Slave to the rhythm? Musical interpretation

[Gus]

Originally posted by DavidB

When I do manage to avoid dancing to it, I've noticed that a lot of people dance off-time to it. Or is this just a London thing?

David

Sorry to say Dave but if you watch the dancefloors a lot you'll see a lot of 'off-time' dancing, especially on the tracks with no driving beat... thats why as an instructor I love to get my mob dancing to club tracks from the start as they have an easy (if sometimes boring) beat.

I think someone earlier in this thread commented that tracks with a slighly more challenging beat are more fun to dance to (NO ... I'd never include any of Bexter's trax in this category) ... true but it also increases the opportuntiy to get it wrong. If thebeat is very clear and definite then both partners tend to be in unison. If the beat is open to interpretation then each partnner may start follwing a slightly different beat and the need for either a stronger lead or a more relaxed dance style becomes neccesary.

Interstingly enough, young Roger Chin emphasises "not being a slave to the beat". This was originaly commented about records with mutlituinoud breaks where everybody does a frozen statue every 30 seconds, but it can also be applied to standrad tracks ... makes dancing a bit more interesting!

[DavidB]

Originally posted by Gus
Interstingly enough, young Roger Chin emphasises "not being a slave to the beat". This was originaly commented about records with mutlituinoud breaks where everybody does a frozen statue every 30 seconds, but it can also be applied to standrad tracks ... makes dancing a bit more interesting!

I couldn't agree more. I love to hear people talking about musical interpretation, and then only talking about hitting the breaks. 'Hitting the breaks' is 'non-musical interpretation'. It is not dancing to the absence of music.

I'm not saying it is bad to hit the breaks. It is definitely a start at making your dancing more interesting. And easily leads onto something else - how you start dancing after the break. But it is not the be-all and end-all of musical interpretation. Breaks typically account for 5% of a song - it is the other 95% that you need to dance to.

David

[Gus]

Originally posted by DavidB
I couldn't agree more. I love to hear people talking about musical interpretation, and then only talking about hitting the breaks. 'Hitting the breaks' is 'non-musical interpretation'. It is not dancing to the absence of music.

David

Speaking about musical interpreatation (OK maybe this should be another thread, but what the heck ..) has anyone got an original way of finishing a track rather than doing a standard 1st move drop or backbreaker. Was watching the video of the Blackpool champs (some great dancing but also some real 'urrgghh') and in nearly every round for nearly every record all competitors finishes with a bog-standard drop, myslef included. In one round I was daring enough to put in a lean .... exciting or what?

Please help ... any (legal) suggestions? [not sure if Sheena or Jayne should be allowed to respond ... I KNOW they will come up with something wicked ... and possibly illegal!]

[Jayne]

originally posted by Gus

Speaking about musical interpreatation (OK maybe this should be another thread, but what the heck ..) has anyone got an original way of finishing a track rather than doing a standard 1st move drop or backbreaker. Was watching the video of the Blackpool champs (some great dancing but also some real 'urrgghh') and in nearly every round for nearly every record all competitors finishes with a bog-standard drop, myslef included. In one round I was daring enough to put in a lean .... exciting or what?

Please help ... any (legal) suggestions? [not sure if Sheena or Jayne should be allowed to respond ... I KNOW they will come up with something wicked ... and possibly illegal!

Simultaneous quadruple spins?

Embrace and fall to the floor as if you're dying swans?

What did Torvil & Dean do at the end of their routine? (you know which one I mean)

The thing that they do at the end of the routine in dirty dancing?

Roy's got a quirky wee thing that he does at the end of the demo in the wednesday glasgow class. Can't describe it though...

So many options...

Jayne

[Gus]

Originally posted by Jayne


Embrace and fall to the floor as if you're dying swans?

The thing that they do at the end of the routine in dirty dancing?

Roy's got a quirky wee thing that he does at the end of the demo in the wednesday glasgow class. Can't describe it though...

So many options...

Jayne

Nice to know Jayne wouldn't let me down .... all well above my capabilties. Have you tried the swan lift (aka Dirty Dancing). Don't know many guys who can lift a 10st woman over their head (OK ... Dave B but bthen thats his speciality). Also, major air steps like that not really allowed.

Jayne ... SOMETHING PRACTICAL!!! What's good for you? NOT THAT!:sorry Something legal!

[Stuart M]

Think this thread shouldn't really be in the DJ booth, there's not enough room for finishing flourishes in here No doubt Franck will tidy things up when he gets back.

I agree the sight of everyone finishing in a seducer makes me cringe - it's a tiresome cliche, as I've said elsewhere. That said, I did do it once last night...:sorry

Usually I'd just do something simple, like add a couple of extra returns. That way, the gal can either wind down, or if she wants to show off some style, has ample opportunity to do so.

Mind you (adding this cos we're in the DJ Booth just now), sometimes it doesn't matter what you're planning - the DJ cuts off the end of the record.

[Jayne]

Originally posted by Stuart M
Think this thread shouldn't really be in the DJ booth, there's not enough room for finishing flourishes in here No doubt Franck will tidy things up when he gets back.

I agree the sight of everyone finishing in a seducer makes me cringe - it's a tiresome cliche, as I've said elsewhere. That said, I did do it once last night...:sorry

Usually I'd just do something simple, like add a couple of extra returns. That way, the gal can either wind down, or if she wants to show off some style, has ample opportunity to do so.

Mind you (adding this cos we're in the DJ Booth just now), sometimes it doesn't matter what you're planning - the DJ cuts off the end of the record.

Ooops! Sorry!:sorry I just clicked the "start new thread" icon...

I take it you're making reference to a track played last night stuart?

Jayne

[Stuart M]

Originally posted by Jayne


Ooops! Sorry!:sorry I just clicked the "start new thread" icon...

I take it you're making reference to a track played last night stuart?

Jayne

Well, it happened with Love Shack last night (I know Jayne, I went in a huff after it :sorry ) , but that's not really what I was talking about (a lot of forward planning to get from the tin roof to the end of that song anyway ). There was another track which got cut a little bit early. I know because I was all set up for a big finish (can't remember what it was - think it was some catapult variant)!

Not having a go at our man with the platters, he plays good stuff, this is just a dig at DJs in general. I know they live in permanent fear of "dead air", and sometimes the seguing of one track into another is done really well. But if a track has a definite end, rather than a fade-out, we should get to hear it...otherwise we never get to practice these final flourishes, eh?

[DavidB]

Originally posted by Gus
has anyone got an original way of finishing a track rather than doing a standard 1st move drop or backbreaker.

For a competition I wouldn't worry about it. Hopefully the judges would have made up their mind long before the end of the track. All you can do to influence them with your finish is to do something wrong or dangerous, and get marked down.

For a show it's different, but you don't have to worry about what anyone else does if your are the only couple on the floor.

I've got nothing original - other than not doing a drop. What I do depends on the music...
- Smooth romantic music > finish in a smooch
- Fades out > walk off the floor
- Sudden stop > hold a line or pose, usually from a comb.

David

[Gus]

Originally posted by Stuart M


Not having a go at our man with the platters, he plays good stuff, this is just a dig at DJs in general. I know they live in permanent fear of "dead air", and sometimes the seguing of one track into another is done really well. But if a track has a definite end, rather than a fade-out, we should get to hear it...otherwise we never get to practice these final flourishes, eh?

Pretending I don't DJ for a bit ... have to agree. Some DJs seem to think that they should 'mix' traxs .... a BIG no no for Ceroc. A few seconds break gives dancers time to make their excuses and get their bearings back. Funily enough, our DJ did exactly the same twice on Tuesday leaving me in mid 'grand finish' ... methinks the termination of DJs who do that is well within the definition of 'justifiable homicide' ... agree?:reallymad

[CJ]

Firstly, apologies to everyone who was in Glasgow last night. (Ceroc that is, not disappointed Celtic fans ).

Anyway, yes I cut a couple of tracks really badly and my segueing was far from smooth. (I must be due on or something ) I always cut Love Shack, because the last bit can be a bit tuff for some. I think I made a pig's ear of "Moondance" as well. Do try to allow flourishes: after all, it's about dancing and not the music.

Generally, dead air is still bad, but dancers do need space to say their thankyous and get new partners. Do try to provide that by making my fades long slow ones but I will try to make change overs smooth within those guidelines. Without beat mixing, sometimes I segue 2 songs in such a way that dancers can dance on without missing a beat. That is the dancers' choice and not mine. It feels good to afford someone that opportunity, though.

Thoughts?

[Gus]

Originally posted by Ceroc Jock

Generally, dead air is still bad, but dancers do need space to say their thankyous and get new partners. Do try to provide that by making my fades long slow ones but I will try to make change overs smooth within those guidelines. Without beat mixing, sometimes I segue 2 songs in such a way that dancers can dance on without missing a beat. That is the dancers' choice and not mine. It feels good to afford someone that opportunity, though.

Thoughts?

Fair comment ... probably down to personal taste. One main reason that I don't mix records is that I can't! I make no excuses .. I don't regard myslef as a 'Club DJ' ... thats for too technical ... just put one track on and take the other off ... for the most part seems to work. My main concern with mixed tracks is how do you politely disengage yourself from your partner if you REALLY don't want to continue dancing with them!

Brings to me a second question on regional differnces. apparently, on the South Coast (Brighton etc) its customary to have two dances with a partner .. in my neck of the woods its just one. Whats the status quo with you guys?

[DavidB]

Originally posted by Ceroc Jock
That aside, David how about an end of dance move similar to that of Torville&Dean 1984: the matador sequence when he TASTEFULLY throws his partner on to the floor to do a couple of spins on her hips/side/bum? That I would love to see: if only for the reaction!!

I take it you never saw our last routine (It's Raining Men) It had a simple move where I spin my wife on the floor a couple of times on her side - we call it the 'floor sweeper'. (The slightly harder version was in our old routine, when I spin her in the air. Obviously the easy version is spinning her round my neck, but anyone can do that!!) If you want to challenge me, make it a bit more interesting...

David

[LilyB]

Originally posted by Gus
Have you tried the swan lift (aka Dirty Dancing). Don't know many guys who can lift a 10st woman over their head (OK ... Dave B but bthen thats his speciality).

I know I'm not as light as I used to be, but 10st???!!!!!:reallymad You really know how to insult a lady, Gus. And to think, David was even planning on another trip up the M40 to your Saturday dance. Not sure if I'll go now ............ (better start the crash diet, huh )

On second thoughts, maybe we ought to find a 10st woman for David to lift over his head - he might appreciate me a bit more then!

LilyB

[Gus]

Originally posted by LilyB
I know I'm not as light as I used to be, but 10st???!!!!!:reallymad You really know how to insult a lady, Gus. And to think, David was even planning on another trip up the M40 to your Saturday dance. Not sure if I'll go now ............ (better start the crash diet, huh )
LilyB

Arrghhhhh ... Lily, major apologies but I honestly wasn't referring to you ... merely commenting than your man-mountain of a hubby is one of the few blokes I've seen who could possibly pull such a stunt off.

Must admit I don't know any 10st. women. Whenever I ask a lady's weight they all appear to be 8st 4lb!!!

[Emma]

Originally posted by DavidB
If you want to challenge me, make it a bit more interesting...

Show off!

[apples]

Originally posted by Gus


Fair comment ... probably down to personal taste. One main reason that I don't mix records is that I can't! I make no excuses .. I don't regard myslef as a 'Club DJ' ... thats for too technical ... just put one track on and take the other off ... for the most part seems to work. My main concern with mixed tracks is how do you politely disengage yourself from your partner if you REALLY don't want to continue dancing with them!

Brings to me a second question on regional differnces. apparently, on the South Coast (Brighton etc) its customary to have two dances with a partner .. in my neck of the woods its just one. Whats the status quo with you guys?

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[My main concern with mixed tracks is how do you politely disengage yourself from your partner if you REALLY dont want to contine dancing with them] 


I discovered this unintentionally at the last glasgow party night...I REPEAT UNINTENTIONALLY...can't remember track but frequent long silences in the track and during one of these ...thanked my partner and escorted her off the floor...only to hear the same track continue imagine my dilemma...any guesses to what happened next?.... Other options are you could start to cry gus....or say that you're playtime is over and you have to go home or you will be in trouble with your mummy...then again you could try to drop kick her off the dancefloor...no sorry thats a rugby ball...but seriously having never competed if you did drop kick your partner how many points would that get you????not liking to be known as a sexist the option is also open to the fairer sex....I think I better go as its time for my medication....

[Stuart M]

Originally posted by Ceroc Jock
I always cut Love Shack, because the last bit can be a bit tuff for some.

Fairy Nuff...I love trying to keep the beat through that bit, but I can appreciate how tricky it is for some.

Generally, dead air is still bad, but dancers do need space to say their thankyous and get new partners. Do try to provide that by making my fades long slow ones but I will try to make change overs smooth within those guidelines. Without beat mixing, sometimes I segue 2 songs in such a way that dancers can dance on without missing a beat. That is the dancers' choice and not mine. It feels good to afford someone that opportunity, though.

Think my problem is that I'm permanently locked into the habit of one dance per partner, so seguing puts me in the dilemma of continuing though another dance I don't really want (or I'm just too knackered for ), or being rude and finishing as another track begins.

My argument for one dance per partner is simply that variety is the spice of life...

[Emma]

Originally posted by Gus


Don't know many guys who can lift a 10st woman over their head

Man, that is so depressing... couldn't you just leave me with the fantasy that one day I might be able to do an aerial..I know I probably never will, but a girl needs dreams!

[Gus]

Originally posted by Emma


Man, that is so depressing... couldn't you just leave me with the fantasy that one day I might be able to do an aerial..I know I probably never will, but a girl needs dreams!

Take heart ....

a) not all aerials require lifts over head height (many are simple pivots)

b) I said not MANY .. but there are a few that can lift well over that (my original aerials partner was 11st)

c) who the h*ll wants to do aerials anyway? There's a lot more fun that can be had a ground level !!!!!