On Tuesdays and Saturdays I have to go to a different studio. I have been having trouble at barre, picking up some of the combinations. Everything is done at a faster pace, with no time for questions. A few weeks ago, I searched the internet for advice. This article kept popping up. I tried to apply a few of the ideas in class.
I realized a key part for me though, is to only mark the combination with my hands. That way I can keep my gaze on the instructor, or the classmate he is having demonstrate what he is saying. If I try to mark with my feet, I end up looking in the mirror, trying to turnout or point my foot more. Honestly, I think that the best thing you can do is keep going to that instructor's class. That way you can eventually pick up the specific patterns they favor. Just this week I finally figured out one he favors all the time either for tendus, degages, or grand battements: four front, four side, two back, two side, front, side, back, four inside. Then reverse it, starting back. That is how I break it apart in my head also. I assume the outside leg, and only specify if I have to work my inside leg. If there is only one, I only say in my head the direction. Now that the pattern is clear to me, if cambres, balances, or lunges are added, I have an easier time remembering everything.
So unfortunately for me, there isn't any quick and easy solution: just keep going to class and moving! How do you remember tough combinations?
I realized a key part for me though, is to only mark the combination with my hands. That way I can keep my gaze on the instructor, or the classmate he is having demonstrate what he is saying. If I try to mark with my feet, I end up looking in the mirror, trying to turnout or point my foot more. Honestly, I think that the best thing you can do is keep going to that instructor's class. That way you can eventually pick up the specific patterns they favor. Just this week I finally figured out one he favors all the time either for tendus, degages, or grand battements: four front, four side, two back, two side, front, side, back, four inside. Then reverse it, starting back. That is how I break it apart in my head also. I assume the outside leg, and only specify if I have to work my inside leg. If there is only one, I only say in my head the direction. Now that the pattern is clear to me, if cambres, balances, or lunges are added, I have an easier time remembering everything.
So unfortunately for me, there isn't any quick and easy solution: just keep going to class and moving! How do you remember tough combinations?