Practicing without a partner

[pygmalion]

I'm on the unfortunate list of people in search of a good dance partner, so I rarely have the chance to practice with another human being between lessons (unless you count social dancing, which I don't) Question: What kinds of things can/do you practice when you're home alone? Leaders? Followers?

[Sagitta]

As a leader: basic technique, such as foot positioning, balance..., you can also practice moves to a more limited extent. I benefit from practicing moves from one class to the next. I think that I would actually benefit more with a partner for this, but it does help. :)

[Vin]

For me it really depends. The periods where I am completely without a dance partner I work on my rhythm and listening to the music. If I have a dance partner but she is not around I usually spend my time dancing alone thinking up new moves that I want to try out for the next time we practice.
I think this time without the heavy practice is actually good for my dancing as well. Through listening to the music more I get a better feel for it and when I get back into the dance it seems even better.

[DancingMommy]

Run your routines by yourself. This is so beneficial. Our coach has mandated that we each run our routines alone as well as together. Apparently, top pros are able to do their routines without benefit of a partner. It helps to set the routines in stone in your mind.

Shapes, footwork, lines, etc are able to be practiced alone. A mirror is very good for this. My husband practices on the way to the bathroom at work. He uses the hallway as the "long side" of the room... He's a perfectionist, though...

[pygmalion]

I agree, DancingMommy. You have to be able to run the routines on your own.

[DancingMommy]

I agree, DancingMommy. You have to be able to run the routines on your own.

According to our coach, even the top pros are able to do this. He basically told us that if they can do it, we can (read must) do it. Especially since all our routines are basically pro material. The only difference between them and us is practice (and practice... and practice... and getting paid) :lol:

[HothouseSalsero]

I have never had a practice partner for any really extended period of time. (I had one I practiced maybe a few times with, but I was interested in going out with her from the very beginning, and when she finally got through to me that that was not going to happen, I said: that's the end of that.) This has meant that I have practiced a lot by myself. That's how I've memorized the combinations I know, in combination with privates, group classes, and actually going out dancing. Generally, it's taken me a lot of drilling to get things down. Sometimes I used to obsessively go over combinations in my head while walking down the street, sort of moving my hands (subtly) as a reminder. (I'm sure I looked insane, but that wouldn't necessarily attract attention in Center City Philadelphia.) I'm not sure how I go over things in my head, since I am a non-visualizer (or at best, a very poor visualizer).

After my private lessons, I would usually go over whatever I had just learned for an hour or so, in my apartment, mostly because I couldn't stop. Likewise, if I had been out dancing, I usually couldn't get to sleep without first going over some moves, no matter how late it was.

Not having a practice partner has its disadvantages, but one advantage is that I really had to learn how to lead things with all sorts of partners, rather than falling back on some one main partner.

[pygmalion]

I've noticed what you're talking about, HothouseSalsero. I know several couples who dance only with each other, and some of them haven't been able to develop their leading/following ability as well as people who mix with other partners.