As with any other form of exercise, dance requires some degree of flexibility to perform well and develop the correct muscles. Many dancers would argue however that dance is simply a discipline, as it takes great physical strength, strong muscles and most importantly, impressive flexibility. It certainly feels like going to the gym or more specifically as much physical exercise as a typical contact sport but dance is definitely not considered to be such a sport either. It is much more than just the steps you take.
Many consider classical dancing to be the art form that began the modern dance we know today. In reality, the beginnings of contemporary dance are fairly hazy. However, much can be said about the evolution of choreography from ancient Greece to early nineteenth century French choreography.
The ancient Greeks were famous for their extremely popular and long-running waltz dances. It was these earliest dances that gave us some of the most memorable music of all time. The classical waltz was originally intended to be an extremely romantic dance. It featured an entire family unit moving in a step-wise fashion (the first time it was ever performed). However, it was not until later that the waltz was made to be a musical piece. French musical pieces such as the Viennese Waltz soon replaced the German version and the French waltz became a worldwide sensation.
While the waltz had become a worldwide hit, it was not until after the First World War that another popular form of dance began to be performed. This new dance was called ballet and was immediately popular. Ballet dancing gained popularity due to both the desire for a dance style that could be learned easily and the fact that it was an art form that many people were interested in. It also was a dance style that was not dictated by age. It was often considered an art form for children and adolescents and became even more popular after it became a well-known sensation during the Paris Opera performances.
There is a great deal of historical information that can be found about the early ballet. All through early ballet writings there is mention of the importance of learning how to dance. It is also mentioned that early ballet performers were not allowed to wear their clothes in public. It is from this time that many would begin to learn how to dance. The purpose of ballet dancing was to teach these dancers how to move their bodies in complex and flowing movements while staying within the same meter or time frame.
Ballet dancing does not focus on the feet or legs, so it is a very difficult dance to learn. This is where the importance of working with a skilled teacher/dancer comes in. The dancer should work closely with the person teaching them and practice their techniques until they can master it. As the dance student progresses they should start to add more complicated movements into their routines. They should also keep up with all of the dance steps the instructor shows them as the dancer will need to look good, as well as do well.
Another thing that is very important when learning how to dance is learning how to dance with musical accompaniment. Musical accompaniment refers to the music and vocals that accompany a dancer’s movements. It is vitally important that the dancer and the musical accompaniment to match each other in timing, volume, range, and intensity. In the beginning of ballet dancing many students find it difficult to dance with a musical accompaniment. This is why training exercises are so important. These exercises will help to develop coordination between the dancer and the music.
Many people who do not consider themselves experts at ballet or folk dance may think that all of these dances are the same. In truth, both folk dance and ballroom dancing have many different movements and features. Ballet dance, for example, is very graceful while folk dance can be quite fast paced and wild. Learning how to dance both with the ballroom dance movement style and the folk movement style requires much practice. However, with a little dedication and time, anyone can master these dances and have fun while they do it.