Hey, that's new!

[youngsta]

So how do some of you incorporate new stuff into your social dancing? I know personally I have to make a conscious effort to try a new move. If I'm just flowing it will by my tried and true stuff. Anyone have little ways to help them incorporate new stuff quickly with minimal fuss? Or is it just a matter of repetition?

[Sagitta]

I figure out where the new move would fit in best, then practice it at home with various sequence's of moves, without music, then with music. This way the new move comes easier when dancing.

[cl5814]

I always try and encourage men to try a new move, sometimes they only remember the first half, but then we finish it with a basic step. At least he tried a new step and i admire them for it. Come on guys, i am sure a lot more ladies would love the idea of you trying a new step/pattern, even if it doesn't quite work out, we still want to try.

[Sagitta]

No problem here. Would love to try out something new...that's the only way one actually learns how to do it!!

[youngsta]

I'm always playing with new stuff at home, but once I get to the club and start enjoying myself on the floor I tend not to think of trying them. It's not something done purposely...maybe it's old age! :lol:

[TheArchon]

I always try new moves, mostly cause I've got bad memory, and i cant recall moves i did. It happend to me more then once, that i've started complicated move, then i forget what i need to do, and i find myself stucked with complex tying(i hope i wrote that right), that I've no idea how to get out off :oops: .

[tsb]

So how do some of you incorporate new stuff into your social dancing? I know personally I have to make a conscious effort to try a new move. If I'm just flowing it will by my tried and true stuff. Anyone have little ways to help them incorporate new stuff quickly with minimal fuss? Or is it just a matter of repetition?

assuming that you also subscribe to the idea that leaders don't lead moves that they don't think their partner can follow smoothly, that basicially limits practicing new moves in a non "dance" situation, be it during or after a class, or even asking someone to move off the floor during a dance and helping you work through a new move. if the move is leadable, led well enough, and doesn't require a proficiency beyond the level of your partner, she won't have to know the move to execute the figure.

if it's more a matter of your not remembering new moves, one thing you might consider is creating a crib sheet and looking at it from time to time in between dances to review what move(s) you want to remember to work into the repetoire. or even bring it up when you ask someone (that you know well enough) to dance and say "if you don't mind possibly getting bored, i'd like to practice a couple of new moves more often just to get the repetitions"

[MadamSamba]

Youngsta, it's a little harder to try new stuff as a follower, but it's possible, mainly in the technique side of things, but one thing that works really well is to dance your new steps with someone you dance with regularly.

That way even if they don't get it on the first shot, chances are after the dance they'll ask you about it and how to lead it/follow it and even have a few dances "practice" with you.

The best bit is when you try a new step and a couple of weeks later you spot someone else doing it! :)

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

Hi Youngsta,

I agree with tsb, I find it best to practise the new move in a "non-dance" situation (for instance after dance class).

Some time ago, I downloaded inumerous sample videos from the Net in order to incorporate new stuff in my social dancing. I´d put the video on automatic re-play and watch it for some time. Then I would practise the move on an imaginary partner. It would work perfectly! :D My imaginary partner was really good! :wink: I would then be ready to do the beta testing on the dancefloor. When I got there and tried it, it would never work! Why? Because I didn´t know how to lead it correctly. My imaginary partner besides being friendly, patient, beautiful and light, would compensate for my lack leading skills.

Afterwards, I tried another technique. I put my imaginary partner aside and practised the move after class with a friend. I would try it as many times as possible till it felt smooth and till I felt like I was leading it correctly. Only after would I take it the the social dancefloor. This technique works much better for me.

[dragon3085]

I have a bad habit of inventing new moves on the fly. They usually fit in with the dance but the problem is that since I do it without thinking, I can't remember what I came up with afterwards. :shock:

[youngsta]

I have a bad habit of inventing new moves on the fly. They usually fit in with the dance but the problem is that since I do it without thinking, I can't remember what I came up with afterwards. :shock:
I do that a lot too dragon. Just kind of comes in the flow.

I wasn't really asking for me, just was curious about other peoples methods. Normally I'll practice something at home until I think I've got it. IF I think to try it in a club it's usually with the women I dance with on a frequent basis. 8 times out of 10 when I try it, it works. Just seems I have an inherent ability to figure out the lead just by seeing the move.

[dragon3085]

If I watch a technique from a video about 10 times I can usually replicated pretty well too.

[youngsta]

I hear ya! Sometimes it feels like when I used to play football and would watch film over and over again. DVD freeze and slow mo are my best friends as a dancer! :lol:

[redhead]

I do very little new stuff - and it's mostly styling, of course. I can copy moves pretty well at home or watching someone, but when I start dancing I forget it all. My stuff is my own, I make it up right there and do it because I have to. It's not super, but some girls tried to copy it and no success...
Ladies, how do you learn new stuff? I mean - not what your partner leads, but something you can do with anyone?

[Sagitta]

I know that I'm not a lady, but....one thing that you can do with anyone is shines! :D

building a shine repertoire (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1158&highlight=shine+repertoire)

plus

http://www.how2salsa.com/index_fw.htm#shines

[redhead]

Thanks Sagitta
I've checked the "how2dance" part before and they have some stuff I like.
Thanks again