Ballroom and Mixers

Fred Astaire NOT!

Fred Astaire NOT!

Member
Hi ya'll, I danced Ballroom for about 2 years and just now getting back after about 2 years off. I am in a frustrated stage right now because I am seeing that the school I went to may have sandbagged me a little.
When I attend parties at the school I go to now, I feel that I am at "kindegarden' level and that most are at "highschool" level.
I see that even when I get back to my peak form, I was not trained to the level of these students.
At the ballroom parties I sweat bullets and when the mixers happen; usually foxtrot and waltz, I sweat blood.
Most everyone is very kind, but I am in a BIG hurry to advance beyond charity case to decent dancer.
I am dancing everyday and going to every party., Any advice on how to build my repertoire of forms up more quickly?
 
Private lessons in addition to group lessons. Pricey but you'll progress more quickly than just taking group lessons. At least IME.

Just out of curiosity where approx are you in FLA?
 
What in particular did you see that youf elt you lacked? Was it that you didn't know enough steps, lacked in technique, had a weak frame, etc?
 
Private lessons will be key. It sounds like you're getting enough practice in, but unless you change your technique you'll just be practicing what you're already dissatisfied with. Ask some of the dancers you admire who they take lessons with, then book a trial private lesson with that teacher. It may also help to make a list of what you feel is lacking in your dancing and what you want to improve on.
 
etp777 said:
What in particular did you see that youf elt you lacked? Was it that you didn't know enough steps, lacked in technique, had a weak frame, etc?
Click to expand...

I guess the main thing is new moves (forms..steps). I need a repertoire of forms to get me around the dance floor for a few laps.
Here's what I'm relatively comfortable with right now

Foxtrot: basic; (two forward, one to the left), promenade, turn, twinkle. I seem to have trouble reestablishing the progressive twinkle again...

Tango: basic step T-A-N-G-O, promenade, quartey, working on a fan....

Waltz: basic box step, progressive step, turn...

Rumba: basic box, turn, cross body leads, rock step backwards w/ arm around the gals shoulder...

can't write anymore, getting depressed.
 
Fred Astaire NOT! said:
I guess the main thing is new moves (forms..steps). I need a repertoire of forms to get me around the dance floor for a few laps.
Here's what I'm relatively comfortable with right now

Foxtrot: basic; (two forward, one to the left), promenade, turn, twinkle. I seem to have trouble reestablishing the progressive twinkle again...

Tango: basic step T-A-N-G-O, promenade, quartey, working on a fan....

Waltz: basic box step, progressive step, turn...

Rumba: basic box, turn, cross body leads, rock step backwards w/ arm around the gals shoulder...

can't go on, getting depressed.
Click to expand...

A lot times when I dance Waltz I don't do much beyond the basic amalgamation (right turns and left turns connected by change steps) and ladies seem pretty happy to dance that with me. I've been mainly focusing on technique than steps though. I think if you work on technique women will be happy with just basics (though it is always fun to have a few more steps in you repertoire).
 
Absolutely Chrion. While you can certainly learn more steps FA, you don't want to be a pattern whore. Don't learn steps at the penalty of losing technique. Follows here are always very clear they'd rather have a firm lead with good technique who only does basic steps then someone trying to do a bunch of complicated steps taht they really don't have the technique to properly lead. Becuase then they're not going to be sure what you want them to do, and you'll both end up frustrated.
 
At our local monthy USA Dance parties we do the same mixers. Once around the floor, pick up a new gal, repeat for three songs. The reason for mixers is to meet and dance with different people. Most of the time you have no idea what level their dancing is at, so most of the time you will be dancing basic stuff.

Technique, not steps, is what is important here. If you have good technique, the better dancers will notice, and later on you will be able to do some more advanced stuff with them, since both of you will be confident it can be done successfully. The mixer is where you get to mingle with other people, while at the same time scoping out their skills. With some folks it will be all basic around the floor, small steps, and conversation. With others you might move into progressive twinkles, more motion, etc. But remember, while you are noticing who is at what level, they are doing the same. Good technique, and a friendly smile will go a long way.

FBG
 
Fred Astaire NOT! said:
I guess the main thing is new moves (forms..steps). I need a repertoire of forms to get me around the dance floor for a few laps.
Here's what I'm relatively comfortable with right now

Foxtrot: basic; (two forward, one to the left), promenade, turn, twinkle. I seem to have trouble reestablishing the progressive twinkle again...

Tango: basic step T-A-N-G-O, promenade, quartey, working on a fan....

Waltz: basic box step, progressive step, turn...

Rumba: basic box, turn, cross body leads, rock step backwards w/ arm around the gals shoulder...

can't write anymore, getting depressed.
Click to expand...

i read that you line in Florida. if you are close to Coral Springs, feel free to come. It will be my pleasure to make you better.

btw. maybe you just forgot what you've learned, but this on a list, I teach my students in a first few lessons. those are basic patterns.
 
FatBaldGuy60 said:
At our local monthy USA Dance parties we do the same mixers. Once around the floor, pick up a new gal, repeat for three songs. The reason for mixers is to meet and dance with different people. Most of the time you have no idea what level their dancing is at, so most of the time you will be dancing basic stuff.

Technique, not steps, is what is important here. If you have good technique, the better dancers will notice, and later on you will be able to do some more advanced stuff with them, since both of you will be confident it can be done successfully. The mixer is where you get to mingle with other people, while at the same time scoping out their skills. With some folks it will be all basic around the floor, small steps, and conversation. With others you might move into progressive twinkles, more motion, etc. But remember, while you are noticing who is at what level, they are doing the same. Good technique, and a friendly smile will go a long way.

FBG
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this.

I like someone who knows the basics because as a follower who is just learning beyond the basics, I want to feel comfortable getting around the floor in a mixer PLUS I to need to work on technique. Otherwise I feel like I am apologizing throughout the dance for making so many mistakes!
 
elisedance said:
'work on technique' at a mixer? Maybe its time to just have fun? Its easy to get too much into learning....
Click to expand...

true but it helps to practice what one has been taught in lessons. especially if you know that the leads you are dancing with are doing the same right? AND it still IS fun! :D
 
true - but if I'm going to work on anything at a real social, its expression - by that I mean not the fake kind necessary for competitions when you are petrified, but the real one - and that comes from zenning into the dance which, when you come down to it, is surely what this is all about.... or should be??
 
Fred Astaire NOT! said:
I guess the main thing is new moves (forms..steps). I need a repertoire of forms to get me around the dance floor for a few laps.
Here's what I'm relatively comfortable with right now

Foxtrot: basic; (two forward, one to the left), promenade, turn, twinkle. I seem to have trouble reestablishing the progressive twinkle again...

Tango: basic step T-A-N-G-O, promenade, quartey, working on a fan....

Waltz: basic box step, progressive step, turn...

Rumba: basic box, turn, cross body leads, rock step backwards w/ arm around the gals shoulder...

can't write anymore, getting depressed.
Click to expand...
Welcome to Dance Forums, Fred Astaire (I've done a little programming so I'm going to interpret the "NOT!" as a double negative ;) )

It looks like you're mainly familiar with the American bronze/foot-closure syllabus figures for waltz and foxtrot. I wonder if the other people are mainly dancing silver/continuity syllabus where they pass their feet on the third step. Technique is great, but I think you would have to be substantially better than the other dancers in order to make your foot-closure figures travel as far as their continuity figures.

In the short term, I think you might take a few private lessons, asking to learn "survival silver" ™. The two basic figures should be sufficient: open left turn and open right turn.

In the long term, yes, I think you should work on basic technique (again private lessons or technique group classes). You can work on that even, or perhaps especially, in the context of the figures you already know.

By the way, I think it's generally more comfortable to dance continuity than foot-closure with the average person on the social floor. It seems like it takes a bit more from both partners to make the foot-closure figures feel good.

You might find some useful information here:
http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=14097

All the best! :)

Trademark - waltzgirl
 
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