我现在还能每周参加一次50分钟的 group class。有时偶尔参加一些舞会。这个运动量是远远不足以维持水平和锻炼的。
在家里是很难练习 standard 的，有时可以练练 latin。记得多年前有一个夏天我还在学校时，我的舞伴（也是学生）到别的州打工去了。我一边在校内打工，一边每天到舞蹈室去自己练一两个小时。当时自我感觉不错。但秋天来了，我们再去找老师上课时，老师说我一点“舞伴感”（sense of partner）都没有了，做什么动作都是自己做自己的，完全不考虑舞伴。后来我就有点不太敢自己练这么多了。 ：（
Flamenco_Girl2010-06-15 15:40:44回复悄悄话
回复海鸥飞处的评论:
Yes 海鸥, leading follow is authentic, and is the best way to achieve harmony. I'm not very comfortable yet, though getting better comparing to the first competition.
For Standard dancing, strong center is very important, and with hip area as flexible as latin dancers. Lots to work on.
Hope you still have chance to do something, even by yourself. I practice by myself as well, also take ballet lessons. I feel body conditioning is even more important than ballroom techniques, more so in higher level.
原来你们是做没有 routine 的 lead and follow。这可是真的不容易，尤其是在 open level 上。估计那就是我说的那几点的主要原因了。
记得以前我们老头（team 里的总教练）老是不肯给我 routines (for Standard)，要我一个 group 接一个 group 地 lead。 还真是挺折磨人的。有一次比赛后我们问一位德国来的裁判，他指出我的首要问题就是躯干的运动量不足，跳得太平。所以我后来一直很留意这个问题。
真羡慕你有 amateur partner。希望什么时候看到你们做 amateur 的比赛。
Good luck for the USDC!
Flamenco_Girl2010-06-12 14:03:07回复悄悄话
回复海鸥飞处的评论:
Thank you very much 海鸥 for the detailed comments. You made good points. I need to improve my range of motion in hip area. I think I've made progress since then.
This is Pro/Am Open Scholarship A competition. My pro partner is Linas Koreiva, BlackPool professional semi-finalist, of cause a "好同学" :-) He is quite conservative regarding to dancing, but stresses basic foundation very much. We ware doing true leading-follow on competition floor, no routine, which may be why he was conservative, so to make sure I can follow. This could also be a reason for lacking of emotion.
I'm still practicing with my amateure parter, but not scheduled for competition yet.
Flamenco_Girl2010-05-16 10:08:20回复悄悄话
回复dancefan的评论:
Thank you dancefan for the message. I'm glad to know that you are enjoying dancing as well. Lots fun and work, isn't it?
Nice to know you here.
dancefan2010-05-14 11:21:21回复悄悄话
you are amazing! so glad to see the update. i have followed your blog for years and started ballroom dance two years ago inspired by your articles and videos. i owe you 'thank you very much'.
keep dancing.
flamenco_Girl2010-05-11 20:10:25回复悄悄话
回复灵狐的评论:
On and off about 10 years now. Nice to see you here 灵狐.
Flamenco_Girl2010-05-09 08:37:35回复悄悄话
回复melly的评论:
Hi Melly, thanks for nice comments. Yes, I've improved with the efforts I've put in. We placed 7th, one off final. It's quite competitive in this highest division of Pro/Am. There are one couple from Hong Kong (a regular finalist in International events), two couples from Canada (include one previous Canadian Pro/Am champion), one couple from Australia (they are professional actually), none of them made to the final.
You are amazing, your shape, dress and performance. So is your partner :-) Practice makes perfect, obviously. Very beautiful and enjoyable. I wish I could have been watching your dance on site.
I bet you enjoyed the entire event too. What's the result?
给Girl拜年, 祝心想事成，兔年快乐！
欢迎老翁来访！觉得喜欢就接着来。重在愉悦！
我现在还能每周参加一次50分钟的 group class。有时偶尔参加一些舞会。这个运动量是远远不足以维持水平和锻炼的。
在家里是很难练习 standard 的，有时可以练练 latin。记得多年前有一个夏天我还在学校时，我的舞伴（也是学生）到别的州打工去了。我一边在校内打工，一边每天到舞蹈室去自己练一两个小时。当时自我感觉不错。但秋天来了，我们再去找老师上课时，老师说我一点“舞伴感”（sense of partner）都没有了，做什么动作都是自己做自己的，完全不考虑舞伴。后来我就有点不太敢自己练这么多了。 ：（
Yes 海鸥, leading follow is authentic, and is the best way to achieve harmony. I'm not very comfortable yet, though getting better comparing to the first competition.
For Standard dancing, strong center is very important, and with hip area as flexible as latin dancers. Lots to work on.
Hope you still have chance to do something, even by yourself. I practice by myself as well, also take ballet lessons. I feel body conditioning is even more important than ballroom techniques, more so in higher level.
OMG! 居然大言不惭地评论如此“好同学”，真不好意思。 :P 幸亏他看不懂中文。哈哈！
怪不得，我说怎么他的基本功那么好，转起来又那么流畅。
原来你们是做没有 routine 的 lead and follow。这可是真的不容易，尤其是在 open level 上。估计那就是我说的那几点的主要原因了。
记得以前我们老头（team 里的总教练）老是不肯给我 routines (for Standard)，要我一个 group 接一个 group 地 lead。 还真是挺折磨人的。有一次比赛后我们问一位德国来的裁判，他指出我的首要问题就是躯干的运动量不足，跳得太平。所以我后来一直很留意这个问题。
真羡慕你有 amateur partner。希望什么时候看到你们做 amateur 的比赛。
Good luck for the USDC!
Thank you very much 海鸥 for the detailed comments. You made good points. I need to improve my range of motion in hip area. I think I've made progress since then.
This is Pro/Am Open Scholarship A competition. My pro partner is Linas Koreiva, BlackPool professional semi-finalist, of cause a "好同学" :-) He is quite conservative regarding to dancing, but stresses basic foundation very much. We ware doing true leading-follow on competition floor, no routine, which may be why he was conservative, so to make sure I can follow. This could also be a reason for lacking of emotion.
I'm still practicing with my amateure parter, but not scheduled for competition yet.
I plan to be in USDC for next.
随便说说我的感觉吧。说不对的请多原谅。
你们是在跳 amateur 的吧？ 首先祝贺你找到一位好 partner。这位 partner 看来是个乖宝宝 -- 基本功扎实、相当有潜力的好学生。他的身材很好，跟你也很配。
总体的感觉是： 跳的中规中矩 -- 动作基本正确、该做的大都做了。同时，动作飘然，能做的那种 effortless 的效果，尤其是在做 pivots 时，转得很轻松漂亮。
不足之处： 跳得比较拘谨，有点放不开的感觉，也缺乏点激情，同时也缺乏点笑容。
在做 promenade position 时有前面的的高度（手、肩和视线的高度）不够高（QS 时有几次还好），有几次手臂（他的左臂和你的右臂）还 drop 了一点。
Gentleman 身体的动作量不够。一方面他需要用身体来做主要的 leading，躯体的动作太平的话可能会有 leading 方面的问题；另一方面，身体动作量不够的话给人的感觉就是放不开和平淡，同时整个舞蹈缺乏点 volume。
Lady 的背部还可以再挺直一点。这个要在还没有开始单独站立时就要做到，否则会很明显地看出来。 另外，头部在从一边转到另一边时可以略慢一点，划一个更大的弧线，效果会更好。 最后，smile。 ：）
Waltz:
- 几个连续转、running through 和 pivots 都做的不错，挺 smooth 的。
- 可以在“2”的高峰处略为留长一点时间（当然是一边慢慢转动上身）。
- 做 picture line figures 时可以再伸展多一点，把空间占满。
- 可以多一点感情，表现浪漫一点。
Tango：
- 开首第一条 charge line 做的不错，尤其是在结尾时男士边转边滑动，还能保持身体的平衡和稳定，很棒。
- 比较 smooth，有点不够 staccato 的感觉（我在这方面更差，被人说过好几次了）。
- 有几个 link 做的好像有点不对，有点 artificial 的感觉，觉得那不是用身体的转动带动的，而是用手臂带动的。
V Waltz:
- 大体上 smooth。尤其是 reverse turn 不错。
- 可以做大一点 volume （老实说，我也不知道具体该怎么做 ；）。
- Natural turn 的“2”略短了一点点，给人一种有点点 jerky 的感觉。如果能够在顶峰处略为延长一丁点，就可以 smooth it out。
Fox Trot:
- 相当 smooth。这点在这个舞里是非常重要的。
- 可以给多一点 momentum， 有些地方可以再 lower 略多一点让步子大一些。
- 表现多一点感情（比如，长步中的飘逸、碎短步的机灵和俏皮，等等）。
Quick Step：
- 比较 smooth 和顺畅。
- 有几处的 scatter chase 和 pivots 做的挺好的.
- 缺乏一点激情和 beaming 的感觉。
- 缺乏一点灵动感（一方面是动作本身的，另一方面是编舞的 -- 可以在某些地方编入一些快速转变方向和 rhythm 的 figures，如在长途奔袭后突然来个 tipsy 之类的东西，让人有耳目一新的感觉。）
不过，别看我挑了这么多的毛病，整体上来说这位 partner 还是很不错的好同学。 希望你们能够好好练习，在舞艺上不断精进。我是一边看一边羡慕得要死，感叹自己没有机会。 :"(
Thank you dancefan for the message. I'm glad to know that you are enjoying dancing as well. Lots fun and work, isn't it?
Nice to know you here.
keep dancing.
On and off about 10 years now. Nice to see you here 灵狐.
这得多少年的功夫啊。
Hi Melly, thanks for nice comments. Yes, I've improved with the efforts I've put in. We placed 7th, one off final. It's quite competitive in this highest division of Pro/Am. There are one couple from Hong Kong (a regular finalist in International events), two couples from Canada (include one previous Canadian Pro/Am champion), one couple from Australia (they are professional actually), none of them made to the final.
You are amazing, your shape, dress and performance. So is your partner :-) Practice makes perfect, obviously. Very beautiful and enjoyable. I wish I could have been watching your dance on site.
I bet you enjoyed the entire event too. What's the result?
Appreciate your work for posting the videos.
M