Hey everyone, I need some help with dancing, I'm new to it [Archive]

nikejogabonito

08-25-2008, 03:08 AM

nikejogabonito

08-25-2008, 07:17 AM

Oiiii just want to bump this thread because I badly need this, please guys, i dont, i repeat, i dont mean to be impatient, I just need this quite badly.

Thanks

ANY help appreciated

Lioness

08-25-2008, 07:27 AM

Hey all how are ya?;)

Im suddenly VERY attracted to dancing, I do not know why lol but I just love it now.

Anyway, since I'm new to dancing, I've got some questions that I need help with, so if you think you know the answer, help away;)

1. What is the most popular/common type of dance?

2. What is the most common dance for beginners?

3. What is the HARDEST type of dance?

Yeah, and if you can support your answer with a video or something showing the type of dance (for example, you posted about latin, if possible, only if possible, give a video to that style on youtube)

Thank you so much I appreciate the time you guys took to read this to help this beginner = )

Thanks once more!! Cya!!

I'll do my best to help, but I'm somewhat new to dancing myself.

First thing, what type of dance has caught your attention? Was it ballroom, jazz, ballet, club? Another style?

To attempt to answer your other questions, I'll answer ballroom-wise, as that's what I know.
1. Does depend where you are. over in Australia New Vogue routines such as the merrilyn, the Evening 3 Step, the Excelsior Scholtissche...the list goes on...are popular. Cha cha, Tango, and Waltz are also popular.

2. I can't speak for all beginners, I don't know what most beginners learn, but I learnt a basic Cha cha routine, Merrilyn, Evening 3 Step, and a very basic Jive.

3. Tango for me.

Anyway, welcome to the forums and the world of dancing. I hope you enjoy yourself!

nikejogabonito

08-25-2008, 07:31 AM

oh my God thanks so much for the answer, I can see you tried to answer my questions, thanks!!!

Yeah, I am totally new so I don't even know what salsa/tango/ ballroom/cha cha looks like......= (

ok i will enjoy myself definitely because you people are friendly and made me feel welcomed. Thanks once again!!

Lioness

08-25-2008, 07:35 AM

May I ask what got you interested in dancing?
Sorry I didn't put any Youtube links up, but I should've been in bed ages ago, I'm procrastinating again.

Spitfire

08-25-2008, 08:11 AM

Welcome, :)

1. Depends on locality, I live in an area where C&W is popular. AT, Lindy, and WCS are common here.

2. If you go to a dance studio you are generally introduced to Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango ECS, Cha Cha, going by my own experience here.

3. I'd say Argentine Tango.

If you go to youtube.com and enter any of the dances mentioned you'll see some demos.

emeralddancer

08-25-2008, 08:53 AM

1. What is the most popular/common type of dance?

2. What is the most common dance for beginners?

3. What is the HARDEST type of dance?

1. Here where I am located it is Ballroom Dancing. My instructor started me off with American style ... First was salsa which quickly progressed to Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Cha - Cha - Cha, Rumba, etc ... Then I begged to learn International. There are two styles (am I wrong DF ers?) American Style and International Style. One is more open verses closed embrace. But there are SOOOOO many dances! :D

2. Common to start again here is salsa ... kinda an intro to partner dancing.

3. Hardest for me is Rumba and Samba.

As far as videos ... go to you tube dot com. Type in Ballroom Dance and a TON of things come up. Or for a view of videos without a search, search the video sections in the forums here.

I mean dancing as far as partner dancing ... there is just so so much, New Vouge, Argentine Tango, Country and Western, Ballroom, etc ....

Also do a search in the forums here ... there is a wealth of info and your mind will be blown away at all the possiblities!

Welcome to DF and to your new addiction. :D

nucat78

08-25-2008, 09:44 AM

Pretty much agree with other posts.

For me, salsa is the hardest. Not the steps, but the arm leads and "bows and arrows" and whatever the heck else my instructor tortures me with.

I dance Argentine tango and don't find that super difficult but it is more challenging than most ballroom and Latin dances for me, especially doing what are called sacadas.

RickRS

08-25-2008, 12:01 PM

Nikejogobonita:

Are you currently dancing or learning to dance?
Are the questions because you are looking to get started with dance and you want help selecting some dances to learn?

Spitfire

08-25-2008, 02:17 PM

the Evening 3 Step,

Lioness, what is the Evening 3 Step? I'm not familiar with it.

nucat78

08-25-2008, 02:18 PM

Nightclub 2-step?

Q-Q-S, Q-Q-S?

Just a guess...

nikejogabonito

08-26-2008, 06:08 AM

Nikejogobonita:

Are you currently dancing or learning to dance?
Are the questions because you are looking to get started with dance and you want help selecting some dances to learn?

Yes that is 100% correct.

To others, thanks so much its been great help.

I'm trying to find a club at the moment, and yes I want help selecting which ones to learn.

Please don't discourage me, but yeah, I plan on going to SYTYCD audition, and I realized that you have to be able to do lots of different dances, how!?? I mean, thisi week, with a partner, lets say you do samba, the next week you do contemporary, next week you do tango?? So basically you have to be able to do every single type of dancing? haha that sounds hard but it's good challenge for me = )

Thanks

Lioness

08-26-2008, 07:28 AM

Lioness, what is the Evening 3 Step? I'm not familiar with it.

It's a New Vogue sequence dance. Not the most interesting of dances...but simple.

_malakawa_

08-26-2008, 01:16 PM

Yes that is 100% correct.

To others, thanks so much its been great help.

I'm trying to find a club at the moment, and yes I want help selecting which ones to learn.

Please don't discourage me, but yeah, I plan on going to SYTYCD audition, and I realized that you have to be able to do lots of different dances, how!?? I mean, thisi week, with a partner, lets say you do samba, the next week you do contemporary, next week you do tango?? So basically you have to be able to do every single type of dancing? haha that sounds hard but it's good challenge for me = )

Thanks

it is not that i discourage you, but you haven't even start to dance yet. :confused:

well, start from the beginning with foxtrot, waltz, rumba ..... and after that with more complicated dances with lots of syncopation like samba, hustle ......

every person is different, and nobody has the same abilities and goals.

for somebody samba is really easy, for somebody don't.

you have to try everything to know what is good and easy for you.

and i wish you all the best luck for SYTYCD. :p

i can;t say for myself that something is hard or easy, because i like and adore everything.

jennyisdancing

08-26-2008, 02:41 PM

Yes that is 100% correct.

To others, thanks so much its been great help.

I'm trying to find a club at the moment, and yes I want help selecting which ones to learn.

Please don't discourage me, but yeah, I plan on going to SYTYCD audition, and I realized that you have to be able to do lots of different dances, how!?? I mean, thisi week, with a partner, lets say you do samba, the next week you do contemporary, next week you do tango?? So basically you have to be able to do every single type of dancing? haha that sounds hard but it's good challenge for me = )

Thanks

Wait..you want to try out for SYTYCD and you don't know how to dance yet? That could be difficult.

Even the so-called "untrained" top two dancers from this past season (Joshua and Twitch) actually did have training (classes in ballet and/or jazz), plus the fact that they have been doing street hip-hop since childhood.

Don't be fooled by the show's hype which can make you think that a truly inexperienced dancer has a chance to win. They downplay the amount of training the dancers really have. That said, if you already happen to be immensely talented, you could really start applying yourself in classes, and then you might have a shot.

They don't expect the dancers to actually know every kind of dance ahead of time, though. It was clear that Twitch, for example, didn't know ballroom dancing, and I felt he didn't perform it that well. But he was good enough in everything else. So my suggestion is to pick one form of dance (ballroom, swing, contemporary, jazz, or hip-hop), train a lot in that, and take some classes in the other styles.

nikejogabonito

08-27-2008, 03:46 AM

Ok, thanks a lot people it has been good help, thanks

Ok for now I just concentrate on finding a dance club, then yeah....

If I have more questions I'll be sure to post them here = )

Cya and thanks! ; )

RickRS

08-27-2008, 06:23 AM

Please don't discourage me, but yeah, I plan on going to SYTYCD audition, and I realized that you have to be able to do lots of different dances, how!?? I mean, thisi week, with a partner, lets say you do samba, the next week you do contemporary, next week you do tango?? So basically you have to be able to do every single type of dancing? haha that sounds hard but it's good challenge for me = )

The SYTYCD rotation will be challenging, that's for sure. And knowing as many different forms of dance, and dancing them well, would be an advantage if you were on the show. If by some stroke of luck (and lots of talent) a dancer got on the show, partner dancing (ballroom, latin, swing, etc.) would be a very valuable skill.

Realistically, you need several years of training and experience to have a chance. Even the "self taught" street dancers have been doing their thing for years before they are get good enough to catch the attention of the judges. By all means, go for it if it is what you want.

nikejogabonito

08-28-2008, 04:26 AM

_malakawa_

08-28-2008, 10:50 AM

Ok thanks all

here's another question:

When I go to a dancing club, they ask me " What type do you wanna learn?" It kind of puts me down, because I want to be able to do a lot of types of dances, not just one because as you know, I want to go to SYTYCD audition, but if I say it, I'm afraid they (the club) will discourage me.
What should I do? Should I just say that to the club? What should be my first type of dance to learn?

Lastly, It is true that I should specialize in one thing, and be able to do other types a bit, but focus on just one, correct?

Thanks.....

my opinion is that you should start first with ballroom and latin to learn how to control your body and stay in balance.

because, IMO break dance and these type of dances are easy when you know how to be in balance and how to control your body (muscles).

because on a show for SYTYCD you can see more ballroom and latin then any other types of dances, because they practice like a couples.

if you come to my studio and tell me that you want to go to audition for SYTYCD, only thing that i'll ask you is "when is the audition".

and i think that every other teacher should do the same.

Some guy

08-28-2008, 06:13 PM

I'm wondering if your motive for taking up dancing is:
1) the love of dancing itself, or
2) to merely be on the TV show

I think if you start with #1, then #2 will be much easier to achieve but that's only my personal viewpoint. On the other hand, you can always be determined enough and go for #2 straight away.

RickRS

08-29-2008, 09:35 AM

Nikejogabonita, please tell me you aren't thinking of next season's audition. If so, likely the only way you'll appear on the show is one of those tryout numbers in which the dancer is painfully incapable of dancing anywhere close to the level required.

canawest

09-05-2008, 02:14 PM

great answers, here. I think the key question which someone already mentioned is, what style have you seen that you've thought "Wow, that looks amazing". For me, it was tap. I just liked the syncopation and because I was intrigued by it, I became a hungry student. It eventually branched out to other areas, but I would suggest doing some research (watching videos, dance shows etc.) and start thinking about what feels good for you.

If I were to say one thing, it would be love what you're doing first, develop your skill set with a variety of mentors, and then, and only then will you be ready for competition.

Good Luck!

Kassia

09-05-2008, 03:01 PM

Hey all how are ya?;)

Im suddenly VERY attracted to dancing, I do not know why lol but I just love it now.

Anyway, since I'm new to dancing, I've got some questions that I need help with, so if you think you know the answer, help away;)

1. What is the most popular/common type of dance?

2. What is the most common dance for beginners?

3. What is the HARDEST type of dance?

Yeah, and if you can support your answer with a video or something showing the type of dance (for example, you posted about latin, if possible, only if possible, give a video to that style on youtube)

Thank you so much I appreciate the time you guys took to read this to help this beginner = )

Thanks once more!! Cya!!

As beginners we were taught waltz, rumba, foxtrot, EC swing and merengue(cause i asked).

Later we added cha cha, tango, samba and salsa.. Touched briefly on quickstep a couple weeks ago..

Did a cha cha routine last spring for our first showcase.. Now putting together a rumba routine for our second showcase in the fall...

Not neccesarly the hardest dance but the one i dislike the most is WC Swing.

If you want to dance in a club learning the basics of those dances should get you a good start..
You can even add hustle to that list...

Kassia

09-05-2008, 03:04 PM

[quote=_
because on a show for SYTYCD you can see more ballroom and latin then any other types of dances, because they practice like a couples.

if you come to my studio and tell me that you want to go to audition for SYTYCD, only thing that i'll ask you is "when is the audition".

and i think that every other teacher should do the same.[/quote]

They don't learn to dance on SYTYCD, they learn a routine.. Different kettle of fish all together...

canawest

09-05-2008, 07:07 PM

They don't learn to dance on SYTYCD, they learn a routine.. Different kettle of fish all together...

beautifully said, Kassia. Years of training (either formal or informal) go into competitions like SYTYCD.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with the reply, "the only thing that I'll ask you is when is the audition, and i think that every other teacher should do the same". I ask about previous dance experience first and foremost followed by questions about the dancer's goals. I won't, nor have I ever heard any of my dance teachers lead with "when's the audition" unless they've known me and my skill level for quite a while.

nikejogabonito

09-14-2008, 08:44 AM

Yeah,

Im now confused between:

Breakdancing

and

Contemporary

which do you prefer?

Im leaning more towards contem tho

I heard someone say this:

"Contemporary would be my first choice for a SYTYCD audition because it allows you to showcase all the key points of good dance: good line, rhythm, feeling, strength, flexibility and it also allows you to express your individuality."

is that correct?

One more question, what is it that makes contemporary so popular/liked?

thx!!!!:D

nikejogabonito

09-15-2008, 05:08 AM

Can someone please answer the above question, im NOT being impatient, but I am about to take my first dance class woot!! = )

thanks!

nikejogabonito

09-15-2008, 05:10 AM

The top 4 from last season's SYTYCD show, namely Sabra, Danny i think, Neil and Lacey.

WHat are their styles?

Thanks!!

kayak

09-15-2008, 02:23 PM

I don't watch close enough to know the others, but Lacey comes from a three generation dance family with lots of competition from her brother and cousin. Their emphasis is west coast swing, but obviously the family studio teaches lots of other couples dances. She also competes in latin for instance.

newbie

09-15-2008, 04:11 PM

Yeah,

Im now confused between:

Breakdancing

and

Contemporary

which do you prefer?

Breakdancing is more entertaining to watch on TV. Unlike you, most onlookers won't be dance experts, breakdancing will be closer to what they're used to seeing on MTV.

_malakawa_

09-15-2008, 08:04 PM

beautifully said, Kassia. Years of training (either formal or informal) go into competitions like SYTYCD.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with the reply, "the only thing that I'll ask you is when is the audition, and i think that every other teacher should do the same". I ask about previous dance experience first and foremost followed by questions about the dancer's goals. I won't, nor have I ever heard any of my dance teachers lead with "when's the audition" unless they've known me and my skill level for quite a while.

In my studio, the students that I teach, say they know immediately whether or not to dance.
If not you ask them.

nikejogabonito

09-16-2008, 03:44 PM

So can someone verify why contemporary is loved by so many dancers?

canawest

09-17-2008, 08:37 PM

In my studio, the students that I teach, say they know immediately whether or not to dance. If not you ask them.

You're so right, malakawa .... "when's the audition?" comes further down the line :D

So can someone verify why contemporary is loved by so many dancers?

nikejogabonito, it has a movement/exploration focus and is a fusion of dance genres. It appeals to so many because it can combine a variety of techniques from a variety of disciplines and methods.

Another genre you might want to explore is lyrical jazz - a dance style that's based on a choreographer's interpretation of a piece of music - specifically the lyrics.