Dancing without a partner

[pygmalion]

When you look at the ads for dance classes and lessons, nine times out of ten, they say, no partner required. I'm starting to wonder whether that's just a sales ploy, or whether you really don't need a partner to learn to dance. Hmm. Do people with a partner have an advantage over partnerless folks? Or does it not matter? Are there advantages and disadvantages either way? What do you think?

[Jazz Cat E]

From all the of the classes that I have taken that say "no partner required", they set up a rotation system so that you end up dancing with everyone (well, all of the males if you are a woman and visa versa). I think this is good because you feel how each person's style, frame, leads are different. You pick up a lot. This can also help the person you are dacing with, such as if their partner is not as educated, you can tell them something like if their frame is too rigid or not strong enough.

So far I have had good experiences with not having a partner for lessons- expect for competition preparation.

[voilsb]

I have never taken a class or a workshop that required a partner, except for a lifts/tricks/aerials workshop. I've never had a problem with it, either. In fact, I'd be quite wary of any class that *did* require a partner.

Like Jazz Cat said, they set up a rotation system where you dance with one leader for a few minutes, then rotate to the next, etc, etc, around the room.

[ShyDancer]

Yup, everywhere I know uses the rotation system too.

It works really well, and is a good idea IMO... what better way for a beginner to gain experience and knowledge could there be than having to dance with lots of different leads/follows, frames and abilities?

[tsb]

beyond the good points already made, while it would help to have a practice partner from that class as you would both be working on the same material, rotating generally reduces potential conflict by providing objective feedback: in the case where you & your partner may not be able to do a figure correctly, if your partner can do that figure with everyone else in the rotations while you can't (and vice versa) it's a pretty good indication of where the problem is. and in the case of people who've learned with one regular partner, they've basically adapted to all the strengths - and shortcomings - of their partner. should either partner get independent correction of frame or technique, what is now correct will feel 'wrong' to the partner and force them to also readjust.

[KevinL]

that's just a sales ploy, or whether you really don't need a partner to learn to dance. Hmm.

Depending on what you mean, it is a "sales ploy". There are lots of people (men and women) who want to learn to dance, but who don't have a partner. If No-Partner Person knows that they can come to class without a partner they are more likely to attend. That means that all those people without partners are now potential customers. I don't think that is a ploy, just a smart way to increase the number of people dancing.

Do people with a partner have an advantage over partnerless folks?

Yes, people with a partner have an advantage because they have a built-in practice partner with whom they can review whatever is covered in class. However, that advantage is lost (at beginning levels) if they don't trade partners as suggested in all the other posts.

At advanced levels (like Pygmalion), having a partner is a decided advantage.

Kevin

[peachexploration]

When you look at the ads for dance classes and lessons, nine times out of ten, they say, no partner required. I'm starting to wonder whether that's just a sales ploy, or whether you really don't need a partner to learn to dance. Hmm. Do people with a partner have an advantage over partnerless folks? Or does it not matter? Are there advantages and disadvantages either way? What do you think?

I'm strictly Salsa, but I'm sure it's the same for ballroom. Yes, I think it's 70% sales and 30% of hopes that you find a partner within the class. Particular as you advance and move on to privates or want to compete. Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen. People come to class for so many reasons like therapy, social, significant others, cliques, etc....

One of my friends who is a Salsa instructor in Miami says that group classes are good but it is always "better" to have a partner when you go to classes but unfortunately, you can't wait for that to happen. From my own experience and being that I don't particularly care for "any" club scene, I've learned that he was right. :? For continued practice, there is an advantage to having a partner. But....there are advantages to not having a partner, there's alot freedom there socially particularly during class. :D

[etchuck]

In addition to it being some marketing gimmick, I think it's also a way to make sure it is accessible to every possible interested person. Some of the worst instruction I have heard about are lessons in which partners were required, since most of the time, they would not use a rotation system.

[dancin_feet]

I have never had a dance partner, so I have no idea what it is like. I know people who take classes with their husband / wife, and the practice at home just does not happen. I believe that for me, it is best that I don't have a partner, because I get to dance with lots of different leads and styles and in my private lessons, there is only one person holding me back, me. I'm not waiting for my partner to pick up something and vice versa.