Musical Kung Fu ? Is it just me ?

[ursa major]

The first time I saw 'musical kung-fu', that is forms done to music, I figured that like disco music it would go away as people regained their senses.

To my horror not only has it not gone away but the reverse -- it has grown in popularity and I am seeing it more and more in tournaments and events.

In fact, like an insidious virus, is has infected one of the clubs where I train. Where we once had students practicing iron form we now have young divas prancing about while flayling their martial arts to Britney Spears... and this has been deemed as acceptable behaviour.

Is it just me ? Am I getting old ? Granted I started MA in the early 70's so am getting on. I don't get it -- what earthly purpose is there in playing your forms to music ? IMO this reduces precious MA to mere choreography.

Regards,
UM.

[KC Elbows]

It's cheesy, but as long as the music has the same timing as the form, I don't have a problem with it. Unfortunately, the rhythms are rarely the same.

The handy thing about slow music to practice slow forms to is it reminds you to slow down more than you might normally. I've played around with the idea of writing a song based around the timing of the internal form of my system, one version with fa jing, one without. But then, I'm a stinking hippy. Something really mellow, but the version with fa jing would have these sudden crescendoes.

[Chang Style Novice]

It's not just you. I'm new to this, and find the idea of music playing during forms competitions to be silly, distracting, and pandering to people who are more interested in seeing some kind of dance than martial art.

And I do tai chi!

Then again, I don't think very highly of forms competitions regardless of musical accompaniment.

[KC Elbows]

I agree, I just think it can be a useful tool while learning. That's not why it's used in competition, there it's just an attempt at showmanship. And usually, like I said, the rhythm is all messed up. That's the problem: while forms don't always have a funky rhythm, the odds of finding a song where the rhythms, including all the dramatic moves/fa jings, are anywhere close to one and the same, so some people seem to like either lame dance beat, or really mellow music where most people can't discern the beat, either of which is lame.

It's just the odds of finding a song to match the form is zero, so unless you're a musician, you're stuck with at best good form poorly matched with music, which is bad showmanship, and since showmanship was the goal in competition, you're better off just doing good form by itself.

One of the best push hands players I've met recommended two things for good relaxed internal skill. Slow music was the first one. Gene, pass the second one.

[Chang Style Novice]

I consider it a catch 22 while learning.

If the music is prominent enough to hear, it will more likely distract than aid. (Learning is too spontaneous and unpredictable for recorded music to be an important tool - live improvised music as in capoeira might be a different story, but I don't think we're talking about that since capoeira a - doesn't have forms and b - is almost as much improvisational dance as martial art.)

If the music isn't prominent enough to hear, it won't have any effect at all.

[dezhen2001]

for me i dont mind... there have been creative kata competitions in karate for many years - even to music. To me, like wushu - great atheletes, especially if u can make a routine to the music. its like floor gymnastics.

they deserve props, but again, its different from fighting skill

dawood

[eulerfan]

I occasionally practice tai chi to 'spinning plates' by radiohead.

[KC Elbows]

CSN,
I think when the lessons actually going on(i.e. teacher showing student something), music is very intrusive and counter productive. But when the student is doing form, it can help, because most students that do slow forms tend to speed up and such. If they know where they're supposed to be at the bridge(speaking musically), and they aren't there yet, or passed it, they become aware of a problem.

However, I think it's sort of like mirrors. Ultimately, you don't need either. Even if you see all your problems in a mirror and address them, until you don't need the mirror to know whether and where your body mechanics are off, you don't have kung fu.

So, it's just a tool, but not a requirement.

[KC Elbows]

I like radiohead, as well as some tool for workouts. I'll also use Passion(Peter Gabriel), and the CTHD soundtrack. I don't usually do externals to music, but King Crimson is fun, if distracting at times(you're really not supposed to shout thela hun ginjeet when you attack, at least that's what my sifu says)

[ZIM]

Maybe you can introduce Kung Fu mixed with Performance Art
I can see it now: spouting bad poetry while doing taiji, weird jump-cut videos in the background, a jar of urine on the floor....with a yin yang symbol in it...

Hey- there's an idea!!

[KC Elbows]

We could get grants for that sort of project, ZIM!

Nice touch with the urine.

CSN, you're the artist, let's get moving on this. I'll provide the urine. ZIM, you photocopy your nipples. Euler, do you have any problem working with eels?

[Chang Style Novice]

sniff - performance art isn't what I do. Thats (tone of incredible disdain) theater. I, on the other hand, PAINT! and DRAW! Such an ephemeral approach to creation is not for me. I create art objects and artifacts that will last forEVER!

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dangit, this papers going yellow.

[KC Elbows]

All right, paint something for me to pee on.

[ZIM]

Well, maybe CSN can stick a bullwhip up his butt and photograph that for the project...

Which nipples you want?

[KC Elbows]

"Which nipples you want?"

All three of them.

Where's those **** eels?