How much should you use the mirror?

[Ichi]

Been popping properly for nearly a month now so still fairly new to the scene.

Just wondering how much time should be spent watching yourself pop in the mirror as opposed to recording yourself and dancing without seeing yourself, getting a mate to watch, etc. Is there any sort of rough ratio? I notice that alot of top dogs in the field seem to be in front of the mirror constantly and as such I have gone back to doing nothing else other than poppin in front of the mirror.

I understand recording yourself is good from time to time as you can pick up on your bad habits but is it worth only doing this once in a blue moon or about as much as being in front of the mirror.

Movement isnt a problem as my mirror is huge and in the living room so im not stuck in one place.

Cheers

[juggaloG421]

i like to use mirrors when im learning something new or perfecting something i already know. problem i have with mirrors is that you tend to be looking at yourself.
so if your turned sideways and your head is facing the mirror its a bit more tricky...

id say use it as much as you need. or as much as you think it helps.
just dont over do it because then you become dependent on the mirror.

so just switch it up!
see what works for you!

and always keep practicing!

peace.

[Kemistry]

Haha the mirror! Yeah I bet 95% of dancers practice from time to time in front of a mirror just cause you want to see what everyone else sees when you get down. For me I've found that it creates just as much creativity as if you were to dance without it. The mirror I think really helps tighten up those little movements one does in the dance that they do. However in my opinion mirrors suck when trying to create new shit. I found for me that it's better to try and get into that state of mind of (I just don't give a fuck) I want to go dance. Dance for you and only you. Fuck everyone else. Rules and regulations can go suck a mean dick. Just remember you're not always gonna dance at 100% of your ability all of the time. Sometimes you're just not feeling it or maybe your mind and heart just isn't in it at the moment. Maybe Albertos did a poor job on that carne asada burrito you ordered and now you don't feel to good. A billion factors come into play.

I'm a skateboarder and I see dancing kind of in the same light. When you first start out you probably stink big time and your ass is gonna get hurt, flustrated and pissed off sometimes. But who can stand the test of time? I think it's pretty easy to see who the true ones are. They don't get into popping because of any hype, trends, or because their girl or boyfriend likes popping. They do it cause it's there life and passion. They have a real hunger for it.









kemone909sb

[spacecapital]

Well, to each as own, it your choice, and you have to be the one that come to this conclusion. What I have noticed from dancing in front the mirror, is it good to do when you are focusing on improving a movement(s). I don't like using it when I'm dancing. I like having two practice sessions when I used to practice a lot. I have one practice session that focus on improving my moves in this dance, and I have another session for improvising/freestyling to the music.

So, one practice session is for learning or improving movements, and that is the session I sometimes used mirror. This practice session I'm mostly focused on one movement at a time, and it more of a repetition with this movement. So I exercise firth, then I focus on technical stuff, and then I practice just dancing with the music and then I slow it down with a few exercises.

This is how I used to do it, and it really helped me out a lot, because I was able to practice new stuff and improve on movements. You should always practice your basic, this is a way to evolve as a dancer.

SpaceCapital

[dqfrshfool]

when im learning somthing new i use mirrors but if im feeling it i like 2 dance in dark, make a lil space for myself and dance but this is just me.

[TETRIS]

Before when i used to practice alot i used the mirror alot to get my tuts straight or my waves cleaner.

It helps in cleaning up your posture and creating new movements/concepts.


But like the rest say, when you simply wanna get down, it becomes a hurdle since ur not watching yourself. I would suggest you practice with mirror when ur inside the house or something but do go out to clubs and jams to practice without the mirror and vibe out 360 degrees with ppl around you 8)

[Boogiewalker]

I actually think there are benefits and negatives to both mirrors and cameras...

First off: "Mirror hypnotism"-- mirrors are good for certain things (cleaning, positioning, etc.), but mirrors do lie a bit. I call it mirror hypnotism--the mirror can make you actually think that you're a lot cleaner or on-point than you actually are. Cameras, on the other hand, tend to really make you have to look at yourself objectively and they really let you see your dancing, warts and all.

Mirrors can also be a detractor from your attention, whereas you can forget about a camera once its running, esp. if you position it so it's out of your line of sight. But, of course, it could also be just as easily distracting if you can't forget about it...

However, mirrors are easier for fast reference, esp. if you're working on a routine with one or more other people. But cameras give you a more permanent visual for more accurate cleaning...

but as you know, a lot of it is subjective and depends on your preferences.... but these are just some general things I've noticed...

peas,

Boogiewalker
CSLA Funkstyles

[hokiruu]

getting a mirror is one of the best and most important things i have done for my dance progress, but interesting enough, i actually don't use it all that much. but when i do use it, and use it the right way, it's really worth it.
i find that i start out figuring something out, and even though i am making an effort to watch myself i the mirror, i inevitably kind of lose interest in it forget about the mirror to just do my thing and dance.

as for a ratio of time spent, i'd say that's totally subjective and will probably vary depending on what you're doing/working on/how you're feeling at any given point. there are times we want to practice out angles and get them clean- mirror. then there are times we want to "feel" a move, work on our spontaneous/freestyle flow-probably no mirror

[astro]

i used to practice alot i used the mirror alot to get my tuts straight or my waves cleaner.

It helps in cleaning up your posture and creating new movements/concepts.



yes ma,
you say it .
It is realy the best when you got some rutine moves and
train it without a mirror, just early as you can.
It will makes youre style more self-confident.
But in the case of evolveing you have to use the mirror to
watch the effects,not for flame, just to control it.

peace&thanx

[Ichi]

Cheers all.

Ive started doing what Tetris suggested. Problem with Peterborough is the clubs all play flippin trance and pop which is what i seriously dislike. Ive been a few times but find it hard to pop to music i hate.

I would get down to a B Boy joint if I knew where to find it (I know there is one in Peterborough but its very well hidden and not advertised)

Meantime I just pop with the mirror and sometimes without it.

Should be alright in a while though. Going to Thailand for a month and I know of one Electro club near where im staying. I feel I will be breaking out the robot in there almost every night. 8)