constructive criticisms and opinions please

[itsmekarlo]

was hoping i could get some good criticism to learn from. any help is greatly appreciated. i'm trying to grow as much as i can as a locker, by going to classes, events and so on and so forth, but the more knowledge the better!

thanks in advance

http://www.youtube.com/lockingkarlo

[WiseGuy]

this is a popping vid right?? y not post it in the poppin vid section there are more poppers on this forum than lockers u will prolly get more responses and criticism...

[itsmekarlo]

the other videos are locking...

only one is popping

sorry for the confusion

[WiseGuy]

oh i see. sry ya ur poppin kinda looks like locking movements makes sense since ur a locker.. but i dont dear critique anyones locking my locking is way to sloppy and limited..lol

[benjaminlibl]

I think you look quite smooth. How long have you been locking?

[itsmekarlo]

i've been locking for a little longer than a year, but im still not sure if i'm ready to compete. thanks for the compliment =)

[benjaminlibl]

Ah no wonder... Well, if you keep saying that you'll never be ready. You should just go try. You might be suprised.

[Sash]

Hello Karlo,

I'm not an expert..by a long long way...but I did like some of your stuff.

Some constructive criticism- you don't throw the up-and-lock. In your clip you didn't once do an up and lock. It is foundation bro, the signature of locking.....

Your shapes are nice however and you have potential. You're from the states right? Then travel bro! There's incredible lockers out there!

Good luck on your journey!

Peace

Sash

[itsmekarlo]

thank you so much for the advice, i really appreciate it, and i'll keep it in mind from now on.

[benjaminlibl]

You're subscribed to Ian huh? He's my idol.

[Speechless]

I can't provide any advice cuz i'm a newb, to locking. But you seem to be well on your way.

[Boogiewalker]

Hey,

What's crackin'? Thought I'd give you some feedback about your vids. So, here goes...:

1st off, GOOD JOB DANCING! Most people have a lot of problems dancing to the music in any dance, but especially in locking. You were on beat for the majority of the time and really trying to interpret the music. That's incredibly important.

2nd, I can tell that you watch other lockers and immitate them--if I had to guess, I'd say the Koreans, Go Go Bros. and P Lock. Also good. You're learning stylistic things and little embellishments, and that will help you in developing your own style.

Constructive Criticism:

1st thing-- learn more foundation! I can tell you know some of it, but I can also tell that your knowledge is spotty. You might not have access to good training where you're at, but the best thing would be for you to get with some cats who can teach and/or download tutorials.

2nd thing-- work on EXTENDING your movements. You tend to keep them close to your body, which, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. But practice extending your movements as much as you can. It's easy to vary it and go small if you're already going big and extended; it's harder to do it the other way around. I could really notice this when you did "'round-the-world" skeeter rabbit in your Dec. 3rd video.

3rd thing-- work on locking out and STOPPING your movements. A good hard stop is partly what makes locking so eye-catching (contrasted with the groove of the dance). Really work on completing and stopping your moves.

4th thing-- practice things to BOTH SIDES. Don't be lopsided! If you wrist roll more right, practice double the amount to the left. Same thing for footwork: if you skeeter rabbit more right, do double the amount left. This will not only make you a better dancer, but it will give you more possibilities for moves...

5th thing-- practice GROOVE. This is more important than moves. "Groove over moves"-- work on this by doing rocksteady/breakdown when you're warming up. The groove is really the heart of locking and you can never have too much of it.

Lastly, I'd say, develop some drills to do for a warm up. Hit me up if you would like some ideas. Also, it's good that you watch other lockers, but don't become too much a clone of one particular dancer. If you take something, try to change it and put your own spin on it.

Overall though, you're doing very well and you're a promising locker! If you ever make it down to LA, hit me up and check out my group, Culture Shock Los Angeles (www.shockla.com). We offer free locking classes on Monday nights at Homeland in Long Beach.

keep it up!

peas,

Boogiewalker
CSLA Funkstyles
www.shockla.com

[itsmekarlo]

wow thanks so much. im very grateful that you spent time on reviewing it. I'll make sure to take those things into account. Also, are those lessons every week?

[Boogiewalker]

Yes, the classes are weekly unless otherwise noted (for example, if the Monday night is a federal or state holiday, usually Homeland is closed since it's a city-run community center). If you want to get email blasts with regular updates, email cultureshockla@yahoo.com.

But yeah, usually Monday nights from 7:30pm-9:00. FREE.

peas,

BW
CSLA Funkstyles
www.shockla.com

[jettol]

Boogiewalker's post is really comprehensive. If you can take just one of the things he says and do it really well that'll make a big improvement. I'd say work on the groove a bit more to add more funk - keep it up!