My new group lesson strategy

[sync]

I've taken two WCS group lessons. They have been fun and also frustrating. We learn two moves in a lesson that last about 45 minutes. The move is demonstrated, then we practice on our own, then with a partner without music and then with music.

The instructors are always emphasizng the importance of correct footwork. If I'm learning a new move and focusing on getting the steps right, then I can't keep time or connect with my partner. This is unenjoyable for both of us.

So I'm thinking that from now on, when I'm with a partner, I'll focus on leading and let my feet do whatever they want to get me around. When I'm practising on my own at home I'll practice the steps.

Comments are welcomed.

 

[ShyDancer]

I wouldnt recommend just letting your feet get you around, that will quickly lead you into bad habits that take 3 times as long to unlearn as they did to learn!
Id suggest maybe just playing around with the length of your steps (eg ... keeping your steps smaller helps with timing until you know the step thoroughly) while still maintaining the correct alignments and directions as its much easier to adjust and its also helpful when dancing socially as everyone will be different.

Good Luck

 

[sync]

I was thinking I should reduce the number of variables that I need to pay attention to during partner practice. You are suggesting that I add yet another new variable. :shock:

 

[saludas]

I was thinking I should reduce the number of variables that I need to pay attention to during partner practice. You are suggesting that I add yet another new variable. :shock:

As a beginner, you should understand that 'footwork' cannot be divorced from body action. The integration of body, your back (which is where the 'lead' is actually derived) and what you term footwork (but is actually the movement of your body in relation to the area you dance within) is what makes it dancing.

The beginner (and for that matter, anyone) finds it eay to isolate a movement (such as the 'arms') and execute it. However, it is the understanding of how your body moves that makes the 'step'.

 

[Flat Shoes]

I am not a wcs dancer but a Lindy dancer, and I say forget about the footwork! :shock:

Dance from your body. Use your body in your lead. Concentrate on the lead and follow. Learn the feeling and the flow of the pattern. Your feet have only one important job; keeping your body from falling to the floor as it moves around. And for that you use basic steps. So the basic steps are necessary to learn properly.

Of course, there are exceptions. There are patterns that demand a certain footwork to work. Then you must learn the proper footwork.

Dance should not be thought from feet and up, but from body and out. Because that's how you dance.

Anyways, different people learn in different ways. Find the way that works for you.

 

[sync]

I was thinking I should reduce the number of variables that I need to pay attention to during partner practice. You are suggesting that I add yet another new variable. :shock:

As a beginner, you should understand that 'footwork' cannot be divorced from body action. The integration of body, your back (which is where the 'lead' is actually derived) and what you term footwork (but is actually the movement of your body in relation to the area you dance within) is what makes it dancing.

The beginner (and for that matter, anyone) finds it eay to isolate a movement (such as the 'arms') and execute it. However, it is the understanding of how your body moves that makes the 'step'.

At the moment I'm dreading the thought of going to my next lesson because the partner practice is so frustrating. I'm not even close to being able to integrate that much new information all at once. With each lesson I keep falling farther behind even though I practice every day. I understand the importance of footwork but I think it's also important to decrease rather than increase my level of frustration.

 

[sync]

Your feet have only one important job; keeping your body from falling to the floor as it moves around.

I got a good laugh out of that. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[chachachacat]

Hello and welcome, Peter!
As an instructor, I'd say build from the floor up. WCS steps are *not* the easiest ones to start with, but since that is your choice, you must practice at home between lessons! Walk through your basic step every day for even just 5 minutes. It will make a huge difference. Drill the basic, the underarm pass, whatever you learn each class. Go over it right after class, then every day, and it will be yours. You have to get it into the muscle memory, so that your feet will carry on without you, and then you can think about leading. I mean practice by yourself!
Count it out. Repetition is the way. hey hey. Stevie Wonder was just alittle off, it wasn't superstition, it was repetition.


Let's be kind and not overwhelm him. :kissme: (Keep It Simple Sweetie)

 

[chachachacat]

Of course, the best answer is also private lessons, where you can work at exactly your own speed, and not feel frustrated.
Private lessons are good along with the group class, or instead of, for now, whatever works best for you.

 

[sync]

WCS steps are *not* the easiest ones to start with

Hi chachachacat,

I chose WCS because it was the only thing offered at the time I decided to take lessons. I would love to see the various dances rated according to difficulty. I've started thinking I would like to learn something easier.

 

[sync]

Of course, the best answer is also private lessons, where you can work at exactly your own speed, and not feel frustrated.
Private lessons are good along with the group class, or instead of, for now, whatever works best for you.

Private lessons are not available here. I live in a rural midwest town of 9,000. There are no dance instructors here. The group lessons are given by local enthusiasts. When there is enough demand they bring in a dance instructor from 5 hours away for a weekend.

 

[chachachacat]

Rate the dances in order of easiest to hardest to learn?

That's open to debate, but that's what we are here for, yes? And a good question, too!

Who wants to start?

 

[chachachacat]

WCS steps are *not* the easiest ones to start with

Hi chachachacat,

I chose WCS because it was the only thing offered at the time I decided to take lessons. I would love to see the various dances rated according to difficulty. I've started thinking I would like to learn something easier.

This is what my last post refers to. Forgive the goof. :roll:

 

[sync]

Rate the dances in order of easiest to hardest to learn?

That's open to debate, but that's what we are here for, yes? And a good question, too!

Who wants to start?

I imagine that every dance is difficult to master. So it might be good for me to ask instead for a rating of dances based on ease of getting started with a basic proficiency.

 

[labelledanseuse]

Rate the dances in order of easiest to hardest to learn?

That's open to debate, but that's what we are here for, yes? And a good question, too!

Who wants to start?

One of the teachers at my studio said that ECS is the 2nd hardest and that the hardest one is the Cha Cha? At least I think that's what he said...

I'm sure the easiest one is the Merengue!