Wanna get good ... fast

[pygmalion]

I've heard this thought expressed in a couple other threads, and have felt this way myself at times. I think we've all experienced the desire to make a breakthrough or get good. NOW. Question for you. Do you think there is something the individual dancer can do to make a breakthrough happen? Get new teachers? Take a dance break? Go to camps? Practice more? Set goals?

Or are breakthroughs something unexplained and beyond our control that come on their own time table? What do you think?

[Sagitta]

It depends. I've had breakthroughs when I've done a lot of dancing in a short period of time, then at other times it just comes. For instance, american tango seemed to just come together yesterday night and I've had a horrible time with it in the past. My cha cha also clicked as soon as I got into the music. International style rhumba was great too as I started translating American rhumba moves into the international style. So, a breakthrough in these dances?

I think that breakthroughs are personal and that different things work for different people.

[pygmalion]

Yup. bordertangoman had somegreat comments on this topic. Are you still there, bordertangoman ?

[dancin_feet]

I think a breakthrough just needs something to "click", especially if it is something that you are having trouble with. Either a new instructor, or home practice or anything new in your routine can make this happen. Even discussing theory with people can help (something I have done here, and found it is helping with attaining my breakthrough).

My theory is if it ain't working, change something you are doing to get a different viewpoint. Then it may start to make sense.

[pygmalion]

On Saturday, Feb 14, well you have the first requirement - motivation

I feel like I keep hitting a glass ceiling of my own ability; but when I look back its pretty amazing what I've acheived.
I think there is also a balance to be acheived, between enjoyment and learning. I have times when I settle back to an evening of keeping it simple but the quality high, which is often appreciated by my partners, other times I want to push my limits and try out new stuff. Having a regular practica helps so you can experiment with new steps without worrying about interfering with other dancers. The quality of the teacher is definitely important, but like choosing a therapist you have to find an accord.
Sometimes a weeks intensive dancing makes significant changes and sometimes a break is helpful so I think all the things you suggest help.
At the moment I'm toying with the idea of using Feldenkrais.
After all we are learning new body patterns and any field that deals specifically with this is going to be a useful adjunct.
Nothing to beat practice and long as you don't lose the joy of it.

[Furuidan]

yeah i have been wanting that breakthrough for a while. im in the middle of a "i want to dance but cant get the lessons" period. im sure that i will be able to get this breakthrough if i could get some dang lessons lol

[Swing Kitten]

what exactly is stopping you?

[pygmalion]

The same thing that's stopping me from taking lessons every day. Moolah, or the lack thereof. :cry:

[SDsalsaguy]

The same thing that's stopping me from taking lessons every day. Moolah, or the lack thereof. :cry:
Ditto. :cry:

[Furuidan]

moolah aint the only problem for me, even if i had it, there arent any clases here except for ballet nd stuff

[pygmalion]

That's unusual. I don't know where you are, but if you're in the US, you might want to look at dancespots.net or USABDA.org. You can find dance teachers and venues through both. USABDA's a little more complicated -- you have to find a local chapter, then look at their web site for recommendations. And there's another site where you can find salsa venues, and try yehoodi.com for swing. Offhand, I don't remember the salsa site, but I'll come back and post when I do.

Of course, you know your locale much better than I.

[Jmatthew]

The ONLY thing that makes someone good is practice.

A lot of things can affect how useful each moment of your practice is, but nothing can replace the practice.

If you're looking to get as best as possible in as little actual time (measured in minutes) as possible, my suggestion is to find a very very understanding partner and teacher that you can practice with and help you make adjustments and then practice them over and over.

For example, my (new, in case anyone remembers my singleness from the "dating dancers" thread) girlfriend LOVES nightclub. My nightclub was definately a "chat" dance, with a fairly weak basic and a few crappy moves.

Since my girlfriend kicks ass at nightclub, can lead as well as follow, and has immense amounts of patience with me, my nightclub skills have skyrocketed. It's easy for her to mention small changes that make big differences, and then to repeat the move until it's ingrained before moving on.

And of course I have to dance every nightclub that comes along. :)

I have no doubt that private classes for any dance could do the same thing, but generally speaking, because of finances, most people don't get more than an hour or two a week with their trainers, which may not be fast enough for some people.

My Lindy skills had a completely different source of accelerated growth. As I understand it, the Lindy community is somewhat unique in our concept of "exchanges." Basically you travel somewhere and do almost nothing but Lindy hop from about 8pm till 6am for three days straight. There's nothing like 30+ hours of practice with persons of various styles and schools to teach you A LOT about your dance. At Lindy exchanges you're forced to learn through trial and error what works and what doesn't work, and you find your own problems pretty quick.

[DanceMentor]

The best way to get good fast is to become addicted and dance everyday. If your heart is there, you will find people who will help you along the way.

[salsachinita]

The best way to get good fast is to become addicted and dance everyday. If your heart is there, you will find people who will help you along the way.

So true! As Edie Salsa Freak said; "When the student is ready, a teacher will come." (this line applies further then literal/typical studio/class situations)

I do agree with JM. Your SO (long term or short term) can do a lot to accelerate your progress in dancing. This, I call the "Transit Lane Factor".

As you can overtake many cars by travelling in transit lanes with two (thus get there quicker), your dancing also benefits in much the same way; providing, of course, that at least one of you can cotribute to the improvement of the other.

My latest break-throughs are generally achieved this way 8) .

(ok :twisted: , now that you all know my secret......I must kill you all :wink: :lol: )

[Sagitta]

I feel like I keep hitting a glass ceiling of my own ability; but when I look back its pretty amazing what I've acheived.
I think there is also a balance to be acheived, between enjoyment and learning. I have times when I settle back to an evening of keeping it simple but the quality high, which is often appreciated by my partners, other times I want to push my limits and try out new stuff. Having a regular practica helps so you can experiment with new steps without worrying about interfering with other dancers. The quality of the teacher is definitely important, but like choosing a therapist you have to find an accord.
Sometimes a weeks intensive dancing makes significant changes and sometimes a break is helpful so I think all the things you suggest help.
At the moment I'm toying with the idea of using Feldenkrais.
After all we are learning new body patterns and any field that deals specifically with this is going to be a useful adjunct.
Nothing to beat practice and long as you don't lose the joy of it.

Well bordertangoman did you ever try out Feldenkrais? Anyone else?