Ladies learning men's steps

[standardgirl]

As a lady dancer, I have become more and more interested in learning the men's steps. Not just the steps, but with all the body actions, etc. I am wondering when is a good time to start learning all the information. I can see that learning those things can become very beneficial in one's dancing in the long term, especially in an am/am partner. But, where should I go and how can I start this? I have tried to take group lessons as a "man" before, but that was not a pleasant experience at all. The ladies were "heavy" and I got very tired with my arms. Some teachers aren't as willing to let a lady to lead other ladies in a group class, either. Any suggestion? What have you doen?

 

[scotttocs]

From the opposite perspective...

If you are taking couple lessons, pay attention to the solo efforts by your partner. And occasionally doing a step the other way can be educational.

Umm, I wouldn't necessarily spend tons of money on them, but the lecture tapes that top pro's do can help there.

Also shadow work..

 

[fascination]

As a lady dancer, I have become more and more interested in learning the men's steps. Not just the steps, but with all the body actions, etc. I am wondering when is a good time to start learning all the information. I can see that learning those things can become very beneficial in one's dancing in the long term, especially in an am/am partner. But, where should I go and how can I start this? I have tried to take group lessons as a "man" before, but that was not a pleasant experience at all. The ladies were "heavy" and I got very tired with my arms. Some teachers aren't as willing to let a lady to lead other ladies in a group class, either. Any suggestion? What have you doen?

my pro makes me do this nearly every lesson for one doggone thing or another and it really makes me P.O.ed b/c he makes a more beautiful and graceful woman than I ...how annoying is that?

 

[Laura]

I have tried to take group lessons as a "man" before, but that was not a pleasant experience at all. The ladies were "heavy" and I got very tired with my arms.

I'm sure this gave you a very strong appreciation for what the guys have to go through. I took a group class once leading and couldn't believe how difficult it was to get some of them moving, let along moving in the right direction.

The most cost-effective way is to take a group class. Find a lady you like to dance with and practice with her. I was very lucky in that I got a very good dance partner the time I was working on leading.

Another option, but much more expensive, is to take private lessons where you learn to lead.

My coach is going to start a group class for people who already know the syllabus (in fact, a number of people who are taking it are Pre-Champ and Championshp-level amateur dancers). We're going to dissect figures, have people dance them both leading and following (like, followers will lead and leaders will follow), and talk about our theories on how things work and when and why they don't work. I'm looking at it as sort of a "graduate seminar" on the Standard syllabus. She's only accepting students who she knows already know and can actually dance the patterns, either as a leader or a follower. It's not just a steps/patterns class, in other words.

I almost can't wait to take it! It's going to start in February, but I have something else going on and so can't start until March.

 

[musicchica86]

Oh, my instructor's the same way...it's not quite fair is it?

 

[DanceMentor]

I think this is a great way for ladies to not only better understand step patterns, but also to get more time on the floor. I would highly encourage this, assuming you are doing fine with your own steps.

 

[standardgirl]

my pro makes me do this nearly every lesson for one doggone thing or another and it really makes me P.O.ed b/c he makes a more beautiful and graceful woman than I ...how annoying is that?

I used to have a latin teacher who is a lot more feminine than I could ever be, partly why I quit dancing latin......yet another story

 

[standardgirl]

I think this is a great way for ladies to not only better understand step patterns, but also to get more time on the floor. I would highly encourage this, assuming you are doing fine with your own steps.

Yes, I am doing fine with my own steps. I know most of the steps in syllabus as a follower, but I have no clue on the other half of the story.


Laura,
I wish they would offer a class like that here. How do you approach a woman and ask her to dance with you? I don't want people to think that I am weird or anything. I feel like often times, women prefer to dance with men rather than me......

 

[Joe]

I have tried to take group lessons as a "man" before, but that was not a pleasant experience at all. The ladies were "heavy" and I got very tired with my arms.

Ahahahahahahaha! The shoe is on the other foot now!

 

[Chris Stratton]

Yes, I am doing fine with my own steps. I know most of the steps in syllabus as a follower, but I have no clue on the other half of the story.

You probably know the necessary results well enough that you could figure out the man's part from the technique book. Being taught them from the other perspective is of course good, but one of the things you might want to do is just find some floor time on your own and think it through. Dance both parts one after the other and think about how they fit together.

 

[Twilight_Elena]

I'm learning the lead's steps because it's standard procedure in becoming a teacher, but other than that I practiced with a very good friend of mine who let me torture her with my wonky leads till I got somewhat good at it. You should have seen me learning the cross body lead movement! The steps came on naturally (they're not that tricky after all) but it took me a while to realise I shoudl lead this through my entire body-frame. I nailed it in the end.
Practice, practice, practice. That's the key to becoming a good lead, IMO. Bad thing is you can't practice leading on your own. The steps, obviously, but for the rest you need a partner.

Twilight Elena

 

[Laura]

How do you approach a woman and ask her to dance with you? I don't want people to think that I am weird or anything. I feel like often times, women prefer to dance with men rather than me......

Just say "Hi. I'm learning to lead as part of my dance education. Would you dance this song with me so I can practice? "

The fun part is that if your leading gets good enough, the women will be glad to dance with you. Back when I was leading, the other ladies would tell me they liked dancing with me because, for a beginning leader, I didn't lead with my arms, pull them around, or push them off balance. One of these decades I should get back to this, it's been years and I've forgotten about 90% of it.

If other people think you're weird, that's their problem, not yours. All dance teachers learn both leading and following, so if they think you are weird, then they must think all dance teachers are weird, too. Big whoop.

 

[chela]

I've had a few women ask me to dance with them. Even standard. The last one asked me: I'm trying to figure out how the other half live. Can I dance with you? A woman shouldn't think you are wierd.

I tried learning how to lead waltz a while back (basic figures). I had a hard time leading the natural spin turn but it helped me follow one better. Looking at this thread I think I might start learning how to lead again. It is good to have an understanding of both sides.

If only I could find my syllabus book...

 

[RIdancer82]

The other women won't think you're weird. In fact, they'll be quite impressed at your courage to get up and lead and also at your ability as you improve. When I first started learning the leader's part a couple years ago, I'd go to the free lessons that are held at the beginning of social dances to help with learning it. It also allowed me to lead followers of all different levels which helped me to not only learn what to give my partner as a leader, but it also helped me to see firsthand what my partner expects from me as a follower. Usually in those lessons, I'd end up having all the followers rushing to grab me to dance with since they all said that I understood and applied how to actually lead them better than the men did.

Hope that helps with your confidence in asking us women to dance, and good luck with leading

 

[chela]

Thank you, RI! Once I find that syllabus book I will start with waltz and fox trot since they are my favorites. Or should I do waltz and quickstep since they are more related? Well, anyway, there is a social or two in my area that offer free lessons before hand. I will check those out, too! Also, good luck to standardgirl!