Remembering Patterns . . .

While many of us have no problems remembering new patterns, some individuals really struggle at recalling patterns that they recently learned in a class, workshop, or from another individual . . .

How do you go about remembering patterns?

I'll begin . . . To get something newly learned from your short term memory into long term memory takes a lot of review and practice after a particular class or workshop. Accordingly, to ensure retention you should review material in the following sequence for optimum results.

1. Review the material within about 10-minutes after learning it
2. Review again within 24-hours after learning it
3. Review again within 1-week after learning it
4. Review again 1-month after learning it
5. Review again 6-months after the learning it
6. Review as needed after that

This particular schedule for reviewing material is based on studies which show that new learning, which is not reinforced (practiced), diminishes to the extent that only about 10% will be retained after 2-days. This means, as far as dance is concerned, that we will have virtually "0" (zero) retention in 2-days if we don’t practice within the first 24-hours.

Other suggestions???????????

I understand that athletes use a technique of mental rehearsal which activates the muscles and adds to the memory. Thus if you rehearse a step, even mentally in your mind it is helpful in retaining it and the next best thing to practice. I do it on my way to sleep just going over the moves ilearnt in a class earlier.

bordertangoman said:

I understand that athletes use a technique of mental rehearsal which activates the muscles and adds to the memory. Thus if you rehearse a step, even mentally in your mind it is helpful in retaining it and the next best thing to practice. I do it on my way to sleep just going over the moves ilearnt in a class earlier.

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I agree . . absolutely a must for remembering . . . especially for entire routines. I know that before I rarely sleep because I'm constantly dancing routines in my head . . .

I find it easiest to have a phrase that fits the steps in time. Then I can say it (to myself) as I listen to any swing, even when I'm in the car!
That definitely gives you the repetition you need. =)

Examples can be found at jitterbuzz.com in the Lindy Lessons.

--Diavo 8)

Vince A said:

This means, as far as dance is concerned, that we will have virtually "0" (zero) retention in 2-days if we don’t practice within the first 24-hours.

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Agreed. This is true of any physical activity, but I think especially true in dance because of the complexity of detail involved. If you don't practice within 24 hours you might as well not have begun learning the step. I find that you have to practice within 2 hours of learning it to really make it "stick."

I like to replace the counts with a rhythmic and descriptive phrase so I can remember what goes where. I recite it as I do the move so it reinforces it both physically and mentally...

and like creating flash crads just the process of creating the rhythmic phrase makes me concentrate on the process and pattern making me learn it better.

d nice said:

I like to replace the counts with a rhythmic and descriptive phrase so I can remember what goes where. I recite it as I do the move so it reinforces it both physically and mentally...

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Sounds very interesting! Can you give an ez example?

Lets say the sugar push, instead of just counting, 1-2-3-&-4-5-&-6, or even step-step-triple-step-triple-step, I'd say back-back, in-place, forward, in-place, back, describing my body movement.

d nice said:

Lets say the sugar push, instead of just counting, 1-2-3-&-4-5-&-6, or even step-step-triple-step-triple-step, I'd say back-back, in-place, forward, in-place, back, describing my body movement.

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After Reno, and if we get back into Lindy . . . will you get the real "flash cards" for me??? I definitely Will need them . . . . . . . :wink:

d nice said:

Lets say the sugar push, instead of just counting, 1-2-3-&-4-5-&-6, or even step-step-triple-step-triple-step, I'd say back-back, in-place, forward, in-place, back, describing my body movement.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I am just starting to learn a little WCS
and find it a little tricky (I know that is a different
thread) but a lot of fun. I was doing the sugar push
for the first time during my last lesson -- so this will
come in handy...