natural inborne ability

Post questions and tips on the ability to match one's moves to an external rhythm (music, opponent's actions).
elskbrev
Posts: 79
Joined: Aug 08, 2007 07:08
Location: Wisconsin, USA

dance & rhythm

Post by elskbrev »

Hi filipino,

Ever dance? No one needs formal training or lessons to learn to synchronize body movement to music. Just find a room where no one is watching and let the music lead. You might look like you are wearing one ski and one skate at first if this really doesn't come natural to you, but don't give up. As dragon said, above, "rhythm is just a combination of good timing, good coordination, and good balance...you have the ability to train your motor skills(coordination)."

Practice footwork to music, mixing it up with whatever free-form dance expression hits you. Pick up a jump rope or practice kicks and punches here and there, all in time with the music. Provided you work in lots of spins and turns, this will refine your sense of balance in motion as well as your sense of rhythm.

Strongly suggest finding complex rhythms like strangedejavu suggests--LTE and Dream Theater—or Moodfood by Moodswings (1992), one of my favorites. Some of that is “heavy;” some “light;” it ebbs and flows for over 70 minutes. The last two tracks are strictly cool-down material. An interesting mix.

Kurz wrote:
One of my instructors noted that a fit and agile drummer makes for a very difficult opponent.
I don’t play any instrument and I have the barest minimum musical training. My keenest interest in music is and has always been dance. I hear rhythms within rhythms when I listen--percussion is doing this, base is doing that, keyboards or strings are off somewhere else. Usually, I’m tapping out the basic 4/4 or whatever with my toe while hands/fingers are keeping time with something else. Works best if I don’t think about it. Too new at sparring to know whether this is any great advantage to me. Will keep you posted…maybe with a little formal training. **smiles**

Have fun training.

Cindy

filipino
Posts: 4
Joined: Sep 21, 2007 11:31
Location: philippines
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Post by filipino »

hi Cindy

thats also my problem, i cant dance well music dont work so well with, i can seem to feel the beat

well my master is a dj and he used to teach hip hop but i cant asked him to teach me to dance coz i know he'll say to figure it out yet maybe i should try asking him to teach me

uhmm my master told me about rhythm, you can use it in sparring he says dancing and fighting are 1 and the same, he also asked me that when i understand about rhythm i should try to develope a broken rhythm coz it has with confusing your opponent or something

elskbrev
Posts: 79
Joined: Aug 08, 2007 07:08
Location: Wisconsin, USA

Post by elskbrev »

filipino wrote:
thats also my problem, i cant dance well music dont work so well with, i can seem to feel the beat
Was that you “can” seem to feel the beat, or you “can’t?” I’ve learned so many things since I set foot in the dojang, I prefer to answer when someone asks whether or not I can do something that's new to me, "I don't know; I haven't tried."

filipino wrote:
my master told me about rhythm, you can use it in sparring he says dancing and fighting are 1 and the same,
There's merit to that. The dance aspect makes martial arts demos fun to watch, but we need serious coaching on technique to make our fighting effective. Kurz is known to have some interesting comments in that regard--check out his latest in columns at http://www.stadion.com/column.html on common errors in basic kicks. And keep in mind, nobody’s playing any music when we’re out there sparring or defending ourselves on the street.

Persevere and practice. Don’t expect this "sense of rhythm" to arrive for you perfectly at the outset. My master instructor says it takes a 1000 times for an action to become second nature. Just concentrate on learning to assess the situation and respond quickly and correctly. That is the sense of timing you are trying to develop.

Regards,
Cindy

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