Shall Wii Dance??
Article by Nichelle (admin)
Filed under Blog, For Fun
The release of Wii Fit got me thinking – Will dance be the next evolution in Wii technology? This Miami Herald article describes the uses of Wii Fit and the accompanying balance board…
Players use the board to perform aerobic exercises, strength training and even yoga — all while trying to keep pace with an avatar on the TV screen. They also get verbal encouragement and feedback on technique.
Could this balance board also offer appropriate feedback on technique for a ballet barre or for tap dancers? Could a wider dance floor-type board make the Wii more useful for dance movements that are less stationary? Could the board help correct placement issues like pronation/supination (rolling-in or out when standing) or pelvic alignment, provide assessment of one’s take-off or landing from jumps, or actually teach steps – from a jazz square to a pas de bourre to a time step? Would this lead to more do-it-yourself dance training and decreased enrollment in classes? I have not used Wii Fit but am curious to try it out.
What are some of your thoughts? Would you utilize the technology for dance if it were available? What are some other ways you could see this technology being useful for the study of dance?
Originally posted June 9, 2008
Nichelle Strzepek is the writer/editor of Dance Advantage. Equipped with little more than passion for movement education, she embraced her inner computer nerd and began this blog in 2008. She holds a BA in dance and is an instructor with over 16 years experience. Nichelle continues to perform as a contemporary dance artist, covers dance in the Houston area as a freelance writer and critic, and balances daily life as a full-time mom.
I have played Wii Fit, and I think that it might be very helpful to dancers because it makes players very aware of how subtle changes to alignment or distribution of weight in a pose can drastically change one’s center of balance. Not only that, but it illustrates quite well how difficult it is to maintain perfect posture when standing on one leg. I would say that it’s probably more useful for more stationary poses though; the Balance Board does not allow for jumping at all. However, even just being able to visually represent to a dancer just where her weight ought to be placed is a breakthrough that I think could be quite valuable.
It is helpful to know that currently jumping is not an option. This could be an interesting tool for dancers I think. Thanks so much for your post, Becky!
I am a twenty-something law student, who was never a dancer growing up. I first took dance in high school to fulfill my P.E. requirement (2 semesters). The dancing was fun, but I’m not a natural. Afterward, I took a semester of tap in college (intro to tap, just for fun, although it was a struggle to keep up). I also had a number of private lessons to choreograph and learn a tap dance that I then performed at a family event.
I’ve learned two things: I LOVE tap, and I’m not that good at it. That said, I had the exact same thought as the original poster regarding the Wii Fit. I actually ended up at this site because I was searching for information on a Wii dance program. I like the personal attention of private lessons, and lack the skill to participate in most adult classes. I think other people in my situation (few though they may be) probably would prefer a Wii dance instruction program to the rather costly alternative of private lessons just for skills training. On the other hand, choreography and subjective feedback will probably always have to be in person.
Thanks for your input, Amy! I do think that the technology could eventually be more useful for dance instruction if the Wii or other companies decide to take things in that direction. Particularly in dance forms like tap, I think the board/floor could be used in practicing, detecting, correcting, and adjusting speed/tempo/rhythm in heel and toe sounds. This of course doesn’t help with full body technique but could enhance someone’s study of tap.
Private lessons can be rather costly and I usually direct students who are learning skills to a beginner class because I feel private lessons better serve a student who is refining rather than learning. Adult beginner classes can be difficult to find in some regions. However, I know there are actually many adults who come “late” to dance with great interest in tap. In the studios and schools I’ve taught for, the adult beginning tap classes always have the highest enrollment and many of the dancers are very, VERY beginner. If you’re having trouble finding something like this in your area, maybe you could approach a studio, school, or even community college program and let them know of your interest. At studios, dance moms and dads can fill an adult class if it is offered and often times schools may just need a nudge to get an adult/community program going. Just a thought. Best of luck to you!