Dancing and music

[Lioness]

This topic seems to have come up quite a lot lately.

The question is as the title. How many of you guys are musicians as well as dancers? How many have more knowledge of the technical aspects than just 'Waltz has three counts, foxtrot has 4.' type things.

[elisedance]

Well, I play music but my theory is rather basic

[ZPomeroy]

I do both, and like to think my theory is pretty up to scratch

Zac

[Lioness]

Do you guys think that it helps your understanding of dance music, or that it hinders it?

[QPO]

I have done music, played the piano and did music exams up to grade 4 or 5 (can't remember now) did the theory exams as an adult. Don't play now, lost the use of the piano and now I don't have time...but understand the structure of music and feel that it has helped with the musicality of my dancing.

[TangoDancer]

I have done music, played the piano and did music exams up to grade 4 or 5 (can't remember now) did the theory exams as an adult. Don't play now, lost the use of the piano and now I don't have time...but understand the structure of music and feel that it has helped with the musicality of my dancing.

A percussionist and pianist (though my grand would be better utilized if it were a Fisher Price  ). Seriously, understanding the music has greatly enhanced my dance ability.

[cornutt]

Do you guys think that it helps your understanding of dance music, or that it hinders it?

It helps with understanding the music, but for me at least, it does mess with some of the mechanical aspects of dancing.

[ttd]

I have done music, played the piano and did music exams up to grade 4 or 5 (can't remember now) did the theory exams as an adult. Don't play now, lost the use of the piano and now I don't have time...but understand the structure of music and feel that it has helped with the musicality of my dancing.

Same here, I took piano and theory as a child.

[QPO]

I think you can appreciate the complexity and simplicity of both

[elisedance]

can't say I feel any which way about it.  I'm sure it helps me find the beat whereas DP has more trouble and dances to the tune...

[QPO]

can't say I feel any which way about it.  I'm sure it helps me find the beat whereas DP has more trouble and dances to the tune...

that can be tricky

[Bordertangoman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU3V6zNER4g

How to Listen to Music with your body by Evelyn Glennie

a fascinating talk which I found on the Other Place

[elisedance]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU3V6zNER4g

How to Listen to Music with your body by Evelyn Glennie

a fascinating talk which I found on the Other Place

very interesting - but this will have ot wait till tonight

[samina]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU3V6zNER4g

How to Listen to Music with your body by Evelyn Glennie

a fascinating talk which I found on the Other Place

yah, i loved that vid. so inspiring.

i was trained as a classical pianist, and do have some jazz/music composition theory.

IME, the aspect that makes musicians great rapid-pattern-recognizers (similar to in mathematics) is an intellectual trait that makes for great pattern-recognition on the floor, but it's the feeling-sensation aspect of the body/being that needs to be activated and developed in dance. having great musical understanding & sense of rhythm doesn't necessarily translate to being a great dancer. one has to be able to get out of one's head and be very present in the body, and that, interestingly, appears not to be the strong suit of many musicians.

[dlgodud]

I played piano when I was a kid, but stopped by 10 or 11. But, I listen a lot of music.
I believe at least 2-3 hours per day. I guess it helps me a little bit.