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More Tips for Tops
An Excerpt from Bullwhip Magic, by Robert Dante
dante1@earthlink.net
www.bullwhip.net
Robert Dante is an internationally recognized bullwhip expert who has
presented performances, workshops and demonstrations in major cities
throughout the United States. He is the founder and coordinator of LA
Whip Enthusiasts, and is a member of the Wild West Arts Club. Robert
Dante has been featured on TV programs and documentary films such as
HBO's Real Sex, Sin City, TVO's Studio Two, Jane Hawtin Live, and CBC
Newsworld's Chronicle, among others. He has also been heard on radio
programs from coast to coast in Canada and the United States since the
mid-1990's. Dante is based in Los Angeles, California."
Read the SCENEprofiles Interview with Robert
Dante
"Knowledge itself is power."
~ Francis Bacon
Supplement what you get from a good book or from hands-on teaching by
getting a good video. Attend conferences. Understand that non-SM people
also like to crack the whip, and you can meet them at events such as
those sponsored by the Wild West Arts Club. Don't freak out the
townsfolk -- wear western-themed clothing and leave your leather vest
festooned with conference pins at home.
The nice thing about SM conferences is that you will have a chance to
check out vendors' areas. you will find some good whips there. But I
recommend against giving a whipmaker money up front for a product
(unless he has an excellent reputation for delivering on time). If he
has a selection, try one whip, then another. Make sure it is lively --
you can do this without cracking it simply by letting it dangle and
shaking it slightly. If it is a tight braid, you will feel and see the
energy move all the way down the whip into the popper.
To repeat what has already been said in this book, once you've got your
whip, practice, practice, practice. Make sure the floor is clear of
objects that might fly off like bullets if you strike them. Outside,
rocks or pebbles can be launched like missiles if your whip hits them.
Since a whip is a three-dimensional experience, make sure you have
clearance in front, behind and above you.
Safety, safety, safety -- Expect to smack yourself. Wear glasses, a hat,
long sleeves. If you put your eye out, you won't grow a new one, so
protect what you have. Keep the whip moving away from you; never crack
it with a downward snap so the whip flies toward your face. Develop a
repertoire of strokes: there are basically three: the overhand shot
straight forward, the circus crack (an S-shape) and the Stockman's
Crack, performed over your head with a sudden reverse. Everything else
is a variation on these strokes.
Be patient with yourself -- I've never met a good juggler who has never
dropped a ball.
Concentrate on your form. It doesn't take strength or power or speed to
crack a whip: if your form is correct, the whip will crack, all by
itself. It wants to crack -- it was made that way. Let it do its job.
Remember that using a whip is a whole-body activity, not just a
wrist-snap, even with a snake whip. Use a passive wrist, not an active
wrist. Use your whole arm. Later, you can add a little wrist action (the
point-and-squeeze technique) to give an extra grace-note, but the
foundation of the stroke will originate with your whole arm. Get that
elbow away from your side, unless you like the idea of carpal tunnel
surgery in your future.
Learn to weave your own crackers; it's less expensive than buying them.
Play games to sharpen your skills: cut newspapers, crack between boxes
on chairs without touching the boxes, wrap broomsticks and chair legs.
Beat the hell out of that plush toy.
(From Spirit of the Whip, copyright 2005 by Robert Dante - See
www.smwhip.com )
Never think you know it all -- I can guarantee that you never will, no
matter how far you go, because there's always someone out there doing
something new that you haven't seen, yet.
~~~
Copyright 2005
This excerpt is reprinted here with the explicit permission of the
publisher. If you would like to share it with others, please link
directly to this page or contact the author for permission. It is a
violation of copyright law to distribute or reprint this piece without
that permission, however you may include a short quote from it, not more
than 20% of the total text. Please respect the integrity of this work.
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