Defining your problems before taking private lessons ???

V

vey

New Member
I’m planning to take some private lessons but can’t figure out how to go about it (I’ve never had any privates before).

A few months ago I had such a huge problem with following, therefore, that was my priority, there was no question in my mind that I’m going to take some privates with leader-instructor to work on following. However for a past couple of months I was taking intensive group classes (4/week) and dancing out and I feel that my following improved significantly, I even got a number of compliments. :) :) :)

Now I’m concerned - what if I have more pressing problems than following, e.g. what if I need to work on my basic step or timing or posture or smth else. Since I think it would be helpful to know what I want to work on before I choose from about 8 instructors (both leaders and followers) I’m baffled with choices and confused.

Any advice, personal experiences to share? :?: :?: :?:
I would be very grateful! :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
I didn't have the same problem of choosing an instructor for my private lessons. Perhaps telling you about what I was looking for can help.

I went to a lot of group classes and was watching for an instructor that I thought would work well for me. I was looking for someone who had a good technical understanding of both the lead and follow parts, the ability to break things down clearly with detail and an understanding of the student's point of view. Also important to me was that this person have good reasons for the techniques that he/she advocated. I've heard instructors say that you should do something a certain way, but then have no particularly good reason for it or, as often happened, I just didn't buy the reason.

I found someone who stood out for me and scheduled time with her. She asked me what I wanted to work on. I told her and then we danced for a minute. After that I discovered that I had a lot more to work on than what I'd told her. We spent a lot of time going over and tightening up the most fundamental things. It was sort of depressing, but I expected that. We did spend some time on the specific issues I'd brought also.

I've had more privates with her since then and it's worked out great. I have a much better understanding of what's going on out there between my partner and me now. I dance more cleanly and lead more clearly and started getting compliments from followers and more requests for repeat dances.

If you don't know what you want or need to work on perhaps you can ask a more advanced dancer whose opinion you trust. Or if you can narrow down your choice of instructors you can just schedule a private with them and I'm sure they'll tell you.

Good luck.
 
Call up for a lesson and tell the teacher you want a dance evaluation. The teacher dances a few dances with you (ballroom & latin) then tells you what you need to work on. I've been teaching for 20 years and we do this to all new students who already know how to dance. If your teacher does not know you can dance already he will start you from the basics.
 
Hi Vey. From my own experience as a follower, I went in at first with the idea of learning "technique" in my private classes. This includes following, partner connection, rhythm coordination, posture, standard styling for Salsa, etc. I had a good talk with my "primary" coach about my weaknesses and then had him evaluate and make suggestions. A good coach will give intensive exercises and drills to work on as you improve. Pymalion could also give excellent advice regarding private lessons and what to look for in general. :D
 
Welcome rails :cheers:

and thank you so much for sharing your experience, it's SO helpful !

I'm summing up some excellent points you've made (for my own convenience):

* Pick an instructor that stands out according to your criteria (based on group classes experience)

* Even if you have some problems you want to work on, instructor can pin point others you aren't aware of (a poverbial can of worms :) :( )

BTW, you picked a female (follower) instructor because you wanted one or because the instructor who stood out happened to be a follower :?:
 
peachexploration said:
Hi Vey. From my own experience as a follower, I went in at first with the idea of learning "technique" in my private classes. This includes following, partner connection, rhythm coordination, posture, standard styling for Salsa, etc. I had a good talk with my "primary" coach about my weaknesses and then had him evaluate and make suggestions. A good coach will give intensive exercises and drills to work on as you improve. Pymalion could also give excellent advice regarding private lessons and what to look for in general. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks, peach, I think, smth's starting to shape up in my mind now.

I know, that questions like that might sound silly to people who have plenty of experience with privates. I guess, I'm just being cautious and trying to prepare myself to all sorts of possibilities....,although, sometimes one should just go ahead and try it...

It's just that it's not cheap and a "human factor" is involved - what if I won't like my 1st pick in terms of private instruction and want to switch... - the place I go to is a very friendly and warm one, so i really don't want to create any unpleasentness...
 
vey said:
......It's just that it's not cheap and a "human factor" is involved - what if I won't like my 1st pick in terms of private instruction and want to switch... - the place I go to is a very friendly and warm one, so i really don't want to create any unpleasentness...
Click to expand...

rails said:
...* Pick an instructor that stands out according to your criteria (based on group classes experience)
Click to expand...

Rails makes a good suggestion here. This is what I did and it worked out fine. You can research further but this is the way to start if you're not comfortable using someone you don't know. I will say that there may be a time when you need another coach for other reasons so keep your eyes and ears open just in case. Talk to other students, attend workshops outside the studio you attend, or even other instructors as you progress. You'll notice that your ideas about dance, particularly salsa, will change as you become more advanced. :D
 
vey said:
BTW, you picked a female (follower) instructor because you wanted one or because the instructor who stood out happened to be a follower :?:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome vey. I wasn't specifically looking for a female or a follower although I thought that might be a little more practical. I do plan to learn to follow someday way off in the future. Even now, though, I pay attention to the follower's part during classes. For example, if the instructor(s) are showing follower's footwork I usually follow along and try to do it too so I can have a feel for what I'm leading her through. I figure it can only make me better.

Anyway, if the best instructor I'd found for me had been a guy that would have been fine. I've noticed, however, that I tend to prefer female instructors because it seems that a lot of the male instructors can't help showing off while demonstrating patterns by throwing in extra, flashy elements. That stuff can come afterward or as part of a styling workshop, but when I'm trying to learn a new pattern I just find it confusing.

Sort of related, I just started taking privates in another dance (balboa) from a couple. I dance/practice with her while he sits in a chair with the stereo remote. She comments on what she feels. He comments on what he sees. It was a little intimidating at first to be outnumbered by instructors, but I got over that. Those lessons are working out great too.
 
rails said:
I do plan to learn to follow someday way off in the future. Even now, though, I pay attention to the follower's part during classes. For example, if the instructor(s) are showing follower's footwork I usually follow along and try to do it too so I can have a feel for what I'm leading her through. I figure it can only make me better.
Click to expand...

Me too. I found out that it helps. Knowing where she should be and how she should be helps when things are not as they are supposed to be.... :)

rails said:
Sort of related, I just started taking privates in another dance (balboa) from a couple.
Click to expand...
I took one group balboa class a while back. A lot of fun and neat to incorporate while dancing swing, and at other times too. :)
 
I have found that, for me, there's always a mix. I need to understand up front what my goals are, what I think my problems are, and what I want/expect out of a dance teacher. But I also have to let them assess me and my dancing and make suggestions from their educated point of view. And what we end up doing is usually somewhere in the middle between what I want and what they want.
 
pygmalion said:
I need to understand up front what my goals are, what I think my problems are, and what I want/expect out of a dance teacher. But I also have to let them assess me and my dancing and make suggestions from their educated point of view. And what we end up doing is usually somewhere in the middle between what I want and what they want.
Click to expand...

Thanks Pygmalion! That's exactly the approach I had in mind!
 
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