video cameras and mirrors

[SwinginBoo]

Bruce bought me a video camera for christmas to help improve my dancing. We used it tonight for the first time and while seeing myself on video is something I've avoided for most of my life, it really did help a lot. For one thing it helped me see that my swivels have improved since my lesson with Nathalie, and actually look pretty good. (I was shocked.) Secondly it showed me that I still need to work on my pike...keeping my head level and not coming up when I am led in, and also to work on the connection between my partner and I. For the second thing we used a scarf. Starting on the 1 the scarf should be stretched tight, for 2,3&4 it should be loose. Not only loose but the hands should be facing each other. In other words, when I come in my hand shouldn't go past the leaders to either side, but should come in straight as if we were connected. You can't believe what a good exercise this is for connection. It ensures that you have the right amount of connection when you need it and a very soft connection in the middle. This makes for a very smooth looking lindy turn, by going from the hands being a distraction to not being noticed. Sorry for the ramble, but I thought I would share this experience.

Anyone else tape their practices or lessons?

(oh and I put up a big mirror in my room to practice my swivels and such. Maybe, just maybe I will get better! :D )

[Swing Kitten]

:lol:

now is that mirror on the wall? ;)

[SwinginBoo]

Ah Yeah! Now what were you thinking? :wink:

[Sagitta]

I don't tape as I don't have a video camera.

Another connection exercise, I think:

I remember learning the basic lindy swingout without my left hand connected to the follower when in closed position. The only time my left and the follower would be connect would be leading into closed and right at the end of the swingout. This stops the common mistake of using that other hand to compensate for poor leader/follower connection. Made a big difference for me. I have even used it in other dances, such as the salsa cross-body move to make sure that I'm not teaching.

I also don't have a big mirror. I probably should at least get that to practice moves at home. (There, back on topic! :) )

[pygmalion]

Video taping your lessons is the best. It can be a little disturbng to see what you look like, but it's a whole lot more effective, at least for me, than tons of words from a coach. And you can go back and rewind. Mirrors are good too, but you get only fleeting images. Video rocks. 8)

[bgirlswinger]

I rely on the lessons I have learned when ever I am dancing. and you may think what I just wrote sonds stupid. But listen for ma for a minute. I have recently had a door open in my dance world and I am goign to share what I learned. I thoguht that practice was practice and dancign was dancing. But I have learned that when ever yuo are dancing, it is a learning experience. That doesn't mean that you can't have fun, it just means to rememeber to focus n always bending your knees, and not losing the conenction with yuor partner and stuff like that. I have found this out and I t was told to me for about 2 months and all the while I was like, yeah i CAN DO THAT,.. but I didn't, and I don't knwo why,. .I was thinkign abotu ti too much. But then As I am learning more and focusing I am seeing that as I dance I look at other peopel and their dance not just top see them dance, but see how they move, when the lose the connection, how they counterbalance and rotate their limbs. I am practicing as I am dacning. I also like to video tape becasue I can practice by myself or if I see a cool move I can go home and see if I can do it later. I can also see what I was doign or waht I should been doign and ask someone what they think I should do to correct it. This is a new approach for me,.. video taping, and I hoep it will be a godo one. I al so practive with walls and counters.-
amber d.

[pygmalion]

Cool, amber. What you just said is really profound. Amazing, isn't it, how we "get it" intellectually, but sometimes don't "get it" in terms of changing our actions, not really.

Wow.

I've also decided to start using videotape in my lessons (if I ever find a new dance coach LOL!)

[bgirlswinger]

if u let me know where in jax u are, or what classes u are interested in takign then i may be able to help u with the dance instuctor/teacher thing.
-amber d.

[pygmalion]

I've decided to start videotaping my lessons as well. IF I can remember how to use that darn machine! :shock: :lol:

Actually, watching myself on video has been a very good experience so far. I can actually see my progress, and oh yeah the things I need to improve on.

[SwinginBoo]

I totally agree with you Jenn. Something as simple as getting to actually watch yourself can really make a world of difference. You can nit pick the small things that you didn't even realize were going on. And you can see all the wonderfully positive things that you can do.