a question for the on2 purists...

[andreiro]

So it's a term that _only_ refers to the geometry of dance, not to anything in the music? Okay, thanks

[terence]

Originally Posted by andreiro

So it's a term that _only_ refers to the geometry of dance, not to anything in the music? Okay, thanks

Yes...and No.. each step in Dance, irrespective of the genre, is supposed to represent several things.. the timing being one of the most important..


Footwork,,which " part " of the foot first comes into contact with the floor.. Foot "Position "is the relationship of one foot to the other ( as in fwd, back , side ,etc ) Direction also may represemt the "rhythmical ", ( the S and Q ) context , in many cases .

[Flujo]

Originally Posted by andreiro

So it's a term that _only_ refers to the geometry of dance, not to anything in the music?

If you hear someone talking about "hitting the breaks" then they're talking about reacting to the changes in the music. So you have breaks, referring to the change of direction within the dancers measure of 8 counts...and you have a musical break referring to this. So there is another meaning for the word break.

[Jag75]

I've learned from experience that on2 should be danced in a syncopated manner - yes the 2 and 6 must happen exactly on the beat, as should the 3 and 7, however it's common to step before the 1 (8+) and 5 (4+) as it produces more of a glide and doesn't in any way affect the lead/follow dynamic. Dancing on2 lends itself to musicality and from my experience has helped me understand the music and instrumentation better, and the nature of musical dancing is party due to incorporating light and shade techniques such as stretching out the pauses and snapping into the turns. It's commonplace for on2 dancers to step on the 8+ and 4+ rather than the 1 and 5 to prep the 2 and 6 breaks.

[rundino]

Originally Posted by Jag75

I've learned from experience that on2 should be danced in a syncopated manner - yes the 2 and 6 must happen exactly on the beat, as should the 3 and 7, however it's common to step before the 1 (8+) and 5 (4+) as it produces more of a glide and doesn't in any way affect the lead/follow dynamic. Dancing on2 lends itself to musicality and from my experience has helped me understand the music and instrumentation better, and the nature of musical dancing is party due to incorporating light and shade techniques such as stretching out the pauses and snapping into the turns. It's commonplace for on2 dancers to step on the 8+ and 4+ rather than the 1 and 5 to prep the 2 and 6 breaks.

Another thing that has been explained to me is that On2 is danced more to the conga By stepping on the 8+ and 4+ you are stepping to the slap of the conga...

[terence]

Originally Posted by Jag75

I've learned from experience that on2 should be danced in a syncopated manner -

. Dancing on2 lends itself to musicality .

Danced in a "syncop " manner ?.. to " syncop ", one must "join" 3 notes together, as in 2 and 3, 0r in musical terms.. a half note, quarter note and half note .

And, musicality is NOT determined by the beat upon which one dances, but HOW one expresses the rhythm that is being played

[vata07]

Originally Posted by terence

And, musicality is NOT determined by the beat upon which one dances, but HOW one expresses the rhythm that is being played

that's probably the best thing i've read on these boards in a long time,