Play the score
Our film “Big kids” used only 7 movements based on the 7 elements (Quan Dao Kung fu). They are called A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Each element is a movement of planes meeting, crossing, cutting through each other or moving independently of one another. For more detail you can visit my research page “seven elements”. In this small film the 5 dancers show the seven movements on the spot that we created and fixed. There is one of each element A to G.
To play the score you can follow the steps as a guide line and then make variations of your own. You may make new discoveries and be inspired to leave our pathway and play on new ones.
FIX MOVEMENTS - The improvisation part comes through using the fixed movements. The idea is to create a lot with less! We used our 7 element moves but you can create any short movements based on what you are working on and give them a name, letter or number.
WATCH OUR MOVES BELOW
GAME Nr 1. - “If you do…. “this move”, I do … “this move”
This game is simple but effective for intuitive development of the moves. It works like a conversation and we play in pairs. From your collection of moves (in our case 7) one dancer will “talk” using one movement. The partner will answer with one of the movements. Begin slowly and even take time to think about which move you want to answer with. Throughout the conversation, the movements may take on new rhythm, become more expressive, get smaller or larger, become exaggerated or even fragmented. You may even start interrupting each other. After playing exchange about your experience and note any developments that you would like to remember.
GAME Nr 2.
MAKE A SCORE - We used the score from our film but you can set an order of the movements by picking the letters, names or numbers out of a hat or bag. So ours looked like this: B - F - D - A - F - E - G - E - E - C - D - F
DANCE THE BASIC SCORE - Practice your moves in the order of your score and repeat it enough so that you create a flow of one move into the next. If you are working in a group, share ideas of the smoothest or most interesting ways to link the movements. You have then what we call the basic score and if all dancers playing dance it together we have a “unisono”
MAKE A TOOL BOX - Whatever you feel like playing with. You can have less tools and “tighten the frame” or a never-ending list. In the picture below you can see some examples. We wrote them on post-its and were able then (see picture above) stick them actually on the score. Each dancers could then have 10-15 minutes time to take the original score and then transform the material. Each dancer is still following the same score with the same tools but will work on their own.
PLAY - We were 5 dancers so we tried first some duets, placing two dancers in the space and seeing what happens when they dance the score together. We tried some trios, different constellations. Finally we also has all five dancers moving their transformed score together from different points in the room.
HARVEST - You will see some amazing things. Have a camera ready and note book and pen and document well your findings.
