Dance class help?

Question

Alrighty I haven't danced in five years! I would really like to get back into it. I have taken one ballet class three tap classes and four jazz classes. I would like to take a modern class. I'm to old to take beggining modern so the only two classes are Modern II/III and Modern Advanced. My friend who is in dance said I should be fine in Modern Advanced. I don't know. What do you think? What are some dance moves used A LOT in modern?..I feel like if I take the class everything will come back to me But I'm not sure..

Answer 1

totally depends on you. If you feel that you are ready to take that class then take it. You might want to watch the class one time and see how you like it. Different teachers teach modern differently but it is a really fun form of dance and you will have so much fun. Good luck!

Answer 2

Modern dance is a lot different than ballet and tap, and a little different than Jazz. You can take modern dance 2 if you think you have enough understanding of the techniques and body movements. Most Modern have floor works which is opposite of Ballet and Tap. Depend on your instructor, at times the routines mixes rhythms like 3/3 with 4/4 or even more complicated than that. If you are not familiar with movements - contraction/release, line movements (angular and sharps), fall and recovery, low level floor movements, and among other techniques - you might get frustrated. Nothing wrong with beginning Modern or even Ballet or Jazz - as a dance major, my fellow dance major and I, are always in a beginning class polishing our techniques, even when we were already in advance classes or even beyond it. You can always try and see if you can handle it (especially if you are a quick learner) or if not, you might consider taking beginning and polish your techniques. And in Modern, we don't use shoes most of the times.

Go to You Tube and type modern dance on search. Look for - sdsu modern dance... julio's class - that site shows an example of a class on modern using techniques I mentioned above.

Answer 3

It is never to late to start dancing again. I am going through what you are going through right now. You can do what ever you put your mind to. I have just started dancing again but it has been years since I have. Everything came back to me perfectly. I have been only doing it for a year now and I made my high school drill team!

Plus, since you already have taken that many type of dance classes in the past, I am sure you will be just fine. Of course it might take a week or so to get used to what you are doing because you haven't danced in 5 years, like you said. I wish you luck and don't worry! Everything will come back to you just fine.

Answer 4

Considering that you've taken the "one ballet class three tap classes and four jazz classes" recently, I think you should take the Modern II/III class. It's been five years so you should take the 2/3 (I'm assuming its the level just before advanced) so that you can get the modern technique back into your body. Its not just about getting the movements, but doing them properly so when more "Advanced" movements get thrown at you, you'll be prepared and able to take them on and surprise your teacher and yourself too!

I personally take a level under whenever I'm unsure because when you strenghten your technique it better prepares you for more advanced work, whereas if you just jump into advanced work, you risk injuring yourself and/or doing it sloppy and not being able to take anything from the class.

Good luck and congrats on getting back into dance!!! :D

Answer 5

It should be up to the teacher what class you are in if it is based on ability. If you think you can handle it though, go for it. Remember though that in higher levels/more advanced classes they will not only expect a strong technical base from you but a lot of artistry and creativity as well.

As far as dance moves used in modern, the steps that would probably be learned in class are things such as triplets etc., but in an advanced class they will probably use less of those typical modern 101 type moves and more creative ones, or variations of the basics.

As long as you are taking ballet as well I think you should go for the advanced modern! Take a few classes and see if you think you can handle it. If it's challenging, thats a good thing because it will push you to work harder to get caught up. As long as you aren't holding the rest of the class back there's no reason for you not to take it!!

Have fun :)