Shoulder technique

[Waleed]

I had always dismissed moving your shoulders in bhangra as something that qualifies as uncle-at-shadi-bhangra (along with screwing-the-lightbulb move). However, this past year after watching more traditional videos and dancing with a more traditional team I've realized how important it is to have good shoulder technique. Especially in jhummer, hopping your shoulder gracefully to the beat adds a very nice touch to the moves.

Watch the guy in the red (with the brace) starting at 3:27. You'll see what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX9sJHyS7Lc

 

[faizan]

this was one of the best jhummar segments of the season, for sure...

i agree waleed, shoulder movement, and bounce, is key, especially for jhummar and dhamaal...it ain't just fo uncles no mo.

 

[Arjun Barua]

Very nice jhummar by HPD!

I wouldn't limit shoulder bounce to just jhummar and dhamaal, though. It's something that makes ALL the dances more visually appealing (and FUN!). Take a minute. Think about it. DO IT!

Traditional is here to stay!

 

[HMalhi]

proper jhummar is a beautiful thing....
nice performance

 

[Kanvar]

adding to this, shoulder bouncing looks really good in jugni also. especially when your staying still.

 

[Manjot]

poppin shoulder is important..it jus makes u look more lively if u no wut i mean lol

 

[KaraN]

i been poppin shoulderz since u been poppin pillzzzzzzzzz Faizan

Isko kehte hain...BARBAADI!

 

[Jeeti]

This just made me think of something...Jhummar takes time and practice to learn, and oftentimes there are dancers that just do not look good doing it either because they have not done it enough or have not had enough time to practice. In a college setting where you have to work to the strengths of your dancers, is it better to have a jhummar segment be ehhh than to just take it out completely? I'm thinkin its better to take it out completely..but...

your thoughts.

 

[HMalhi]

Jeeti,
I say if it doesn't look good don't put it in....no use in losing points...
But even for new dancers...jhummar can be picked up with the right amount of practice...
So if you do decide to have a jhummar segment...just practice until it looks proper

 

[Kanvar]

jeeti,

it is true that in a college setting you somewhat have to work to the strengths of your dancers; but i mean most teams teach their dancers other moves and what not so to spend a little bit of time on teaching jhummar correctly i think goes a long way in not only bringing up the talent of the dancers but also giving a more balanced routine. you can't dance to all fast songs or have a mix be at the same tempo throughout the whole routine that just gets boring.

 

[Waleed]

Yea, I would say keep the jhummer segment. Pick an easy-to-do song if the dancer's aren't that experienced. Keep the moves simple and soft and remind your dancers to be as graceful as they can. Eventually, they will start catching on and you can bump it up a notch i.e. select a more difficult song with more complex moves.

Its true though, even the simplest move in jhummer requires years to master but remember, you have to start somewhere.

 

[TheBraveOne]

jhoomers also improve a bhangra dancer overall since shoulders and the smile are so important in jhoomers..jhoomers are very useful and dont take very long to master, they are useful in the sense that they allow u to take a break from the fast paced bhangra in a set...jhoomer should be practiced regularly since it can always be improved

 

[smehta]

i love the way hpd does their jhoomer, its absolutely a blast to watch. the only thing i think hpd can improve on is the way they kick out their legs to the side on some moves. i.e. at 5:14...the blue guy in the front shows this very evidently. that's the only thing i could really pick out stylistically that a lof them do. other than that, i loved every second of it.

 

[Vijay]

as far as shoulder bounce during jhummer, i think its equally important to have proper bounce in your step while doing jhummer. a lot of beginners to bhangra are very flat footed, and being able to move and bounce while moving is really hard for some people to learn/acquire. i've always had trouble teaching this to new dancers when we have bhangra workshops, but as long as they move their feet with the beat, its a start. thoughts about this?

another thing that i love to see teams do that heeray does a lot is looking/watching at teh audience. watch at 4:51 and 6:35 the lead guy in pink jodi. watching the audience when it seems like its not a "proper" time to do it shows that the dancer is confident on stage, and knows the routine well enough to put his own style and flair into the dance and gives off great stage presence. ive also seen this by vcu guys and virsa, and im sure tons of experience dancers do this as well, i know i do.

 

[Vic]

Shoulder movement can make a routine look much better then what it actually is. I love the pink brace guys shoulder movement. It would look much better if the entire team was working their shoulders like him.

I think should movement looks the best during JUGNI though. The beat of jugni is at the perfect pace for a finessful bounce.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRBwtlSEX18

Our jugni starts at about 5:02 with our big shoulder shaking ahaha. The last part of the jugni is where the shoulders are very visible.

I dont see jugni hapening without the should technique.