Mini lessons before dance socials - how useful?

[KevinL]

Almost every dance social I have ever attended has included at least a half-hour mini-lesson before the open dancing. How useful do you think these lessons are for brand-new dancers? How useful do you think they are for experienced dancers?

[KevinL]

How useful do you think these lessons are for brand-new dancers?

In my opinion, mini-lessons before open dancing are incredibly useful for brand-new dancers. If someone attends a dance with no experience, all they can do is watch and envy those who do know how to dance. If they attend the mini-lesson they will (hopefully) be able to learn to do a couple of pieces of whatever dance is taught. Then, when that kind of song comes on they can at least practice whatever little basic pieces they learned. New dancers can learn a lot in 30 minutes.

I have known some people whose whole dance learning experience has been through the lessons before dances. They weren't really that great, but they enjoyed what they knew how to do, and knew a little bit of lots of different dances.

Kevin

[Spitfire]

I agree that the mini lessons are a useful tool and this is what gets some people started with dancing.

One of the restaurants here has such lessons given on Friday for its Salsa night.

[KevinL]

How useful do you think they are for experienced dancers?

In my opinion mini-lessons before dances are probably not of much direct use to experienced dancers who want to learn more because they are geared toward beginners. These kind of mini-lessons are particularly un-useful to those among us who are pursuing a competative dance path.

However, for the social dancers among us, even these basic mini-lessons are useful. You get to practice basics, and you get to lead (or follow) absolute beginners, which is always a test of skills. Besides, even with basic mini-lessons it is always possible that a teacher will explain some point in a way that helps your dancing.

More importantly, mini-lessons that encourage partner changes are a great way to meet other people before the dance starts. That makes it easier to ask people to dance later in the evening.

(All my opinion, of course.)

Kevin

[pygmalion]

I see what you mean, Kevin. Those mini lessons are a great tiptoe in the swimming pool for inexperienced or non-dancers.

The problem I have with the mini-lessons is that a lot of people DO use them as their sole source of dance instruction. They go to these dances for years, and never really learn any technique (since there's little time for technique in mini-lessons). The problem I have is not with their knowing a little dancing. All the more fun for them. But they never realize what they're NOT learning, such as lead techniques. It can be quite frustrating to dance with a lead who doesn't know how. Funny too. I actually had one gentleman verbally instruct me how to do a complicated pattern that he'd learned in one of those mini-lessons. And he got really frustrated with me for following his actual, rather than perceived, lead. He had no clue of how to lead at all! Actually, I found it pretty funny, since I have a good sense of humor. But that poor guy had no idea of the fundamentals of his role as a dancer. He needed lessons.

[Sagitta]

I have often attended the beginning free mini lessons before dance socials to help out. (I think that now I am beyond the stage of learning from them, unless it is a dance that I don't know, and they don't usually do these. :( ) I learnt quite a bit when starting out from these lessons, and also found it useful to practice what I had learnt (by myself elsewhere), and as Kevin said, to learn to lead complete beginners. I also agree that their utility is limited for more experienced dancers, BUT I find that I'm learning how to teach dance by attending these, and I love teaching!! :D The moment the person whom you are dancing with, who does not know much, finds out that you know more they start to rely on you to fix their problems, so that is a great experience for me.

[SwinginBoo]

I think they are great for people who come to the dance without any prior experience because like KevinL said before, they allow that person to be able to participate in the dance instead of being on the sidelines.

Sagitta said he sometimes goes to help out. That is also awesome. It takes some of the pressure off the teacher trying to instruct huge groups of people and it helps the people learning to dance with an experienced dancer.

[KevinL]

I see what you mean, Kevin. Those mini lessons are a great tiptoe in the swimming pool for inexperienced or non-dancers.

The problem I have with the mini-lessons is that a lot of people DO use them as their sole source of dance instruction. They go to these dances for years, and never really learn any technique (since there's little time for technique in mini-lessons).

There is almost no time in mini-lessons for technique, so I totally agree with what you are saying here. It is unfortunate that people use these lessons as their only source for learning because, as you say, it leaves a lot out. However, it's still better than not dancing at all. (I hope.)

[Sagitta]

For leaders perhaps. I've barely been helped out with my technique, during those lessons. However, if a follow is ready/desireous I'll throw in basic ideas, such as not letting your arms getting overextended, showing the difference between the two, and little clues as to what turn is being requested (cw/ccw)...frame...moving your body's center....depends on the follow..