
Merengue Tutorials
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Combination
Analysis: Extras
Manipulating
the Sequence
Using
Shirin and Nathan's freestyle sequence as a template, here are a few
things you and your partner can explore:
An
infinite loop
The first is to find a way to link the end of the sequence to the beginning
creating an infinite loop. As you can see:
- the
sequence ends in two-handed parallel hold, both partners in a static
position;
- the
sequence begins with a left over right cross-handed hold, following
which Shirin reorients anti-clockwise and Nathan clockwise.
Of
course you could simply release your hold and re-establish it in the
proper configuration, but that's not particularly elegant. Why don't
you try something more adventurous, like a turn-orbit-hand change sequence
instead?
Mutations
Let's say you chop up the sequence into four sections: A, B, C, and
D. (It's up to you to decide where the sequence is cut.) You might try:
- Rearrangement
e.g. C A D B or any of the 23 other possibilities;
- Deletion
e.g. A, C, D;
- Addition
e.g.
A, B, C, B, D;
- Substitution
e.g. A, B, C, E where E is a completely new section.
The
challenge is to get them linked properly, so you'd probably need to
make some modifications to make it work. You could try inserting
elements like hand changes, or use different break points
(speaking of hand changes, the one in stage 3 and 4 is a particularly
elegant example).
Some
elements and variations are conspicuous by their absence: HALO
turn for Leads, phase changes, and anti-clockwise orbits. How about
including those perhaps as sections E and F?
And
if you find the repeated alternating turn sequence (stages 7 to 12)
boring or dizzying, why not change the handhold levels or some of the
turns into the opposing direction?
A
word to the wise
Like it or not, most of us can't stop on a penny. There is this thing
in physics called momentum, and it can get in the way a bit.
When putting a combination sequence together, you need to be careful
when you have a fast turn in one direction followed by a fast turn in
the opposite direction. Do you (or your partner) have the time and means
to dissipate that amount of kinetic energy and to generate it
again going in the opposite direction? Wouldn't it be smoother to insert
an element in between to ease the change in flow?
Other
sequences
You're strongly encouraged to exhaust the possibilities of the case
study sequence, to improve other people's sequences, and to create sequences
of your own. Every time you do, you're exercising your ownership
of the tutorial material, converting passive information to personal
knowledge.
More
Perspective Correlation
Now some bright spark learning about perspective correlation in the
core section might have thought, Hey, if there's a 1st and 3rd
person correlation, what about the 2nd person?
Okay,
smarty-pants, you asked for it...
Correlating
the second person perspective with the first person perspective
Makes you the ultimate partner. It puts you in your partner's shoes
while you're dancing with her or him. Mastering this gives you the complete
and most sublime understanding of your partner's needs: where you need
to be, what you have to do, and when to do it.
Correlating
the second person perspective with the third person perspective
There is a saying amongst Leads in competitive dance, frame your
partner and then yourself. It means you should show off your partner
before doing so yourself. This allows you to understand what you need
to do to make your partner look good. It's particularly relevant to
dance competitors and demonstrators.
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