FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 24, 2017 • DANCE • THE QUEENS COURIER 43
dance
Cleaner pickups - the
techniques to learn
BY SHAWN BYFIELD
For most of us, a Pickup (also known as
pull backs) is a light, hopping step that has
two sounds, done on the ball of the foot. For
standard pickups, both feet take off with a
brush back. Th en you land on the balls of
your feet at the same time. With practice, a
pickup can also be done standing on one foot.
Th ere are variations of the step of course,
just like any step in tap dance. Four count
(I’ve also heard them called delayed pickups)
happen when one foot makes a brush, followed
by the other. You then land on the fi rst
foot, and the other quickly lands aft er it.
However, you’ll discover the above technique
has two major fl aws.
Th e fi rst problem – Th at brush back adds
a “scrapey” sound. If you’ve been tap dancing
for a while, you know the diff erence
between a clear brush and a scrape. Listen to
your shuffl es; Your taps should resonate with
a crisp sound.
Th e second problem – Psychologically
speaking, once you brush back, your body
wants to put the foot down behind you,
instead of landing on your start position.
Th is makes you travel backward (ever learned
pickups traveling across the fl oor?) and makes
it much more diffi cult to stay on the spot.
So how to avoid traveling, and make cleaner
pickups?
Follow these three steps:
FIRST: Take lift off . JUMP. Don’t even
think about the brush back. Spring off the
balls of your feet, and only jump straight up
in the air.
SECOND: Once you’re in mid air, quickly
tap on the way DOWN. You need to time
that split second before gravity pulls you back
down. Tap in the space before you land.
LASTLY: Land on balls of your feet, making
sure to bend your knees. NO HEELS!
Always keep your weight on your toes.
Th is most likely involves reprogramming
the physics that you’ve learned from previous
teachers. Because tapping on the way DOWN
requires a bit more stomach, thigh and shin
muscle strength, as well as perfect timing. But
it can be done.
Try this today, and make it a habit from
now on.
Th e best way to perfect this is to sit in a
chair, lift your feet off the fl oor by pushing
off the balls of your feet, then tap, then land.
Repeat. Once you get it, you’ll immediately
hear and feel the diff erence in your technique.
Congratulations!
©Shawn Byfi eld (www.ShawnByfi eld.com) is an award winning choreographer, show director
and a leading expert in dance lessons and industry advice.
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