Dance Character

From Instep Magazine, 2005:

One of the key parts in dancing involves appropriately applying the character of the dance and it helps if you can interpret it from the music. There is the term "rise and fall" in Waltz in which there is a difference from Fox Trot even using the same figures. You can exaggerate but it is not necessary, you don't want to turn it into a Polka. Applying the appropriate technique to capture the character of each dance rather than blindly trying a "one size fits all" approach, is one of the most joyful aspects of dancing.

Finally there is the technique associated with each figure - the "heels and toes," amount of turn, sway, etc. However, what is overlooked is that they are actually descriptions of what the finish product should look like mostly in competition dancing. It in not a prescription for how to achieve it. Reading dance books may help but nothing will do it like the dance floor with some skilful help.

Whether you are a recreational or competition dancer, dancing is about enjoying yourself. Dance technique is not meant to take away from your enjoyment, its purpose is to enhance it! The more you understand about the different categories of technique, the more enjoyable dancing will be to you, and the more enjoyable you will be to dance with.

“The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on. Nor all your piety or wit, shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it.” ~Omar Kayyam