| Like undertaking the task of learning any dance style, | | | | by any stretch of the imagination, yet The Lockers are |
| learning locking takes time, practice and perseverance. | | | | still funky when they dance to its soundtrack and |
| There is also another vital ingredient if you wish to take | | | | make the performance work. |
| it to a high standard. And that ingredient heeds itself in | | | | There are elements to locking that make it work and |
| the form of an understanding of the dance. | | | | make it different from other styles. And this leads to |
| When you are a beginner you will be eager to charge | | | | why you should learn locking as a style in its own right. |
| towards learning the moves, which is understandable | | | | Often elements of locking may be incorporated into a |
| and in fact to some extent the moves do play a role in | | | | choreography that can include other dance styles but if |
| the locking signature style. | | | | you wish to learn locking to a high standard you really |
| However possibly even more critical is to grasp and to | | | | need to take the time to learn it on its own. |
| understand the dance itself. For there is something that | | | | Figure out its structure and grooves, its touches and |
| underpins even all these moves and it makes itself | | | | subtle flavours that make it unique. Once you can see |
| known in the form of 'funk.' | | | | why these elements are in place you can develop a |
| Funk is a vital ingredient of locking. It cannot exist | | | | bigger picture and begin to understand with greater |
| without it. This is not talking even about funk being | | | | clarity what you can bring to the dance. |
| pervasive in your surroundings but having that funk | | | | You need to know what the 'rules' are before you can |
| inside you, so that is a part of you and your dancing. | | | | break them. Having said that 'rules' would be a rather |
| Funk does not need to be surrounding you if you have | | | | terse term and is really being used to say 'what the |
| the funk in you. You do not even need music to dance | | | | dance embodies that makes it unique and makes it |
| to if there is music inside you. | | | | function properly'. |
| A prime example of the funk being with you is | | | | You want your locking to look like locking. And that |
| watching 'The Lockers' dancing to Swan Lake if you | | | | comes from understanding all of these various |
| can ever get your hands on the footage or DVD. | | | | elements that are characteristic to locking. |
| Swan Lake would not be classed as funk music least | | | | |