How does a tryout work?

[twnkltoz]

In Tango, you are looking for someone to connect and dance with. It's a very introspective dance between two people. The original poster is looking for someone for Latin competition. So, they need to be of compatible level and the partnership needs to be one that has a chance at meeting their goals competition-wise. Skill and style are definite factors, and looking good together is certainly a plus.

I'm sure others can weigh in on this, but the goals are just totally different.

 

[opendoor]

Sorry opener for hijacking your thread to some extend, but I found twnkltoz´ view really interesting.

In Tango, you are looking for someone to connect and dance with..introspective..

I would not agree. What you meant would be the task of/for social dancing. A fixed dancing partner in tango has got a totally different function. Only ambition is the common denominator: you want to prepare a public show or choreo, want to take part in a campeonato, or agree on working hard on special topics.

Skill and style are definite factors, and looking good together is certainly a plus... I'm sure others can weigh in on this, but the goals are just totally different.

No, from my perspective there only are slight differences.

 

[twnkltoz]

Sorry opener for hijacking your thread to some extend, but I found twnkltoz´ view really interesting.

I would not agree. What you meant would be the task of/for social dancing. A fixed dancing partner in tango has got a totally different function. Only ambition is the common denominator: you want to prepare a public show or choreo, want to take part in a campeonato, or agree on working hard on special topics.

No, from my perspective there only are slight differences.

OK, then how is it you can determine whether someone is a good competition or show partner by having coffee?

Let's not forget, when you are looking for a competition partner, you will be spending thousands and thousands of dollars per year on training, costumes, entry fees, travel costs, etc. That is a major commitment.

 

[Jananananana]

I like having a coffee/tea with someone along with a dance try-out to get to know them a little bit. I think that connecting with a person and being able to communicate with them is imperative to a good dance partnership.

 

[Jananananana]

OK, then how is it you can determine whether someone is a good competition or show partner by having coffee?

If you don't talk to the person, you can't communicate well.

 

[Bailamosdance]

Opendoor, are you possibly LordBallroom... or his brother?

 

[opendoor]

...you can determine whether someone is a good competition or show partner by having coffee? ..you will be spending thousands and thousands of dollars per year on..

Don´t get me wrong: but I fear finding a fixed dancing partner is subjected to the same criterias as for finding a life partner: "looking good" assumed, the question simply is: can we communicate, will we cooperate, do we share the same goals? A greater part will work subconsciously but first you have to come together.

 

[opendoor]

Opendoor, are you possibly LordBallroom... or his brother?

ups, have to ask my father concerning a brother.. , but, please explain some details.....

 

[twnkltoz]

If you don't talk to the person, you can't communicate well.

I mentioned that in my original post. Opendoor suggested leaving out the dance try-out all together and deciding it over coffee.

 

[twnkltoz]

Don´t get me wrong: but I fear finding a fixed dancing partner is subjected to the same criterias as for finding a life partner: "looking good" assumed, the question simply is: can we communicate, will we cooperate, do we share the same goals? A greater part will work subconsciously but first you have to come together.

I just can't imagine committing to a partnership without dancing with them first. That just makes no sense to me. Communication and cooperation is only one part of the equation.

 

[Jananananana]

Here's the thing, I don't think of a try-out as a one day thing. Yes, the first day can make it or break it, but I think of it as a try-out period. Obviously, I communicate this to the partner I'm trying out with. In my mind a try-out is done after about 3 weeks of figuring out some routines, seeing if you work well together, etc.

 

[Standarddancer]

I also agree tryout could last longer than one time or a day, of course if on the first time you strongly feel is not gonna to work and you will not pursue, you will stop right there. However if you both feel you can make a good team and feel can progress over time and make it work and successful, will arrange 2nd try or even a trial period, or ask a coach to take a look. Just sort of like job interview, stronger candidates sometimes gets 2nd or 3rd interviews or even meeting with high authorities in the company at later interviews (in dance world meeting the potential partner's coach) or just get hired on spot, weaker ones won't get a 2nd chance.

 

[madmaximus]

How does a try out for partnership usually work?
Can you tell me your experiences?

Do you just improvise and follow each other (follow the man) ?
Or do you walk/come up of a small choreography first and then dance it?

Im talking about pre-champ,champ level.

Hope its not a strange question

Looking for a CHAMPIONSHIP level partner is fundamentally different from looking for a social partner (and even, to a certain extent, bronze to novice or beginning to intermediate or E to B)

At the Champ level, you are no longer looking for partner---you are looking for a TEAMMATE.

And that requires a completely different set of criteria than the usual.

You're looking for someone who:

• can be or is better than you
• can carry their weight emotionally (will they fall apart at National or International Comps?), financially (can they afford the plane tickets, lessons?), and intellectually?
• is a complement to how you handle or cope with higher levels of stress that training and competing demand
• can dance your school's style (Classical, English, Italian, Asian, ... take your pick)
• can get along with you and your coach (and/or vice-versa)

Of course, there are many other obvious criteria--height, weight, look, aesthetics, frame, structure, etc. etc. etc.---that you should investigate before getting invested in your teammate.

The common mistake, however, is to decide on a partner using social-dance-partner criteria or to use an emotional basis for the partnership (clearly insufficient when you are looking for a teammate).

Tryouts at that level typically take more than a month (2-3 on average).

First you dance together to see if you are EVEN a match in the obvious (height, skill level, finances, goals, training schedules, choice of coaches...and so on).

If that works out, you should have an extended try-out to see if your dancing styles, personalities, training styles, and physical fitness, match (and if they don't, who will compromise and change).

After a month, you should be able to see if you get along, can absorb each other's choreography, and if you can both survive another 6 months dancing together without killing each other---literally and figuratively.

(My personal benchmark for how long it takes to decide whether you have a real partner, ie a teammate, or just someone to dance routines with is about 4-6 months.)

You should explore the gent's and lady's PREFERRED figures (not just the man's) since this is where your skills will converge--and will bring out each other's strong and weak points.

During the extended period, you should find what the strengths and weaknesses of this potential TEAMMATE are and see if the weaknesses are serious (can they be fixed?) and how to capitalize on their strengths.



Definitely NOT something you decide over a cup of coffee--well, NOT if you're serious about the level in which you are dancing.




m

 

[dbk]

Personally, I would not see a coach for a lesson for the try out, or involve a coach at all. What are you going to learn from that? You certainly won't learn all that much from the coach, because you're dancing with someone you've not used to. You won't learn whether you can practice well with the potential partner, or even if you get along well. All you'll learn is if the partner can be polite and respectful to a coach... which I hope most dancers are.

The 'cup of coffee' idea is good because it lets you discuss your dance goals. You want to make sure you're both on the same page in terms of practice time, competitions (how many? which? what level?), long-term goals (amateur? pro?), dance history (how fast have they progressed?), and that sort of thing. I would probably do that after dance practice, if the practice seems promising.

But before everything else, do an hour or so of practice. Obviously you want someone as close to your level as possible (or a little better)... but a small level difference can always be made up with time and effort. First and foremost, you're looking for someone you can practice well with. Your potential partner could be the next Mirko, but the partnership will go nowhere if either of you're both busy being upset, arguing, miscommunicating, or even just uncomfortable.

If you do want your coach's opinion, do it after a practice or two when you've had time to get used to dancing together... and so you're not wasting the coach's time with someone you could have ruled out by yourself.

 

[opendoor]

...cup of coffee

I just can't imagine committing to a partnership without dancing with them first. That just makes no sense to me. Communication and cooperation is only one part of the equation.

At that level dancing skills, musicality, capacity, a.s.o. will not play no role any more.