[Evie]

Hello everyone,
I was wondering if you could help me. My teacher recently sprung a surprise on me...I'm in Grade 4 modern and to take the Grade 5 exam we have to do improvisation. This terrifies me as I have no idea really how to do it. I have put on various pieces of music and tried to dance to it but I have an absolute brain freeze and can think of nothing. And if I do think of something then I always get stuck after a couple of bars of music and end up repeating the same dance moves, especially kicking and turning!!! Help me please as I have to do improv infront of my class mates on Thursday and am very scared!!!
EVIE
X X X

[Tulip]

Hello everyone,
I was wondering if you could help me. My teacher recently sprung a surprise on me...I'm in Grade 4 modern and to take the Grade 5 exam we have to do improvisation. This terrifies me as I have no idea really how to do it. I have put on various pieces of music and tried to dance to it but I have an absolute brain freeze and can think of nothing. And if I do think of something then I always get stuck after a couple of bars of music and end up repeating the same dance moves, especially kicking and turning!!! Help me please as I have to do improv infront of my class mates on Thursday and am very scared!!!
EVIE
X X X

Well I guess you need to do something that is personal to you. Think about your likes and dislikes about life and see if you can do anything with those themes

Or failing that could you turn your frustration about the improvisation into a piece of improvisation in itself … from your struggling in the rehearsal room/bedroom to posting this topic and then me and hopefully others replying back

Break a leg

[Evie]

Well I guess you need to do something that is personal to you. Think about your likes and dislikes about life and see if you can do anything with those themes

Or failing that could you turn your frustration about the improvisation into a piece of improvisation in itself … from your struggling in the rehearsal room/bedroom to posting this topic and then me and hopefully others replying back

Break a leg

Thanks for the help. Another question, if I plan (sort of) what I am going to do should I use that wether it fits to the music or not (just try and make it fit) or create somehting new (if I can) on the spot?

[Red Momma]

When you say that your teacher has sprung an impro on you, has she given you some idea of what she is looking for in length of performance, style of dance etc? The word modern is quite an old fashioned term and used to encompass what is now called contemporary and jazz.
There is a world of difference between improvisation and choreography, so stop trying to do steps in your bedroom and try to see a bigger picture and rely on your dance experience.
The only thing I can suggest is that you listen to the music when you hear it and try to interprete a situation you know well, as Tulip suggested. Even a simple thing like getting ready to go out for the evening, - the excitment and the preparation.
You could also interprete an emotion or your reaction to a news story.
As regards your second question, you should have a framework in your head and adjust it to the music.
Good Luck

[Evie]

No my teacher did not give any instruction to exactly what she wanted..I find out tonight! Our 'modern' is not contempary and is more likely to come under jazz. I'm so pleased I am supposed to have a structure before hand because I thought it might have been cheating! I tried a few ideas last night, I had various pieces of music, mainly musical music which I find easiest to relate to, and I did ok but the real worry I have is that the examiner is going to bring in music we have never heard. I think, I hope, I am being a worry head over nothing and tonight I will be fine but last night I did prove to myself that I can do this more then I thought so fingers crossed for tonight.
Thank you for your help and I will bare in mind everything you have told me,
All my love
Evie
x x x

[Red Momma]

Evie

Please let us know how you got on

RM

[Evie]

I went to class last night all prepared to do improv, I was running different ideas through my brain and then when we went in my teacher said that she wanted us to run through the whole syllabus, it is very long but fun! By the time we had finished there was no time for improv!! Kind of dissapointing but also a blessing! She said that she was going to do it next week and there was nothing to be worried about. On Monday I do private lesson so I think I am going to ask if she can help me with it before Thursday with the whole class. I'll let you know how both go. Thanks for the well wishing and help,
Evie
xxx