Improved techniques = Reduced flava......True or False?

salsachinita

salsachinita

New Member
Ok, before I get shot for posting this, let me explain (this is kinda my thoughts continuing the thread I posted ealier "Fun vs. Techniques"):

How many times have you heard things like: "So & so is a great dancer, but she/he takes classes." ?

If one is technique focused, does it automatically means that the flava side gets neglected?

Those who are recognised out there for having flava, does that mean their techniques are somewhat inferior?

Can both coexist in equality, or does one have to give way to the other?

If I decide to pursuit on improving my techniques, do I run a risk of reducing/tainting/altering the flava I've already had.....?

What do my DF family members think.......?
 
False!! By taking classes I've been able to focus on eliminating moves from other dances, such as swing, that creep into salsa. I don't think that learning technique takes away from the flava side at all!
 
I think it’s basically a prioritization issue. There are some who privilege personal technique over connecting and dancing with their partner while there are others who prioritize technique to enhance such connections.

Some of these comments may also be about integration…when one first learns something new – in this case technique – it is a deliberate, conscious process of application and execution. Inevitably this looks like what it is and lacks the organicism and flow of conscious processes of applications. With time, practice, and exposure, however, conscious techniques are mastered and become unconscious ones integrated into muscle memory. At this point the dance is again organic but at an even higher “level” of technical execution.*




*Assuming, of course, that one ever takes the initiative to actually make the dancing their own. If not, then they remain technical automatons and, indeed, end up mistaking technical expertise for artistic expression.
 
Yeah SD hit it on the head. Once the technique is incorporated into your dancing it becomes a non-factor, the 'flava' and technique coexist in peace and harmony :lol:
 
Thanks, SD :D !

I needed to hear it.........

Still going through some kind of transition :oops: ......sometimes I feel like I have SO much catching up to do, since I had a five-year break from dancing before my come-back two years ago.

My love & passion is always gonna be there, but time & again I need some kind of re-assurance.

Thanks, guys.
 
salsachinita said:
Ok, before I get shot for posting this, let me explain (this is kinda my thoughts continuing the thread I posted ealier "Fun vs. Techniques"):

How many times have you heard things like: "So & so is a great dancer, but she/he takes classes." ?
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Never. Why should that be something to be ashamed of?

I would say it should be the other way around, if you care so little about dancing that you really couldn't be bothered with improving then why are you still going out to the clubs? There might be something on TV that perhaps they'll never play again.

salsachinita said:
If one is technique focused, does it automatically means that the flava side gets neglected? (...)
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Flava? What on earth is that? Last time I heard it was a marketing name used by a fast food company for a type of roll which had chicken and salad.
 
David said:
Flava? What on earth is that? Last time I heard it was a marketing name used by a fast food company for a type of roll which had chicken and salad.
Click to expand...

When we speak of 'flava', we speak of "sabor". It's a Spanish term which directly translated as 'flavour'. It basically means the little something special we add to our salsa dancing to make it our own.

Please read "The Flava of Salsa" under 'articles' and also "More on Developing Flava" under 'salsa'.

If you do a search you would find more............
 
By no means does technique water down flava. Just like flava shouldn't water-down technique. The beauty is to be able to blend them both to a perfect mix.

For example, sometimes you hear 2 bands they all have the same instruments, same technique yet, one is definitely more flavor-full than the other. One might end up sounding bland and too "straight-lined" where as the other doesn't. They have just added a tad of flava to their music, hence caused the band to be that much better, yet using the same instruments and the same techniques to play salsa. The same happens to dancers... It really isn't how much a dancers knows but how he uses what he knows.
 
(sorry guys i just keep digging up these great old old topics)
Anyhow I have been thinking a lot about this very topic lately!! I do agree that certain technique takes a while to incorporate into one's natural body language (nicely put SD, Boriken) but there are certain partnering technique that just never seem to absorb ANY flava no matter how much one has practiced or done them i.e. they still look and feel "ballroom-ish"
anyone else feel this?

For me there are certain turns/turn-patterns where I just completely focus on following technique and start to feel like I lost a lil somethin-something ;)
hmmm now I'm thinking that maybe
"already knowing the move (anticipation)" = flava and
"true following"=reduced flava

(yes give it up for the dance math equations :D )
 
I believe "flava" is your own interpretation of the music based on your emotions. Learning moves comes first, then adding technique, then adding style and flava. And if you're so comfortable doing a certain move, make it different every time you do it. Some creative styling here and there. It makes it so much more fun.

Oh one more thing, this is where body isolation comes in, as a leader I can still have a smooth lead with my arms, but my legs, and body can be moving to a different rhythm or style. Same goes for followers, who can maintain the connection while still expressing herself in creative ways.
 
africana said:
(sorry guys i just keep digging up these great old old topics)
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Heya Africana :) I'm so glad that someone else in the forum also systematically go through old threads :wink: (this has become my past time habit now :oops: ) I think it's great.. there are so many jewels out there..

africana said:
For me there are certain turns/turn-patterns where I just completely focus on following technique and start to feel like I lost a lil somethin-something ;)
Click to expand...

Hmm getting the technique right = low level flava, getting that "lil something something" right = high level flava..?!?
 
Sagitta said:
By taking classes I've been able to focus on eliminating moves from other dances, such as swing, that creep into salsa.
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Sagitta- Were you specifically talking about patterns?

I think most people who have an extensive background in dance (whether it be in ballroom, swing, modern, ballet, african, belly...whathaveyou) can utilize all the knowledge gained- styling included-to enhance their "flava" in salsa. No??
Every now and then I find the music motivates me to move in a way that would remind me of "moves" I learned in an african dance class, or swing (for example)...while dancing salsa. Those little things give me MY "flava"...as it is apart of what my body expresses naturally.

Just a thought...

Oh...and I haven't posted in awhile.... Hi everyone! :)
 
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