| 5 objects............The first number. essay by Sam Hartford Some jugglers, including the author of this essay, believe that 5 objects is the smallest number of objects that can be considered numbers juggling. The following are some of the bases supporting this belief: 1. There is a definite structural difference that exists between patterns with 5 or more objects and patterns with less than 5. Namely, 3 and 4 object patterns have a rythymic timing mechanizm built into the structure of the pattern. Specifically, in 3 ball cascades and 4 ball fountains, a new throw is made when the previous throw reaches the peak of its flight path. So, in order to juggle 5 or more objects, it is necessary to rely on internal rythym in order maintain the proper pattern. 2. In the basic patterns for 3 and 4 objects, every throw must cross the path of (1) other object (looking at fountain patterns as two seperate patterns performed simultaneously [e.g. 2 in each hand]). However, with 5 or more objects, every throw must cross the path of at least 2 other objects. Thus, with 5 or more, the possibility for colissions can be expressed by an exponent which is greater than the exponent which represents the possiblility for collisions with 3 and 4. In short, the author believes that a greater variation in technical srtucture exist between 3/ 4 and 5+ balls than any other ranges of numbers. Because any other definition of numbers juggling would be based primarily on subjectivity, the author presents 5 objects as the most logical begining of the numbers ladder. The Author also presents the idea that the only other logical start of the numbers ladder would be 3 objects, or 2 in one hand. This would make all toss juggling also numbers juggling. This essay represents the opinions and ideas of the author only. If you would like to have your opinions and ideas on this subject included in this page, please contact the webmaster at: <[email protected]>. This page last updated: 5/30/2001 |