[Tango-L] Practica Reviews

[Jake Spatz (TangoDC.com)]

I agree with Chris, and would add that even in group classes it's 
important to learn everything in the ronda (line-o'-dance) context. If 
you learn moves in place, you can only do them in place-- which leads to 
exactly the problem being discussed. (Even if I'm teaching privates, 
practicing in an empty room with a partner, or doing solo drills, I try 
to respect an imaginary ronda. Why waste the opportunity?)

Moreover, I don't believe much _choreography_ is even possible without 
partner connection. The connection may have a different purpose, mood, 
or technique than in improv, but willy-nilly it's got to be there. To 
deliberately neglect it while practicing anything, irrespective of 
style, seems about as wise a choice as trying to bicycle in a straitjacket.

Now, I understand the need to stop and work out positions, analyze 
movements, and so forth. But the customary place to do it _in public_ is 
the center of the practica floor-- the eye of the ronda (where the 
sharks are)-- provided a ronda exists in the first place. But even 
there, line of dance is somewhat observed (unless you're simply 
insensitive to it); the shape is just folded in on itself considerably. 
I've observed the same thing at milongas.

Otherwise, practicing in place is better done in a corner, or elsewhere 
_away_ from other dancers.

I don't see how anything can be gained _effectively_ by shirking these 
things. Dancers who short-change any quality self-training opportunity 
are only setting themselves obstacles. Laziness and ego are what 
discipline and respect for technique should overcome, not excuse.

But hey, I'm a nonconformist.

Jake Spatz
DC


Chris, UK wrote:
> Jay wrote:
>
>   
>> Perhaps you don't do practicas where you live. But here at least, a
>> practica is usually used to study step pattern options, dynamics,
>> momentum, etc,  connection between partners is low on the priority list.
>>     
>
> We do practicas. But connection remains high priority. People understand 
> that practicing steps at expense of connection is a waste of time - at best.
>
>   
>> Also it is accepted protocol that the rule to keep things moving in
>> line-of-dance is not followed at practicas. It's explicitly OK to stand
>> in one place and work out a step. 
>>     
>
> Well, it's encouraging to read that too is untrue of these BsAs practicas, 
> at least according to previous reports on this list, such as Meredith's
>
>  In the practicas, as in the milongas, the same rules about navigation
>  apply (staying in your lane, not passing the couple in front of you,
>  continuing to move around the floor so that the people behind you don't
>  get stuck with nowhere to go...
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Tango-L] Milonga Reviews
> *From:* Jay Rabe <jayrabe at hotmail.com>
> *To:* <tango-l at mit.edu>
> *Date:* Sun, 4 Mar 2007 05:09:52 +0000
>
> Chris, 
>      I certainly did not say nor imply the connotation you applied, namely 
> that they "prefer(ed) to practice dancing of a lower standard."
>  
>      Frankly, I don't understand your confusion. Perhaps you don't do 
> practicas where you live. But here at least, a practica is usually used to 
> study step pattern options, dynamics, momentum, etc, and connection 
> between partners is low on the priority list. Also it is accepted protocol 
> that the rule to keep things moving in line-of-dance is not followed at 
> practicas. It's explicitly OK to stand in one place and work out a step. 
>                  J
>
>
>
>   
>> Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 19:20:00 +0000> From: tl2 at chrisjj.com> To: 
>>     
> Tango-L at mit.edu> CC: tl2 at chrisjj.com> Subject: Re: [Tango-L] Milonga 
> Reviews> > Jay wrote:> > > I thought the Villa Malcolm evenings were 
> practicas. Floorcraft and > > dancing and connection standards would 
> understandably be poor as > > compared to a milonga... > > Uh, why's that 
> then? Is there some reason why these people prefer to > practice dancing 
> of a lower standard?> > Chris> 
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