Learning International

fire_dancer

fire_dancer

New Member
So I finally took the plunge and started learning a bit of International. Unfortunately, I started my International latin lesson career by going to a technique class that was WAY over my head. I thought I looked ok, and then the teacher would come over and say (In broken Bulgarian/English) "No good! Don't bend leg!" I finally realized that what he meant was that as I was stepping back, I was sometimes bending my leg a teensy bit out of habit from American.

So here's my question: For those talented people who picked up American THEN International, how did you go about retraining your body not to bend the leg? Also, how long do you think it would take to get good? :) I welcome any advice!
 
it's probly not the answer you're looking for and to some it may sound obvious, but my answer is practice, practice, practice. and be sure to include some private lessons so that you can get better instruction on how to arrive on the straight leg and what causes it to happen, etc. (oh yea, and I did american first, then added international too)
 
fire_dancer said:
So I finally took the plunge and started learning a bit of International. Unfortunately, I started my International latin lesson career by going to a technique class that was WAY over my head. I thought I looked ok, and then the teacher would come over and say (In broken Bulgarian/English) "No good! Don't bend leg!" I finally realized that what he meant was that as I was stepping back, I was sometimes bending my leg a teensy bit out of habit from American.

So here's my question: For those talented people who picked up American THEN International, how did you go about retraining your body not to bend the leg? Also, how long do you think it would take to get good? :) I welcome any advice!
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In a year from now, it'll be more troublesome to remember to bend your knees. Agree with RID --> practice. It's just going to take time. I personally think it's harder to go from A-I, but I don't think people see any rythym shining through in my latin.
 
Not quite the question you asked, but: As for how hard it is to go from American to International in general -- I'll let you know after tomorrow night, when I go to DuShor and pretend to be a standard dancer! :shock:
 
I just switched from American to Int'l too! That whole straight leg thing is crazy isn't it? It's so hard!

Anyway, just like everyone else has said, I think practice is the key. I've been going over my cha-cha and rumba routines probably 5-10 times a day every day for a few weeks now. I think I've got the hang of it, except that it looks really stiff.....so maybe I don't have the hang of it after all. Anyway, my coach says that I'm doing really well, and that it'll look more and more fluid as I get better.

If you get totally sick of rumba and cha-cha, you should give samba a try....it's SO fun. Definitely my favorite dance ever. It's so bouncy and you can keep your knees nice and loose and springy and BENT.
 
thanks for all the great support. It's interesting to hear people's responses to International dancing. I already plan on practicing a ton (after getting over being discouraged since I am back to square one with dancing), and I hope that I pick up on it as fast as everyone else! :)
 
Fretful_Porpentine said:
If you get totally sick of rumba and cha-cha, you should give samba a try....it's SO fun. Definitely my favorite dance ever. It's so bouncy and you can keep your knees nice and loose and springy and BENT.
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Ha! Yeah - the hard part there is getting both of your knees to bend at the same time! lol
 
No kidding! I tried it for the first time the other night at the technique class and completely lost track of my knees. One knee would bend, the other would stay straight, and I would just look at the instructor (and his hips) and go "What the heck is he doing and what can I do to look like THAT?" :) I'm thinking that I'll need a few more samba lessons before I look sexy, and not like a jogger going over a bumpy road. *grins*
 
I so admire people who have really smooth, fluid sambas....mine is kind of stiff right now, but it's just so fun and my coach explains things really well. He showed me how to do this one thing on samba walks that's like snapping around the hip of your non-supporting foot....I'm explaining it all wrong, but it looks SO amazing.
 
fire_dancer said:
No kidding! I tried it for the first time the other night at the technique class and completely lost track of my knees. One knee would bend, the other would stay straight, and I would just look at the instructor (and his hips) and go "What the heck is he doing and what can I do to look like THAT?" :) I'm thinking that I'll need a few more samba lessons before I look sexy, and not like a jogger going over a bumpy road. *grins*
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Just practice REALLY slow, and you'll get the hang of it - I have faith! :)

(btw, I just love watching the newbies samba - they bounce up and down like little bunnies - I think it's cute. :))

(and yes, I'm allowed to say that, because I have early videotapes of me doing the same exact thing!)
 
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