Technique? Wassat?

By Yua Kawakami, Kunia

For many of the dancers in our group, the word technique seems to have sunk to the status of a four letter word. That is, not something to be mentioned in polite company. I have noticed it is a little more acceptable in the night club circuit. Maybe they know something?

"Some people are carbon copies - 

others make their own impressions."

 

I have had dancers tell me that they are not interested in the technique part of lessons because they just want to learn to dance. Eyes glaze over in classes when technique is brought up. Those stuffed shirts in the movie "Strictly Ballroom" are the people who would insist on technique. Not us, ordinary people who want to have fun and enjoy our dancing. We should never consider such a thing. Right?

"Please, Mister Sun" by Johnny Ray

Wrong Manong! Technique is good for everyone, specially social dancers! Technique allows two dancers who have never danced together before, to dance a flowing Waltz or a simmering Rumba in sync. Technique allows a couple to move through a crowd on the dance floor, without colliding with other couples or cutting them off. Technique allows a leader to lead without physical force and a follower to follow with grace and precision. How about that?

"Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)" by The Crew-Cuts

So how did technique get such a bad name? The primary reason could be a lack of understanding of just what is meant by the rootzi tootzi promotion of technique. Most people believe that it refers to that "heel, heel, toe, toe" business. keep your head up and holding that arm at exactly 45 degrees. And a lot of other esoteric stuff that can numb your mind and turn you into a stiff automation.

So we just want to dance? ****

Pub's Side Note: And we are fortunate to have some of best teachers of American Dance Style in the Pacific, right here
on this Island. Let's listen to them!