Solo feedback....most definitely appreciated!

topic posted Thu, February 19, 2009 - 3:06 PM by  Jen
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Hi all,

This is a rather informal video taken during a hafla I performed at in December 2008. It's one of the first solos I've ever done and it ended up being mostly improv since it was last minute, the performance area was a bit different than I thought it would be, and I'm really not used to having people so close to me (and tipping! Not that I didn't appreciate it...just kinda threw me off ;)~). I usually dance in a troupe doing tribal fusion and ATS so I'm not super comfortable on my own but I would definitely appreciate some feedback since I am continually trying to improve!

That said, let me know what you think...thanks so much for your comments in advance!
www.youtube.com/watch

Thanks again!
Jen
posted by:
Jen
offline Jen
Salt Lake City
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  • Re: Solo feedback....most definitely appreciated!

    Fri, February 20, 2009 - 2:05 PM
    Yay Jen for actually doing Tribal in your Tribal Fusion! :) I liked it when you modified certain ATS moves in your own personal way. You isolations were nice and your musicality was good. I think the biggest thing you need to work on is a stronger lift in the upper body and your arms. That low "W" posture with the arms I don't think was really working on you. But it could if you a) held your uppper body higher and stronger and b) always did it consciously. I feel like you should either be in 2nd position with your elbows lifted, consciously in that "neutral Mardi Love" (as some call it) position where your elbows are close in to your torso but not aimlessly floating inbetween. When you actually danced with your arms, they looked lovely. But then when you were moving with other parts of your body, they did distracting things. Try to move them slowly, consciously and put them in places that will frame the other movements of your body well. And keep your torso lifted! :)
    Also, I thought you handled the tip thing well. I personally don't like tips on the body and will encourage people to tip into a basket instead. Or if theres no basket, I'll take them in my hand and stuff them into my costume myself or just hold them in my hand until i'm done. But thats just personal preference.
    Otherwise, really well done! :)
    • Re: Solo feedback....most definitely appreciated!

      Fri, February 20, 2009 - 10:23 PM
      Thanks ladies for your feedback! I truly appreciate it!!! Every little bit helps :)

      Thank you for the compliments :) I'll definitely work on my arms when framing other movements (I know they are my weak point!) I have noticed that the more nervous that I am, the less I remember my arms and upper torso posture ;) but the more refined elements (such as arm and hand placement) can really make or break a performance so thank you for pointing it out :) I imagine such things come with more practice and being conscious of these things to fix.

      The tip thing, again, really threw me off ... I never know how to respond to such things (since I don't like strange people touching me while I dance) but I'm working on it ;) Thanks for the tips on how to handle it; I'll give the basket idea a shot next time I solo.

      Thanks again!
  • Re: Solo feedback....most definitely appreciated!

    Fri, February 20, 2009 - 3:57 PM
    That was once of the nicer Tribal Fusion pieces I have seen recently. You improve well. I also like seeing more tribal that fusion in this kind of a dance. I wouldn't have been comfortable with the tipping either but you seemed to handle it well. Sorry I can't give you some nice tips like the one before me all I can say is keep it up.
  • are you kidding? that was smokin hawt!!! There were a LOT of amazing moves and moods in your perf. I think maybe the light was a little dim and right from above you instead of aimed at you. It would have high-lighted your upper-torso, which I also wanted to see more slinky-ness in. Yeah, tips are hard, our teacher says Point to the side of the belt with your finger. Look down for a second if you have to. And if they reach for something else, step back and repeat. In the meantime (and I'm guilty of this too) keep some of your body still 'in the mood', like adopt a frame with your arms, say, in front of your body with the tip-hip tipped out. I loved the shimmy you did while waiting. Definitely gonna add that to mine. But really, it was very, very good. I loved the way you teased and wound around your floor area. It said This is mine! good for you!
    • Good job Jen! Particularly enjoyed the second track. You appeared very confident, and really owned the space.... the audience were very close, which can be off putting, but you handled that very well. And you coped with the tipping very graciously - that could have been awkward! Great moves girl : )

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