Dance and I

I have been thinking about this subject for the past few months. I wonder how directly or indirectly dancing has influenced my piano playing. I finally had the chance to review the video recording of the last recital in Winfield. I couldn't help but notice the motions and timing of the phrases. Of course, they have been consciously (theoretically and historically studied) planned but often times the actual performance is not what I intended. For the first time, the outcome matched my intentions. Certainly in the playing the piano, I could take on another character but often times I am unwilling to let myself do it.

I wonder whether the long hidden extrovert is finally coming alive again. I think I have suppressed that side of me for sometime now. I know for sure dancing has given me a great outlet and enlarged my circle of friends here in AL. It has improved my coordination and keeps me in better shape. It takes a certain amount of self-confidence and courage to get on the dance floor when it's not contra! If my former roomie is correct, I love attention but hate to admit it. I guess if I do enjoy performing, it means about the same thing. :)

I don't really have a favorite dance. I really enjoy contra because it involves a whole group and it is not exclusive. You end up dancing with everyone and it doesn't matter whether you're a beginner or an expert, everyone has a great time. I like a good partner who can swing properly, I don't mind a fast twirl. Even though it looks like everyone is doing the same thing, a lot of us improvise within the dance. When it gets close to recital time, I wear my wrist brace to contra since some people don't allemande properly. I like Celtic and bluegrass music for down time so it's my cup of tea.

I would love to dance some more international folk. I know it would help my sense of rhythm when it comes to changing meters and assymetric rhythms. I finally feel comfortable with 5/8 and 7/8 time signatures after the sessions with Daniela Ivanova. This would definitely help my sight-reading at the piano. Hopefully, I can teach some of these to my world music students.

Ballroom is a different game .. I like it for different reasons. It's more ... like my former dean said.. "even your leisure time is structured!". I guess I'll get to wear my recital dresses more often, although at times I just don't want to be dressed up. I have found out that people watch other people on the dance floor. Scary! Half the time I don't know what I'm doing. Oops.. I'm not allowed to say I don't know how to dance anymore. I get asked often so maybe I do know how to dance. I have been blessed with the opportunity to dance with good partners. Most of my lessons occur on the dance floor. One thing I know, if he leads, I'll follow. (It would be frustrating to dance with someone who doesn't.) It's been a good experience coming out of my shell.

In the meantime, I'll have fun turning every pair of shoes upside down to find leather soles ;)