What is the definition of technique?

[DanceMentor]

We were discussing this in another thread about the box step in rumba. But what exactly is this technique everyone talks about? People say you need to keep working on your technique to improve your dancing. What is the definition of technique?

 

[Dancing Irishman]

Depends on the person: to some people, it's basically what's left of dancing when you pull choreography off the table - (1 - choreo) if you prefer equations.

I personally view it as the black and white principles of what's required to make execution of the dance look "correct" plus the grey area beliefs one chooses to incorporate to enhance the look of just the black and white topics. Dynamics, rhythm, space, lead/follow, design, choreography, and condition* are all separate disciplines under the framework I've been taught (connection and musicality are also separate and intentionally not studied specifically in the framework I've been educated under).

*Understanding of what's needed to make a particular technique happen or why a particular technique should be used is my best attempt to define this.

 

[Dr Dance]

Choreography is the what.

Lesson/ dance/ competition times and dates are the when.

Locations are the where.

Students, teachers, and judges are the who.

Exercise, fun, romance, and sport are the why.

Technique is the how.

 

[tangotime]

We were discussing this in another thread about the box step in rumba. But what exactly is this technique everyone talks about? People say you need to keep working on your technique to improve your dancing. What is the definition of technique?

Technique, is the theory that was invented from observation, that could/should be applied to any given dance situation, to accomplish the execution of said "figure", giving the best end result .

 

[Partner Dancer]

Technique, is the theory that was invented from observation, that could/should be applied to any given dance situation, to accomplish the execution of said "figure", giving the best end result .

Ahh! But what is the "best" end result? For the dancer him/her self? For the partner? For the
judge(s)? For the teaching/dance industry? For the dance community?

Who determines what technique a given dancer should use (assuming there are clear technique
items identified? The person him/her self? The instructor (pretty much the way pro-am
works)? The coach? Judges (after they are polled, or offer critique)? Commenters on Youtube?

How does one resolve conflicting techniques (taught to them or picked up otherwise)? What
happens when your regular instructor differs with the coach of the day in opinion?

 

[Mr 4 styles]

You spend more on lessons??

When opinion differs the fun begins

American rhythm comes to mind

The human body despite its variations has a basic shape and basic movements

Technique is how we use this body in dance. It has evolved to be a more functional use. Have you noticed that with good technique movements are easier. How many times have you or your pro said" well that was easy it must be right" or some variation on that theme

Technique is the codification of these movements and their structure

 

[Mr 4 styles]

And since we as humans are still learning to use and optimize our bodies, technique by definition must change/evolve

Hence the disagreements often , which often result from a particular teachers own body assets and deficiencies that gave birth to their technique


Tall vs short
Hamstring flexible vs quad/hip flexible
Etc etc

 

[tangotime]

Ahh! But what is the "best" end result? For the dancer him/her self? For the partner? For the
judge

How does one resolve conflicting techniques (taught to them or picked up otherwise)?

What
happens when your regular instructor differs with the coach of the day in opinion?

The best results to be obtained, are often set by precedent .Each of us are free to choose the "whats, whys wheres and whens ".
"Standards " have been set, and changed over time, refined if you will. You may agree or disagree with the current ( or past ) theories, but, like all theories, they for the better part are time tested.

If one brings in a coach, and there is a different opinion on subject matter, I personally, have always been open to discussion when I coach .

 

[tangotime]

Tall vs short
Hamstring flexible vs quad/hip flexible
Etc etc

I could quote differing ex. all day ( I've coached Deaf and severly handicapped ), but lets be pragmatic and deal with a given norm...

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Precedent is derived from prior optimization by the active participants of the time followed by codification

Hence dance "bibles" that people often quote from

As we condition our bodies to be more toned muscular lean and athletic through advances in diet physical training wellness etc the optimization will progress and the new group of active participants will re codify technique within human limits of course. Since we can't fly ...yet

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Technique has not been defined by the deaf or handicapped they optimize with what skills and limitations they have.

But standard dancers are taller than before Latin dancers are faster than before smooth dancers use of the knees has changed the look and magnitude of shapes. All results of physical optimization and subsequent or concurrent selection by its practitioners

Technique evolution

 

[Partner Dancer]

You spend more on lessons??

THIS!

Have you noticed how your dentist or doctor keeps calling you in for visits (especially if
you're well insured) for the least bit of perceived problems? There's this ad on TV that
tells people to visit the ear doctor for hearing exams and the (ridiculously stupid)
concluding statement that goes "you'd be surprised by how many people have hearing loss
because of heavy earwax build-up." Duh! I don't think enlightened people would pay
$200 to clean their ears.

Technique is how we use this body in dance. It has evolved to be a more functional use. Have you noticed that with good technique movements are easier. How many times have you or your pro said" well that was easy it must be right" or some variation on that theme

Then why do dancers keep saying "it looks good" (rather than it feels good)? I'd
say a lot of superficial stuff trumps (no, not the Donald!) the (substantive)
functional aspect in dance.

You _look_ marvelous!

 

[Mr 4 styles]

When I am dancing with my smooth pro at my technical best it is nearly effortless She only says it looks good for static poses. For movement she comments on how it feels (overall ease)and how connected it feels

 

[Mr 4 styles]

I used to think forward poise in Latin was for show.. 13 years later I have learned the functional value of it in generating movement with the desired (codified) look you can't do it without it

 

[Mr 4 styles]

PD.. Most superficial stuff doesn't fall under technique tho. Wouldn't you agree. For example the Jacksonian seizure like body ticking of Russian Latin dancers is not technique is "dynamic movement "