Am I a fool to begin rock n roll dance lessons at age 55?

[Mikefbolen]

I am a male turning 55 years old in a few months. Other than
some free style bar dancing I never learned to dance. I took
an adult school four week intro dance class, I hated the class
but stuck with it since I had a desire to learn. I would like to
take further lessons, I was thinking maybe I am to old and should
just forget about it.

What is strange I always loved music by Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis
Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and other rockabilly music. I want to learn
to dance to this type of music and learn one slow dance.

Recently I went to a high school fund raising dinner and dance,
a few couples much younger than I were dancing a swing
dance. It really look like fun and they look very impressive.

Should I take some lessons or just forget about it. Maybe Iam
to old to learn or is rock n roll dancing at 55 just ridiculous?

What do you think?

Mike

[pygmalion]

Go for it, Mike! 8) :D You can do it.

Welcome to the forums.

[Spitfire]

Mike,

As long as you are in good physical condition there's no reason for not doing so. :D 8)

[pygmalion]

And, chances are, you'll end up in better physical condition if yuo do so. The benefits of dancing are fantastic. :D And there are a lot of them -- physical, mental, you name it.

Hmm. That rings a bell. I think there's an older thread that pertains. Gotta find it. 8) :D

[Sagitta]

Welcome to df Mikefbolen! I hope that I don't sound too preachy, but...

My first piece of advice is get rid of the word "fool". Fools are those who don't try and work at getting what they want.

Age should not matter. Perhaps it will take you a little longer then others who are younger, perhaps you may have to start with songs of slower tempo, or take more breaks then a younger person, but if you want to learn go for it.

As for hating the dance class I don't like all the classes that I take. Some instructors just don't teach in a way that I can learn really well. Perhaps you can try a different instructor?

There are people of all ages in df who have started dancing, from the very young to the very old. I personally have helped out people of around your age who have come to swing and other dances not knowing how to dance at all, so you are not alone. They take the survival lesson at the beginning and then that's it. A one hour lesson!! It is a little more difficult as a leader, but still it can be done. Even if you can do just one move. We all start from somewhere...and everyone was where you were at the beginning, not knowing much.

The most important thing that I have learnt about dancing is "attitude". I go to each class ready to make the most of it. If I don't get the moves being taught, I'll write them down so that I can practice more at home, and so I've still learnt something. Or, perhaps, it is something as small as correcting how I move my hand to execute a particular move, or frame. If I've found that I've learnt something, no matter how small it is, I'm happier person for it.

[DWise1]

Go for it, Mike. I'm 52 and had never started to learn any kind of dancing until I was 48. There are several in my Lindy classes and West Coast classes who range in age from late 40's to early 60's and older. We have one guy who's at least 82. You're never too old to start learning to to dance, but why wait any longer?

Of course, you do need to know your body's limits and don't ignore what you need to do to warm up. We have a swing camp coming up, Camp Hollywood, so I've stepped up on my work-out program in preparation.

And if you're worried about what those young girls will think of you, don't. They're happy to have somebody to dance with. I routinely see people of all ages (well, teenagers and up) dancing with people of all ages. And often, it's the young girls who ask me to dance.

[jdavidb]

I'm not sure about her date of birth, but I think Marilou Henner is only 3 years younger than you. Have you seen her lately? She looks awesome. I read her book on health, and it matches up with Gary Null's books on perfect health. Actually, her book surpasses Null's book. Both of their books match the book of Dr. Day.

I hope you get some classes that you like this time around. I wonder what made the classes you had in the past so miserable.

Yeah get started on the dance style(s) that you want to do! Just think about how if you were already doing it, you wouldn't quit now, would you? To not start is the same as quit because you're already into it :)

[learningtodancewell]

Good luck bro!

I am about to turn 50 and started my lessons in February. It has changed my life. I LOVE it.

As I get better the ladies like it more and more, too! It just keeps getting better and better.

I posted here shortly after I started dancing and everyone at DF was so NICE. Just like at the studio where I take my lessons. Everyone ENJOYS this stuff and they are happy to share and be patient with the newbie.

They are even more happy to share and be patient with someone who shows promise.

Now the ladies grab me to dance! :D All I have to do is show up for some fun.

Have fun!

[Vince A]

If your head is in the right place, the only thing ridiculous IS NOT learning to do somethaing that you want to do.

The reason I ask about your head being in the right place is . . . "what is your bottomline reason for wanting to learn?" Once you answer this in 'your own head and heart,' then press on if that what you want to do-if you get the right answer.

The exercise is great . . . you'll use all the muscles in your body . . . relationships with friends cannot be compared to anything that I know . . . your self-esteem should skyrocket . . . your apperance should improve (anot saying that there is anything wrong with it now - this is general for anyone) . . . your agility and flexibility should improve . . . and lastly, you'll remember how to count again! J/K . . .

How can I qualify the information?
I'm older than you . . . still dance eveyday . . . still compete . . . still want to learn more dancers!

[Sabor]

Should I take some lessons or just forget about it. Maybe Iam
to old to learn or is rock n roll dancing at 55 just ridiculous?

What do you think?

well.. let me go all the way and say that i've seen people with disabilities and on wheelchairs dance.. the happiness on their face is something i will always remember.. never saw such pure joy before.. i actually got partially jealous.. truely ..and i know i'd do the same in their position.. now what do U THINK? .. u got a body that works and more importantly the heart to work it .. what more can u possibly need? :wink:

[Genesius Redux]

Dang right, Mike! Dance! 8)

[DWise1]

What is strange I always loved music by Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis
Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and other rockabilly music. I want to learn
to dance to this type of music and learn one slow dance.
Another thing you will find as you learn swing is that you will also grow to love the more "classic" swing music from the late 1930's through the 1940's.

If you don't already have some leads on where to learn (did you ask any of the couples you saw dancing?), one of us may be able to make recommendations if we know the area you lived in.

Also, there are different styles of swing. West Coast Swing (WCS) is more sedate and can be danced to a wider range of music. However, I believe that East Coast Swing (ECS) is more in line with what you are looking (second opinions are welcome here), besides which ECS will more naturally lead you into Jitterbug and Lindy (and the aforementioned prior two decades of music) and Charleston (Lindy style) and Balboa and Shag, etc, which are all loads of fun and can be mixed together.

And then when you start to slow down at about 85, you can switch to WCS [grin]. But hey, like I said, we've got one guy in Lindy who was a Navy fighter pilot in WWII, which makes him at least 82 now.

[Vince A]

And then when you start to slow down at about 85, you can switch to WCS [grin].
Which doesn't mean you've slowed down, it simply means that WCS dancers are the only dancers still capable of being able to think on our feet! :wink:

[DWise1]

And then when you start to slow down at about 85, you can switch to WCS [grin].
Which doesn't mean you've slowed down, it simply means that WCS dancers are the only dancers still capable of being able to think on our feet! :wink:
I forget who said it here, but I still remember:
"We dance Lindy in order to feel like kids again; we dance WCS when we're ready to be adults again."

BTW, I meant nothing disparaging about WCS. While my passion is still for Lindy, I'm working to build up my skills in WCS as well. After all, WCS was where I had learned the basic skills (the rhythm patterns, the whip, and being able to hear and follow the music) that I carried with me into Lindy.

------------------------------

15. Listen to your body, you aren't as young as you think; leave the aerials to the young and the foolhardy.
16. Nurture skill in several dances to provide you options on contra nights at Glen Echo.
17. Nurture skill in several dances so you can go dancing and still avoid your ex.
Dizzy's Desiderata

[Vince A]

I forget who said it here, but I still remember:
"We dance Lindy in order to feel like kids again; we dance WCS when we're ready to be adults again."
That's what I keep telling myself . . . yet I keep trying to learn Lindy!!!

BTW, I meant nothing disparaging about WCS. While my passion is still for Lindy, I'm working to build up my skills in WCS as well. After all, WCS was where I had learned the basic skills (the rhythm patterns, the whip, and being able to hear and follow the music) that I carried with me into Lindy.
I honestly knew that you meant well . . . I was just having fun too . . .

Wish I could put my WCS knowledge to work for me in Lindy. I've worked hard at not having to count and to be very smooth . . . with Lindy, no longer can I forget about counting, but now I have to bounce. :? :? :?

[dr daffy]

welcome to the forums :)


go for it and have a great time :D

[Purr]

welcome to the forums :)


go for it and have a great time :D

Ditto! 8)

[peachexploration]

... Should I take some lessons or just forget about it. Maybe Iam
to old to learn or is rock n roll dancing at 55 just ridiculous?

What do you think?

Mike

Too old? Absolutely NOT! Go for it, Mike. :D My mom is 78 and you'd swear she was 28 with the way she moves. :banana:

[jdavidb]

Someone recommend dance styles that go with the type of music he talked about.

I know the name of one of the styles that will be mentioned. It's big and it's bad. There's so much to it that it can keep you interested in learning more chops infinitely. It's easy to find classes in it in the US. Its name is....

[DWise1]

I think maybe we scared Mike away with our enthusiasm.


==========================

The scariest thing my one teacher says right after she demonstrates the tricky new move she's about to teach us:
"It'll be fun!"

[Sagitta]

Perhaps he is out dancing, or learning to dance. :)

[Vince A]

Mike . . . . M-I-K-E, are you there???

[Doug]

Mike - In the event that you return...

I started dancing Lindy at age 52 and Balboa at 53. I am now north of 56 and nearing 57. I dance socially and compete (ya, I don't usually beat those 20 somethings, but so what??) and generally have a great time.

Go for it!

[Vince A]

Mike - In the event that you return...

I started dancing Lindy at age 52 and Balboa at 53. I am now north of 56 and nearing 57. I dance socially and compete (ya, I don't usually beat those 20 somethings, but so what??) and generally have a great time.

Go for it!
Good for you Doug . . . I am 57, and I am back to competing, having just competed in Swing in the "Open" division against the kids, and out of 13 couples competing, we took a third in one competition, and second in another!

You have the right attitude . . ."but so what??" . . . exactly what I say!

[Doug]

...
Wish I could put my WCS knowledge to work for me in Lindy. I've worked hard at not having to count and to be very smooth . . . with Lindy, no longer can I forget about counting, but now I have to bounce. :? :? :?

Smooth style Lindy has no bouncing! Take your WCS and figure out what you have to do to dance at say 140 BPM. You will have to alter your connection somewhat and loose some "extranious" & inefficient body motions. Once you can do that, kick it up to say 180. After that, 200 BPM. You will find that bouncing is NOT required, nor even (necessarily) desirable.

Oh, and the "basic" transitions from a sugar push to a whip. So try to get your whip to work at those tempos. What you will find is that it is a higher energy dance, especially for the follow who must move up and down the slot at those higher tempos!

And in Balboa, bounce is death. It is (should be) so smooth that it makes WCS look bouncy 8)

[Vince A]

Hmmmmmmm . . . no bounce in Lindy??? That's kinda of the opposite of what I'm getting - and that's what I see . . . Lindy Hoppers "not" bouncing!

I really like the Lindy . . . so I need to get to the bottom of this!

Thanks Doug.

[Doug]

There are a LOT of Lindy styles, and occasionally even "style wars" (imagine that!) Although there are bouncy Lindy Hoppers out there, there are also smooth style Lindy dancers. You can simply choose to dance it smooth.

Here is the site of some Bay Area neighbors of yours.

http://www.kevinandcarla.com/visuals_videos.htm

I think that the only bounce that you see is residual from simply moving quickly and naturally. If you walk naturally, there will be some up and down motion - which I distinguish from "bounce". I don't think that Lindy should be unnaturally bouncy nor should it be unnaturally flat.

But you will get a LOT of opinions on this point!

[jdavidb]

I don't think that Lindy should be unnaturally bouncy nor should it be unnaturally flat.

That's how it is. The posture of lindy hop combined with the stepping patterns supplies it. If you got the posture and the stepping right, your bounce/dip/pulse/pump is right. It's that launching upward from ankles with engaged thighs & locked knees which is not the way it "bounces" / "pumps". That's how it goes, which is why I pay no attention to style disputes.

I don't really like to say "no bouncing" though, because both the ups and the downs need separate explanations beyond that.

[Vince A]

OK . . . thanks to both of you . . . I've worked so hard at being smooth in other dances. So, if I rethink this "bounce" thing, my mind shouldn't fight learning Lindy, which is what I've been doing. And this makes learning very difficult!

[Doug]

And I do strongly reccomend that you check out Balboa. It is becoming increasingly popular among the WCS crowd, lets you dance to essentially any tempos from very slow to 240+ with (relative) ease, and is a very smooooth dance.

BTW - I often hear from the local WCS crowd that they don't like the bounce of Lindy but I usually (perhaps wrongly?) interpret it as "I don't like to move so quickly or to sweat."

[jdavidb]

When watching Carla, you can extract confusion and clarity from her regarding posture. She's always got that straight back, so where's the posture? It's there. It's in her knees & hips where she's applying the appropriate middle ground between tension and looseness.

[Vince A]

And I do strongly reccomend that you check out Balboa. It is becoming increasingly popular among the WCS crowd, lets you dance to essentially any tempos from very slow to 240+ with (relative) ease, and is a very smooooth dance.
My wife ad I have just recently added some Balboa movements in our WCS . . . although we have not done it in public yet (only on our dance floor at home). Also we wonder if we do that Balboa excerpts in something like a "Just Dance" competition, would we get dinged by the judges for not doing WCS??? Only one way to find I guess.

BTW - I often hear from the local WCS crowd that they don't like the bounce of Lindy but I usually (perhaps wrongly?) interpret it as "I don't like to move so quickly or to sweat."
I love the look of the Lindy - not necessarily the bounce. And . . . I've heard the same thing that I say about WCS and Lindy . . . . "I have spent the last ten years trying to get really smooth . . . and "now I have to bounce?" That's what I hear . . .

Although I prefer WCS really slow, I also like it fast, and I have caught very fast ones in competition, ones that I thought should have been saved for the Lindy crowd.

Sweat??? I sweat like a "pig." I always bring extra shirts with me where ever I go . . . I change a lot!

[d nice]

Smooth style Lindy has no bouncing!
And in Balboa, bounce is death. It is (should be) so smooth that it makes WCS look bouncy 8)

I'm going to have to completely disagree with these. When discussing things like this you need to make sure you are using the same terminology and not get into symantic arguments.

The human body is designed to bounce... lindy hop uses standard human movement, the rise and fall and flexing of the body is what is refered to as the bounce. It is absolutely necessary in lindy hop. Balboa has a "bounce" also, though it is usually called a pulse. It is generally considered by the top balboa instructors to be absolutely necessary also.

[d nice]

I think that the only bounce that you see is residual from simply moving quickly and naturally. If you walk naturally, there will be some up and down motion - which I distinguish from "bounce". I don't think that Lindy should be unnaturally bouncy nor should it be unnaturally flat.

Right it should be a natural response from the music to your body through the movement you are doing. This is a bounce, I say this and because there are styles of dance which truly try and minimize all bounce, the appearance is that of skating, no discernable movement on the verticle axis at all is there goal... smooth lindy does not attempt to mimic this glide at all.

What you are talking about is symantics.

[d nice]

And I do strongly reccomend that you check out Balboa. It is becoming increasingly popular among the WCS crowd, lets you dance to essentially any tempos from very slow to 240+ with (relative) ease, and is a very smooooth dance.

BTW - I often hear from the local WCS crowd that they don't like the bounce of Lindy but I usually (perhaps wrongly?) interpret it as "I don't like to move so quickly or to sweat."

Depends on who they see lindy. You have bad dancers from both forms that really reflect poorly on the wide spectrum that is that dance.

Not liking the music or the overall form is one thing... those who don't like the bounce I don't think they have experienced the variety of flavors of the Lindy Hop.

[Doug]

Damon - I think that it is more than mere semantics. When I first learned Lindy, perhaps 5 years a go, I learned a style that I have subsequently heard refered to as "marchy marchy bounce bounce" and it isn't a bad description. Extra bounce was encouraged, even at slow tempo! Many of my WCS friends' last contacts with Lindy were back when extra bounce was often encouraged, and they still think of Lindy as extra bouncy.

I don't think of athletic motion - for example what you see in sprinters or tennis players - as being bouncy. I tend to think of the motion in smooth style Lindy as being at least as smooth as in these other activities.

Now the pulse in Bal is certainly not a bounce. It is generally confined to the legs and torso, and the head does not bob up and down. And some of the great old timers, such as Dean Raftry, have absolutly no measurable pulse.

I work VERY hard to be VERY smooth when I dance bal, and yet when I asked one of the judges at last weeks AllBal classic competition for a debrief (we didn't even make finals), one of the only two comments she made was " too much bounce"! Arrgh!

[pygmalion]

I work VERY hard to be VERY smooth when I dance bal, and yet when I asked one of the judges at last weeks AllBal classic competition for a debrief (we didn't even make finals), one of the only two comments she made was " too much bounce"! Arrgh! That must've been really frustrating. :(

[jdavidb]

:lol: that's what I mean by "both the ups and the downs need separate explanations". That "bounce" topic always stirs up some stuff.

[pygmalion]

I had a feeling. :wink: 8)

[Doug]

That must've been really frustrating. :(
Yes. But in the heat of competition even us old guys can forget what we're supposed to be doing. :shock:

And speaking of old guys; Hey MIKE. Where are you? Dancing I hope.

[Vince A]

I figured the "right" comments would get Damon in on the "bounce" thing!

[Doug]

So are you telling me that as a new guy on the forum I volunteered to be the goat without even knowing it?? :(

[jdavidb]

So are you telling me that as a new guy on the forum I volunteered to be the goat without even knowing it?? :(

The wording is tricky. These conversations seem to pan out indicating that we actually move in similar ways, and we're talking about the same things all along. The ways we describe things seem to be the only things that don't line up. In addition to the differences in ups & downs, we've also got tops & bottoms adding to the confusion, meaning upper body and lower body. I like to say "just don't make it look like polka".

[d nice]

I love Dean, but what you have to understand is that no one really dances like Dean but Dean. Pretty much every old-time I've talked to, studied under, or watched had a definite pulse.

Confining the bounce to the body so that the head remains level makes the dance smooth. That does not mean the dance does not posses a pulse or bounce balboa and lindy hop respectively.

I don't know where you learned originally, or from who... but "Extra Bouncey" lindy hop is no more correct than non-bouncing lindy hop. Sure the music may feel like you should minimize your normal bounce or exaggerate it, but there are still extremes of the spectrum that cause the dance to break down, you want to avoid those.

[jon]

And I do strongly reccomend that you check out Balboa. It is becoming increasingly popular among the WCS crowd, lets you dance to essentially any tempos from very slow to 240+ with (relative) ease, and is a very smooooth dance.

I'm curious what WCS crowd you run in, as this sounds like a local popularity. I doubt that, for example, more than a tiny fraction of Bay Area WCS dancers have even heard of Balboa, and I don't believe I've ever seen anyone doing it at a local WCS dance (well, OK, I tried doing the maybe two steps of it I know at Frezno when the DJ put on an unusual trance number that contained both WCS and Balboa-tempo rhythms).

BTW - I often hear from the local WCS crowd that they don't like the bounce of Lindy but I usually (perhaps wrongly?) interpret it as "I don't like to move so quickly or to sweat."

You're not going to know if it's rightly or wrongly unless you ask them. Constructing interpretations of what people say that has nothing to do with the actual words coming out of their mouths is rarely a productive exercise outside of the political arena.

Personally, I prefer smoother movement for (personal, subjective) aesthetic and (personal, objective) knee-related reasons.