Art of Performing to Live Music
Any performer loves to dance with some good music. Most of the time, we dance using tracks but dancing to live music is a fantastic experience.
Unless you previously coordinated what songs the band will be playing, dancing to live music is all about improvisation. It comes down to connecting to and feeling the music, as well as being free to allow your body to react to it through belly dance. It might sound frightening at first, but it can be truly liberating. It’s a pretty amazing feeling.
Here are some tips to help you have the best experience performing with a live band:
Prepare Yourself
If you know you will be performing at a show with live music, listening to the most popular songs before then is a good idea. You can get acquainted with the sound and the queues. This way, you won’t be completely unprepared and will make it easier for you to improvise.
Another way to prepare yourself is by mentally embracing the fact that you will have to improvise on stage and be ready to adapt to the music the band will be playing. Live music rarely sounds precisely like the track so be prepared to work with that.
Connect with the Band
Feel free to introduce yourself to the band, if you have a moment before the show. They might ask if you have any song requests, so don’t be scared to request one song. That will show the band you are knowledgeable of this type of music and that you appreciate their work, which will make them feel more comfortable in collaborating with you. Also, to make things feel more natural, acknowledge them while you perform.
Listen Carefully
Sometimes, dancers can block out everything around them as they perform. If you’re performing to live music, you should be fully aware of your surroundings, especially of the music that is being played. It will help you stay on track and make your performance look cohesive with the music.
Relax, Smile and Enjoy
The most important thing to keep in mind is to allow yourself to enjoy the moment. Relax and smile. It’s ok if you make mistakes. The crowd will most likely not notice them as you pour all of yourself into that performance. If you’re having a good time, the audience will have a good time.
Have you ever had the opportunity to dance with a live band? What was your favorite thing about it?