how many private lesson do you guys take? it cost like 65 bucks per hour in my area, and defintely not something I can afford :cry: I try to take the group lesson but seems it is really hard to find the intermediate Waltz or other dance I want...so it is a big problem, how do you guys practice and learn?
Private Lesson
- Thread starter yoyao
- Start date
Sagitta
Well-Known Member
I don't take that many private lessons either!! It takes longer, that way but it still works out.
How to learn if there aren't classes in your area? Find a dance partner and practice with them. Use videos, or FREE video clips from the web... If you cannot get a partner then practice by yourself. Visualize what you learn, write down how you are supposed to be carrying out your moves...(I learnt the reverse turn in waltz by myself. When it came time to dance with someone it wasn't that hard.) Then find likeminded people and have dance parties. Or if you cannot do that then figure out where you can sneak in those dances. For instance at the end of almost every contra dance there is a waltz or two!! No ballroom dances? Then make sure you are at a contra dance at the end, and you will get a waltz!
How to learn if there aren't classes in your area? Find a dance partner and practice with them. Use videos, or FREE video clips from the web... If you cannot get a partner then practice by yourself. Visualize what you learn, write down how you are supposed to be carrying out your moves...(I learnt the reverse turn in waltz by myself. When it came time to dance with someone it wasn't that hard.) Then find likeminded people and have dance parties. Or if you cannot do that then figure out where you can sneak in those dances. For instance at the end of almost every contra dance there is a waltz or two!! No ballroom dances? Then make sure you are at a contra dance at the end, and you will get a waltz!
Easy, buy some tapes from Dance Vision and learn the step patterns only. On the Dance Vision web site is a list of teachers who teach their syllabus. Set up lessons to learn how to lead or follow the steps and for styling. Half the time on lessons are for learning the patterns. This way you only take lessons when you need them.
yoyao said:
I don't take private lessons presently because I am (unfortunately) one of the better dancers in the area, and the other local teachers aren't far enough ahead of me. However, when I was living in SF I would usually take a private lesson each week, for about $60/hour.
As an easy answer, keep taking the group classes, and work on technique and lead/ follow with the basic steps. That way you are at least dancing, and can ask the teacher questions. I would hope they would answer your more technical questions without putting the real newbies at a disadvantage.
Sagitta said:
Yes, yes, yes. Do everything you can to dance where you are presently. Really dedicated? Contact www.USABDA.org and find out about starting a chapter in your area.
I may be going to a contra dance tonight...
twodance said:
www.dancevision.com videos usually cost ~$49 but they also sell instructor manuals associated with those videos for ~$59. The manuals cover the patterns in much more detail than you will think necessary at first, but are very good in conjunction with the videotapes. You may need someone to explain the terminology when you first get the manual, though.
I'm certified through DanceVision, so I teach that syllabus. At least one couple of my students bought the mauals and videos, and a few other people have thought about it. I have heard the one couple who has the manual telling other people that the videos, manuals, and live instruction together make learning much easier. The videos and manuals are available for review all the time, and anything they can't figure out from that they can ask in class.
tasche said:
Yes, where are you located, people on this forum seem to be very helpful, 8^).
Check www.usabda.org for local chapters and teachers.
Check www.dancevision.com for teachers.
Check www.ballroomdancers.com for teachers.
There must be other places that list teachers online? Anyone?
Kevin
Hope you're feeling better, msc.
I take two 1.5 hour lessons per week. More than that would be too much, with my current coach. It's a good balance for me. The lessons are far enough apart for me to practice suuficiently, but close enough together that I don't forget everything in between.
It is expensive, but I think it's worth it.
I take two 1.5 hour lessons per week. More than that would be too much, with my current coach. It's a good balance for me. The lessons are far enough apart for me to practice suuficiently, but close enough together that I don't forget everything in between.
It is expensive, but I think it's worth it.
Sagitta
Well-Known Member
If you are referring to going out dancing -- not lessons, apparel etc -- not that much. I always go to the free dances, as I cannot afford much on what I make, after group lessons, shoes...other non-dance expenses... :? However, with the occasional drink and a couple cover charge dances a month, $50, maybe?
ok guys, I just got back from a trip to Italy, it was fun! anyway, school started again, and I am back to UK. I am planning to take some private lession here after I found out that a private lession here cost is around 20 ponds per hour! it still expensive consider the pond to dollars is about 1 to 2 now, but hey! it is half of the price compare to the state (around 70 bucks) and I can see my partner pretty often this way 
Sagitta
Well-Known Member
pygmalion said:
I go to all the free dances. One social dance party the first Friday of each month. Salsa nights every Tuesday at common ground don't have a cover charge. Thursday I just practice rueda with a group of people. I actually have started attending more of the cover charge events now, usually going out after the event to a 24 hour joint for breakfast etc. This combination is sure to up my original amount.
Adwiz
New Member
Nothing can compare to private lessons, so even if you can only afford one per month or so it is worth the expense. You'll learn so many details that can't be seen or covered in videos, because they will relate specifically to things you personally need to improve. For example, in a recent Waltz lesson, my instructor noticed that I wasn't properly on my toe at the end of the first part of a natural turn. I had never even thought about this, but by not being on the toe early enough it robbed me of power for the rise. Little things like that are worth their weight in gold.
I take at least two private lessons per week, either one hour or 1.5 hours each depending on how close to a competition we are. One is for standard with an instructor who specializes in International Standard dances, the other is for Latin with an instructor who very recently left competition to become pro. I love his energy for teaching, and the very current styling details he is able to provide.
I take at least two private lessons per week, either one hour or 1.5 hours each depending on how close to a competition we are. One is for standard with an instructor who specializes in International Standard dances, the other is for Latin with an instructor who very recently left competition to become pro. I love his energy for teaching, and the very current styling details he is able to provide.
tsb
Well-Known Member
Adwiz said:
agreed; it often turns out that more instruction can be gained in one private than in a series of group lessons that cost the same amount. my instructor also allowed me to videotape lessons which gave me something to go back & review. some instructors have the same rate for singles vs. couple. if you have a regular practice partner you could possibly split the expense and improve the benefit ratio further.