4286 The Language of Dance-Energy
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 13:12:19 -0500
From: "Michael Figart II" <michaelfigart@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tango-L] The Language of Dance-Energy
To: "Tango-L" <tango-l@mit.edu>
As we progress and grow in learning this incredible dance of Argentine
Tango, we slowly become aware of the limitless possibilities it provides
for expressing and conveying feelings and emotions, and in interpreting
the music in different ways. Unfortunately, the spoken word can be a
poor medium for communicating many of our thoughts and ideas, especially
when, for many of us, our passion for tango approaches a fanaticism
difficult, if not impossible, to describe.
So, when discussing, describing, or teaching, many times we end up
having to use words that are insufficient in truly portraying our real
ideas, and can never convey the real depth of our feelings. These ideas
and feelings are simply too esoteric and intense for mere words to
communicate. I'm sure that even the best poets sometimes feel fettered
by the limitations of language, but they keep trying; searching for that
perfect word or phrase.
I think good teachers will always try to instill passion in their
students, and use many words and phrases in many ways in their
endeavors. I've heard about chakras, force fields, and auras. Sticky
feet, flying like a bird, into the floor. I enjoy those teachers who are
creative in passing along their conceptions and their emotion. I also
enjoy trying to figure out what they really mean, how they really feel;
what it is that they are trying to get across. We all have a basic
understanding of the dictionary definition of the word "energy", and how
it relates to movement. Running takes more energy than walking, etc. But
is this what teachers are generally referring to? Maybe in competition
and stage it is more customary to use the terms energy and vigor
synonymously, but not in the classes I've taken. When a teacher uses
terms like "axis" and balance", they are referring to actual physical
mechanics of movement, but I've never heard one say to use "20 more
joules of energy in your left leg".
My experience with the term "energy" is that it is used more often
referring to artistic and expressive qualities of dance, rather than
physical mechanics. Even a pause can have lots of energy. While energy
and vigor are related, more energy does not necessarily mean more vigor.
Even the word energy is used often in contexts that go far beyond its
dictionary definition. What about mental energy? And spiritual energy?
I've heard teachers talk about "projecting your energy", "sending your
energy", using "up energy", or "down energy" when they were NOT
referring in the least to "vigor" or "intensity of action". And more
often than not, they were using the term in reference to the connection,
and the communication between partners. Maybe some people feel
differently, but this has been my experience.
Somebody on the list asked about the meaning of the term "energy" when
used in Argentine Tango. Somebody else wrote that it was "tensing the
muscles". I strongly disagreed, and wrote a little note detailing MY
interpretation of how it is used. Some on the list are disparaging my
interpretation because it goes beyond the "exact" definition of the
word. That's fine, but I want to know what a teacher really means beyond
the literal meaning of the words they use.
Last week we had a great discussion of the perceived
definitions/meanings/interpretations of the terms "axis" and "balance";
words used mostly in the literal sense, scientifically describing
aspects of dance, and words whose "exact" meaning should be easily
nailed down. But it was interesting to see how the concepts were viewed
differently by different people. I was looking forward to an
entertaining discussion of something a little more esoteric, such as the
use of the word "energy".
Evan Wallace writes <<<<<Terms like energy already have EXACT
meanings.>>>>> So, Evan, what is the "exact" meaning when an artist
describes the "energy" of a painting or a sculpture?
And he also writes <<<<<Teachers should take the time to learn them, and
learn them correctly>>>>>>> Are we going to create an accepted syllabus,
and standardize all terminology? Tell the teachers they can no longer
use the term "energy" unless they are referring to the amount of work
performed by a group of muscles? Shall we order them not to use terms
that may be slightly ambiguous? Make them abandon their attempts to
teach the artistic and creative aspects?
And again <<<<<<<If experienced dancers can't get within 180 degrees of
the same answer, what is a beginner to do?>>>>>> The beginners are going
to hear all kinds of things from all kinds of teachers, and/or
experienced dancers. Sorting it all out and making personal sense of it
is part of the learning process. They will listen, ask questions, read
this list....and they will end up adopting what they like, and what
works for them, and rejecting the rest.
Part of the value of this list, and any open discussion or forum, is
that many people offer different opinions, conceptions, and values. So
what if we're 180 degrees apart? I was looking forward to reading
something about your concept of "energy" in the dance world, but
apparently you've decided a discussion would be senseless. You also,
apparently, disagree with my previous posting, which is great; your
commentary might provide a different way of looking at things, for me,
for the beginners, and everybody else. You disparaged my "definition",
although I was not trying to define it, only to describe my conception
of the way the term is used. I feel it would be more useful to explain
WHY you disagree, and tell us how you use it, or see it used, or think
it should be used.
Right now I believe we have on the table my opinion
https://pythia.uoregon.edu/~llynch/Tango-L/2006/msg01283.html , or
(2)"tensing the muscles", or (3)a whole bunch of dictionary definitions.
I'd like to hear how others relate to the term "energy", and their
opinions on how it is used; what do they mean by it, or think others
mean.
Best regards,
Michael Figart II
Houston TX
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 18:34:41 +0000 (GMT)
From: Lucia <curvasreales@yahoo.com.ar>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] The Language of Dance-Energy
To: michaelfigart@yahoo.com, Tango-L <tango-l@mit.edu>
Michael,
Someone dances full-of-life, someone else dances like a wet rag. What more splitting-hairs one needs in order to define what !energy! looks like on the dance floor? Style and skills have nothing to do with the above, they are just qualifiers.
Lucia ;->
Michael Figart II <michaelfigart@yahoo.com> escribi?: As we progress and grow in learning this incredible dance of Argentine
Tango, we slowly become aware of the limitless possibilities it provides
for expressing and conveying feelings and emotions, and in interpreting
the music in different ways. Unfortunately, the spoken word can be a
poor medium for communicating many of our thoughts and ideas, especially
when, for many of us, our passion for tango approaches a fanaticism
difficult, if not impossible, to describe.
So, when discussing, describing, or teaching, many times we end up
having to use words that are insufficient in truly portraying our real
ideas, and can never convey the real depth of our feelings. These ideas
and feelings are simply too esoteric and intense for mere words to
communicate. I'm sure that even the best poets sometimes feel fettered
by the limitations of language, but they keep trying; searching for that
perfect word or phrase.
I think good teachers will always try to instill passion in their
students, and use many words and phrases in many ways in their
endeavors. I've heard about chakras, force fields, and auras. Sticky
feet, flying like a bird, into the floor. I enjoy those teachers who are
creative in passing along their conceptions and their emotion. I also
enjoy trying to figure out what they really mean, how they really feel;
what it is that they are trying to get across. We all have a basic
understanding of the dictionary definition of the word "energy", and how
it relates to movement. Running takes more energy than walking, etc. But
is this what teachers are generally referring to? Maybe in competition
and stage it is more customary to use the terms energy and vigor
synonymously, but not in the classes I've taken. When a teacher uses
terms like "axis" and balance", they are referring to actual physical
mechanics of movement, but I've never heard one say to use "20 more
joules of energy in your left leg".
My experience with the term "energy" is that it is used more often
referring to artistic and expressive qualities of dance, rather than
physical mechanics. Even a pause can have lots of energy. While energy
and vigor are related, more energy does not necessarily mean more vigor.
Even the word energy is used often in contexts that go far beyond its
dictionary definition. What about mental energy? And spiritual energy?
I've heard teachers talk about "projecting your energy", "sending your
energy", using "up energy", or "down energy" when they were NOT
referring in the least to "vigor" or "intensity of action". And more
often than not, they were using the term in reference to the connection,
and the communication between partners. Maybe some people feel
differently, but this has been my experience.
Somebody on the list asked about the meaning of the term "energy" when
used in Argentine Tango. Somebody else wrote that it was "tensing the
muscles". I strongly disagreed, and wrote a little note detailing MY
interpretation of how it is used. Some on the list are disparaging my
interpretation because it goes beyond the "exact" definition of the
word. That's fine, but I want to know what a teacher really means beyond
the literal meaning of the words they use.
Last week we had a great discussion of the perceived
definitions/meanings/interpretations of the terms "axis" and "balance";
words used mostly in the literal sense, scientifically describing
aspects of dance, and words whose "exact" meaning should be easily
nailed down. But it was interesting to see how the concepts were viewed
differently by different people. I was looking forward to an
entertaining discussion of something a little more esoteric, such as the
use of the word "energy".
Evan Wallace writes <<<<
meanings.>>>>> So, Evan, what is the "exact" meaning when an artist
describes the "energy" of a painting or a sculpture?
And he also writes <<<<
learn them correctly>>>>>>> Are we going to create an accepted syllabus,
and standardize all terminology? Tell the teachers they can no longer
use the term "energy" unless they are referring to the amount of work
performed by a group of muscles? Shall we order them not to use terms
that may be slightly ambiguous? Make them abandon their attempts to
teach the artistic and creative aspects?
And again <<<<<<
the same answer, what is a beginner to do?>>>>>> The beginners are going
to hear all kinds of things from all kinds of teachers, and/or
experienced dancers. Sorting it all out and making personal sense of it
is part of the learning process. They will listen, ask questions, read
this list....and they will end up adopting what they like, and what
works for them, and rejecting the rest.
Part of the value of this list, and any open discussion or forum, is
that many people offer different opinions, conceptions, and values. So
what if we're 180 degrees apart? I was looking forward to reading
something about your concept of "energy" in the dance world, but
apparently you've decided a discussion would be senseless. You also,
apparently, disagree with my previous posting, which is great; your
commentary might provide a different way of looking at things, for me,
for the beginners, and everybody else. You disparaged my "definition",
although I was not trying to define it, only to describe my conception
of the way the term is used. I feel it would be more useful to explain
WHY you disagree, and tell us how you use it, or see it used, or think
it should be used.
Right now I believe we have on the table my opinion
https://pythia.uoregon.edu/~llynch/Tango-L/2006/msg01283.html , or
(2)"tensing the muscles", or (3)a whole bunch of dictionary definitions.
I'd like to hear how others relate to the term "energy", and their
opinions on how it is used; what do they mean by it, or think others
mean.
Best regards,
Michael Figart II
Houston TX
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?Dejate encontrar!
Descubrilo aqu?
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 23:41:49 +0200
From: Andy Ungureanu <andy.ungureanu@t-online.de>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] The Language of Dance-Energy
To: tango-l@mit.edu
Michael Figart II schrieb:
> Right now I believe we have on the table my opinion
> https://pythia.uoregon.edu/~llynch/Tango-L/2006/msg01283.html , or
> (2)"tensing the muscles", or (3)a whole bunch of dictionary definitions.
> I'd like to hear how others relate to the term "energy", and their
> opinions on how it is used; what do they mean by it, or think others
> mean.
>
I think tensing the muscles should be called just tension. It would be
far less attracting than "energy" and people would learn to relax.
There is a use of energy in dance which do not conflict with the
physical meaning. It is the kinetic energy
which is to be preserved in nuevo tango. For example the "energy" is
what produces a boleo, not the deliberate force, or tension in the
flying leg.
There are dancers who produce a boleo without any previous stored
energy, these are those who believe tension is energy.
What they do should be called a fake-boleo or just adorno.
> Best regards,
>
Andy Ungureanu
Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 15:00:41 +0000 (GMT)
From: Lucia <curvasreales@yahoo.com.ar>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] The Language of Dance-Energy - Corrected!
To: tango-l@mit.edu
In a previous message I alluded to vigor in dance being an indicator of sexual fittness.
This shouldn't always be the case, as a bitterly disappointed friend wrote to me...
Lucia ;->
>>What about vigor in dance as an indicator of sexual fitness?
>>Add some dancing skills, some good looks, good music, and then we
have somethin' to talk about...
Abr? tu cuenta aqu?
Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 14:13:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Trini y Sean \(PATangoS\)" <patangos@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] The Language of Dance-Energy
"Energy" is a word that I have only recently started
to use when teaching (within the past year). I use it
in the sense of connection or intention toward one's
partner. Why just not use "connection" or
"intention". Because I usually use "connection" in
relation to the embrace, and "intention" in relation
to posture and to lead/follow.
Like Michael from DC, I also talk about stored energy
versus kinetic energy, usually in reference to any
movement that requires a rotation of the spine (thus,
a boleo is a release of energy stored in the spine).
I only started using the word "energy" when we focused
more on the woman's contribution to the dance - not
just her following, but also her making suggestions or
accenting a movement that the man proposes.
Basically, when we started exploring "shared energy"
between the man and the woman. It seems to be a term
that works well with women. Perhaps because of the
different dynamics in how men and women relate to
others.
As others have mentioned, it is all about context.
Like Andy, I simply use the word "tension" when
referring to tension in the muscles. We also
incorporate Alexander Technique in our teaching, and
that is the language that field uses. It is also
perfectly clear to anyone.
My 2 cents,
Trini de Pittsburgh
--- Andy Ungureanu <andy.ungureanu@t-online.de> wrote:
> Michael Figart II schrieb:
> > Right now I believe we have on the table my
> opinion
> >
>
https://pythia.uoregon.edu/~llynch/Tango-L/2006/msg01283.html
> , or
> > (2)"tensing the muscles", or (3)a whole bunch of
> dictionary definitions.
> > I'd like to hear how others relate to the term
> "energy", and their
> > opinions on how it is used; what do they mean by
> it, or think others
> > mean.
> >
> I think tensing the muscles should be called just
> tension. It would be
> far less attracting than "energy" and people would
> learn to relax.
> There is a use of energy in dance which do not
> conflict with the
> physical meaning. It is the kinetic energy
> which is to be preserved in nuevo tango. For example
> the "energy" is
> what produces a boleo, not the deliberate force, or
> tension in the
> flying leg.
> There are dancers who produce a boleo without any
> previous stored
> energy, these are those who believe tension is
> energy.
> What they do should be called a fake-boleo or just
> adorno.
> > Best regards,
> >
> Andy Ungureanu
>
PATangoS - Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society
Our Mission: To make Argentine Tango Pittsburgh's most popular social dance.
https://www.pitt.edu/~mcph/PATangoWeb.htm
