How to approach a lesson with a pro

[Caravaggio]

So i'm trying to set up a private lesson with a champion west coast swing dancer for the very near future, and I'm looking for advice on how to approach the lesson. I've taken a large number of private lessons over the 8ish months that i've been doing west coast, but they've all been with local instructors who have seen my dancing and already have an idea of what they believe i need to work on.

I'll be heading up to DC for MADjam in a month and (according to their rules) i have to compete in newcomer, so I'm thinking about asking for pointers on technique, OTOH he has some really cool snycopations i'd like to learn.

Anyone have any pointers on what they think works best when taking a one time lesson from a visiting pro?

[TurnsAre4Girls]

I approach all my private lessons the same way. Since it's my hard earned money being spent I actually don't just sign up for privates without a clear goal set for what I am looking to achieve from it.

SO my advice is - Make sure before you go you have a goal set in place and they can help guide you there.

[Bailamosdance]

I approach all my private lessons the same way. Since it's my hard earned money being spent I actually don't just sign up for privates without a clear goal set for what I am looking to achieve from it.

SO my advice is - Make sure before you go you have a goal set in place and they can help guide you there.

Agreed. THEN, once you have expressed your long term goal, dance with the instructor (so they can see your abilities etc) and ask THEM what they think you need work on! At 8.5 months you are effectively a 'blank slate' and the right info in this lesson can really go a long way towards your dance.

Typical long term goals: comfort within the structure of the dance, balance, connection, style.

Not good short term goals: specific steps, etc (since those can be addressed during groups etc)... learning cool syncopations might be best approached with video or groups,,,

[fascination]

usually a really good pro only needs to see you dance for about 15 seconds before they know what it is that you need to learn....and in what order it needs to be taught

[Caravaggio]

That's what i think I'll do, just the standard, watch me and tell me what you think would get me eliminated from a jack and jill competition, and what i need to do in order to get it fixed. Kinda nervous, I've had lots of privates with advanced and all star level competitors, but never a champion

[Dancelf]

I approach all my private lessons the same way. Since it's my hard earned money being spent I actually don't just sign up for privates without a clear goal set for what I am looking to achieve from it.

The one thing I have to add is that I make sure the instructor knows what this is in advance.

[pygmalion]

I think that's a good rule of thumb, as well. I also think it's important to be open to what the pro/champ/coach thinks you need.

[azzey]

Anyone have any pointers on what they think works best when taking a one time lesson from a visiting pro?

In privates, always work on improving the fundamentals/basics. Anything else is IMO a waste of money as you can gain those elsewhere. What are your current stumbling blocks to progress? If you don't know then that's something worth finding out. Then the how to fix or work on them.

What may get you eliminated from a J&J may not be what you need to work on during the next private. Just be aware of that possibility. Judges criteria in opening rounds may/will differ from the criteria used in later rounds.

[tangotime]

usually a really good pro only needs to see you dance for about 15 seconds before they know what it is that you need to learn....and in what order it needs to be taught





A succinct answer in a " nutshell " .

and... PLEASE, dont tell me what other teachers have said !! ( your dancing generally reflects that ) . And, dont try to impress me with how many variations you know ! .

[Caravaggio]

I didn't necessarily expect it, but the lesson was well worth the money. People at the highest level of their dance notice things that even advanced/all-star level dancers don't see. I've always been wary of getting lessons with pros because they cost like 2-4 times as much as your local instructors. But he noticed flaws in my basics that no other instructor had ever brought to my attention. Well worth it!

Thanks for the advice all, I just asked him to watch like half a song and see what i needed, and the amount of input i got was amazing. Stuff i thought was terrible he said actually was really good, and stuff i thought i had down-pat (which wasn't) he worked with me to tweak to make it perfect.