Dance Lesson Homework

[pygmalion]

How many of you receive (or assign) formal "homework" assignments between lessons? Or do you just go home and practice what you did during your lesson/class? Do you think formal dance homework serves a useful purpose?

[dancin_feet]

I have on occassion been assigned formal homework by my instructor, but he knows that I will practice at home anyway so he usually doesn't feel the need to.

I think it does serve a purpose to highlight what you need to work on. Provided you can practice correctly at home, and not slip into bad habits while practicing unsupervised. Helps with strength building too, which as we all know is an ongoing thing.

[pygmalion]

Here's an observation I'll share. All of my good to excellent teachers have given homework from time to time (maybe not every lesson, but many or most lessons). None of my bad teachers has given it. Hmm. :roll:

[Kitty]

I only practice if I know exactly what to fix and how. I think repeating something without thoughts on what you are improving at the moment is not very effective.

On my last lesson the coach gave me an exercise saying "this is what you can do when you practice by yourself"

If she correects me during the practice, I'll work at it at home. She doesn't have to say "homework".

[pygmalion]

That sounds like homework to me. Gently assigned, but homework, nonetheless. Looks like you have a very good teacher. You got homework without even knowing it! :lol: 8)

[Genesius Redux]

I generally figure out what I need to practice on and what I can practice on by myself in the lesson. All the time my teacher gives me stuff and says--"Okay, this is something you can practice on your own." I think she's so delighted that she has a student who actually practices outside of lesson time that she's not always entirely sure what to do--but I know she doesn't like to spend lesson time drilling stuff that I can do by myself. She usually just works with me until she sees that I have the technique, then tells me I can work on it at home and goes on to something else.

All my teachers have been like that. I'm so lucky. :D

[Sagitta]

No real homework. I just do what I feel like and what I have time for.

[pygmalion]

All my teachers have been like that. I'm so lucky. :D

Yes, you are. I've had a few teachers who shall remain nameless, who really appeared to feel threatened by my learning anything outside our lessons. Maybe they felt it would reduce the number of lessons I'd buy. :roll: *shrug*

[Purr]

I can't say that I receive formal homework. However, I'm encouraged to practice technique outside of my private lessons. Right now that's been a lot of rumba walks! 8)

[Laura]

I get homework. Heck, I get told that I'd better go and practice :-)

[pygmalion]

Yup. Anything from gentle suggestions to not-so-gentle suggestions. But hey, it works. :lol:

[ShyDancer]

I get "homework"

Usually my teacher will give me one thing to practice . 9 times out of 10 it has something to do with my arms :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

For example, I will be shown how to sweep my arm from shoulder to elbow to wrist in the correct position for the dance, then Im told to go home and practice that until my next lesson. Then at the next class I have to prove I did practice :lol:

[pygmalion]

:banana: Yay! Finally someone who admits it! :lol: I thought I was in the remedial classes. :roll: :wink:

[cl5814]

Great thread. I have often thought about this...... none of my previous instructors ever gave me homework. At times i have been hesitant to practice something at home fearing that i will practice something wrong. I have been told that i have a lot of bad habits i didn't want to add any to the list. I am going to suggest the 'practice review at next lesson' tip to my current instructor...

[etchuck]

Homework... I still am working on my homework from my May 1 private. It's technique-heavy and at least while I'm with the dance club in their beginner lessons, I'm working on the technique in the context of the basic steps that everyone else is learning.

Okay, I haven't scheduled another private (the next one is coming in 2 weeks), but I also have been rocked with busy-work. But I still have to look over all the items on that list when I practice tonight.

[virginiadancegirl]

My instructor/partner gives me homework on a regular basis...and I. in turn, give my students homework.

It helps! Amazing differences can be seen from week to week when you tell someone (or someone tells you) what to work on.....

[Waltz Lover]

How many of you receive (or assign) formal "homework" assignments between lessons? Or do you just go home and practice what you did during your lesson/class? Do you think formal dance homework serves a useful purpose?

Hello to Pygmalion, ShyDancer, Purr, Laura and all else! I'm excited to join you and to 'chat' with the Greats! (I've read so much of your advice/comments).

My dance teacher always gave me homework. And yes, occaisionally he said he wanted to see me practising it on the dance floor. Other times he'd start the next lesson with me doing my exercises for him. I really want that though - I really want to become better and I find I practise longer when I actually have a specific objective in mind (i.e. Cuban motion, leg extension).

I have a new instructor now and after the first lesson I requested that he do the same. We reviewed the stretches that I do. He also added splitz :shock: to my list of stretches!

[Sagitta]

I don't think that I ever receive formal hw. I ususally practice stuff on my own.

For instance, I am working on the rueda basic step for the advanced rueda group right now.

Then I'm going to practice ochos...I'm going to practice leading ochos. This Sunday I'm going to try and try and do and do until I get ochos. backwards and forwards...ochos. I know I have musicality. I like doing milongas, and now it is time to be able to do something in tangos.