Comments on: Teaching Piqué Turns http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/25/teaching-pique-turns/ Giving students, teachers, and parents an edge in dance education Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:08:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: danceadvantage http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/25/teaching-pique-turns/comment-page-/#comment-176 danceadvantage Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:46:44 +0000 http://danceadvantage.net/?p=1374#comment-176 Yes, you're right I don't think that feeling of center, timing, etc. can be <em>taught</em>. However, a teacher can help students discover this feeling through imagery and through addressing what one <em>feels</em> in all aspects of dancing as opposed to just the picture one makes. Those who are <strong>not</strong> natural turners do often need to focus on a strong preparation and the balance of the turn first because often they find they cannot "save" the turn once they're already going. Natural turners have an instinct that seems to allow them to "save" a turn even if the rest is abysmal. This is my experience as I've observed students, anyway. That is why I think it is important for teachers to approach turns from both perspectives within their teaching. Thanks for bringing this up, Maria! -N Yes, you’re right I don’t think that feeling of center, timing, etc. can be taught. However, a teacher can help students discover this feeling through imagery and through addressing what one feels in all aspects of dancing as opposed to just the picture one makes. Those who are not natural turners do often need to focus on a strong preparation and the balance of the turn first because often they find they cannot “save” the turn once they’re already going. Natural turners have an instinct that seems to allow them to “save” a turn even if the rest is abysmal. This is my experience as I’ve observed students, anyway. That is why I think it is important for teachers to approach turns from both perspectives within their teaching.

Thanks for bringing this up, Maria! -N

]]> By: Maria http://danceadvantage.net/2009/01/25/teaching-pique-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-177 Maria Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:16:09 +0000 http://danceadvantage.net/?p=1374#comment-177 This is good advice: "let students (at whatever age or skill level) try things once in a while, particularly in turning. This is because sometimes students’ instinct in turning can take over and actually be a useful tool in teaching or correcting the version without the turn!" My technique could use some work but one of the things I discovered early on in my dance development is that I'm really good at turns. That magical moment when you locate your center and time everything just so with your core and spot and get a perfect turn cannot be taught. You have to feel it to get it. Knowing that I don't have to worry about the turn itself means I can concentrate more on the preparatory technique. This is good advice:

“let students (at whatever age or skill level) try things once in a while, particularly in turning. This is because sometimes students’ instinct in turning can take over and actually be a useful tool in teaching or correcting the version without the turn!”

My technique could use some work but one of the things I discovered early on in my dance development is that I’m really good at turns. That magical moment when you locate your center and time everything just so with your core and spot and get a perfect turn cannot be taught. You have to feel it to get it. Knowing that I don’t have to worry about the turn itself means I can concentrate more on the preparatory technique.

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