What Kind of Shoes Do I Need?
It's true that in Flamenco the shoes are quite important. Flamenco shoes are built with a lot of strength to hold up to the abuse. They also have a reinforced toe and special nails in the toes and heels that give the tacaneo (footwork) its unique sound. The downside is they are fairly expensive and can be hard to buy local. Some people will start wearing a character shoe which is used in classical dance; it looks like a Flamenco shoe but is not nearly as strong and doesn't have nails. The dance store in Kelowna does have some flamenco shoes or can order them in on request. If you ask me in class I can give you more affordable options and also more authentic options. Realistically to start you just need a pair of supportive shoes with a rubber sole. No ballroom shoes! There is so much to learn that it isn't necessary to rush out and buy shoes immediately. Also there are often people selling their old shoes on marketplace.
What If I have No Dance Experience?
If you've never danced before I definitely recommend taking the intro to Flamenco or beginner level. Even if you have danced before Flamenco is quite different then most other dance forms. Not to worry though! We all have to start somewhere and every week we will build on the previous weeks lesson and gradually increase complexity. Most people benefit from taking at least one full semester of the Intro or beginner level. If you are unsure just ask me!
How Can I Practice At Home?
Truthfully you don't need anything fancy. Lots of techniques such as clapping don't require anything other then yourself. For practicing footwork that's a bit different. You can get Flamenco practice pads which are made of rubber small and portable and quiet.if you don't have to keep the noise down I recommend getting a piece of plywood, not chipboard and placing that on top of a rubber mat or carpet. I do not recommend dancing on tile or concrete! Ps I often dance in my converse runners so keep it fun and simple.
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How Often Do I need To Practice?
Any amount of practice is good practice! I always say that 10 minutes of daily practice goes along way. And it doesn't all have to be stomping around which is really fun though by the way! Practice can include listening to flamenco music, reviewing videos, practicing foundation techniques such as florets ( hand movements). Make it fun and a part of daily life. Any progress is good progress.