Why Many Kizomba Dancers Seem Not to Dance to the Music
Many kizomba dancers might appear to be dancing to something other than the music. This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors, including the emphasis on connection with partners, personal interpretation of the music, different dance styles, and the encouragement of improvisation. Here, we explore these reasons in detail and discuss the subjective nature of how dancers engage with musicality in kizomba.
Focus on Connection
One of the key aspects of kizomba is the strong connection between partners. Dancers often prioritize their partner's movements and the lead-follow dynamic, which can result in seemingly disconnected movements from the music. This partnership-focused approach highlights the emotional and interpersonal aspects of kizomba rather than strict adherence to musical rhythm.
Interpretation of Music
Dancers often have unique ways of interpreting the music. Some choose to express themselves through movement, rather than matching every beat of the song. This can lead to variations in how closely they align with the musicality, reflecting their individual artistic expression. The interpretation of music is highly subjective, making each dancer's approach unique.
Different Styles and Influences
Kizomba has diverse styles, including traditional urban and fusion influences. Dancers from different backgrounds may have varying approaches to how they interpret the music. Traditional urban kizomba is often more focused on the connection between partners, while fusion styles may incorporate modern dance elements, leading to a more fluid and improvisational approach to music.
Improvisation
Kizomba strongly encourages improvisation, allowing dancers to create their own expressions and movements. This can sometimes lead to movements that do not directly correspond to the musical beats or accents. Experienced dancers can seamlessly blend improvisation with the underlying rhythm, while less experienced dancers might struggle to maintain a consistent connection to the music.
Musical Complexity
Kizomba music is often complex, featuring multiple layers and rhythms. Some dancers may choose to emphasize certain elements of the music, such as the melody or lyrics, rather than the underlying rhythm. This complexity can lead to a more varied and dynamic style of dancing, where the focus is not strictly on the beat.
Experience Level
The level of experience among dancers can significantly impact how they engage with the music. Less experienced dancers may find it challenging to connect their movements with the music, focusing more on the basics of the dance. In contrast, more experienced dancers tend to focus on the emotional and expressive aspects of the dance, often leading to a more nuanced and musical performance.
Ultimately, the way dancers engage with the music can vary greatly based on personal style, experience, and the specific context of the dance. The interpretation of the music by the individual often leads to the unique and dynamic style of kizomba that we see in various dance floors. Whether a dancer is more concerned with the beat, musicality, or both, it is the subjective nature of musical interpretation that shapes their dance.
Whether you see dancers listening to the beat or the musicality of a song, the experience of kizomba is highly individualistic. Experienced dancers are more likely to dance in harmony with the music, hitting the breaks, speeding up with the music, or slowing down. This level of connection to the music is a sign of a truly experienced dancer.
Conclusion
The seemingly disconnected relationship between kizomba dancers and the music can be understood through a variety of factors, including the emphasis on connection, different interpretations of musicality, the influence of diverse dance styles, and the encouragement of improvisation. Each dancer brings a unique perspective to the art form, making kizomba a highly personal and dynamic dance style.