Passion in your dance....

[Flujo]

By "noodling" I mean dancers I see who ask someone to dance, or who are asked to dance, and then proceed to almost close their eyes and dance so "passionately" to the music that their partner might as well not be there.

Oh, I got you now. To be honest, and maybe this shows just how different peoples view of something can be, I really like when a partner does that. That right there says that the person is really enjoying the music and is comfortable enough with you to close their eyes and be totally absorbed by the moment. Not sure if that would such a good idea to on a crowded floor though. :eyebrow:

Just like you might not see closing your eyes and showing just how much you 'feel' the music as a good thing there are people who might object to comedy or cheese on the dance floor. Can you believe it!? It would be easy to read what you have said in this thread and interpret those comments as a dismissal of passion but honestly, I hear where you are coming from. As long as you know that passion doesn't only equal flirtation and romance. To me passion is an open expression of 'you' and is a form of non verbal communication between partners. Maybe someone else can put it a better way?

I find that I can turn on the "cheese" oops, sorry I mean "passion" even to music I don't particularly like as long (and here's the caveat) it has the right rhythms and is a suitable tempo.

Like antigone said, passion isn't just romance. That's only one of the definitions and isn't really the one that applies here. It's the "emotional expression of music". Judging by what you've said you are expressing yourself by showing that you are having fun with your partner which by definition makes you a passionate dancer. Over time maybe you'll learn to express yourself in different ways...?

Flirting can be fun but getting out your Edam and being cheesy is fun too. Regardless of which approach you lean towards, both require a communication and connection between partners and that's what this thread is about right? Expressing yourself emotionally during your dance and sharing that with your partner rather that going through the motions and dancing without any sense of self, which is what can happen when the music doesn't trigger that spark in you. I'm with sweavo on this one. I'd much rather dance to no music than music I don't like.

I'd be very curious to hear your opinion on the same subject a year or two from now KP...

 

[chrisk]

Hmm, good question! The reason for finding the most efficient way of moving is out of consideration for your partner and wanting to make things as comfortable as possible. For leads it will be not wanting to be forceful or too energetic if your partner is a lighter follower. For followers it would be not putting too much power into your movements so that the lead isn't having to fight with you. I don't think too much filtering would have to happen on average, maybe just enough to adjust to your partners style.

I think I can see your point, that as passionate dancers we should be careful about adding too much passion into our dance. As, ie. KP-Salsa mentioned before, passion can sometimes be overdone. But I don't think we therefor need to filter our passion through 'our awareness of effiency' or 'find the most efficient way of moving'. I agree with you that later is useful to make our dance partner feel comfortable. So in my opinion we need to adept the level of our passion that we use and show in the dance out of consideration and respect for our partner and not because of some 'efficency' filter.

Maybe we could see it this way? Filtering through efficiency (even though it sounds a bit cold) could be the 'how' with awareness and and wanting to maintain connection being the 'why'.

Except that I would rather replace 'effiency' with 'consideration', I like how you put it.

While we are on the topic. I really do envy people that can dance to anything. If the music isn't there to set off that spark then it feels like every dance is empty or average; "blaah" would be a good word to use. How much of what we talked about can come into play without the music and how much do you think our 'awareness' is affected when we are going through the motions? It feels false pushing the boat out to a song that does nothing for you don't you think?

Right, I'm with sweavo on this one. I'm not going to try to dance to music where I can only hear the music. I need to hear and feel the music with my heart and mind as well to connect with it and become the guide for my dancing. So I'll rather prefer to not try to dance to some music that I'm not connecting with.

 

[chr]

Right, I'm with sweavo on this one. I'm not going to try to dance to music where I can only hear the music. I need to hear and feel the music with my heart and mind as well to connect with it and become the guide for my dancing. So I'll rather prefer to not try to dance to some music that I'm not connecting with.

This is true, but I think there is the opposite direction, that a music becomes meaningful once one starts to learn how to dance to it.

E.g. I used to sit out certain (mostly timba) songs which sounded to me like monotone grinding. After learning a bit of Cuban style dancing, my ears opened for fine the details and songs that used to seem dull and indifferentiated started to tell me stories.

 

[Flujo]

I think I can see your point, that as passionate dancers we should be careful about adding too much passion into our dance. As, ie. KP-Salsa mentioned before, passion can sometimes be overdone. But I don't think we therefor need to filter our passion through 'our awareness of effiency' or 'find the most efficient way of moving'. I agree with you that later is useful to make our dance partner feel comfortable. So in my opinion we need to adept the level of our passion that we use and show in the dance out of consideration and respect for our partner and not because of some 'efficency' filter.

It took a while but I'm convinced. Consideration is better.
Chris, we're agreeing far too much now! From now on we need to disagree on at least one thing on principle.

 

[naresh]

I think the passion and enjoyment of partner dancing is all about chemistry between the two dancers. To my experience, music, dance skill, age differences, ... come secondary to it.

 

[Flujo]

You're spot on naresh! We completely missed it in this discussion, though I think it was touched on in the original one. Maybe different language was used but with the same meaning. Anyway, what do you think we can do to create some chemistry if it isn't there already? Is it even possible to create it?
If it's possible, who would object to having a few more dances filled with chemistry...not many imho.

And to revisit a couple of responses that might tie into chemistry...

Right, I'm with sweavo on this one. I'm not going to try to dance to music where I can only hear the music. I need to hear and feel the music with my heart and mind as well to connect with it and become the guide for my dancing. So I'll rather prefer to not try to dance to some music that I'm not connecting with.

I'm curious chrisk. Which of these two choices would you go for?
1/ A dance with a partner you have a little chemistry with to a great song.
2/ A dance with a partner you have a lot of chemistry with to a mediocre song.

This is true, but I think there is the opposite direction, that a music becomes meaningful once one starts to learn how to dance to it.

E.g. I used to sit out certain (mostly timba) songs which sounded to me like monotone grinding. After learning a bit of Cuban style dancing, my ears opened for fine the details and songs that used to seem dull and indifferentiated started to tell me stories.

Same here but for the more classic Mambo/jazzy type tracks. It took a while to learn to appreciate the different styles and I'm really not sure which came first in some cases, appreciation > dance or dance > appreciation.

Do you think you could say that seeing the chemistry between two partners dancing to music that you didn't understand would push you to want to understand it so that you could experience the same connection?

Two examples of this would be one, Lambada Zouk dancers who seem to become lost in each other with all that twirling and two, advanced dancers who have this look of tranquillity on there faces that makes you wonder if they are not communicating telepathically they're movements are so entwined. Both are great to watch.

 

[chrisk]

I'm curious chrisk. Which of these two choices would you go for?
1/ A dance with a partner you have a little chemistry with to a great song.
2/ A dance with a partner you have a lot of chemistry with to a mediocre song.

I'll go for the second one. It's nice to have a great song playing, but when you have little chemistry with your partner it's difficult to have a great dance as well. But when you've got a lot of chemistry going on, then you can easily turn the dance with your partner into a great dance. And suddenly the music might start even feeling to become great as well. And what about you?

 

[Flujo]

Hmm, it would have to be the first one. Dancing with a favourite partner to average music...I don't know, there is something in those dances that makes it feel like you are killing a good thing. Like driving a Ferrari down bumpy muddy lane - or something like that.

When the right music is on all it takes is a little chemistry and woosh, of you go into Never-never land!

 

[chr]

Do you think you could say that seeing the chemistry between two partners dancing to music that you didn't understand would push you to want to understand it so that you could experience the same connection?

Yes, that was definitely one of the main reasons I became interested in any dance at all. I never really liked the music first. Almost all dance music seems to be somewhat shallow and repetitive if you mainly listen to classical music and jazz.

However, personal chemistry was one of the main reasons I started to learn Cuban as well. On some occasions I danced with a really wonderful woman, whose dance style seemed to be completely different from everything I experienced before. She was clearly dancing Cuban, but could adapt to my slotty habits, and managed turned everything I did into something different and much better without confusing me.

 

[borikenSalsero]

I should really read before posting, but I'm old and going blind.

Make no mistake, passion and fun aren't synonymous. We can be passionate about having fun, which means joy is sought with ardour, rather than say I'm having fun, therefore the feeling categorized as passion is in me at this very moment. It is simply humanly impossible to feel any one feeling while busy with another emotion. Neither thinking or feeling can multi-task...

When a dancer states that dancing is about fun, it often speaks of the passion in which fun is to be had, rather than the feeling of passion when percussion boils the blood. This type of dancer is often retired from musicality as both reason and the mastery of skill upon a song replace anything else.

If during an outcry, the person breaks a smile, at that very moment the body automatically reacts to match happiness, lessing the ill mood caused by the tears. Same with passion, if you are intertwined in passionate lovemaking with your mate, both physical and mental state will stray from any emotion related to joy. The smile will disappear, all goofiness will be lost, instead replaced by a serious state that can display the passion of love in a much more, well, passionate manner. Though an array of emotions, from joy to elation, can be felt during that passionate interchange between lovers, not all emotions there within are one, but many distinct ones. Even if we express a joy for those actions, the passion during those actions is still passion, it hasn't changed. Modify the love making with a passionate dance and the above still holds true.

Songs all call for different feelings, our job as dancers is to match them. If a song blossoms passion and I, as a dancer, have a cheese doodle in my mouth, then I've disjointed the music, feelings and my actions. Both passion and musicality have been lost due to an overruling of those feelings enticed by the music.

It is common to misread emotions, so much so that passion is morph into joy. More times than not, we are so busy having fun that the music becomes secondary. At that point the closest we can come to match the passion of the song is by some form of bliss, which while absolutely outstanding, it's not indicative of the song's intent. What's the song's intent? Well, if it speaking about death, I'm sure a smile isn't really the intent...

If we listen and pay attention to our body we'll be able to differentiate the message of each so as if the composer himself.

 

[hyh]

I'm curious chrisk. Which of these two choices would you go for?
1/ A dance with a partner you have a little chemistry with to a great song.
2/ A dance with a partner you have a lot of chemistry with to a mediocre song.

I would sit out if there is no other alternative and unless it can't be avoided without causing offence.

Songs all call for different feelings, our job as dancers is to match them.

I see your point, but let's not quite go so far as to call it a job.

Also it's not an all-important thing, but you probably knew that already.

 

[bailar y tocar]

Which of these two choices would you go for?
1/ A dance with a partner you have a little chemistry with to a great song.
2/ A dance with a partner you have a lot of chemistry with to a mediocre song.

Easy choice: No.2. The chemistry makes the song tolerable as does a live band with stage presence even if they're just doing a cover.

No.1 is the second-worst scenario of all. The worst scenario: a great band, a great song and no one who can or wants to dance in sight.

I actually have a problem dancing to songs I really like (to listen to). I can never find dance partners that "fit" the song as perfectly as I would wish. (I guess If I ever do, I'll have to get seriously involved for keeps).

 

[Flujo]

She was clearly dancing Cuban, but could adapt to my slotty habits, and managed turned everything I did into something different and much better without confusing me.

Ah, the kind of partner that leaves a long lasting impression.

When a dancer states that dancing is about fun, it often speaks of the passion in which fun is to be had, rather than the feeling of passion when percussion boils the blood. This type of dancer is often retired from musicality as both reason and the mastery of skill upon a song replace anything else.

Hmmm. Just when you think you have it sussed...
After reading what you said a few times I can see that there is a big difference between being passionate about having fun and being passionate about the music when dancing. I suppose the latter really depends on how your partner is reacting as well - whether he/she is feeling it and whether they can communicate what they're feeling. It does take two after all.
I'm not quite sure what you meant with your second point but would guess that the dancer in that case is more passionate about the action (their fun/moves/enjoyment) than experiencing the reaction (the effect of the music, their partner etc). Is that about right?
Seeing things from your perspective I can understand why some are not all that keen on people that joke around on the dance floor. Depending on how seriously you take the music it could be seen as disrespectful (depending on the song), almost like you don't give a damn and are just there for self indulgence. Not saying people are wrong for thinking that way but it's not something I'd subscribe too at the moment.

Your comments also open up the idea that people who look serious on the dance floor aren't necessarily lacking in passion and in fact may have bucket loads more than the person next to them with a big smile on their face and a laugh a minute. This leads on to what you mentioned below.

Interesting! Please correct me what you said was misinterpreted.

It is common to misread emotions, so much so that passion is morph into joy. More times than not, we are so busy having fun that the music becomes secondary. At that point the closest we can come to match the passion of the song is by some form of bliss, which while absolutely outstanding, it's not indicative of the song's intent. What's the song's intent? Well, if it speaking about death, I'm sure a smile isn't really the intent...

I hear you on this. If you understand the language of the song then you're at a definite advantage but even if you don't, and assuming your ears open to these things, you can still go by the tone of the singer. How many of you who don't understand Spanish see the singer as another instrument? In that case the vocalist is the one instrument we should be most attuned to and we should be able to pick up on the emotions when the language is lost on us.

I wonder though. If the majority ('majority' - for the sake of the discussion) of people ignore the music and dance through the emotional dynamics then how possible is it that they'll be affected by the emotional content of the vocals, either consciously or subconsciously?

Another thing...
What characterises a musically passionate dancer as opposed the other? I'd say I'm a bit of both really, depending on who my partner is at the time. Even if my body can't keep up with what is going on inside the music definitely has an emotional effect that can't be categorised. I'd love to hear others thoughts on the interpretation of which type of dancer you are...

Yeah yeah, 1001 question again. Pick one when you have some time to kill!

Which of these two choices would you go for?
1/ A dance with a partner you have a little chemistry with to a great song.
2/ A dance with a partner you have a lot of chemistry with to a mediocre song.

It's interesting that no one chose the first one. I thought someone might choose the first to take the opportunity to develop more chemistry through the music. Maybe it wasn't clear enough that there was some chemistry (just not as much) with the first dancer.

 

[chrisk]

Hmm, it would have to be the first one. Dancing with a favourite partner to average music...I don't know, there is something in those dances that makes it feel like you are killing a good thing. Like driving a Ferrari down bumpy muddy lane - or something like that.

When the right music is on all it takes is a little chemistry and woosh, of you go into Never-never land!

If you consider 'average music' to be the 'bumpy muddy lane' in your example, what the heck is then some 'bad music'?

Also I'ld agree with you that with the 'right music' or some 'great song' it's easier to go into 'Never-never land', I wouldn't enjoy that 'trip' when there's only little chemistry. And I've got some doubts that when there's only 'a little chemistry' it's possible to develop more during one song. I think it rather takes some time and several dances before it's possible that the chemistry between you and your partner is going to improve. So while it might take longer or be more difficult to go into 'Never-never land' with to the 'average music, I'll surely enjoy my time there a lot more as due to a 'lot of chemistry' my partner will be there as well. And isn't it more nice to enjoy such a trip together then on your own?

 

[Flujo]

If you consider 'average music' to be the 'bumpy muddy lane' in your example, what the heck is then some 'bad music'?

Damn, I must sound like such a snob. That's it, I'm quitting Salsa. None of the music is good enough for my superior ears anymore. Eddie Palmieri...paaah!

So while it might take longer or be more difficult to go into 'Never-never land' with to the 'average music, I'll surely enjoy my time there a lot more as due to a 'lot of chemistry' my partner will be there as well. And isn't it more nice to enjoy such a trip together then on your own?

Always! I visited a city club to get a music fix and found that the most memorable dances of the night were the ones where the lady had great eye contact. It's really nice to dance with a lady that is comfortable enough to look at you instead of at her feet or elsewhere. A lot of the time, that and the music is all I need to have a good night. So to me, a little chemistry would be:
Nice eye contact (no cold stares), a few smiles, someone who makes you feel comfortable really - like you don't have to prove anything.

Have you had any experiences recently that relate to this thread?

 

[chrisk]

Damn, I must sound like such a snob. That's it, I'm quitting Salsa. None of the music is good enough for my superior ears anymore. Eddie Palmieri...paaah!

*g* Nice try, but we won't accept your resignation. 8)

Always! I visited a city club to get a music fix and found that the most memorable dances of the night were the ones where the lady had great eye contact. It's really nice to dance with a lady that is comfortable enough to look at you instead of at her feet or elsewhere.

Hm, I mostly remember those dance and partners with whom I had great chemistry and we therefor had lots of fun. And whenever I dance with some lady, mostly beginners, who is looking at ther feet, I'll suggest with a smile that her feet won't talk to her about her mistakes. So far most ladies then decided to stop looking downards and rather look at me.

Have you had any experiences recently that relate to this thread?

Not much, as my favourite partners mostly live and dance in other cities. And so far I've only met one lady here with whom so far I've got some nice chemistry going on. But I'ld like to dance a bit more with her to see if our chemistry is going to increase and we maybe can add some passion to our dance. The only disadvantage is that I haven't seen her for the last two weeks.

 

[borikenSalsero]

I suppose the latter really depends on how your partner is reacting as well - whether he/she is feeling it and whether they can communicate what they're feeling. It does take two after all.

All challenges are overcome by some type of relevant skill.. It is the challenge of the emotional dancer to determined how to tear down the wall and bring fourth an emotional exchange. The difficulty then becomes the duration of the song and whether his skills are eloquent enough and stronger than the need for a self-absorbed dancer to display the ego on the floor. The better the person is at creating a lure for the self absorbed dancer, the easier it will be to realize that it really doesn't take two rather, one able person to allow the other to fall in love with the dance matching that which you've brought forth.

I'm not quite sure what you meant with your second point but would guess that the dancer in that case is more passionate about the action (their fun/moves/enjoyment) than experiencing the reaction (the effect of the music, their partner etc). Is that about right?

That's correct... you are right on...

Your comments also open up the idea that people who look serious on the dance floor aren't necessarily lacking in passion and in fact may have bucket loads more than the person next to them with a big smile on their face and a laugh a minute. This leads on to what you mentioned below.

Think of it this way. Loads of random sexual encounters, each of then taking you to bliss and back, then one day you fall in love and feel lovemaking. Would you trade all of your random sexual encounters for that one that made your world seem like a fairy-tale? Experience has told me that I could do away with all of them, just to feel that one. To feel the one that tells me that my heart can't feel any more passion because it isn't passion itself. Then again, some never get to feel love so the best to hope for is bliss, beyond that, they might just not get a chance...

How many of you who don't understand Spanish see the singer as another instrument?

Understanding the lyrics is for those who want to be told what to do, how to think and what to feel. If you can feel the music's kiss then the rest is nothing more than the details which you won't remember when you think of how good the song made you feel. Spanish is my first language, I collect salsa, and listen to more salsa than salsa itself, I couldn't tell you more than 10 words from any song... I could careless what they are saying, I rather feel what's being projected.

I wonder though. If the majority ('majority' - for the sake of the discussion) of people ignore the music and dance through the emotional dynamics then how possible is it that they'll be affected by the emotional content of the vocals, either consciously or subconsciously?

As a youngster there is only one world, that which you so ignorantly think there exists. With age you realize that what you thought was, really was a contorted view of what truly is. With experience, it will be realized that feelings teach you what dancing is about. Your ability to overfill a song with skill will lessen simply because feeling your heart explode before percussive madness is more fulfilling than smiles and egotistical conquests.

What characterises a musically passionate dancer as opposed the other?

Feelings... there is a vast array of feelings each night... they can absorb musical lure with ease, and even if skill is not present to diversify the body's motion to musical structure, their mental state more than makes up for a lack of skill.

The emotions of non-emotional dancers are monotone. They can be summed into one feeling; fun. How did that make you feel? ah, fun. How was the dance? Fun. How is it hitting that pattern? Fun! Did you realize that the song is about the death of a man's brother and how it impacted the family? Oh, I didn't know that! Of course, you are too busy smiling and hitting breaks that you forget to allow your body to feel the music.

We all know that many describe dancing fun in terms of skill and their ability to go past a plateau in a given night or dance. Oh my, that was great. I did so many things I didn't think possible... If some rationale for that night isn't met, then fun wasn't had. What they are really saying is that the ego is so in control of their every day actions that soothing an ego with conquest is synonymous to fun. We've reshaped fun to feel like there is some type of validation to our actions. We need to think to actually believe we feel... makes me wanna yawn.

 

[Flujo]

All challenges are overcome by some type of relevant skill.. It is the challenge of the emotional dancer to determined how to tear down the wall and bring fourth an emotional exchange.

Yep. That is the biggest challenge. One that can only be takled once we are aware that the challenge even exists...

Would you trade all of your random sexual encounters for that one that made your world seem like a fairy-tale? Experience has told me that I could do away with all of them, just to feel that one.

Though that is the ideal...bliss is a good start and is something you can see regularly if you know what to look for or where to look for it.

Spanish is my first language, I collect salsa, and listen to more salsa than salsa itself, I couldn't tell you more than 10 words from any song... I could careless what they are saying, I rather feel what's being projected.

Even though I relate to what you are saying I have always envied people that remember song lyrics.

Your ability to overfill a song with skill will lessen simply because feeling your heart explode before percussive madness is more fulfilling than smiles and egotistical conquests.

It takes a special kind of partner to share those moments. I could better comment on this in a year or two but right now those sorts of partners I could count on one hand (excluding the thumb). Without that partner you are more or less dancing for yourself in those moments so I would rather choose smiles and conquests - perhaps 'challenges' would be a better word in this case - and have fun than experience nothing at all.

Feelings... there is a vast array of feelings each night... they can absorb musical lure with ease, and even if skill is not present to diversify the body's motion to musical structure, their mental state more than makes up for a lack of skill.

Yes!! To expand on this. Seeing the eyes as the window to the soul (as the saying goes) you soon forget about smiles and styling when you realise that your partners eyes are doing all the talking. Sometimes it's mutual attraction, sometimes it's a shared love for the song you are both dancing too but still, it's all in the eyes. The most memorable dances regardless of skill have always come from a partner who is present in the spirit of the moment. With the right eye contact often the basics are all you need. The other things (styling, tricks etc) add a nice flavour - a little spice.
When there is no emotional connection then skill becomes the substitute for that missing link. It becomes about 'fun', "Impress me, I'm good and want to be challenged". That's not making fun out to be a lesser thing than passion, let's be clear about that. I'm just talking about fun in the context of this discussion. I love athletic dances but personally they don't compare to an emotionally connected dance where a person opens themselves up to that type of communication.

Which conveniently leads too...

The emotions of non-emotional dancers are monotone. They can be summed into one feeling; fun. How did that make you feel? ah, fun. How was the dance? Fun. How is it hitting that pattern? Fun! Did you realize that the song is about the death of a man's brother and how it impacted the family? Oh, I didn't know that!

Solid points B. Honestly, it's good to be made aware of this perspective. It makes you wonder about how much your ego/self-fulfilment really comes into play when you take into account what you've said. I'm trying to figure out how this discussion will translate onto the dance floor; what effect it will have.
Maybe here is a start. Instead of approaching each dance with the question "Ok, what can you do..."? Maybe it would be better to approach each dance with "Ok, who are you"?
Thanks, that was eye opening!

We've reshaped fun to feel like there is some type of validation to our actions. We need to think to actually believe we feel... makes me wanna yawn.

Wow. You've definitely forced me to question what 'fun' really means in this sense. You've made some strong points.
As a sidenote: I've given up on the quest for the 'level up'. Wooh, I'm in the advanced class, fantastic...what now? I don't care for that feeling of having 'arrived'. To me advanced is just a label that says, "Well done, you've made it this far...now the learning really starts". It's fun to pull off advanced patterns, it's nice to have the skills to be able to dance with everyone but if that's all it's about then what's to stop you from getting bored and moving on to the next challenge? There is only so much you can fit into 5 minutes before it becomes ridiculous so there has to be more to it than that. To dance or watch a beautiful 'basic' dance proves that there is more. Perhaps it's only when your skill level frees your mind from focussing on 'the where' that we can really see some of what we've discussed come into play and express the whys?

 

[Claire_Brummell]

Just to throw my two cents in, I think that when we use terms like 'fun' and 'passion' we have to realise that these mean, not only different things to different people, but also can have different meanings to the same person in different situations.

To me, there has to be passion to enjoy a dance. But to me there are different types of passion:
- Passion for the music - From feeling the drum beat pumping through your veins to feeling the melody caress your heart dependent on the type of song it is. Expression of that music is moving in a way that is indescribable. I don't speak Spanish, and I don't feel that I have to (though I'm going to try to learn, just so that I can sing along!) - the rhythm, the beat, the melody, the key, the harmony, the expressionism of the musicians including the vocalist tell me how to move to the music.
- Passion for the dance - Feeling the exhileration of the connection to the moves, that each move is not merely a movement, but an expression of an emotion be that lust, joy, sadness, excitement, or pure unadulterated fun.
- Passion for the connection - That electricity which courses through you when you realise that you are completely and totally in sync with your dance partner. That you're both dancing smooth and sensual, or frantic and explosive.
- Passion for fun / laughter - The 'fun' factor - being able to play with the dance, laugh with your partner, beam from within throughout an entire track.
- Passion for intensity - Feeling that burning intensity, either from the music, the moves, your partner or from within.
- Passion for your partner - A chemistry and passion for the person you're dancing with which enables you to express that feeling through your movements.
The list is endless...and for the passion to work, it has to be mutual.

It's almost like the principal of finding a partner in life, there are different elements which can make you feel a passion. Dancing with someone who brings any one of these elements is great and can leave you buzzing.

Finding someone who combines them all - well that might just be the perfect partner....

 

[chrisk]

I hope you two don't mind if I chime into your discussion.

What characterises a musically passionate dancer as opposed the other? I'd say I'm a bit of both really, depending on who my partner is at the time. Even if my body can't keep up with what is going on inside the music definitely has an emotional effect that can't be categorised. I'd love to hear others thoughts on the interpretation of which type of dancer you are...

Well, reading your discussion with boriken about the passionate and the other dancer, I wonder if one can classify a dancer simply as passionate or other. Is it for a passionate dancer really possible to always bite the lure and really feel the emotion that the music produces in them? Also how much is the music that we are listening to and the people that we dance with influencing us, when we start the journey to become a passionate dancer? Or isn't there some journey that we can take to become a passionate dancer and really notice all the feelings that the music produces in us?

Also I tend to think that the person we're dancing with is going to have an influence. What would happen if a passionate dancer is dancing with an other dancer, who is considered to be non-emotional? Would the passion of this dancer be as much as visible as when he's dancing with another passionate dancer?

But if I have to try to interpret what kind of dancer I am, then I hope to be a least a little bit of passionate dancer. Dependong on my dance partner and the music, that I'm hearing and dancing too, it's amazing what you're feeling in that moment and how you want it to stay. But then I've also had dances which I would just consider to be fun. But it might be wrong and if boriken would see me dance, describe me just as a non-emotional dancer. So I can only guess what kind of dancer I might be, rather then knowing for sure.

I thought someone might choose the first to take the opportunity to develop more chemistry through the music. Maybe it wasn't clear enough that there was some chemistry (just not as much) with the first dancer.

I think it was clear, but I think that developing more chemistry with somebody with whom you have only 'a little' will need more time then just one song. If you're going to have several dances with that person it's possible that you're going to develop more chemistry. But it takes in my opinion just a partner with whom you've good a lot of chemistry to turn dancing to a mediocre song into a great dance.

Think of it this way. Loads of random sexual encounters, each of then taking you to bliss and back, then one day you fall in love and feel lovemaking. Would you trade all of your random sexual encounters for that one that made your world seem like a fairy-tale? Experience has told me that I could do away with all of them, just to feel that one. To feel the one that tells me that my heart can't feel any more passion because it isn't passion itself. Then again, some never get to feel love so the best to hope for is bliss, beyond that, they might just not get a chance...

Well, does it really have to be trade-off between the random sexual encounters and the one like fairy-tale? I tend to think that while some (maybe most?) of us hope for the fairy-tale encounter, they're going to expierence quite some of those random sexual encounters. So, the random sexual encounters are in my opinion a way of getting a first feel of what that fairy-tale one is going to be. But I tend to agree with you that if somebody really experienced that fairy-tale one, they would prefer that one.

With experience, it will be realized that feelings teach you what dancing is about. Your ability to overfill a song with skill will lessen simply because feeling your heart explode before percussive madness is more fulfilling than smiles and egotistical conquests.

As I was just reading this, some recent experiences come to my mind. Thinking about the experience and your statement, I tend to agree that going by your feelings less can be more. But I think your just need a connection with your dance partner and not somebody special. It might just be that with a partner with whom you've got a lot of chemistry (or what do you consider a special partner?), it's going to be easier to share that feeling. But that feeling will in my opinion be there as it's depending on the 'percussive madness' and not necessarily your partner.

I'm trying to figure out how this discussion will translate onto the dance floor; what effect it will have.
Maybe here is a start. Instead of approaching each dance with the question "Ok, what can you do..."? Maybe it would be better to approach each dance with "Ok, who are you"?

I don't think it's necessary to think what effect this discussion might have on your dancing as it will definitely have one. So rather then spending to much time thinking about the effects, just go out and dance. All those discussion will influence your heart and mind and they will start to effect your dancing. While you might not see that change for sometime, you'll reach someday the point where you can see the effect.