Freestyle versus Sequence Dancing

[pygmalion]

Another interesting article here, which theorizes that sequence dancing evens the playing field between lead and follow, since both know what patterns to expect, and therefore the follow is in a proactive, rather than a reactive, role. (Among other interesting things discussed.) What do youthink? And for those who do both freestyle and sequence dancing, what are your thoughts?

http://dance.stanford.edu/syllabi/sequences.htm

[Sagitta]

Don't a lot of our Australian df members do this?

Salsa is freestyle and rueda is sequence dancing, but here the sequence dancing is harder then the freestyle IMO. As for the idea that both partners know the pattern and the suggestion of backleading I personally believe that the rules for leading and following should be the same in sequence as in freestyle dancing.

[dancin_feet]

I've always thought of sequence dancing as a "social" thing for progressive circles and the like. New Vogue is my least favourite competition style, purely because there is practically no individuality other than arm styling involved. I am just as interested in the steps and routines that dancers come up with as the way they do them.

But it is a form of dance, so if there is a choice between no dancing and New Vogue, I'll watch it every time! :D

I don't know if it evens the playing field, but it does remove the different roles of lead and follow. It gives them a set of steps to perform together in sequence as opposed to him leading and she follows to whatever he wants to do.

Personally I get bored with it, and lose contact with my partner because I don't need the connection to be able to do the steps. I know what is coming.

[ShyDancer]

Personally I get bored with it, and lose contact with my partner because I don't need the connection to be able to do the steps. I know what is coming.

I have to disagree :D In the social sense anyway...With the more upbeat dances (E.3 Step, Barndance etc) I really feed off my partner, you can incorporate a few extra spins and stuff into them, I find most of the younger guys like to spin the girl off in the E.3 Step after the final chasse, and a lot do it coming back from the 2nd crossover. I find it a lot of fun!

I dont think it evens the playing field either...... Every couple dances differently together, couples that have a better presence and chemistry are always the best to watch even if they are not as technical as another couple

[dancin_feet]

Personally I get bored with it, and lose contact with my partner because I don't need the connection to be able to do the steps. I know what is coming.

I have to disagree :D In the social sense anyway...With the more upbeat dances (E.3 Step, Barndance etc) I really feed off my partner, you can incorporate a few extra spins and stuff into them, I find most of the younger guys like to spin the girl off in the E.3 Step after the final chasse, and a lot do it coming back from the 2nd crossover. I find it a lot of fun!

In a social aspect, yes it's OK because you can do extra turns, etc (providing there is not a beginner behind you who is following your steps :wink: ) but as far as competition, I couldn't watch and be interested for hours on end, but with latin and smooth / standard I could. I find myself in a social aspect adding my own little thing to it anyway, just to keep it interesting. The repetition is good for beginners though. Anyone just starting a progressive usually pretty much has it by the end of the song!

[ShyDancer]

I never thought about a beginner following behind me :shock: :shock:

That would be rather amusing to watch from a distance though! hehehe Im evil!

I did have to dance with a beginner male on monday night during a prog. 3 step, luckily my previous partner told me that he was new and Id have to lead him through it....as we danced I told him to watch the guy in front to see him move if he was having trouble....maybe I shouldnt have!! :?

[Sagitta]

I never thought about a beginner following behind me :shock: :shock:

That would be rather amusing to watch from a distance though! hehehe Im evil!

I did have to dance with a beginner male on monday night during a prog. 3 step, luckily my previous partner told me that he was new and Id have to lead him through it....as we danced I told him to watch the guy in front to see him move if he was having trouble....maybe I shouldnt have!! :?

Ooooo!!! :shock: I got to watch out for you!

[ShyDancer]

I never thought about a beginner following behind me :shock: :shock:

That would be rather amusing to watch from a distance though! hehehe Im evil!

I did have to dance with a beginner male on monday night during a prog. 3 step, luckily my previous partner told me that he was new and Id have to lead him through it....as we danced I told him to watch the guy in front to see him move if he was having trouble....maybe I shouldnt have!! :?

Ooooo!!! :shock: I got to watch out for you!


Awww! You wont have to watch out! I wont e dishing out any more advice without checking in here first :wink: :wink: 8) 8)

[pygmalion]

Ha ha! Don't check in with me, at least, when it comes to progressive sequence dancing advice. I'm checking in with you. LOL. :oops: :lol: 8)