costume out of their car and put any CD in that stereo and let’s go!!  I see those dancers and am amazed.  How do they do that?  They just…dance.  Am I that much of a control freak that I can’t just…dance?

I am 2 weeks into a class to hopefully get me outta my head and just dance.  It’s a class taught jointly by a local dancer and her drummer husband.  The class is focused on Drum Solos for Dancers.  In theory a dancer can dance to any drummer as long as they both know a few basics including rhythms and The Rule of Four (the drummer repeats any pattern at least 4 times and in sets divisible by four; the dancer hears it once to get familiar with it, twice to try out moves to it and third and fourth times to nail it).   The rhythms can be played stripped down without any fill or can be loaded with technicals (for more on different rhythms go here…or better yet go find some drummers in your area).  Most rhythms are 4, 8 or 16 count.  An exception is one of my favorites the  Turkish 9/8 (Karsilama, Havasi or Roman- I have heard it called all three).  I like the feel of it and enjoy the style of dance that goes with it.  I’m also a sucker for a Ciftetelli, or Tsifteteli in Greece which is a 2/4 slower rhythm and good for snakier moves.  Then I sure do like a Beledi…which I just found out is more common in Western Cabaret style than Middle Eastern where it means simply “country”.   “Wow belly dancer lady, it sure sounds like you know your stuff here…Tell us again why you can’t seem to just dance?”

I wish I knew.  I can picture myself doing it and before class every week I have a conversation with myself that this’ll be the week I’m going to jump in the middle of the circle and dance.  And every week I leave class wondering why I didn’t.  I hear it takes practice but how to practice without doing?  Dancing in my head isn’t enough and neither is a few moves in front of my mirror before bed.  I have been asked to be that dancer who just dances at an Art Walk last winter.  I knew the band and was familiar with the music.  I was recovering from surgery so I had to say no (whew!) but I know me and I would’ve said no anyway only to whine and complain later about how I should have just done it.  I see other dancers do it all the time and think to myself I can do that too…

I have a class recital coming up and have decided to venture into the unknown.  I have always loved that Beledi (baladi, balady) style and have my heart set on performing one.  Typically a Beledi piece is an improv within a loose framework.   The best of both worlds perhaps?  I hope to report in the future that yes it certainly is.

Check out Shira.net on the Blogroll for more information on what’s written here.  It’s one of the best sites for belly dance info around.