Privates: Value for money?

[MadamSamba]

Hi, folks...I've got two teachers for private lessons at the moment. The first is fabulous and I walk out of her lessons feeling like I've gotten my money's worth and learned invaluable lessons that will last my entire dancing career. The second is terribly exciting and I enjoy his lessons, but, if it's possible, don't really learn much in the way of technique or dance fundamentals. It's more an hour of fun (what dancing should be) where, after every four or five lessons, I walk out thinking, "yeah, I learned something today".

Pondering this little situation, I started wondering what constitues a "good" lesson in your minds and how do you folks ensure you get the most "bang for your buck".

[pygmalion]

It depends on what the student wants, I think.

I have quite a few friends who are social dancers and who would think a lessons was a waste if they didn't have fun and lots of laughs, regardless of technique learned. And I have quite a few friends, both social and competitive, who think a lesson is a waste if it's not strictly business. Some f those define strictly business as learning patterns, others technique, others a combination. So I don't know if there is one right answer for everyone.

For me, hmm. I like a mix of mind-bendingly difficult technique, with some friendly banter on the side while I think, absorb, and try new things on for size. But that's just me.