snapdancer
Forum Master
For me, "good social styling" means that you're not shoving your arm into my face on a crowded social floor.
Snapdancer's Rule of Arm Styling: "You can put your arm anywhere you like, so long as you don't hit me."
how are your lessons going? thread II
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For me, "good social styling" means that you're not shoving your arm into my face on a crowded social floor.
Snapdancer's Rule of Arm Styling: "You can put your arm anywhere you like, so long as you don't hit me."
I haven't hit anyone with my arms yet! 
I admit, New Years Eve 2016-2017 I stepped on a woman in foxtrot at a New Years even bash On the one hand, that was the fault of my partner and I. On the other hand, her partner had decided to suddenly move reverse line of dance (for reasons unknown). It was approaching midnight. Alcohol was involved (particularly on their part).
Fortunately, I at least don't wear stilettos and I sensed the foot before all of my weight was down. But I'm sure it hurt. My husband and I don't dance Foxtrot once the floor is crowded on New Year's Eve anymore! He knows his floor craft isn't good enough to be sure to avoid problems, and the obstacles are less predictable than usual.
I admit, New Years Eve 2016-2017 I stepped on a woman in foxtrot at a New Years even bash On the one hand, that was the fault of my partner and I. On the other hand, her partner had decided to suddenly move reverse line of dance (for reasons unknown). It was approaching midnight. Alcohol was involved (particularly on their part).
Fortunately, I at least don't wear stilettos and I sensed the foot before all of my weight was down. But I'm sure it hurt. My husband and I don't dance Foxtrot once the floor is crowded on New Year's Eve anymore! He knows his floor craft isn't good enough to be sure to avoid problems, and the obstacles are less predictable than usual.
snapdancer
Forum Master
I haven't hit anyone with my arms yet!
I admit, New Years Eve 2016-2017 I stepped on a woman in foxtrot at a New Years even bash On the one hand, that was the fault of my partner and I. [ snip]
Fortunately, I at least don't wear stilettos and I sensed the foot before all of my weight was down.
Given the situation as you describe it, it wasn't your fault at all. You did your part by not putting your full weight on the foot that shouldn't have been underneath it. OTOH, if your partner had tried to avert the situation and you didn't follow his signal, you would share partly in the blame. The blame primary on the leader in the other couple who as you say was not following line-of-dance rules.
Interesting lessons. As always. 
First, smooth. I, and the teachers I have chosen, have always emphasized connection, technique, and the feel of the dance. Makes me feel great to dance with (according to my primary teacher who is not known for dishing out complements), but not always competitive. Thus, we are going back through everything adding in more styling. Without losing the other aspects. Both are needed, just that in my case we emphasized the one over the other more than he typically does. He didn't really have a choice: if I don't like how something feels to dance I get cranky. (Caveat is that sometimes something is a new feeling and I just need to get used to it.)
WCS. Working on it with Pro at the moment, will likely pick it up with New(er) Guy soon. WCS is the one dance where I have experience independent of Pro, though it is from many years ago. Pro's expectations and mine did not initially always mesh (bit of an understatement). It is astounding how difficult I became to lead because of how tense I got.
Four attempts later, we are to where I think he thought we would start. I don't necessarily love all of his choices, but I am at least following him better. For all I know, the choices he is making could be more in line with what I would experience in the WCS community at the moment. He has certainly danced it with "cross over" dancers, including professionals, who have more recent WCS community experience than I do. New(er) Guy saw some of what we were dancing and commented that he would have to learn it--I said not to worry, he didn't need to; we could dance the more basic material. 
Rhythm. Team match approaching which is when I brush off my rhythm dancing. I know it would be good for my smooth for me to do more of it, but there's only so much time, $$s, and dancing I can do without injuring myself. I have offered to do my best to fill in slots for New(er) Guy. I dance with him a fair amount, and have competed with him, thus he was willing to treat me as one of his regular students. I have suggested, however, that he give the others first dibs and I'll take what he would otherwise have difficulty selling. There's nothing there that I wouldn't benefit from dancing, so why not? Turns out the "so why not" is because I have a brain like a sieve and truly don't remember learning some of this. Just as with the WCS, once I calm down and follow properly it all goes better, but oh my!
First, smooth. I, and the teachers I have chosen, have always emphasized connection, technique, and the feel of the dance. Makes me feel great to dance with (according to my primary teacher who is not known for dishing out complements), but not always competitive. Thus, we are going back through everything adding in more styling. Without losing the other aspects. Both are needed, just that in my case we emphasized the one over the other more than he typically does. He didn't really have a choice: if I don't like how something feels to dance I get cranky. (Caveat is that sometimes something is a new feeling and I just need to get used to it.)
WCS. Working on it with Pro at the moment, will likely pick it up with New(er) Guy soon. WCS is the one dance where I have experience independent of Pro, though it is from many years ago. Pro's expectations and mine did not initially always mesh (bit of an understatement). It is astounding how difficult I became to lead because of how tense I got.
Four attempts later, we are to where I think he thought we would start. I don't necessarily love all of his choices, but I am at least following him better. For all I know, the choices he is making could be more in line with what I would experience in the WCS community at the moment. He has certainly danced it with "cross over" dancers, including professionals, who have more recent WCS community experience than I do. New(er) Guy saw some of what we were dancing and commented that he would have to learn it--I said not to worry, he didn't need to; we could dance the more basic material. Rhythm. Team match approaching which is when I brush off my rhythm dancing. I know it would be good for my smooth for me to do more of it, but there's only so much time, $$s, and dancing I can do without injuring myself. I have offered to do my best to fill in slots for New(er) Guy. I dance with him a fair amount, and have competed with him, thus he was willing to treat me as one of his regular students. I have suggested, however, that he give the others first dibs and I'll take what he would otherwise have difficulty selling. There's nothing there that I wouldn't benefit from dancing, so why not? Turns out the "so why not" is because I have a brain like a sieve and truly don't remember learning some of this. Just as with the WCS, once I calm down and follow properly it all goes better, but oh my!
What is your goal with WCS? Is it to dance WCS in the WCS scene, or to dance it in the ballroom scene?
I've noticed ballroom dancers that come into the swing dance scenes often have a very different asthetic and connection. I guess I wouldn't notice the ones that don't, though.
I've noticed ballroom dancers that come into the swing dance scenes often have a very different asthetic and connection. I guess I wouldn't notice the ones that don't, though.
Purr
Forum Master
First lesson post WCS coaching. Went well, dance was more continuous. Pro said whatever I was doing, keep it up. Remarked that coaching may have given some confidence that was lacking, because I wasn't conscious of doing that much differently other than making a timing adjustment and minor footwork change.
Also did AT on lesson. Trying to add "me" into the dance. Pro managed to get me to do some combination with flicks and kicks, a big ronde, and then a leg crawl. Dance more or less continuous, pro happy. Am happy that my feet didn't hurt and my balance was good.
Also did AT on lesson. Trying to add "me" into the dance. Pro managed to get me to do some combination with flicks and kicks, a big ronde, and then a leg crawl. Dance more or less continuous, pro happy. Am happy that my feet didn't hurt and my balance was good.
You are being polite.
Somewhere here on DF I said something along the lines of "there is a ballroom version of WCS that is almost unrecognizable as the same dance to people in the WCS community" to explain an experience somebody was having. Fortunately, my teacher can do either depending on who he's dancing with. My goal is really just to enjoy my WCS with him, which does necessitate him leading a WCS-community based version. Small aesthetic differences from what I prefer, but all what would be considered within the prerogative of the leader in the WCS community. (He tends lead more moves that shorten the slot than I would like.)
scullystwin42
Forum Master
good lessons so far this week. latin cha cha and rumba routines are choreographed, finished samba on tuesday. good rhythm lesson yesterday as well. group class was really useful, as i had to lead mambo - just basic steps, but holy cow now i know what it feels like when the follow goes off time! it was super hard to lead and stay on time and do the steps opposite than i usually do, but now i know how my pro feels when i'm off time in mambo (which is still more often than i would prefer). it was making me batty that follows were speeding up to go on the one! THE LEARNING I HAS IT.
In other news, I'M GOING TO OHIO STAR BALL! OMG YASSSSSSSS SO EXCITED. we'll see if i make out of the first rounds
, but at least i'll get to experience it! Just Wednesday for open rhythm. Anyone else going to be there?
In other news, I'M GOING TO OHIO STAR BALL! OMG YASSSSSSSS SO EXCITED. we'll see if i make out of the first rounds
, but at least i'll get to experience it! Just Wednesday for open rhythm. Anyone else going to be there?In other news, I'M GOING TO OHIO STAR BALL! OMG YASSSSSSSS SO EXCITED. we'll see if i make out of the first rounds
I am planning to go (first time ever), Latin and Standard (so will dance Fri/Sat, but should arrive on Thur and leave Sun)!
scullystwin42
Forum Master
It's my first time competing, i've spectated before. I'll miss you then, since I'll be leaving Thursday morning! bummer!
Shoot, that is a bummer. I've never even been to spectate. tbh, this was one of those bucket list things for me, and when I mentioned it to my pro (who was apparently trying to figure out which comps we should do), he just casually replied "OK then we'll go to Ohio this year." I was like WHAT?!?!? So we'll see what happens, lol. I've set my expectations low.
scullystwin42
Forum Master
Wow - i had to fight tooth and nail to get there! lucky you. It's fun to spectate, and the dance camps are also great if you get a chance. I took a smooth one with Toni Redpath and it was amazing. I
I like to plan ahead, thus I'm going to Ohio next year. Historically, Pro's jaw has literally dropped when I have suggested something outside my well-established comfort zone, but it seems that he has gotten to know me better over the years. This time he didn't miss a beat when I asked about it.
Pro is out of town, so lessons with New(er) Guy. Goal with Smooth was to just up the power, frame, etc. My first teacher told me that I had to be willing to go past 100% of what I had sometimes--i.e., I had to be willing to fail--or I wouldn't know what my current limits were and I wouldn't improve as quickly. We definitely did that, but New(er) Guy was able to give me corrections so that some of it went from fail to success. In rhythm we reviewed material I was supposed to know in some more of the dances and worked on the quality. We also did some WCS and it went well. I am so grateful that he does not get defensive when I suggest slight alterations or give him some background from what I know from my WCS experience. He's got a very nice lead and wasn't trying to push the envelope at all, so it was a pleasure.
Historically, Pro's jaw has literally dropped when I have suggested something outside my well-established comfort zone, but it seems that he has gotten to know me better over the years. This time he didn't miss a beat when I asked about it. Pro is out of town, so lessons with New(er) Guy. Goal with Smooth was to just up the power, frame, etc. My first teacher told me that I had to be willing to go past 100% of what I had sometimes--i.e., I had to be willing to fail--or I wouldn't know what my current limits were and I wouldn't improve as quickly. We definitely did that, but New(er) Guy was able to give me corrections so that some of it went from fail to success.
In rhythm we reviewed material I was supposed to know in some more of the dances and worked on the quality. We also did some WCS and it went well. I am so grateful that he does not get defensive when I suggest slight alterations or give him some background from what I know from my WCS experience. He's got a very nice lead and wasn't trying to push the envelope at all, so it was a pleasure.I like to plan ahead, thus I'm going to Ohio next year.
To be fair, I've only been with this pro for about a year and he's had a lot of fluctuation in his situation, so we haven't really settled into a pattern of comps yet (maybe that's why things are going the way they are). Based on these comments, I have an elevated appreciation for this (undeserved) opportunity.
Lessons.... we worked on all the Latin dances this week and things went well. Several things clicked that I struggled with/against last time. I know that should make me happy, but I don't want to get too invested in that and I tend to worry that this was a false positive fluke. We shall see.
At my other studio, Showcase is two months away, still working the two routines we are re-doing. Gotta be honest, it's kind of like trying to get blood from a turnip at this point. I don't know if we can really effectively implement any other improvements, I'm ready to just do it and move on to the next thing on our agenda.
FancyFeet
Forum Master
Seriously? I've been subjected to the exact opposite over the last ~6 months. I'm getting pressured to go!
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