Need a critique of my dancing from a gender presentation POV

[April Lee]

I have talked about it here a few times that I am a rock and roll girl through and through. I have also mentioned how dancing has become a major part of my new life. I normally dance in clubs, usually in off hours when they are fairly empty. I like to move all over open spaces, and on hard floors, sliding is incorporated into my movement. None of that is possible in the small carpeted space in the video below. This video also has a more driving beat than I typically dance in the clubs. But I think it shows pretty well my movements from the waist up. I started this thinking about doing a poor imitation Tina Turner, and as I got tired as the video went on, I think I look more like a really poor version of Mick Jagger. In the 2nd half of it, I can be heard a few times gasping for air, and my gasps sound pretty male.

I am wondering how girl I look doing this. I am thinking not very much, but I love doing it.

[suzifrommd]

Beautiful. I'd totally ask for your phone number.

[femmebutt]

More spin moves!

Sorry that's more a critique from a dancing point of view.. although perhaps that's relevant. I think you can accentuate a more feminine dancing form by lengthening the execution and or duration of your gestures. So instead of little wiggles and jiggles, think longer waves. Maybe open up your posture too if only to convey confidence. Arms out widens your presence, arms forward pulls the watcher in, arms over the head is sexy, etc...

All that said I totally see jagger in your moves! <3 So you kinda win dancing right there. And you look like you enjoy doing it! If I saw you on the dance floor I'd think, "I'm gonna go dance with that chick!"

[herekitten]

You asked for critique which tells me you are open to learning or improving.  You definitely look like you are having fun. I like your arm movements and your feet/leg movement.  What is missing though is a little hip action. Your graceful upper torso movement accentuates the lack of hip action.  Loosen up your spine, it will allow your hips to move seductively in a wave motion (you know as in side to side, kinda like a washing machine on slow) and it will balance out the shoulder movements (think latin salsa with all the hip gyrations, but toned down). So get those hips a moving and show everyone where your mamma lives. BTW, you have nice slim hips (I'm jealous), so show them off!

If I saw you dancing at some club, I would say "I want what she is having" and I'd be dancing right alongside with you.

[Evelyn K]

I love this dancing style. It really brings out the femininity in you. If I saw you in a bar, I'd totally dig a woman who can pull off these sensual looking moves.

You are all woman honey!

[KarynMcD]

You seem like you are still restraining yourself.
Relax, let it flow.
Women tend to be more free with their arms. Your hands can go above your head.

Check out this video:

[Evelyn K]

^^^ I like April's dancing style better. It's more feminine.

[April Lee]

Thanks everybody, I appreciate both the constructive criticism and the compliments. I am definitely going to experiment with some of the suggestions. I also need to learn how not to gasp in a male sounding way.

My dancing has become a very spiritual thing for me during my transition. I can psycho babble to death on it, and what it means to me. My goal is always to become freer, to let what is inside to bubble out of my soul like champagne. The body is just a tool in that regard. I think of it as an artist's palate. I am always trying to get a few more colors into it, that can I use to paint my life art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=qc8_UOp12jY

[April Lee]

If the skirt is too short, I apologize to the moderators, but I have danced this way in clubs in this skirt. The carpeted surface here is not conducive to what I am trying to do. I was really struggling with my heels on it. On a big hard floor I move all over a great deal. And there are a couple completely contrived moves thrown in here. The circle thing I tried in the middle here is completely lame. But this video sort of shows how I dance when I just bring it completely raw. The question is whether I look like a girl who can really rock and is having fun with it, which is what I am trying to do.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1o59Z8DRtA&feature=youtu.be

[April Lee]

An explanation of my dancing and how it relates to my journey:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peVDnMSPS_s&feature=youtu.be

[April Lee]

I studied everybody comments here, and decided to take a little time absorbing it all, and trying out a few things. I had planned to circle back to this thread after I practiced for a while. One of things I discovered is that my dancing at times approaches frantic. I tend to get rather exuberant and just cut loose. That worked fine with driving rock songs but less well dancing to songs with a slower tempo. I am a very big fan of the blues, but the slow blues gave me all sorts of trouble. I also wanted to dance more feminine and sexier. I needed to somehow control things a little without losing the freedom that makes dancing so fun for me. I needed to learn how to understate my movements. Somebody who watched me in a club also told me "less hands and more hips". I discovered that when I felt like I was starting to get off my groove, that really just focusing on swaying the hips helped get me back on track. So I started really focusing on that. I think I am making progress, but I still have a long way to go. My goal is not just to dance like a girl, but to dance like a girl that is fun to dance with.

Dancing sans makeup

[Naeree]

You make me wanna get up and dance now!  I like the one you dance with cowboy hat and blues music, smooth! Just dance to the flow of music, let the sexy, feminine feeling out on your move. And it seem like you having fun, that make you look attractive on your dance. Enjoy

[Pony]

I have talked about it here a few times that I am a rock and roll girl through and through. I have also mentioned how dancing has become a major part of my new life. I normally dance in clubs, usually in off hours when they are fairly empty. I like to move all over open spaces, and on hard floors, sliding is incorporated into my movement. None of that is possible in the small carpeted space in the video below. This video also has a more driving beat than I typically dance in the clubs. But I think it shows pretty well my movements from the waist up. I started this thinking about doing a poor imitation Tina Turner, and as I got tired as the video went on, I think I look more like a really poor version of Mick Jagger. In the 2nd half of it, I can be heard a few times gasping for air, and my gasps sound pretty male.

I am wondering how girl I look doing this. I am thinking not very much, but I love doing it.

This response is specifically for April Lee. I have read the other responses, and although I don't agree with all of them, they are opinions and I respect the right of everyone to express their opinion. They are neither right nor wrong. I wish to offer mine as well since you have asked for feedback, April. I want to give you legitimate feedback that you can use, and it is not delivered with any malice or intention of hurting your feelings. I'm simply giving you a Simon Cowell-like response with what I see is useful information to really make a difference in improving your presentation into the direction you have stated you want to go. In other words, I'm trying to give you some constructive criticism to help you. 

Now other trans women, and gg's have constantly asked me how I'm able to walk, run, and even dance so effortlessly as a woman, so I kinda know what I'm talking about here and not just blowing BS outa my bunghole at you.

When watching your vidoes, the first thing I thought was: I think you dance like a man trying to dance like a woman. Reasons are:
1) You need to seriously loosen up, seriously, like get a nice buzz going kinda loosened up crack your neck and shake your arms out, kind of loosened up. The movements are too controlled, almost like you're afraid to get your girl groove on. Consider getting into stretching to open up some flexibility and allow your movements to be more fluid. It's too mechanical right now.

2) A woman's weight is all in her hips. Watch that video someone posted in this thread, don't even turn on the volume, and just watch how all the weight is in the hips. The arms accentuate a woman's movement, they don't make it. You're doing the reverse because you're used to doing so with a man's frame and that's how men dance. Their weight is in the shoulders and is more rigid with the movement.

Here is a simple suggestion that truly helps with acquiring a more female movement, and this works beyond dancing as well. WEAR FLATS. Sneakers even. When trying to learn a new dance technique, or style, dancers do not typically run out in heels to do it, they wear flats. This is because flats will give you your rock steady base. You'll feel more comfortable wearing flats. When you have the dance/movement down pat, then you start building up in heel height. (This honestly applies to just walking and running as a woman as well, and far too many Trans women think they need to wear heels to look fem, when it causes the reverse constantly). Secure your base, your foundation, your footing, with a comfortable pair of flat sneakers, then work up.

Positives I noticed in your videos:
1) You're clearly having fun and enjoying yourself. Don't stop doing this!
2) You projecting a positive fun energy. Don't stop doing this either!
3) For your next video, hide all mirrors, and don't look at your laptop or camera. Just set it up. Know where you have to be to stay in frame, and unshackle your soul and go nuts.

Remember the weight is in your center, throw it around and use the rest of your body to accentuate/highlight it. It moves everything else. But make sure you have a good footing with a pair of comfy sneakers or flats. Help the transition from one type of movement to another by helping your feet have a bit of familiarity.

[April Lee]

I decided to check back with this thread ever so often and post a "progress" video. My goal has been to dance both more feminine and more sexy. I think I have become much loser, and I feel that I look like I am having a lot fun with it. I can for short periods of time lead with my hips,which I believe is more feminine, but I still periodically fall back into the bad habit of leading with my shoulders and arms, which is more male. I also realize that I do some pretty unorthodox things for either gender, but my dancing gets me a lot of attention when I go to the clubs. People talk a lot about how free and uninhabited I look. I don't know if that always comes across in these videos.

[HoneyStrums]

That dance your doing? Can you do that, without moving your arms?

Just doing the hips down? and then vedio that? so I can make a comparison? because my guss is, that the subcontiouse movement your upperbody makes to balance the lower half, will be more like they need to be?

Dont get me wrong here, I have absoloutly no idea how to dance.

But I can see a little of that energy sombody mentioned, what I mean is,

I see your shoulder every so often move with enthusiasme, but you chest moves to folow it with less, and then your hps move to follow that, this seems to be throwing you of balance a little bit.

Your movements (save the shoulder energy) are by them self feminin, but femini isnt woman.

Your dance has improved, I can see that in the energy, you do have a lot mre comming from you center Its just those enthusiastic shoulder movments throwing in all the undesired energy

Oh and the falts Sugestion that is like gold, heels mean we loos balance a lot easier, which as said can mean learning to move a spacific way will take a much longer time.


By the way, I loved that dress you was wearing. in the first vedio.

[lostcharlie]

April , Not about to critique your dancing , I can't dance for s#%t. Just saying if the crowds not throwing beer bottles at you your doing great. Just have fun !!! 

[Martine A.]

One general advice... pronounce more moves in the hip and less ones in the shoulders.

[abd789]

Love it!

Just keep dancing

Ive recently started dancing to lose weight and its the funnest exercise Ive ever done. I feel great doing it and its working.

[April Lee]

I decided that every few months I would revisit this thread, and post occasional updates. I have never felt that my dancing videos, which I do in my own house, really capture what happens with me in the clubs. Most of my dancing out in public involves getting utterly lost in the music, but I am constantly aware of everything when a camera is recording at home. It always seems rather artificial and forced there.

I took in all the advice from everybody here and have worked to incorporate it into my dancing. Yet I didn't want to ever contrive anything. My dancing is about letting the joy out of me, and just being free. So I nudge it along, but I am not forcing it when I dance out in public.

Looking at the attached videos and comparing them to ones done almost a year ago, I can see a slow transformation. I also have expanded the types of music that I dance to now, but I always tru to make everything my own. 

Classic Slow Rock in 3" Pumps


Headbanging music danced in low heal boots

[April Lee]

As I said in an earlier post in this thread, I had planned to revisit this thread ever few months and post an update of my progress (or, um, lack there of). But a series of issues have conspired to keep me away from Susan's for much longer than that. I have had internet problems (I sort of live in the boonies). as well as employment and personal issues. I have even had a stalker to deal with over the last year. While all of this has distracted me, I have still managed to find some time for my dancing. In fact, dancing has sort or become my one refuge.

I have experimented with a lot of things during that time that were originally suggested to me here. The process has been rather gradual, but continuous. I wanted to guide things in a particular direction, without ever really contriving anything. While not every suggestion has taken hold, many have influenced me. A lot of people told me that I was dancing way too much with my shoulders, and to start my moves lower down on the body. I have certainly moved my dancing in that direction. They also suggested that I was too tight in my moves. I think I have made some progress in that regard as well. A very positive feedback I got from a few people was that I appeared to be a rather fun person to dance with. I suspect that is because I kind of just let it all emotionally hang out when I dance, although I think I have always been emotionally freer in the clubs than I tend to show in my videos. Yet as I have become more comfortable in my dancing this has aspect has become even stronger. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I clown it up, but I am always trying to just let out what I am feeling inside. When I started this thread, I was far more concerned that I was dancing like a girl than I am now.  Maybe I am just a lot more secure in general now.