Props

[virginiadancegirl]

The homework question got me thinking --

Do any students get "props" to help with anything during lessons, and do any other teachers use props.

When I say props, I mean things like yard sticks or broom handles to make sure elbows are forward and up for a proper line, or pieces of paper under your feet to make sure you are maintaining proper connection to the floor?

Just wondering..................

 

[etchuck]

Broom handles help me with frame and maintaining my shoulders at least. When I taught beginning AmT last weekend, in showing the position of one's frame I used a broom for the reverse turn vs. corte'. That helped a lot.

In WCS, Debbie uses her "patented" diamond (tape on the floor) for the leaders to give them an idea of where to place their feet and their centers. And for proper connection of the leader's right hand to the follower's left shoulder blade, a $10 bill from the dancers between the two helps; if the bill falls to the floor, it becomes the teacher's money.

 

[virginiadancegirl]

OK..really liking that $10 bill idea!

 

[10Dancer]

Two of my coaches have used broom handles for various things. The one that was the best was for helping to learn how to roll through the feet after a heel turn in Foxtrot. Then there was the piece of paper on the floor that was used to show the amount of space for a triple step in jive. And similar to the $10 bill was a piece of paper between the partners in Standard to maintain contact, it was cut smaller then a standard size piece of paper but was bigger than the $10 bill. Have to watch that one, it can sometimes cause people to thrust their stomachs forward.

Another one...I was taking steps that were way to big in Quickstep when I frist learned it and one of my coaches tied a very wide piece of elastic around my thighs. It certainly made me more conscious of how big my steps should be.