Homework: August 3rd, 2011

If you choose to practice this week, here are my recommendations:   Finger Cymbals: (play out loud if you can, muffled or “air zils” when you can’t) Continue to work on the quality of the “ring” sound Beledy: I like chicken wings, not chicken legs (123&4, 5, 6&7) 3-5-5: (&a1, 2&3&4, 5&6&7) Horizontal Figure 8s, Outward Direction Work on: Getting it into muscle memory Keeping it horizontal Making it smooth Challenge: play with size, speed, and arm complements. Hip Drops Loose drop vs. accented...

Homework: July 31st, 2011

If you choose to practice this week, here are my recommendations:   Triple Hip Clicks Quick-Quick-Slow timing (RLR, LRL) Walking (one step per three clicks) I Love You (palms up, advancing), You Can’t Have Me (palms down, retreating) combo Practice at slow and moderate paces Tip: To walk smoothly, shift most of your weight on the first beat (SHIFT, click, click) Challenge: gradually increase your speed Triple Step/Chasse Also Quick-Quick-Slow timing Flat-Ball-Flat variation Arms in strong V, or framing over each hip Tip: avoid bouncing. (It’s fine as...

Homework: July 20th, 2011

If you choose to practice this week, here are my recommendations:   Finger Cymbals: (play out loud if you can, muffled or “air zils” when you can’t) - Rhumba: Bolero: “Shave and a hair cut for my chicken” (1-3-1-2-2) - Play the melody of any song you can think of (ex: mary had a little lamb) Walking with Hip Shimmies - Full-body weight shifts then gradually limit to hips - Put extra practice into the “sticky points” Challenge: practice walking forward & backward Touch Transition - Odds & Evens rule - Touch on the...

Homework: July 17th, 2011

If you choose to practice this week, here are my recommendations:   Triple Step (“Chasse”) Right-Left-Right, Left-Right-Left Flat-footed or on relevee (balls of the feet) Timing: Quick-Quick-Slow, or 1-2-3-pause Challenge: Practice at different speeds. 3-Ct Turn Open R, close L, continue around R, touch L. Repeat to L. Timing: Quick-Quick-Slow, or 1-2-3-touch Arms: open-close-open-pause General Review: Continue to practice hip, knee, and twisting shimmies. Quiz: Q: What does “chasse” mean in French? (Hint: you’ll find it elsewhere...

Homework: July 13th, 2011

News & Announcements It’s time for coffee talk! We’ll be meeting BEFORE class at 6:30 at bloc 11 CORRECTION: at 6:40 at the studio. If you choose to practice this week, here are my recommendations:   Finger Cymbals (play out loud if you can, muffled or “air zils” when you can’t) Short runs: 1e&a2, 3e&a4 Run combo: 1e&a2, 3e&a4, 1e&a2e&a3e&a4 (5-5-13) Shave and a Haircut: 1, &a2, & Concept: Playing to your movements. Shimmy Layering Get your hip shimmy going Full body weight...

Homework: July 10th, 2011

News & Announcements It’s time for coffee talk! If you have time to stick around after class, let’s meet up for coffee. This is your chance to tell me what you like and don’t like about the class so far, and what you’d like to see. It’s also a chance for us all to get to know each other better. We’ll either go to a cafe in the neighborhood, or if they’re all full, we’ll get our coffee to go, and sit down in the park or the square. If you choose to practice this week, here are my recommendations:   Hip...