The Art of Solo Bellydance - Why to Use the Variables

People are often amazed to discover that the bellydancer performing in front of them is "winging it". How do they make improvisation seem so effortless?

It is simple:

A belly dancer knows the essence of the movements(seeds) of this ancient dance form, and then uses certain variables to respond intuitively to the music and the audience. These "seeds" are practiced and refined to a wide range of musical compositions. Many combinations and variations are studied and collected until the body performs them naturally and automatically.

You can do it too.

The Variables Mnemonic

(mostly from Robin De Danaan, and additions by me - Avena)

Reverse it, Revolve it
Profile it, Posterior it
Level it, Layer it
Tempo it, Texturize it
Size it, Send it
Travel it, Turn it
Fake it, Feel it

The Variables Explained

Take any movement (Thinking Move, Sacred Shape, Rhythm Signature or Motif). Use a variable to modify it. Then take a new movement and vary it. You can carry on indefinitely!

You can create drills and games for yourself, such as these:

One Movement - All the Variables

3 Movements - same Variable

3 Movements - 3 Variables

Change the Direction - Reverse, Revolve

Try a movement (such as "8" or "O")in the reverse direction (clockwise, counter-clockwise). Move it in a revolving circle around yourself.

Change the View - Profile, Posterior

Once you show the movement from the front, try turning it to the back (posterior) or side (profile) view.

Level it

Bend your knees, and get low. Lift it up onto your toes.

Layer it

Use other movements simultaneously, like a shimmy with a hip circle. Layer other body parts to dance together, such as snaky arms with spinal undulations.

Tempo it

Quicken the tempo, or slow it down. Do it half-time, double-time, or 'shimmy'-speed. Have a good-time!

Texturize it

Keep it smooth, or use accents, locks (contractions) and/or, jumps to add texture.

Size it

Make it large and exaggerated, or small and contained - every size in between.

Send it

Send a movement to a different body part (hips to chest, hands to hips, etc.). Send the movement through gestures to somewhere or someone (d-mail=dance mail)

Travel it

Use your feet and legs to take the movement to a new location. Use floor patterns and directions.

Turn it

Use a turn-step, such 3-pt turn and use your movement on the 4th count. Try a different turn-step such as Arabesque, or pivot-turn and intersperse them with a "Seed" Movement.

Fake it

Transform yourself into a character. Tell a story or invoke an archetype with your dance. Try 'healer', 'goddess', 'mother', 'diva', or 'warrior' for example. Explore the possibilities. Pretend. Use your imagination. Fake it. It's lots of fun!

Feel it

Use facial expression to convey emotions while you dance. Feel the passion, sorrow, joy, shyness, etc. This is what makes us human and not dolls when we dance!

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