Natural dancers

[pygmalion]

I have one teacher who is obviously a natural dancer -- elegant, graceful, beautiful to watch. She never studied dance in any way, doesn't know the formal techniques. She just dances. Beautifully.

I have had a couple of other teachers who specifically told me that they weren't natural dancers. Everything they learned, they learned by hard work and sheer force of will. Practice, practice, practice. Plus classes, coaching, videos, analysys, and more practice.

(all ballroom people, btw, so we are comparing apples and apples)

Anyway, I guess the question is about natural dancers -- what advantages/disadvantages do they have? And what about the rest of us? Can we compensate for less natural ability through hard work? How much? Is there a limit on what we can accomplish? And how do natural versus non-natural dancers compare, when you watch them dance? Can you tell the difference?

Thoughts, anyone? :wink: :D

[Swing Kitten]

nothing compensated for hard work/ work ethic -- talent helps of course.

IMO

[dragon3085]

If all other things are equal (and they never are) then the natural talent will aways have an advantage be it in dance, fighting,painting, whatever. But as I said things are never all equal so practice and hard work will always help your skill. But its important to remember not to judge yourself by others. Worry about being the best that you can be because thats all you really can control.

[Swing Kitten]

that's very true dragon

[capricorndancer]

My two cents: anyone who has had to break dancing down to its elements will be able ot teach it better. At some stage, even the most talented dancers will have to do this, but it's well known that a good dancer does not equate to a good teacher . . . so these individuals haven't reached that stage, I guess. I'm a bit of both, and used to focus intensely on learning each move to its elements (ballroom training), but having been raised by teachers, too, I have that going for me.

CD

[dr_fuzz]

Is it so much having a talent for dancing as having that fire or spirit or something like that within you? I've had the experience of dancing with (and watched) advanced dancers who don't really feel as though their heart is in their dancing. Like I mean they look good but they aren't great. On the opposite end I've scene newer intermediates (its kind of harder for begineers to put their heart into it because their still trying to figure out whats going on, kind of like me in salsa & Lindy now) captue the absolute essence of the music and look fantastic. Then again maybe it is just a matter of talent but maybe there is something else there.

Fuzz

[Sagitta]

Welcome dr_fuzz!!

I think that you can have natural talent, be graceful and elegant, a pleasure to watch and....not have that spirit/fire within you!! But, then...you can!!

As a disadvantage if something comes naturally to you it is hard for you to teach it to someone else. Those who have to be taught to dance can learn, but the natural dancer has the edge, and whether you can tell the difference depends on the music being played.

[LauraB]

One problem with some natural dancers is that, since everything has come so easily to them, they don't know how to work hard, and can be pretty lazy. There's only so far you can go on just talent. If you don't put in the work, you won't get to the top.

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

As a disadvantage if something comes naturally to you it is hard for you to teach it to someone else.

I agree with Sagitta. Just because he/she is a natural dancer doesn’t necessarily mean they will be a good teacher/instructor. Since, everything comes so easy to them, they have difficultly understanding their students´ limitations or learning problems.

I’m not a natural dancer and therefore my learning process was slow and difficult. I had to learn everything step by step as if I was learning a foreign language. First the vocabulary, then the grammar, phonics, etc.. I made all the mistakes you could possibly make during a learning process. Natural dancers skip most of theses stages and in a short time become very proficient which results in a short and exponential learning curve. They lack the experience in overcoming obstacles in their path and therefore may not understand why students just don’t get it. They also may not be able to dissect the music elements, patterns, balance, posture issues, etc.

Anyway, I know there are naturally talented dancers who are great teachers, but there are also many who aren’t. I generally prefer a less talented person but with great teaching skills and methods. Someone who understands the majority of the people rather than the talented minority.

[bordertangoman]

I’m not a natural dancer and therefore my learning process was slow and difficult. I had to learn everything step by step as if I was learning a foreign language. First the vocabulary, then the grammar, phonics, etc.. I made all the mistakes you could possibly make during a learning process. Natural dancers skip most of theses stages and in a short time become very proficient which results in a short and exponential learning curve. They lack the experience in overcoming obstacles in their path and therefore may not understand why students just don’t get it. They also may not be able to dissect the music elements, patterns, balance, posture issues, etc.

Me too. It was all slow and difficult. ad to learn to make mistakes and relax rather than give myself a hard time. I was always asking awkward questions, trying to understand things as well as do them. I was always happy throwing myself around so I think I have a goood ear for the music, which is the hardest thing to teach - that is musical interpretation, esp in Tango which is what I dance. But had some background in tai chi and shiatsu so I think its iportant to get people to work from their bodies rather than their heads.

[dancin_feet]

One problem with some natural dancers is that, since everything has come so easily to them, they don't know how to work hard, and can be pretty lazy. There's only so far you can go on just talent. If you don't put in the work, you won't get to the top.

I know exactly what you are talking about LauraB. I have been described as a "natural dancer" and find that figures and most dancing concepts come easily to me. However the stuff I am getting into now is requiring a lot of hard work, and I hardly feel like a natural at all. Having to work very hard at it, which is completely new to me. I actually feel like my dancing is more laboured now than it used to be, when I didn't have the added technique and styling.

[youngsta]

One problem with some natural dancers is that, since everything has come so easily to them, they don't know how to work hard, and can be pretty lazy. There's only so far you can go on just talent. If you don't put in the work, you won't get to the top.
Amen! I am definitely a natural dancer. Anything dance related is almost second nature to me, but I struggle to put in the hard work to actually fulfill my potential. I could easily stay at my current ability level and enjoy dancing the rest of my life. I'm not spectacular, but I'm usually solid or one of the better dancers in the room. I really have to force myself to put in the blood, sweat, and tears.

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

I was always asking awkward questions, trying to understand things as well as do them. I

Hi BorderTangoMan.

Good for you! I´ve learnt that people who ask a lot of questions, even if they seem ackward or silly, are usually the people who exceed in the dance world.