What is the followers responsibility when it comes to rhythm

[Anonymous]

I grew up dancing and I find it almost impossible to do anything but dance to the rhytm of the music. Now my teacher is telling me that I must follow the man, no matter how far off the rhythm he is. I'm not talking Waltz or Foxtrot here. I'm talking Salsa and ChaCha. It drives me crazy trying to follow when the man is WAY OFF on the rhythm. What should I do? This is driving me crazy! :x

[DanceMentor]

Are you having trouble with one particular partner? :?:
Maybe you need to find someone that is closer to your level of experience.
If it's important for you to be in these lessons, it would probably be best if you followed your partner as the first priority, and helped him with the rhythm as the second priority. Hopefully, your teacher will also help. I think people usually learn to keep the rhythm pretty quickly, so, if your patient, your partner may improve. :wink:

[samba ajr]

Of course it depends on who you're following, but things will go more smoothly if you sometimes "ignore the music" and follow whatever beat he's got going on his head. Usually this happens with newer leads, but I've even encountered this dancing mambo with a great instructor.

I'm asked by a particular gentleman at my studio, to "start him off" with the timing, particularly in waltz. (A simple back-led hesitation, left, then right). We actually did this in a showcase routine, and got the comment "Great start". Unfortunately we lost our timing about halfway through.

Eventually, he'll have to get the timing on his own. We're getting him to his first outside social this week, so we'll see what happens! :wink:

[MissAlyssa]

I just slow down or speed up and my dance partner usually catches on and follows, then I return to following.

[pygmalion]

I grew up dancing and I find it almost impossible to do anything but dance to the rhytm of the music. Now my teacher is telling me that I must follow the man, no matter how far off the rhythm he is. I'm not talking Waltz or Foxtrot here. I'm talking Salsa and ChaCha. It drives me crazy trying to follow when the man is WAY OFF on the rhythm. What should I do? This is driving me crazy! :x

DancingDolores,

I don't know if you're still out there, but I hope you are. I have exactly the same problem. I have a lot of music training, and guys with poor rhythm drive me NUTS! By the way, teachers are not immune. I've had teachers with less rhythm than I.

Here's what I do: I count! Quietly, sort of to myself, as if I'm the one who's having a problem. Nine times out of ten, the leader gets with it. Delivery is everything, here. Don't count as if you're counting for him. Count as if you're counting for you. Egos are such a touchy thing. Works for me. (There are some who will teachers on this forum who will disagree :lol: ) But this works.

[d nice]

Why do I have a feeling that is aimed at moi? :evil:.... :lol:

Seriousely... when the person has rhythm issues whatever it takes to fix it in the social dance I'm up for, as long as it isn't ego damaging. We men all to often have fragile egos and anything but sheer acceptance of our faults, even to the point of ignoring that we have any, makes us resentful and defensive. When this is the case, takng the problem on as "your own" is the best way.

Start counting, and then wait for him to look at you (he will, chances are he is at least somewhat aware that his skills are lacking and is horribly self conscious about it), and smile sheepishly... "I'm sorry, I get off count easily and I don't want to mess up," is the perfect head off of any suspicion he may have. The goal of course is to get through the dance with him spending as much time on beat as possible. It is up to the instructors to fix timing issues like this. If you know the instructor you might want ot say that some of the students seem to have problem finding the one or staying on rhythm (or whatever timing issue they have). Avoiding specific names will keep it from being a personal attack (or being construed as one).

[pygmalion]

Why do I have a feeling that is aimed at moi? ....



Yes, as a matter of fact, this was aimed at you, in a subtle, but affectionate, way. In my opinion, every once in a while, counting really helps.

Of course, just like anything else, counting can become a crutch, if it becomes a habit. You're so right in this.

This was just my suggestion of how to get the rhythm-less guy onto the beat without beating him over the head. It's amazing what a little charm and self-deprecation will do! :D

[d nice]

Actually you'll notice I agree. I'm a big fan of using what works.

My issue with counting is in the transmission of knowledge I find it becomes a crutch very quickly for basic rhythms. I'd rather use slwo-slow-quick quick or forward-forward-side-together or some other such mantra to dictate timing and footwork for basic patterns/rhythms.

However when someone can't hear the begining of a phrase or where the downbeat is, then all bets are off. Use whatever you need that doesn't come across as criticizing.

[pygmalion]

Exactly. Whatever works.

I suspect my perspective will be different, if I ever decide to teach. Right now, I'm trying to get through the dance, or dances, with the "rhythm-less" guys. As a teacher, I'd be trying to develop within them a sense of their own rhythm. Two different perspectives entirely.

[basicarita]

Yes, as a matter of fact, this was aimed at you, in a subtle, but affectionate, way. In my opinion, every once in a while, counting really helps.

BUMP. In a big way. Even though this thread is very old and I am very new.

I'm a musician and follower with the same problem as the OP; since I don't think the problem is going to go away anytime soon IMO Pygmalion's solution is a brilliant one. :D

[dTas]

i wonder how far off the rhythm is this guy? or is he simply dancing on2 when you're daning on1.

i know it bugs me a lot when i find follows that dance cha cha on1 but i compensate and keep on dancing.

[Fouette]

If this is a friendly, social dancing situation, I would go with whatever the man is leading to avoid conflict and bruised male egos. However, if you're practicing with serious competitive aspirations, or even during a competition (this is debatable), I feel that the follower has just as much responsibility as the leader when it comes to rhythm. Technically speaking, whether you dance latin or standard/rhythm or smooth, followers and leaders have equal responsibility - only different jobs. Thus I would say the same goes for rhythm - followers shouldn't just follow blindly when it comes to music. I was once told by a professional that I should never let a guy lead me into a musical faux pas if I know better.