In today's world, so many people have careers that are technology or science-based. There is a school of thought that says that you are either logical or creative, but you can't be both. Nothing is further from the truth. People do tend to approach a task from either a logical or creative point of view, but anyone can reach the same goal.
If you are a computer programmer, for example, you may believe or may have been told that you are too logical and process-oriented to learn something as creative as dancing. Let's look at this differently.
When you first learned how to write computer programs, you weren't terribly comfortable going outside of the rules or the programming languages that you learned in school. As you got more comfortable, you were able to explore some of the more obscure parts of the programming languages you already knew. Then you were able to fully learn new languages without needing to take a class or ask for a lot of advice.
Now that you are comfortable with your abilities you can be presented with a project in which a desired outcome needs to be reached and create a solution. If a different programmer in your department was given the same project, her solution would result in the same outcome, but the process that she used would be much different than your's. She may even choose to use a different programming language altogether, or come up with a solution that would have never occurred to you. A talented computer programmer uses just as much creativity as any artist.
The reason for this is that every art form begins by learning the logic, process and tools of the trade of your art. If you are a painter, you don't just start off squirting some paint on a canvas and pushing the paint around with your brush. You'll end up with a mess. You have to learn how to create the visual representations you want to make on a flat surface come to three-dimensional life. Ask any painter who focuses on realism and they will be able to tell you dozens of rules that they follow when painting a portrait or a landscape. They have to know how to use their technical skills in order to create the realistic image that they want.
The same process happens in dance. The first things you have to learn are the steps and the body positions. Practicing the steps and body positions actually lays down a neural pathway, a pathway in your brain, which will eventually make those movements and positions second-nature. You are actually using your body and your brain as tools that work together to create a program of sorts. Just like you no longer need to really think about where your fingers are going when you type, it won't be long before you no longer need to think about where your feet are going when you dance. It just starts to happen naturally. Once you have the logic and process down to a natural flow, then you can throw in the extras that create a unique interpretation that is all your own; a look, an extra oomph to a step, a twist of the shoulder to emphasize a move. That little bit of attention to detail is where the creative part of dance comes in. The rest is simply following the process.
You Can Dance Mambo
Can you remember an old Phil Collins number - I can dance? I could never really understand what he was going on about. So he could dance - so what? The point is, I can remember the song. I don't particularly like Phil Collins' music; I never liked the music of Genesis, (I was, and still am a big Yes fan - anyone who knows the two bands will probably understand where I'm coming from). But yet I still remember the song - I can dance.
Why should that be? Well, two main reasons. The first is more particular to me as an individual, the second is actually an age old marketing theory.
So firstly - I never liked dancing. I can shuffle around in time to music, but if I really like the music that's playing, the chances are I want to listen to it, and the most action required on my behalf is to headbang if it happens to be heavy rock (a particular penchant). The only film I ever walked out on was West Side Story - I just got fed up with street gangs expressing themselves in dance. There are only two reasons why I ventured forth on to a dance floor - girls and social compliance. Girls is a straightforward reason - dancing is a great way to get close to a girl you fancy. It works very well as a youth, has done for years, will do for years. As an older man though, I am seriously contemplating taking dancing lessons. Shuffling around to the "You dancing"; "you asking" routine is a little embarrassing. Asking a woman to dance to a waltz or quickstep seems much more genteel and befitting somehow - so learning the required movements would seem to be advantageous, however much I can't stand Strictly Come Dancing. The other reason for setting forth on to the shiny floor is mere social acquiescence. Constantly complaining at company do's that you cannot see the point of shuffling around in a haze of alcohol does nothing for team bonding. Far better to bite your lip and just get on with it - though I do secretly wonder how many other men (for it is a male malaise) are feeling the same way.
Second reason for remembering the old Phil Collins' number is the history of the idea of how prestigious dancing is. Years before I remember another old song - "Do you love me?" Basically, the poor singer was being overlooked in the romantic department because he was a bit of a failure on the dance floor. The following line after "Do you love me?" was "Now that I can Dance - watch me now!" Modern man has transformed from the hunter / gatherer / provider to the ape on two legs who can gyrate in front of an audience. How we have progressed. And if you think about it, there are many more examples of songs along this theme. So when Mr Collins sings about how he can dance, we already understand what he means, and why it is important to him.
And that is the essence of this particular theory of marketing. Getting a message across to an audience once gets a certain recognition. Repeating the message to the same audience several times gains a certain acceptance - and that is the holy grail. It allies the product with the product provider. In exceptional circumstances, this is so accepted that the product provider becomes part of the language - Hoover is a brand, but also a verb. How this message is put across to the audience is down to the strategy of the marketer, but integrated marketing is key.
The culmination of this is probably the new discipline of sonic marketing - but that's another article.
Both Natalie Beck & Omniscriptor are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Natalie Beck has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dancing, Parenting and Dancing. Want to learn to dance? Wish you could move your body confidently on the dance floor? Or would you just like to have a great excuse to get out and me. Natalie Beck's top article generates over 9900 views. Bookmark Natalie Beck to your Favourites.
Omniscriptor has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Internet, Finances and Affiliate Programs. Rob Hartley is a freelance copywriter, creating copy for ads, brochures, direct mails, flyers, and also websites, adwords and SEO. If you would like to get in touch to discuss any requirements you may have, please visit. Omniscriptor's top article generates over 12100 views. Bookmark Omniscriptor to your Favourites.
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