First published Taqasim Summer 2002 Issue 38

Most of us (and I’m not afraid to make sweeping generalisations here!) are guilty of saying we should practise more and that’s sometimes as far as we get. It is easy to just go along to classes and work hard for the hour and feel that’s all you need to do. For any level dancer simply finding the time outside class to practise is the major issue and it’s like any exercise – it is easy to put it off and think of something more important that needs doing!

However I have to say that the old proverb - practice makes perfect- does hold true for our art form. Even just an extra 20 minutes over the following week practising what you have learnt in class will help towards muscle memory and means you can work on another aspect of the move (like your arms or even smiling!). It will make you more confident in performing the move and aid your transition ability (your flow from one move to another).

Unless you are very strict with yourself it’s very easy just to put some music on, jig around and feel we have done enough. This is fine if you want to improve your improvisational skills but not if you want to improve certain aspects of your repertoire. So what is the best use of our time when we do have it to practise? Initially make a list of the moves you feel you need more ability in and work though it. For beginners and improvers this could simply be the moves you have learnt over the past few weeks. I find that intermediate and advanced dancers tend to practise more when there are choreographies to learn and/or when the pressure is on for performing! For them going back to basics can do wonders - just doing hip drops for example – but working on making them even, in time and work on both hips. Almost everyone has a stronger side on which all moves are easier – if you want to really work hard just concentrate on your weaker side - this may help you realise if you are one-sided when you dance. This method of drills is invaluable when you are a beginner, but can be an important reminder of footwork, weight placement etc when you are learning or writing choreographies.

So all that it leaves for me to say is I’d better go and get my hip scarf on and practise what I preach!!

© Emma Pyke