Aniseteph
New member
OK, knowing the lyrics or at least the gist of it is important. You are going to look like an idiot or worse skipping about merrily to something tragic or choosing it for a wedding. I have read this many times over the years and been to workshops where they've said how important it is. And I have shut up and listened like a good student.
I once went to a workshop by Caroline Afifi who used to post here in the olden days, and she said something very interesting, the gist of which (apologies if I got it wrong but this was my take home message) was that it's more complicated than that. You are the belly dancer; it's about sharing the enjoyment of the music with the audience, not play acting the lyrics.
I've been having a wander round YouTube this morning and found a perfect example. Sad song, smiley Lucy getting it sooo right.
[video=youtube_share;L91GJqgtnAk]https://youtu.be/L91GJqgtnAk?list=RDF2Sd8-cvwBk[/video]
I would much rather see a dancer doing "I am having a great time dancing to this for you" than trying to act out the song. (Hmmmm, maybe that is a key difference between theatrical styles and traditional belly dance, you aren't the belly dancer in the same way when you're deliberately playing a part... :think.
How far do you go along with the lyrics? Have you seen examples where it's gone wrong, and why?
I once went to a workshop by Caroline Afifi who used to post here in the olden days, and she said something very interesting, the gist of which (apologies if I got it wrong but this was my take home message) was that it's more complicated than that. You are the belly dancer; it's about sharing the enjoyment of the music with the audience, not play acting the lyrics.
I've been having a wander round YouTube this morning and found a perfect example. Sad song, smiley Lucy getting it sooo right.
[video=youtube_share;L91GJqgtnAk]https://youtu.be/L91GJqgtnAk?list=RDF2Sd8-cvwBk[/video]
I would much rather see a dancer doing "I am having a great time dancing to this for you" than trying to act out the song. (Hmmmm, maybe that is a key difference between theatrical styles and traditional belly dance, you aren't the belly dancer in the same way when you're deliberately playing a part... :think.
How far do you go along with the lyrics? Have you seen examples where it's gone wrong, and why?