[dancing_pidgeon]

Ok, I have been BBoyin for a few months, and I have toprock down and stuff, but I keep hearing that you need to put in ur own style and change it up and stuff. How much do you change it? Can some of u dudes post ur style of toprock so I can see how much diference there is between the standard boring stuff and stuff with style? Don't worry, i'm not a poser looking to bite, I just want to get an idea of how far I need to go. One of these day's I will put up my toprock so you guys can criticize it for me. Thanks.

[electron]

yeah- check out my replacement top guide, that's one way to get some style in to your movement, hit angles and get your knees to work seperately from the rest of your leg

basically, you've got to get the moves pretty clean on their own, then just start DANCING them and your own flavor will come out, but it's good to know some of the standard stylistic twists anyhow

[dancing_pidgeon]

That replacement top is freakin tight. Is that it's own move or is it a variation of toprock? The whole "replacement" thing throws me off as to what it is. Soon as I can find some battteries for my digi camera (harder than it seems cause I have $3 to my name) I will post a vid of my top rock and maybe you can critique it for me?

[qubixrube]

ya, i practise individual thingies 1 by 1 by 1. Like get-downs, footwork, hand movements, spins, till its all smooth.

Personally, i mix locking, popping, and strobing together with toprock thats remnicent of MJ and the Crystal Method - Name of the Game vid. Sounds confusing? I manage to pull it together sumhow. And its not evactly how it sounds.

toprock is sumthing u gotta learn as an individual. Now as bite. Learn it ur way or dont learn it
_murda

[electron]

i'll totally critique your tops when you can get me a clip
i like replacements a lot and i'm flipping tons of my steps to include that style because it makes SUCH a difference

just rewatched my clips and i unstuck them because i'ma redo them soon,
my hands were all over the place
now i'm practicing kung fu and have all kinds of dope arm movements to throw in there... SO much better

i tend to listen to music and see moves all the time, so when the light says " don't walk" i hang around on the corner and mark out tops and drop sets , then try them out as soon as i get home

mental practicing is almost as good as physical practicing when it comes to sets and style

[Xero0197]

I'llk help too just post a clip

[EngynNumbr9]

Originally posted by electron
mental practicing is almost as good as physical practicing when it comes to sets and style

That's completely true. Many times people will see me in a daze during practice sessions... during those dazes I'm developing a concept set that I'll practice that session. It truly helps developing your style.

Once I get a dang camera I'll start creating clips. But I guess descriptive writing will have to do for now, eh?

My experience with bboying was a bit different from the normal beginner. I didn't learn the basic, till after I developed my own toprock - I guess my sisters had to do alot with that, they were competitive dancers, good ones at that. I have also been involved with alot of dancer prior to my bboying, so my toprocking looked much like hip hop/pop dance styles... which I still use. Yes I still use steps like replacement, and indian, because they're really good for transitioning - and they're pretty damn nice looking to when you work it.

Anyhow, it's pretty hard to "teach" you, but we can always help you develop your toprock, just provide a clip for us.

Engyn.