There has been a recent thread on DF discussing the difficulty of finding a dance partner. Unfortunately, I'm also stuck in the same boat, which prompts me to ask the question: has anyone gotten through bronze without a steady partner to practice with? The problem is that about 90% of the people who come to class already has a partner and the remaining 10% don't want to stay afterwards to practice. There is only so much I can do on my own. Group class coupled with private class gives me about 4 hrs of dancing per week, definately not enough for a beginner. I can practice patterns/steps by myself but the reality is being a follower, the most important skill I need is to practice my following skills. Any suggestions?
Has anyone gotten through bronze without a dance partner?
- Thread starter lynn
- Start date
discovery
New Member
I would say the majority of people who get through bronze don't have dance partners. A better question is has anyone gotten through bronze *with* a dance partner? 
Most of the people I see with partners (aside from those who are serious about their dancing) aren't very good. You're better off doing it the way you're doing it now. As for practicing, at 4 hours a week you're doing great. The only thing I would add is to attend your practice parties (assuming your school has them) regularly.
Most of the people I see with partners (aside from those who are serious about their dancing) aren't very good. You're better off doing it the way you're doing it now. As for practicing, at 4 hours a week you're doing great. The only thing I would add is to attend your practice parties (assuming your school has them) regularly.
Really? That's a rather surprising answer! I've always assumed that people with regular partners get more practice. More practice = better dancers. I do attend practice parties and they're absolutely great. I get to dance with advanced dancers and it feels like getting free private lessons :lol: .
fascination
Site Moderator
I am a bronze (wannabe gold) dancer and my husband is a very very busy guy so I don't have a partner....I have my insturctor 2-3 x a week and I go to group lessons 2-3 x a week...but 70 % of my practice time is utterly alone and while there are many things that I don't get dancing alone, I do focus on the advantages which are things like balance i.e. when I spin poorly with my instructor he props me up...practicing without him exposes my lack of balance and it also makes me less dependent upon him for my own frame and my own knowlege of how certain patterns connect etc....granted there are many things that one just can't get the feel of without a lead....on the other hand, sometimes a partner who isn't as experienced (if you have competitive aspirations) can be very frustrating only because they may not be willing or able to do the moves you are learning at the level that your instructor does...
Sagitta said:
I actually don't have any problem dancing with beginners, I'm a beginner myself! I guess I should've been more clear, I just couldn't find any "willing" partners. Most of the students come with their partners, the ones that are without partners never seem much enthusiastic about staying after class to practice (trust me, i've asked). Perhaps it conjures up the old memory of detention :lol: ??
yes I think getting through bronze without a partner should be possible and not even a big deal.
but chances of finding a beginner guy to go through bronze with are a lot higher than the chances of finding a silver guy... so I think it makes sense to grab someone as early in dance career as possible and grow together as a couple.
I had a great guy to go through bronze,silver and gold with. He moved to a different country, but if he didn't I would have had a great guy at my level to work with right now...
but chances of finding a beginner guy to go through bronze with are a lot higher than the chances of finding a silver guy... so I think it makes sense to grab someone as early in dance career as possible and grow together as a couple.
I had a great guy to go through bronze,silver and gold with. He moved to a different country, but if he didn't I would have had a great guy at my level to work with right now...
Twilight_Elena
Well-Known Member
Agree with above. Most people get through bronze without a partner. Haven't actually met anyone at bronze who has a partner.
I think it's more logical to look for a partner well after bronze, since most people get that serious around silver.
Twilight Elena
I think it's more logical to look for a partner well after bronze, since most people get that serious around silver.
Twilight Elena
Chris Stratton
New Member
What does it really mean to be "through bronze".
Can you be said to have accomplished this if you can't go out there with a partner and get a top placement?
Can you be said to have accomplished this if you can't go out there with a partner and get a top placement?
To answer Chris' question, what I mean by through Bronze, I simply meant to be able to pass the exam.
Of course, there are differing abilities in bronze, some struggle through, while others have no difficulty whatsoever. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that people with a steady partner would be able to practice a lot more than those who don't, thus improving at a much faster rate. I've heard people who passed the bronze exam in 4 months, or as long as 2-3 years. I think a major factor is how much you practice. Afterall, practice makes perfect, no?
Of course, there are differing abilities in bronze, some struggle through, while others have no difficulty whatsoever. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that people with a steady partner would be able to practice a lot more than those who don't, thus improving at a much faster rate. I've heard people who passed the bronze exam in 4 months, or as long as 2-3 years. I think a major factor is how much you practice. Afterall, practice makes perfect, no?
Chris Stratton
New Member
Depends on which exam and for how tough an examiner. The only person I know who took an ISTD Bronze medal was out of gold in the context of competition at the time he did it... and he trained for it. (though he passed with honors)
I'd say no one in the world is beyond working on bronze material... and since there are many different exams that are rarely taken anyway, that hardly matters either. As a result, the only meaningful definition of being out of bronze I can recognize is when someone would not be allowed to enter a competition in it, either by rules or by public opinion.
I'd say no one in the world is beyond working on bronze material... and since there are many different exams that are rarely taken anyway, that hardly matters either. As a result, the only meaningful definition of being out of bronze I can recognize is when someone would not be allowed to enter a competition in it, either by rules or by public opinion.