competitive versus social...

[chomsky]

My pro and I were arguing about this...in the form of a disagreement or perhaps a tease. You pros out there, tell me, would you say that competitive dancing and social dancing cannot be compared simply because they are different categories of things? I'm only asking pros that compete because I want to see it from your pespective. Thanks for sharing!

 

[fascination]

good...because we have tons of other threads on this for others ...all of which have turned into bitter fueds...and this one will be locked well before it goes that way

 

[DanceMentor]

People have different goals for their dancing. Plain and simple.

 

[chomsky]

good...because we have tons of other threads on this for others ...all of which have turned into bitter fueds...and this one will be locked well before it goes that way

I guess my thread might be misinterpreted. Would you mind deleting it? I wasn't clear enough when I posted it I am afraid...Please delete it.

 

[vit]

On salsaforums it happened several times that people started comparing social salsa dancing with competitive ballroom. I suppose it is because it is only type of ballroom they came in touch with (on the TV or so), so they don't know much about social ballroom. Other reason - in my area at least - is that social ballroom isn't at the same level as social salsa so for instance some ex ballroom competitors are going to salsa parties but almost never to ballroom socials (strange but that's how it is in my area - don't know how it is elsewhere)

So I'll repeat my opinion given there - social and competitive are two different worlds where people have different goals. In social dancing, goal is to have a nice time with your partner (or partners), so dancing is oriented inwards. No need for wide shapes, very long steps (unless of course both are ex competitors and enjoy doing that and returning several decades back for a few minutes). No need to impress the audience (although some people try to do it as well - sometimes called social performance in salsa world) etc.

In competitive world main goal is to satisfy the judges. So, dance has to be technically at the high level. And everything is big, so that adjudicator on the other side of the floor can see you. Big shapes, big steps, fast actions, glamorous dressing, makeup, big smiles etc ... sometimes overdone to the big extent but that's how it is

Ok, so now we can delete the thread

 

[Hedwaite]

Yeah, as much as I'd LOVE to weigh in on this... I know I shouldn't. Everything I want to say has already probably been said by myself or someone else, somewhere else anyway. This is part of my "the world doesn't HAVE to see where you're coming from on this" thing I'm working on.

 

[fascination]

chomsky...as long as it stays nice, it's fine....I would just note that you have asked for the opinion of competititve instructors.......<<<I will just note that>>>....and as long as folks bear that in mind and, more importantly, play nice, there will be no need to do anything else...I simply like to issue pre-emptive cautions in areas which have proven to be highly flammable in the past

 

[vit]

Chomsky, what was actually a disagreement with your pro about ?

 

[cornutt]

I see three different types of activity, which emphasize different aspects of the skill set. The three activities are: social dancing, competition, and exhibition/showcase dancing.

 

[Hedwaite]

Can I add a fourth: The academic (one who studies like a competitor, enjoys like a social-er, tries to apply style and finish like a performer, but does mostly lessons and classes, with only periodic performances, not-so-frequent social dancing, and once in a blue moon competing)?

 

[vit]

Yes, I might be in the 4th group. I started with serious ballroom training when young after falling in love with slow waltz after a dance with my dance teacher. Was never really competitive type of guy or wanted to perform, but it was the only way to get more knowledge about ballroom, because quality in social ballroom dance schools was low. So eventually I quit with competing and moved to other genres - first salsa, then wcs and zouk (and some other dances danced in those communities). AT is planned somewhere in the future. It was interesting to me to discover a different approach to dance in every of these genres.

What is strange here is that - in my area again - there is relatively big number of people who are interesed in improving themselves in salsa but without competitive ambitions. A number of people in salsa community are dancing almost every day, combining classes and social dancing (although the amount of knowledge you can get from local instructors is relatively limited). To some extent in AT community as well. But it's not the case with ballroom for some reason. I changed several hobby ballroom classes/teachers after quitting with competitive ballroom in the meantime, but it is problematic - classes being cancelled due to low number of students, some teachers were not good, students didn't show much progress, some good teachers didn't have enough time for that as they were occupied with competitors, always being asked to start competing again etc ... and people from salsa and AT communities never appeared in those classes (with only e few exceptions that quit very soon) ...

 

[chomsky]

To all of you thanks. Let me share with you all the saga. I had no actual disagreement with my pro, we are just teasing each other. I am a social dancer that will never compete but in my sleep due to my physical constraint of a badly herniated disc and my lack of means. Dancing is a cure; it helps me avoid an operation. In my mind though I find similarities and analogies and try and behave as if I were a competitive dancer. So, in a heavily crowded social floor I teased my pro that if accidents do happen in Blackpool why should they not happen at wednesday's social? And I told him, the challenge is to overcome those accidents on a wednesday night. But, he pulled my leg and teased me and I hate him when he teases me cos I'm the only one that ever does the teasing around here. And once again, I am teasing!!!Anyway, he knows I was going to address my questions to my friends at DF because he doesn't take my argument seriously. This is why, I wanted another pro that competes pro-pro to tell me whether he is right. I know I will never become a competitor and I want someone else who's been there to tell me whether my intuition is right or wrong. But I would hate it if this thread becomes a place where people start being nasty because I don't want anyone to spoil my dream. There you go, that's me. I do appreciate people that open up their hearts for everyone to see at this forum because whenever I am in trouble I have always found a shelter here, and I know this is true for many of you too. Thanks for indulging me you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fascination]

I am not a pro...so I cannot speak to what a pro would say on this...I can say from observation, that some pros teach their students differently depending upon whether they compete or not, depending upon what their goal is, depending upon what their physical condition is....while others teach them all the same because that is the only way they know/want to teach....

 

[vit]

I also noticed that, and in my case teachers that had good competitive couples as students were able to decide correctly what is important and what isn't important for a hobby-level dancer. Those who were not very successful overall had problems with that.

 

[cornutt]

I do all three types, and they each have their charms. Social dancing is just plain fun. It gives DW and I some together time, and then we can also dance with and interact with others. I also like the experience of improving my own dancing and seeing others improve. Competitive dancing satisfies my own competitive streak, plus comps are like vacations to me. Showcase dancing is my chance to choose my own music and express it and put my own spin on it as I desire.