Mario7
Member
Doesn't this answer the original question??
...and why not?
Pride goes before a fall?
- Thread starter Madahlia
- Start date
...and why not?Looks like the person pushed you hard because she either felt like doing it - in the spur of the moment, for example got really into music - or she wanted to let you know you still have a long ways to go. So what?
Be mindful that any leader can make the follower look bad. You can just notch down the lead to a bare tiny voice that no one can pickup for more than one song. I don't want to believe it was the teacher's intention but sometimes teachers do like to get you out of your comfort zone to tell you there's still a lot to learn. I confess I do that once in a while when young followers start doing a lot of crap when they can't really follow that well or just don't even feel that good.
Be a sport about it. She's a good lead and you're not yet a follower that picks ups all the nuances. It's OK.
Be mindful that any leader can make the follower look bad. You can just notch down the lead to a bare tiny voice that no one can pickup for more than one song. I don't want to believe it was the teacher's intention but sometimes teachers do like to get you out of your comfort zone to tell you there's still a lot to learn. I confess I do that once in a while when young followers start doing a lot of crap when they can't really follow that well or just don't even feel that good.
Be a sport about it. She's a good lead and you're not yet a follower that picks ups all the nuances. It's OK.
Mario7
Member
Well, yes, that was the immediate conclusion I jumped to. Although lots of kind folks on here have been at pains to tell me different.
To be fair, I don't think anything like that was in her mind.Mario7 said:..and maybe sell a few more classes??
So it seems that you need to listen songs more.
Various kind of songs (tango, vals,milonga), or other
great book to recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/All-You-Have-...ts=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
I believe it could be milonga.
So what did she tell you?
Various kind of songs (tango, vals,milonga), or other
great book to recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/All-You-Have-...ts=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
I believe it could be milonga.
So what did she tell you?
Peaches
Well-Known Member
You're not big on ever giving anyone even remotely considered a "teacher" the benefit of the doubt, are you? How, may I ask, are you learning to dance?..and maybe sell a few more classes??
Most of the teachers I have ever run across genuinely love what they do and genuinely want to pass that on to others and derive satisfaction from seeing other people enjoy what they, themselves, truly love. I fail to see why it is such a bad thing that someone who has spent time and effort studying something, becoming good at it themselves, and then passing that knowledge on to others. Even if they are getting paid. There's nothing wrong with making a living, or even of making a living from art. I am compensated for my expertise, why shouldn't they be?
Are there people out there who are not good at what they do, or not qualified? Sure. Are there people out there who will resort to less-than-stellar tactics to make a buck? Of course. And that is true in any profession. But it's not fair to tar everyone with the same brush.
..and maybe sell a few more classes??
That's something that you cannot assess as you do not know the person involved. Not all teachers are out to get everyone's money. Some are happy you are evolving, even if learning with others.
newbie
Well-Known Member
Now, belittling the abilities of a prospective student is a common trick. Then you agree for a private and during the first 55 min of the class the teacher says everything is bad in your tango and in the last 5 min suddenly everything is ok, just because the private is over.
bordertangoman
Well-Known Member
Really? I only know one person who does this, who commented on how she could improve the posture (of a student of mine) and she be able to follow more. The students response was to say that I could lead her perfectly well so it must the the other teacher's failing in ability to lead.
Mario7
Member
Well, I have met dedicated teachers who were obviously in it for the love of tango..they are out there...but I couldn't help noticing the other side of the coin and even this thread is about someone showing their 'superiority' during what was supposed to be a dance. The whole fast-track oneupsmanship that is the Amerikan way...whatever happened to the social dance and just being social....no, it's rather business as usual.
PS-I'm in this for the art of it. :friend:
Dave Bailey
Active Member
No it's not, it's about Mahdalia getting concerned about her following technique.
Mahdalia's in the UK.
While I don't think most of us have enough info to reach any conclusion (positive or negative) about the teacher's motivation, I am comfortable in saying that the leader doesn't appear to have made her best effort to make the dance enjoyable for the follower (and that's what the leader should have been doing during a milonga).
Thank you everyone, for your replies and the interest shown in my little problemita. I must reiterate that I don't think the teacher had any idea of pressurising me into taking private lessons, although that was the effect. I think she intended to have a pleasant social dance, but it went wrong. I don't resent the fact that she tried to correct me - I could see it as having been given free advice which under other circumstances I would have to pay for. But that is not what was bothering me, anyway. I just don't like failing.
One element which appeared near the beginning of the thread was "How do you know, before you get there, what the next level in tango is going to be?" In other words, how do you understand and perceive, something which is, as yet, imperceptible? This has arisen in other private lessons too - a sort of mystic invisible veil of tango attainment which you can't see until you've passed through it!
My first impression was that she had expectations of me which I simply was not up to- particularly as my preconception was that she was a more subtle and accomplished leader than I regularly encounter.
I think more data is needed - looks like I might need that private just so's I find out what's what!
One element which appeared near the beginning of the thread was "How do you know, before you get there, what the next level in tango is going to be?" In other words, how do you understand and perceive, something which is, as yet, imperceptible? This has arisen in other private lessons too - a sort of mystic invisible veil of tango attainment which you can't see until you've passed through it!
My first impression was that she had expectations of me which I simply was not up to- particularly as my preconception was that she was a more subtle and accomplished leader than I regularly encounter.
I think more data is needed - looks like I might need that private just so's I find out what's what!
As you said it was during the practica, so some advice may be given.
Or you have some charge per advice practica
I don't get how can you be nervous about new songs after 4 yrs of dancing.
Dave Bailey
Active Member
It's simply going from "unconscious incompetence" to "conscious incompetence", I think.
Mmm... I'm not convinced by the "their lead was too subtle" meme; too often it's used as an excuse for "their lead was ambiguous".
Also, any competent leader will be able to adjust their lead to suit their follower - if a subtle lead isn't working, you simply make it stronger.