Counting Counts

As you learn a routine the instructor my count to keep the beat. Usually dances only go to 8 like 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and repeat over and over until the routine is over. The counts are there to give some construction to the movements. Each move or movement has a count or counts. In some cases "and" is said between one or all 8 counts to give room for faster movements that don't require a full count. I, personally have done dances where, because of the music they have been in 6 or even 10  I did a jazz number called The Case Continues that was in 10 counts and a lyrical called Hallelujah that was in 6 counts. It is hard sometimes to keep in line when, on the rare occasion, dances aren't in 8 counts. instead of 8. It really depends on how the music itself plays out in which counts make sense. Most songs however go along with the traditional 8 counts.

It helps when you are performing if you learn how to count in your head as well as perform. When I was little it was hard to do both because I would always count almost mouthing the counts and forget to actually perform with my face. I learned though and it go a lot easier to stay with my group. I am a very count oriented person when it comes to dance. Some people go by words in the music or sounds, but it helps me when every movement has a count so I can keep track of where I am in the routine.

Costume Examples

As I say a lot, I have done many dances throughout my life of many different styles. I explained in my post "Dress to Impress" what some costumes looked like for the different styles and gave some websites to order various costumes as well. Here are some examples of dances that I have done with pictures of the costumes that I wore for each.

First of all, hip hop. My studio wasn't very big in hip hop, but we had a guest choreographer com in a few years to choreograph a large group hip hop for the older girls. It was titled We're Gonna Rock and it was a mix of songs that talk about rock and roll. We wore leggings, combat boots, a red sparkly bra, and a leather vest or jacket of our choice.

Secondly, I did a Jazz dance to She Bangs by Ricky Martin. It was a salsa like style and we wore a red sparkly corset black shorts, fish nets, and a red rose in our hair. This was a fun number to perform and the red costume really added to that.

Next, for a Musical theater number we did Bring On the Men. We dressed like house maids and we had a table with fancy place settings, chairs, and big rings on our fingers. there were only four of us in it so the prop really fit well and we all had our own chairs to dance on and play the part of a maid. I, at one point used a feather duster. It was fun to get into a character with such a cute costume to go off of. 

For a lyrical dance I was in a number called River. It was actually a duet with one of my best friends, Gabbi. The song was all about frienship and always being there for someone. It was my last year dancing with her so it was very emotional for us to finally do a duet. We wore a simple, yet elegant two piece off white floral piece with blue to all the river like style to it. 

Synchronization

In dance it is important to keep in step and in time with the other dancers. In a group number all the dancers have to look like the are dancing as one. There are portions of a dance, though, that the dancers break off and do different things. But for the most part, dances are done together. For the sake of entertainment dancers break off so that the number remains interesting. If all the dancers do is everything the same and together it becomes uninteresting. Therefor, solo parts are incorporated and dancers do different things at the same time so the audience has more to watch.  Keeping together in those times that are together can be very complicated. In my experience there have been dances that have many different ages and levels of dance. in those instances having a synchronized group portion in more difficult because not everyone has the same skill level and not everyone can do the same moves. Sometimes dances have been divided into two parts that are similar and done together for the differnent levels. this way it looks like everyone is doing the same thing but there is a different in the movement. Synchronization in dance is very important otherwise the dance looks sloppy and messy this goes along with technique and quality of performance.