how are your lessons going? thread II

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IndyLady said:
I mentioned at the end that since we have a comp coming up in 4 months, we really need to start working on dances other than waltz, foxtrot, and samba, and we need to do rounds. He was receptive, but I have to admit, it's very slightly perturbing that I have to take the reins like this to make sure we cover all our bases. So that I don't end up at the comp with him asking "why are you doing [x]?" (in a dance we've barely touched) or noting that I don't have enough stamina.
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:rofl:

I find that the teacher I compete the most with has full confidence in my ability to dance material with little work on it because 1)(in some cases) I used to know it and 2) he trusts my follow and 3) he trusts his lead. Me, not so much, so it's routine for me to say "time to start doing rounds" etc as a competition is approaching. I have accepted it. He's not going to change and my needs are not going to change.
 
Lots has been going on since the last time I posted!

Overall my lessons have been on an upward trend. I'm becoming faster at picking up new things and my coach and I have gotten more comfortable with one another so I get more out of each lesson than I did back in January. There have definitely been some days where for whatever reason my brain feels like its moving through muck and I just can't pick up something that I know should be simple, but they've become less frequent and I've figured out how to bounce back in my own practice (normally by asking for a recording) so it's not too bad.

I also saw an updated video of myself a few weeks back (about five and a half months after switching studios) and the difference was...staggering. I knew I'd get better making the switch I just didn't think it would be this noticeable a degree and really makes me wish I'd found my current coach months earlier than I did.

But yeah, overall, keeping at it and practicing daily. Taking my first extended vacation to visit some family next month which will be interesting as I won't have practice space but hopefully it won't derail my progression too much.
 
RiseNFall said:
:rofl:

I find that the teacher I compete the most with has full confidence in my ability to dance material with little work on it because 1)(in some cases) I used to know it and 2) he trusts my follow and 3) he trusts his lead. Me, not so much, so it's routine for me to say "time to start doing rounds" etc as a competition is approaching. I have accepted it. He's not going to change and my needs are not going to change.
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I suspect this may be a factor in part for us as well. I made an offhand joke to him during those lessons that he had too many silver students and he needed to get used to a bronze/newcomer student. It should have been a forgettable comment (b/c I make a lot of significantly more notable jokes and remarks), but apparently it struck a nerve because he brought it up later in the lesson. I'm certainly not new to ballroom dance, but I am new to international standard, so I view myself through that lens. But I think he is running on the assumption that he can build off the previously acquired skill set. We're both right, but I think we each need to accept both views.
 
IndyLady said:
I suspect this may be a factor in part for us as well. I made an offhand joke to him during those lessons that he had too many silver students and he needed to get used to a bronze/newcomer student. It should have been a forgettable comment (b/c I make a lot of significantly more notable jokes and remarks), but apparently it struck a nerve because he brought it up later in the lesson. I'm certainly not new to ballroom dance, but I am new to international standard, so I view myself through that lens. But I think he is running on the assumption that he can build off the previously acquired skill set. We're both right, but I think we each need to accept both views.
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That's a tough one I can relate too. I've been dancing a long time, and the perception, more or less, is I have a reasonably good skill set. But for a newer dance like AT, I am and feel like a beginner, no matter where pro thinks I might be at. I want to work on basics, and not so much the fancy tricks. So it's finding the balance between the two.

I have a bucket list idea for AT for awhile that hopefully will come to fruition this fall.
 
I feel dumb.... but I know it's mostly just inexperience. What does "doing rounds" mean in terms of dance lessons?
 
Thanks Purr!

Today was my husband's lesson (which I take too because he prefer dancing with me to the teacher. But most the focus is on him.) At the end, the teacher recorded us doing our "routine". We're not sure we even want to look! (Jim needs it to remember the steps for leading. It doesn't hurt me to look either, but it helps him more.)

Oh.. I just heard Jim. He watched it and said, "We're really not that bad."
 
lucia_l said:
Thanks Purr!

Today was my husband's lesson (which I take too because he prefer dancing with me to the teacher. But most the focus is on him.) At the end, the teacher recorded us doing our "routine". We're not sure we even want to look! (Jim needs it to remember the steps for leading. It doesn't hurt me to look either, but it helps him more.)

Oh.. I just heard Jim. He watched it and said, "We're really not that bad."
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That’s awesome that he watched it! I had the hardest time watching videos of myself at first and avoided taking them for a while, but after seeing one of myself for the first time after 5 months of solid work I seriously regret not taking more. Not only is it super useful for helping you pick out what you’re doing wrong (dropping frame etc.) but it also gives you a record of your improvement which is super motivating.
 
Thanks 10tmf,
We're pretty much near the "beginner" end. So it's not so much "dropping" frame as not doing it in the first place. But the head coach had a workshop on that and is going to have weekly group sessions in September, so we'll get practice on that without worrying about school figures, leading or following at the same time. (Our teacher also mentions frame. But... really... our frames are metzo-metzo)

The videos are useful. Still, it's hard to watch because we compare ourselves to other dancers. Luckily, worse dance also exist, so we can see that we aren't so bad. I'm 59 and only found this studio we love last year, so I know I'm never going to be spectacular. I've been sort of competitive my whole life, but now, I've mostly taken to looking at other better dancers for inspiration. I can see that many have different strong points. So: Inspiration is best.

I am going to keep a log of videos. I wish I'd started taking them last July (when I found this studio) because I am a much better dancer! But I didn't. (:

I'm glad Jim can bring himself to look because I sort of thing: "Oh... my elbows... " Or, "Yikes, My feet are in 7th position!" (If your wondering, I've given pigeon toed versions of 1-5th names. They get used by comedians all the time but really don't appear in ballroom ... at least not on purpose!)
 
AT coming along, despite foot problems. I am getting better at adding my own stamp to the dance, i.e. kicks, rondes, holding a pause, etc. Gently suggested to pro he start putting together some sequences of figures to practice. Sometimes we go through figures, I don't recognize them, and I think they are made up, but pro assures me they are not and I followed fine. In those instances I'm relying on years of dancing, and just because I followed something doesn't mean I had any idea what was supposed to be going on. There is a lot less formal structure in AT, and more room for interpretation.

WCS also coming along. I still do better at slower tempo songs than faster tempo songs, but this should iron out with practice. Whatever my stamp is with this dance, it isn't pro's, it's coming from somewhere else. Hopefully this will not be a problem later on. Looking forward to workshops and coaching in a few weeks.
 
Today we decided to mix things up and I danced as a follow while my partner danced as a lead. We did some bronze rumba figures and worked on properly partnering them, and I feel like both of us learned a lot about dancing each role. It wasn't like, just a fun one-off thing, it was very productive and useful.
 
Yesterday we worked on WCS, Mambo and Bolero. WCS we worked on the foot work on the basic and getting the order of moving my upper and lower body appropriately for the Dance. Bolero we spent some time on arm styling without breaking frame.

I'm at the point where I'd like a good book! (The teacher is great. But I'm the kind who wouldn't mind reading discussions of moves because I always have trouble accurately remembering-- provided the write up was good.)
 
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