We have our own lingo within our community. And the dance community is no different! While dancers use everyday words or phrases, they view these terms slightly different from their counterparts.
Here are some examples.
(Disclaimer: This post is not written by an expert or a professional. All definitions are subjective and fluid in nature.)
Blocking
What a normal person thinks:
Obstructing someone or something.
What a dancer means:
Arranging a group of dancers in movement to create a performance that pulls the audience in, and works with the choreography to enhance what’s there.
Bite Steps
What a normal person thinks:
Using the teeth to cut into something or having a strong grip.
What a dancer means:
Hey, that dancer just copied my dance moves! Not cool man, not original at all.
Cleaning Steps
What a normal person thinks:
Step by step instructions to clean something or someone.
What a dancer means:
The most vital process which takes the longest time. Dancers have to match their movements, angles and lines. Repeat the steps over and over until it is perfectly aligned to make a strong, solid performance.
Dope
What a normal person thinks:
a. Taking drugs
b. An unintelligent person
What a dancer means:
That move was dope, man! Your moves were all on point and the choreography was amazing!
(Understand that this is a hip hop term derived from black culture)
Dynamics
What a normal person thinks:
In physics, the study of forces that produce movement.
What a dancer means:
How a move can be executed, from a strong move with high energy, to one that is loose and slow. Contrasts in dynamics make the choreography more exciting.
Flow
What a normal person thinks:
a. Go with the flow,
b. Heavy period flow,
c. Flow of water from one place to another,
d. Yoga flow.
What a dancer means:
Each move links smoothly from one to the other, not looking like a broken record. Making the choreography look effortless (swoon).
(As mentioned, definition is subjective)
Formation
What a normal person thinks:
a. how something is naturally made or arranged
b. Beyonce’s Formation
What a dancer means:
Dancers dancing together in a specific blocking, or using objects to achieve a visual effect in a choreography.
Freestyle
What a normal person thinks:
Joseph Schooling has won more medals with the butterfly stroke than his freestyle stroke.
What a dancer means:
From Steezy: “Freestyle dancing is improvisation. It’s when you spontaneously create movement that was not choreographed ahead of time.”
Full out
What a normal person thinks:
I used up all my resources, I’m all out of items, man.
What a dancer means:
Dance like it’s your last! With 100% of your energy, expression and performance. Throw it all out! (Full out but control, don’t just throw it out everywhere)
Groove
What a normal person thinks:
a. A long, narrow cut or depression in a hard material ie grooves on your vinyls.
b. An established routine or habit.
What a dancer means:
Your vibe man! Those up and down bounces are YOUR GROOVES.
(As mentioned, definition is subjective)
Hard Hit
What a normal person thinks:
a. When you hit your friend really, really hard.
b. Strong criticism of something.
What a dancer means:
When you tense your muscles, you are creating a hitting effect. Like Popping. Hard hitting moves could also mean strong moves to hit that beat in the song.
Levels
What a normal person thinks:
a. You win when you clear all levels for that mobile app game you’re playing.
b. What level is your office on?
What a dancer means:
Choreographers play with levels to create a quality routine. For the same move, some dancers may be asked to go high, while some will bend to execute the same move at a lower level.
Marking Steps
What a normal person thinks:
All teachers have their own process when marking students’ papers. They have to mark it correct or mark it wrong.
What a dancer means:
The opposite of full out. Dancing the choreography with less energy, to focus on the music. Be conscious of timing, flow, levels and musicality.
Good thing is, the choreographer doesn’t mark you right or wrong, they just tell you to mark out at 50%, 75% or 100% energy levels.
Musicality
What a normal person thinks:
Having musical talent.
What a dancer means:
Being able to match movement to multiple layers of rhythm, beats, and mood of the music accurately.
Two dancers can dance to the same song differently based on their musicality.
Example:
Session
What a normal person thinks:
“Silence! The court is in session.”
A meeting especially a legislature, council, or court of law, to conduct its business.
What a dancer means:
“Eh bro, let’s session at SMU”
Any open space where dancers of any background or skill level come together to dance, freestyle, practice their basics, and learn from one another.
Tags
What a normal person thinks:
a. A label attached to someone or something “Eh, don’t remove that label tag from the shirt after buying k.”
b. When playing catching “Tag, you’re it!”
c. Link a person to a picture or video on a social network “Eh, tag me on Instagram ok!”
What a dancer means:
A short routine or set moves that dancers use in dance battles. The tags can be applied anytime with no limit during their battle rounds.
Do you unknowingly use these terms with your friends? Share your dancer vocab with me!
(Thank you friends for your video recommendations.)
Uminsummer 