Talk:Tightrope walking
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Slackwire/slackrope, while sharing many similarities, both obivious and not so obvious to the observer, is a completely different skill from that of tighwire/tightrope which in turn is very different from highwire. Rarely are the different types compatible or practised and performed by the same person (although it is not uncommon for highwire walkers to also walk the tightwire, if only to practise or when space is limited).
- I don't agree with this at all. Both slack and tight wire use the same basic theory of balance, and consiquently most techniques can be adapted from one to the other. The thing one has to understand is that with tightwire, the wire doesn't move much side-to-side, so the force applied in balance is generally applied above the center of gravity (arms, upper body, etc). Because the slackrope moves freely from side to side, the force is applied below the center of gravity. While their are exceptios to each of these, a little thought should give you a whole new outlook on the version you don't do. Try applying the techniques you know for one to the other, but adjusting to keep the balance where it should be (e.g. if you do tightwire, keep you hands below the shoulders for slack). As an aside, I find it easier to teach slack rope first, and tightwire second. For whatever reason people seem to find it the easier progression.
Slackwire is almost exclusively done freehand or with props not used for balance. Tightwire on the other hand is almost always performed with either a pole, umbrella or fan in addition to any props.
The balance, however, is the primary difference between slack- and tightwires. Slackwire balance is gyroscopic, dependent on balance in a central point on the wire but in a free-moving, unfixed place in space. Thus it is concerned with the control of the side-to-side movements in the air and the front and back tensions of the wire. Balance on the tightwire, on the other hand, is dependant on static balance. Since the wire is in a fixed position, one's center of gravity must be more stable in a fixed point in space and on the wire itself.
The easiest to understand and most general breakdown of the typical kinds of skills performed:
- Slackwire = usually accompanied by other skills & tricks in balance & dexterity (juggling, plate spinning, swinging/swaying). Performer often portrays a character. Slackwire can be perceived as controled chaos on a moving line
- Tightwire = usually a dance & gymnastic-style performance. May incorporate characters. Tightwire can be percieved as acrobatic but precise movement on a static line.
- Highwire = usually a technical/precision and spectacle-based performance. Rarely ever performed as a character. Highwire is deliberate rigidity on a fixed line.
- The terms "Slackrope" and "Tightrope" are mostly obsolete and antiquated as almost all professionals and amatuers alike use wire cables of varying gauges.
The preffered terms for practitioners of wire-walking are respectively:
- Slackwire Walker
- Tightwire Walker
- Highwire Walker
- Skywalker
The generic term for all skills is Wirewalker
PorterLU 15:19, 20 July 2006 (UTC)
We do not use actual rope for tight or high, however we do use a number of different materials for slack, including rope (nylon, poly and various others), nylon tubular webbing and various configurations of steel cable. Each of these has different properties, and as a slack rope artist its a good idea to have experiance on as many mediums as possible.
The section on footwear seems very strangely and creepily worded. It's not factually inaccurate, but it's really uncomfortable to read.24.125.207.68 03:35, 17 February 2007 (UTC)
