When your style doesn't fit with the dance syllabus.

[peachexploration]

With so many different styles, dance types and rhythms, from time to time moves or styling specific to the instructor or dance school are just not you. It's definitely not a bad thing. Creation, innovation and inventiveness is needed for dance evolution. My question is what do you do when you just don't like certain moves, stylings etc.? I mean, you try them and practice them as the teacher instructs but for some reason, you don't care for them or they just don't fit "you". My style of dancing is high energy but not flashy at all. I like dancing with the person and not particulary showing off moves per se. That's not a bad thing either if you "and" your partner are on that same vibe. But how do you handle it without becoming extremely frustrated when your instructor insists on you doing the move and you really don't care for it?

[Sagitta]

If it's a group class then I guess you're stuck. You are in the class to learn what is taught.

However, I've done other things during a dance class when we are supposed to be practicing, with the tacit approval of my partner, if we are happy being able to execute the move being taught to our satisfaction. Then when the instructor comes around and asks us to show hime we do show the move we are supposed to be practicing, listen to his/her critiquing, repeat as often as asked, and once the instructor moves on we do our thing. I make sure that I know the move for two reasons:

(1) Whatever my style I have agreed to come to the class, and be taught, so I will learn whatever is taught (as long as it's correct) and will be a better dancer for it!! Imagine you are dancing with someone who is making you miserable. You know that it's only for a couple minutes and then you're done. Might as well make the best of it!! :)

(2) When partners are switched it's not fair to my new partner if I cannot do the move with her. I guess if you stick to one partner throughout your class you probably could do without spending much time practicing what is taught when the instructor plays music so people can practice. As long as that's not disruptive to the rest of your class!!

If it is a private lesson then you should be able to talk it out. If the instructor is trying to work on an aspect of technique then there perhaps is another way to work on it. :) If the instructor is unwilling to work out your differences so that you're happy leave and find someone else.

[peachexploration]

If it's a group class then I guess you're stuck. You are in the class to learn what is taught.

(1) Whatever my style I have agreed to come to the class, and be taught, so I will learn whatever is taught (as long as it's correct) and will be a better dancer for it!!

Nothing wrong with your opinion and I agree with you ninety percent. :wink: But I don't forget that when I'm in class, I am also paying for a service and I may not always agree with the instructor which is okay too. After taking classes in various areas of dance, I have learned the basics of what may not work particulary if it causes injury to me and/or the person I'm dancing with or it makes me and/or someone else uncomfortable. At that point I do make it known to the instructor and will not do the move. I was just wondering if anyone felt this way and if so, how did they handle the situation? Thanks for your post though. There's good information there. :D

[youngsta]

That's why I don't receive instruction anywhere they use a syllabus. I either 1) Take privates so I can dictate what is being taught, 2) Teach myself from a video clip of a move I like, or 3) Go to workshops taught by instructors I know will give me material/techniques that fit my style.

[pygmalion]

Hmm. This is a tough one, since I think I know who you're talking about, peachexploration. If it's the person I'm thinking of, she's a GREAT salsera, but she's also a ballerina and a ballroom sdancer. So she comes from a very regimented, syllabus-oriented background. AND she's a good teacher of partner-based salsa who understands dance technique, which is not easy to find around here. On top of that, like many good teachers, she's VERY opinionated and has a distinctive dance style. All that said, what would I recommend? Hmm. I'd probably go along with the program while in her group classes. You won't get far arguing with her. Then I'd just omit those uncomfortable moves from your freestyle dancing at clubs or parties. She has no control over what you do on your own.

If you don't like her teaching style, there are a couple other teachers nearby who are also good, and may approach things differently.

Hmm. Still thinking.

[peachexploration]

That's why I don't receive instruction anywhere they use a syllabus. I either 1) Take privates so I can dictate what is being taught...

Youngsta, this is a very good point and is my next step. Thanks!

Pymalion, this a another good support to another thread you initiated regarding how privates could be beneficial..

Yes, you guys rock! :notworth: Good insight. Thanks! :) :) :)

[suek]

I try really really hard to practice what's taught as it's taught in group classes and then "make it my own" later.

I made this change (from a more flippant "I can take what I like and leave the rest" attitude while IN class) when I was in a workshop and one of my local teachers was taking it too. The teacher of the workshop pointed my local teacher out and said to the rest of us, I'm sure (teacher to remain anonymous) does this move his own way, but while he's in this class, you can see him doing it the way I'm teaching and will you all please do the same.

A good lesson for me and works real well. Helping expand my horizons. And besides, who am I to say when my style is complete? My style is an ever evolving and developing thing and this attitude keeps me more open to change. A good thing.

Now I GOTTA get on the road.

Thx

Sue

[Swing Kitten]

I agree with Suek. I'm sure it's difficult enough teaching group classes with out taking into account each student's personal style.

I am of the mind set that when am in a class I am as open as possible. The teacher takes you down a path and if you choose not follow how can you make discoveries? You probably won't use everything that you learn in a class but you are paying for the service-- take what they have to offer. Perhaps doing things their way for a little while will lead you to an apifphany otherwise impossible.

Here's something that I remember whenever I get those silly notions to do things my way in spite of my instruction: I have a friend who teaches music at the university in Sacramento, CA. Last summer a music professor friend of hers sent a student to take a conducting workshop taught by a colleague. This student had recently developed a disproportionately large ego and my friend was told to not do anything to encourage that while he was staying at her house. When asked how the workshop was going the student seemed discouraged from the feedback saying that the professor did not have a proper appreciation of his style. My friend recalled this and replied "You're a child-- you ain't got no style!" :D

I try to keep it in perspective-- I'll have the rest of my life to do it my own way... I know I can learn more if I play along with this in mind. There are of course exceptions to this just like everything.

[peachexploration]

I try to keep it in perspective-- I'll have the rest of my life to do it my own way... I know I can learn more if I play along with this in mind. There are of course exceptions to this just like everything.

I try really really hard to practice what's taught as it's taught in group classes and then "make it my own" later.

These are the attitudes that I (and make sure)I keep while in class but of course like Swing Kitten says, there are exceptions. But you would jump off a bridge if the instructor includes it on the syllabus? I'm being over dramatic with that statement obviously but there are times when you have to say, is this the class, instructor, environment for me? Anyways, I've already resolved my situation, I was just wondering if anyone else had come to this crossroad.

[d nice]

It depends entirely what you are talking about. When a teacher is trying to change your style then discussion or leaving is the only way...

When the teacher is insisting that you learn their style so you can better make decisions about what you want to use, and make you a more well rounded dancer, then you need to put aside your own ideas about style and absorb. Ego is the death of good dancing, humility is freedom.

A lot of people will call their shortcuts and adaptions of technique, posture, frame, and footwork personal style... This is why so many teachers insist that you do things their way... because "personal style" of dancers often is the result of bad habits or inexperience more than a conscious choice of how you wish to move with this partner to this song.

Then again you also have some instructors that believe that there is only one right style, theirs these teachers should be avoided at all costs... no matter how good of a dancer or insructor they are, they will actually hold you back. You are not built like them, you have a different dance and music background... you are suppossed to move differently.

Moving your hips "like so" in a dance is part of teh dances character... not personal style. Doing this "other thing" with your hips while maintaining the character is personal style... as long as it does not interfere with the rest of the dance.