The importance of practicing the Basic

[peachexploration]

I've been noticing more now that I've started learning On2, how important it is to practice the basic. Continuously! If my basic is off the so is everything else. Executing any move flawlessly is difficult if your basic is off. Whether dancing On1, On2, On3, NY, LA, or Cuban Styles, how much time do actually spend practicing your basic? I mean really concentrating on it?

I also notice that the more I practice, the better I get and playing with the rhythms. I'll spend time just tapping the 2 and the 6 or the 3 and the five just to see what it feels like and what happens between me and the music on those beats. What do you think? Practiced just your basic lately? :D

[HF]

Don't laugh - I practise it nearly every day. I just start some music in the morning and do basics in front of the mirror for a few minutes.

[lolita]

yeah if ur basic is off. every thing else is!!
i practise my basic every day , actually whenever i am home with nothing to do
i put my dance shoes on and do the basics

[hopelessly_addicted]

To tell you the truth, I get bored easily when practising basic steps.. so I start doing various shines or if I'm listening to a song, I'd just dance to it :oops:

What do you focus on at the moment when practising basic steps? My primary focus before when I did practise regularly was on the weight transfer..

[peachexploration]

Well, actually HA. What you're doing describes where I was going next with this. Beginning with just the basic ignites creativty, discovery and focus. :) For me, this week, it's mainly rhythm. What happens in the music on different beats and how my dancing can conform to it. :)

[peachexploration]

Don't laugh - I practise it nearly every day. I just start some music in the morning and do basics in front of the mirror for a few minutes.

Laugh? :shock: That's the best way to start your day! I do the same thing. :banana:

While you're practicing your basic this week, try also with directional changes. Quarter turns, diagonally and try a role reversal. If you're a lead, try the follows basic and vice-versa BUT without stopping and started again. :)

[peachexploration]

It's 8:15pm EST. Have you practiced your basic today? :raisebrow:

[MistressMambo]

We always say "Practice Makes Perfect" and I truly beleive it does.

When I first met my husband, I was teaching class and he was my student. He practiced every day for 1 full year to impress me (LOL) and to get better at it. Now he is an incredible dancer and instructor (and I'm not just saying that cause he's my husband lol).

When we teach, we practice the new moves we learned from taking a prior class. Basically we teach about 3 or 4 times a week so thats our time to practice as well.

[latindia]

It's 8:15pm EST. Have you practiced your basic today? :raisebrow:

Yes! I was cycling back from school...and practising the basic on my bike. 8)

[esa negrita...]

OK, excuse the stupid question, but what exactly do people mean when they say "basic". Do you mean the backrock and side step and guapeando? What are some steps for practicing? I use salsa as a workout now and figure if I practice my "basic" for 40min-an hour a day, I should get it down pretty well. Any advice?

[memphis salsero]

When I say basics I mean your rock back and then forward, and maybe the side step as well. So I never practice my basics anymore and I can really tell when I'm trying to learn a new move b/c having clean basics that you dont have to think about are so important in being a good leader. My instructors basic looks so good too, his cuban motion and posture, I really gotta start practicing the simple stuff again.

[peachexploration]

Esa Negrita, Memphis Salsero is exactly right. :) Your "basic" is the foundation for every single move that you do. If your "basic" is solid the so is your dancing and if not then well....

The other reason for practicing your basic is to also incorporate different movement with your basic. Meaning it's not always the forward and back motion. Instead of having your feet hit the 1 and 5 beat (dancing on1) you can stand in place and have your hip and shoulders hit those beats. This could be helpful with shines or playing with different instruments in the music. So there is a method to the madness for this thread. ;)

[peachexploration]

It's 1:00PM EST. Practiced just your basic lately. :eyebrow:

:P :D ;)

[Anthony]

3:12am here.. I'll go give it a go now.

[pr]

3:12am here.. I'll go give it a go now.
:lol:

[HothouseSalsero]

Another thing about just practicing/dancing your basic is that you can focus on the way you move (as not directly related to leading and following). In the time I was away from dancing, the one positive thing I noticed is that I seemed to be learning to move more from my center. I don't necessarily literally mean finding my center of gravity, but when I started dancing, it feels more like it is initiated from around my pelvis/hips than it used to be. I didn't make a conscious effort to change things, it just seemed to develop that way.

[kdogg]

Don't laugh - I practise it nearly every day. I just start some music in the morning and do basics in front of the mirror for a few minutes.

Wish I had a mirror to watch myself dance.

[Karlosism]

I practice my basic anytime anyone is not looking...elevator, restroom, even in the Catholic confessionals...lol...

[peachexploration]

I practice my basic anytime anyone is not looking..<snip>...even in the Catholic confessionals...lol... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Too Funny! :lol: