The Power of Solo Skills in Blues Dance

When we think of blues dancing, it’s easy to picture two people grooving together, creating a dialogue through their connection. Partner dancing is undoubtedly a cornerstone of blues dance, but what happens when you remove the partner? What does it mean to dance solo on a dance floor surrounded by people experiencing the music in pairs? The answer lies in the deep, rhythmic roots of African American dance culture, where individual expression is as vital as the connection between partners.

The African Roots of Solo Dance

To understand the importance of solo dancing, we must first look to the African origins of blues dance. In many African cultures, dance is a form of storytelling, a way to express emotion, and a method to connect with the community and the spiritual world. As dance historian Kariamu Welsh notes in African Dance: An Artistic, Historical, and Philosophical Inquiry, “Close embrace and partnered dancing were not the norm in African dance traditions; instead, dance was often a communal and individualistic expression where physical contact was minimal and movements emphasized individual creativity and connection to the music.” 

As dance scholar Katrina Hazzard-Gordon notes in her book Jookin’: The Rise of Social Dance Formations in African-American Culture, “The essence of African dance was to communicate through movement…The dance form itself does not require a partner but thrives on individual expression within a group context.”

In Steppin on The Blues, Malone explains that in sub-Saharan dances there is an absence of closed couple dancing as dancing apart allows for a better dialogue with the music, freeing up the hands and arms to mark the rhythm. Additionally she states that dancing with your arms wrapped around someone else was seen as immoral in some traditional African societies.

The introduction of partner dancing in African American communities was heavily influenced by European traditions. However, the spirit of solo dance remained a crucial element, allowing dancers to explore their individuality within the broader context of the dance.

Why Solo Skills Matter

So, why should you invest time in developing your solo skills? The answer is twofold: for personal growth and for the enhancement of your partner dancing.

1. Building Confidence: Solo dancing is a powerful tool for building confidence. When you dance alone, you have the freedom to explore your body’s movements without relying on a partner. This exploration helps you discover your unique style, improve your body awareness, develop your musicality and build the self-assurance that is essential for any dancer. As your confidence grows, you’ll find that you bring more of yourself into your partner dancing, leading to a richer, more dynamic connection.

2. Improving Partner Dancing: Improving your solo skills directly benefits your partner dancing. When you dance solo, you develop a deeper understanding of rhythm, timing, and musicality—all of which are crucial when dancing with a partner. As you become more comfortable with your own movement, you’ll find it easier to connect with your partner, anticipate their movements, and improvise within the partnership in a way that enhances the dance. In essence, mastering your solo skills makes you a more versatile, creative and attentive partner.

1. Hip Action with Vicci

Build your vocabulary, develop your range of hip motion, improve your quality of movement and move your hips in ways you didn’t know you could!

2. The Fishtail Special with Vicci

Master the art of the fishtail, a classic movement that adds flair and complexity to your solo dancing.

3. Fancy Footwork with Vicci

Elevate your footwork with intricate patterns and steps that will add texture to your dancing and inspire your creativity.

4. Awesome Arms with Vicci

Wave goodbye to awkward arms. Learn how to move them, where to put them, what to do with your hands, and how to make them an asset in your dancing.

5. The Spirit Moves Solo Styling with Vicci

Be inspired by two dancers from the Spirit Moves documentary, Sandra Gibson and James Berry, whose movement is full of character, quirkiness, rhythm and individuality.

6. Upper Body Coolness with Edmilson

Focus on your upper body movement to create a smooth, cool style that resonates with the blues aesthetic.

7. Riffin’ n Cuttin’ with Mike & Vicci

Learn essential skills for bringing out the best in your and your friends’ solo dancing! Riffin’ and cuttin’ are both common modes of solo dancing with other people in Black American dance forms, and learning these modes will help us all build a stronger dance culture in the Blues scene.

8. The Magic of Intra-body with Bibi

Discover the connection between different parts of your body and how to use this awareness to create fluid, harmonious movements.

9. Keep Your Cool with Katrina

Deepen your understanding of posture and pulse and find ways to groove effortlessly, even when the music is poppin’!

Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Solo Dance

Solo dancing is not just a preparatory exercise for partner dancing; it’s an essential element of blues dance that connects us to its African roots. By developing your solo skills, you’re not only becoming a better dancer but also honoring the rich cultural heritage that blues dance embodies. So, whether you’re new to blues or looking to refine your skills, The Blues Room’s Solo Skills courses are your gateway to deeper self-expression and more fulfilling partner connections. Embrace the power of solo dance, and watch your confidence—and your dancing—soar.

References

Hazzard-Gordon, K. (2010). Jookin’: the rise of social dance formations in African-American culture. Philadelphia PA: Temple University Press.

Welsh, K. (1996) African Dance: An Artistic, Historical, and Philosophical Inquiry. Trenton: Africa World Press.

Malone, J. (1996). Steppin’on the blues: the visible rhythms of African American dance (Vol. 21). USA: University of Illinois Press.