Inspired by Swan Lake Samba Girl’s adventure into a dance genre out of her comfort range, I decided to take a hip-hop class. (My first hip-hop class ever!) Last night, my co-worker C and I met up with two of her friends for a class at Broadway Dance Center. It was officially a “beginning” class, so I expected a bit of instruction on technique, etc. Instead, we warmed up and started right into learning a routine. And most of the dancers in that class were NOT beginners! I got the routine down, but when I did it, I highly doubt that it really resembled hip-hop. I don’t quite have the popping thing down. It was also hard for me to get the timing right, because instead of counts the instructor said “ka-kah” or maybe “ka-KAH!” or “uuh!” I think that next time I’m going to try a class labeled “basics” so that I have a bit of vocabulary before learning another routine… Despite my lack of skill, it was fun, and I worked up a nice sweat.
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Doug Fox | 10-Jan-07 at 6:18 pm | Permalink
I always find the same thing here in DC when I take a beginner jazz or modern class. Most of the students in the class have been dancing for years and there’s nothing about the routine that feels like it’s for beginners. The good side is that somehow the class and the routines become much easier just after a few weeks or so of taking the class.
Enjoy your hip-hop adventures!
tonya | 11-Jan-07 at 11:42 pm | Permalink
Yeah, I think the important thing is to stick with it. Once the routine becomes familiar to you, you’ll be able to start working on styling and technique more. I think that’s all that those others have over us — that they’ve been in that class longer and know what the teacher’s going to do, so they’re beyond focusing on the steps. I should listen to myself though — I missed that samba class this week, unfortunately… gonna go next though
Okay, you keep attending your hip hop and I’ll keep up with my samba, and we’ll check back with each other on our progress!!