Counting???

Pointe Dancer · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:27 am Post subject: Counting???

I don't know why I'm not sure that I am counting. I do the combinations right, but if anyone asks me what count to do something on, I have no idea what to say... How could I improve my counting skills? Please help me! THANKS!!! :D :D :D

sunshine · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 106 Location: dance room

Hm...you want to improve this skill and i want to get rid of it :dunno:..I used to practice aerobics when i was younger and because i had problems in keeping the rhythm, i was thought to count from 1 to 8...We use this in hip-hop too because the movements are jerky but in ballet, i guess counting is a proof of insecurity and the most you concentrate in keeping the rhythm the faster you loose your grace... I learned to feel the rhythm and it's much better..

Pointe Dancer · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:

I guess it is kind of good, but the dances that we do for one of our performances is really complicated without counting and I feel really confused... :cry:

sunshine · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 106 Location: dance room

If it's necessary to count than you should follow the line of the music because each one of your complicated moves is based on a certain rhythm... U cannot count from 1 to 8 if the rhythm of your tune has only 3 beats...Count the beats and pay attention to stress on each of them with your moves... I donno if i was clear enough ...if not i'm sorry ..It's kind of difficult to explain these things... Another possibility would be to learn by heart the moves apllied to your tune ... Hope you'll be fine .. :cheerleader:

missj · Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Midwest

ask your teacher to identify the kind of music it is first...time signature if you're a music person...waltz, mazurka, steady 4/4 time, etc. after she identifies that for you that will help you know if you should be counting 1,2,3, 1,2,3 or 1-8, etc. once you have that base, then practice trying to find the the steady beat with a friend or your teacher if he/she has time to work with you on it.

you can usually find a copy of most music online, or at your public library so you can practice at home.

also...you might look into asking your music teacher at school (sorry, i don't know how old you are!) if they could spend a little time helping you learn to find a beat and count music.

i hope i helped some! good luck!

pr · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011 Location: Göteborg, Sweden

Welcome missj! :D Happy you started posting. :P

Pointe Dancer · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:50 am Post subject:

Thanks for the tips guys!!! Sorry I haven't been around for a while :cry: . I have been a little bit busy. All of our class music in class is usually 1-8. I don't have a music teacher to ask though... :shock:

kirin · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 56 Location: mexico

ill say you practice like missj said... maybe one day youll be countin without knowticing it .. it hapends to me ... so practice practice practice... youll get it dont worry :D

Pointe Dancer · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice everyone!!! I'm getting better now too! I noticed I was counting a little more in class which made me really happy XD :D

santafejoe · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject:

:D Welcome to Dance Forums Missj. :)

santafejoe · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject:

Happy to hear that your counting is getting better. Keep up the great work. :)