Techniques

It is a matter of considering technique concerning a discipline, a material.

The technique refers to the sensitivity with which each teacher transmits his subject while considering his background and what he wants to convey.

Obviously, the technique is based on specific knowledge, such as the Humphrey/Limón technique in contemporary dance, which emphasizes the notion of weight and suspension. It is important to note that all lessons include vocabulary, gestures, a routine that allows coordination to be implemented, and a specifically learned automatism at the core of every technique (Roquet, 2019).

While the technique is fundamental to learning academic dance, it is also present in other dances. It is more than simply the mimetic execution of the student. The technique must be considered as a means of learning. Learning a language, grasping vocabulary, understanding codes, being aware of bias, and being conscious of the choice is all about finding one's autonomy.

In this way, several founding techniques have persisted for centuries. Still, every teacher will determine what is most important to him to transmit in his classes based on his sensitivity to their transmission.

Hence, paying attention to how your teacher conveys his learning rather than solely focusing on aesthetics (= choreography, final rendering) is essential. What is your teacher privileged to do?

By doing this, you are able to question and put into perspective your learning objectives (=motivations/reasons) concerning those of your teacher or not. Choosing the right course and teacher is the key to success.

In summary, the technique is often wrongly assigned to a discipline (ex: contemporary dance, jazz, ...) when it is a teacher's concern. Because it will be your teacher who transmits the technique to you, you will view dance from its perspective, its sensitivity to the world around it. As a result, contemporary dance can be transmitted in various ways as there are ways to teach it. While the basic movements of each movement remain the same, it is the whole architecture: the combination of movements, the repetition of the same gestures throughout a course, or choreography that makes learning with one teacher unique and different from learning with another. As a result of these other factors, it seems necessary to consider learning dance as a subject to a relationship with your teacher. There appears to be a tendency in the teaching of dance to varying the approaches to the same issue through the use of different teachers in a transmission relationship. This allows the student to learn other techniques and styles from different teachers, thereby gaining a wide range of knowledge. Additionally, the student can be exposed to different teaching styles, enabling them to find the style that best suits their learning needs. This ultimately leads to a more effective learning process and better results.

Afterward, it would help if you focused on the following:

1. A dance style that catches your attention

2. Teaching methods and tools the teacher uses in response to your concerns (objectives, reasons, motivations, etc.)