Today I had dance class with Natalie, and I unfortunately had to take an observation day. But it helped a lot because I always learn so much from watching. As dancers, I feel like we are always so self-centered in classes, only worried about how our own bodies are moving. We forget about how much we can learn from each other. Today I learned about the importance of engaging your core. It's truly the underpinning of all turning, all jumping, all extension.... just EVERYTHING. Which is why Natalie's warmup is so integral to the success of the class. It engages your core and ensures that your alignment is dependent upon this engagement!
I also realized how important it is to dance with passion. Sometimes I approach class like a chore or even just a challenge, no negative connotation involved. I often forget to find joy in the movement, and delight in what my body can accomplish. After this observation, I hope to come into class with a more open heart and mind. Positivity changes everything.
Also, Natalie was a bit under the weather today, as well. And yet there she was, still in class and teaching like the fierce lady she is. I respect her work ethic and dedication to her students like crazy!
I've been on a major green smoothie kick, and today was no exception. I had an awesome copycat Island Green Smoothie. I love putting them in the mason jars, it's so cheesy but having a cute little glass makes me feel more accomplished somehow... ha!
For my daily practice today.... well I actually had two daily practices because I don't know if one of them counts. I will have to ask!
Minutes:
1- 35
2- 50
Repertoire:
1- Annie's Party
2- Pretty Things
Technique Worked:
1- Sometimes I get a little tripped up in Annie's Party because it mostly sits kind of low and easy except for when she explodes a little and then it's belty and brassy and WONDERFUL! There have to be little jabs of power intermittently throughout the low and calm verses, and that can be hard jumping back and forth like that! So I worked on minimizing the jarring feeling of the jumps and seeing if I couldn't find the blend in the vocal registers, working on my mix today if you will!
2- Ok SO I started writing a new song today... I swear it just hit me out of the blue and I only need one more verse now and I'll have it finished! I'm going to sit down with it again in a little bit. It's always the hardest for me to get the second verse down for some reason, I always struggle with it. Anyhow, it's something that I've been feeling for a very long time and I'm glad I could find a way to finally put it into words.
Musicality Worked:
1- With Annie's Party I have a very hard time not getting caught up in the bounce of the rhythm in the accompaniment... because the lyrics should still be smooth and suave, if you will, because it's a girl talking about a party she's throwing. The pulse underneath is like the nerves that she isn't showing anybody and so it's important not to follow the rhythmic lead of the accompaniment too much!
2- Sometimes when I write I randomly put on this southern accent as I sing and today I kind of caught myself doing it and wanted to see what it would be like if I ditched it for once... so I re-sang the lyrics into my voice recorded and... I liked it way better when I decided to sound like me! Go figure. It's definitely a country song, but I don't think it needs added twang to be legitimate, the words speak for themselves, and the song is personal enough that I think I should be singing in my accent for this one.
I'll let you know how the rest of the songwriting goes!
XOXO
Jadi Rae
