| Imagine if someone were to say, "I love to play | | | | music. This can be done by clapping one's hands, for |
| piano! I've never studied music, but I do like to bang | | | | example, or by pumping one's arms during key beats |
| away at those keys. I do whatever feels good, and | | | | in the music. One of my favorite techniques is to |
| that's what matters." | | | | simply freeze whenever the music pauses. Consider |
| Most of us would find that rather odd... and yet many | | | | the song, "Jingle Bell Rock," for example. There is an |
| people take essentially the same approach to dancing. | | | | unmistakeable pause in the music during the line, |
| They say, "Yeah, when it comes to dancing, I don't | | | | "Now the jingle hop has begun." That's a good time |
| bother with all these fancy dance styles. Instead, I | | | | at which to simply freeze in place, perhaps with a |
| just freestyle it - I just kinda sway around or shake | | | | dramatic flourish of one's hands. This simple technique |
| it about. It's fun." More often than not though, the | | | | can make you look like a real pro, and it feels |
| results are less than elegant. The dancing can still be | | | | satisfying as well. |
| fun, but it requires setting the bar rather low. | | | | Second, a good freestyler will often draw on other |
| This approach betrays a common misconception | | | | styles of music. For example, he might throw in a |
| about what constitutes good freestyle dancing is all | | | | few swing or cha cha steps now and then, perhaps |
| about. One can have plenty of fun by just shaking | | | | modifying them slightly. Or he might simply throw in |
| one's booty around, in much the same way that one | | | | some dance steps that he saw in a music video. |
| can have fun by banging away at the piano. Both the | | | | Basically, the greater your arsenal of dance moves, |
| dancer and the piano player, however, are missing | | | | the better the results can be. |
| out on a world of unexplored pleasures. | | | | Does this mean that you have to take expensive |
| Let's revisit the piano analogy. One could simply bang | | | | dance lessons? Not at all. A lot of places have |
| away at the keys; it might be fun, but the results | | | | inexpensive community dances with complimentary |
| probably wouldn't have much artistry. Or once could | | | | swing, latin, or ballroom dance lessons for beginners. |
| learn specific musical pieces. Alternatively, one could | | | | Also, many dance studios offer group classes, which |
| learn to play improvisational jazz -- "freestyling," but | | | | are a more affordable alternative to private lessons. |
| with musicality and intentionality. The latter two | | | | There is also a wide variety of excellent dance DVDs |
| approaches can be satisfying and beautiful, but in | | | | that one can purchase or borrow from the public |
| different ways. | | | | library. Heck, one can always watch some music |
| In the same way, one could dance by just shaking or | | | | videos or dance routines and try to break down the |
| swaying around-what many people think of as | | | | moves. (I've found that Motown dance moves are |
| "freestyling." Or one could learn some specific dance | | | | particularly easy to follow.) |
| styles, such as the waltz or the Charleston. Or one | | | | Finally, be creative with your motions. The biggest |
| could simply improvise steps, but doing so in a way | | | | problem with just shaking or swaying around is that |
| that creatively complements the music. The latter | | | | it's BORING. After all, anybody can shake or sway to |
| approach is what makes for quality freestyle dancing. | | | | the beat. Why not add some grander moves to your |
| To be fair, there's a reason why most of us would | | | | repertoire? Try striding boldly or snapping your |
| never think of just banging away at the piano keys. | | | | fingers in the air. You can accentuate the stronger |
| That's because there's very little satisfaction to be | | | | beats with a small jump or a fist pump. A simple |
| gained from hitting the keys in an unstructured | | | | do-si-do can make your moves look both relaxed and |
| manner, whereas moving to the music (even | | | | creative at the same time. |
| somewhat randomly) tends to be more pleasurable. | | | | Ultimately, it doesn't take much. A little effort is all it |
| Nevertheless, by learning a few key principles, one | | | | takes to make one's freestyle dancing look more |
| can make dancing a lot more enjoyable and look a lot | | | | impressive - and it will be a great deal more fun |
| better in the process. | | | | besides. |
| First, a good freestyler will try to punctuate the | | | | |