Learning to Lead (Teaching vs instructing vs learning)

[Steve Pastor]

I think any superior social dancer must leave teaching behind at some point and travel their own path.

If I substitute "experienced" for "superior", I can applaud this sentiment.
The absolute best teachers are the one who "teach you how to learn". That is, as was written, they teach you how the dance works.
As I took lesson after lesson, I too became increasing aware of how many steps and patterns were being taught to people who had no grounding in the basics; and by teachers who, if they actually knew how they themselves danced, could not communicate it effectively.
It was very, very tough, though, to get off the lesson train.
There always comes a time to leave the nest.

Now, I find myself thnking about taking a few lessons at the Portland ValenTango just for the heck of it, and because I've always avoided the festivals after several very bad experiences.

 

[Steve Pastor]

Well, I guess I agree with Rick McGarry. But the same can be said, I think, about most people who teach dance.
In the not too distant past dance was considered to be a basic social skill.
(I'll open myself up to ridcule here by saying the men of even my generation who I talk to a the Country Western place (for gosh sake), were sent to dance lessons as young men. Cowboy milongueros, I'm going to start calling us.)
The people at the top of organizations such as Arthur Murray Studios really knew their stuff. By the time you got to teachers, though, results varied because the expertise had been handed down with all of the loss with each "hand off".
AT has no real body to set standards, which is great for a flowering of styles and individuality. But it makes it even more of a buyer beware marketplace than a dance form that HAS well defined standards.

 

[chrisjj]

my blog: AmpsterTango

There is an impressive labour of love!

My pick: http://ampstertango.blogspot.com/search/label/traditional tango music

 

[Ampster]

Originally Posted by Ampster
my blog: AmpsterTango

There is an impressive labour of love!

My pick: http://ampstertango.blogspot.com/search/label/traditional tango music

Thank you.

I do it so other leads can learn from my experiences, and not do the mistakes I've made (saves time and money).

Most of all, I want leads to continue improving so our follows will have a REALLY great tango experience—every single time. Without them, leads are nothing.