Tips on improving with less experienced leaders ?

[Zsana]

Basically, my aim would be to practice with someone who has similar experience as myself - there are plenty of moves I would like to work on. These moves I already came through on 3-4-... ws/group classes.

Unfortunately, better leaders do not seem to be interested in going to practica with me - or other followers (I like to think it's not me ) - it just does not seem to be common for the advanced leaders to go to practica - the few that do, they have their partner for that.

So I wondered what else I can do to keep on progress... in the means of practice - I go to classes/wss, let's say regularly.

It is clear for me that for leaders it is a very good way to work on themselves to ask beginner followers. But how about the other way around? Is it possible for the followers to progress by dancing with less experienced leaders? If so, how?

Any ideas how to benefit from practicing with leaders who are not clear in their leading, are too stiff and blocking your/their body, do not know how some movements supposed to work, has improper balance or simply need more polishing of the very basics (which is always wanted, of course, but now, not what I am looking for - I want to raise the bar)?

I value any answer, but the most welcome would be - xx for the guys - from followers who made it

OK. From anyone who knows the tip works well

 

[quixotedlm]

learn the basics of leading, and when you start practicing with less experienced leaders, you'll find that two things happen: (1) you are able to adapt to them in ways that maintain good technique on your part because you now have an increased awareness of what needs to happen in the lead, and what's not quite happening right, and (2) your feedback will be more specific and actionable than simply saying "it's not feeling right, let's try again", which in turn will actually help speeden up the growth of those leaders.

 

[LoveTango]

learn the basics of leading

I agree. Learning opposite role helps.

I think one can certainly improve from practicing with beginner leaders. Most of us started dancing with beginner leaders. Then as we become better, and more experienced, we get to dance with more advanced partners.

Also, it is important to experience good partners now and then, for both followers and leaders. It helps to define good technique. For followers, technique is much more important than patterns, in my opinion. Then you may go back practicing the technique with a beginner leader. If you only dance with beginners, it would be difficult for you to find the correct way to dance.

Talking about technique vs patterns. I can give you my own example. I didn't have the luxury of taking many classes (time was wrong for me). However, there are leaders who like to use me to test their newly acquired patterns/steps. Often, it would be a pattern I never or rarely experienced. However, I think (sorry to brag), they believe that I can follow if they can lead. So if they can lead me through it, they know that they have learned how to lead. Practicing at technique doesn't require advanced leaders. It mostly just need the follower's own awareness.

Technique is important for leading also. However, leaders cann't escape learning patterns.

 

[Zsana]

Well, that's a new perspective - learn to lead. Never expected I will go and see if there are followers acceptant for the idea. I'd be glad indeed to do this!
There was a leader's ws for ladies some months ago, and I enjoyed it very much.

 

[UKDancer]

Technique is important for leading also. However, leaders cann't escape learning patterns.

They can try!

 

[dchester]

Basically, my aim would be to practice with someone who has similar experience as myself - there are plenty of moves I would like to work on. These moves I already came through on 3-4-... ws/group classes.

While I don't know what the specific moves are, first I'd make sure that you've seen the leader(s) lead these moves with others, just to make sure they have some clue (even if they are not great at them). Then you pick one, explain what you are trying to do, and see how it goes for a bit, give either other feedback while trying to both improve, then keep changing partners and repeat.

BTW, while it's nice to learn different moves, just make sure you learn how to follow as well: how to stay with the leader, moving together (not getting ahead, or behind), maintain the embrace (unless he changes it), step (and pivot) on the rhythm that he is leading, etc.

 

[LoveTango]

This could be practiced by yourself: stand on one foot, lean slightly forward, stay balanced, let go of the other leg, i.e., let it hang loosely and let your torso direct its motion - you will notice that high heel works better for this.

 

[Zsana]

While I don't know what the specific moves are

I could give examples, but I think that would not add to the question or the answer.

first I'd make sure that you've seen the leader(s) lead these moves with others, just to make sure they have some clue (even if they are not great at them).

Good approach. I will need to spend some time on conscious observation of the leaders at milongas.

BTW, while it's nice to learn different moves, just make sure you learn how to follow as well: how to stay with the leader, moving together (not getting ahead, or behind), maintain the embrace (unless he changes it), step (and pivot) on the rhythm that he is leading, etc.

:cheers: I am gonna be confident and say that I have a solid foundation here, which does not mean I always get it right but most of the time. None of the above is an issue for me unless there are some real shortcomings at the leader's part. Raise the bar! :-D Maybe I should adopt this for my motto

 

[twnkltoz]

For the most part, unless it's a pattern I can never seem to get right (more common with nueve moves than traditional ones), I don't see the point in practicing moves for a lady. I always work on my technique, no matter who I'm dancing with....although with some leaders I mostly focus on surviving. With a less experienced leader, I have more time to think about technique because I'm not so blissed out.

 

[Zsana]

I don't see the point in practicing moves for a lady.

Well, maybe other ladies have it from the very beginning, but I really had to work on my high boleos before I was more-or-less-satisfied with them. You can practice that on your own, but there are some other 'moves' which you can not, without a partner. Colgada stuff, for example. Even if it is a subtle one in closed embrace.

With a more experienced leader there is usually less need to think about your technique. They can somehow take care of that instead of you

 

[bordertangoman]

Well, maybe other ladies have it from the very beginning, but I really had to work on my high boleos before I was more-or-less-satisfied with them. You can practice that on your own, but there are some other 'moves' which you can not, without a partner. Colgada stuff, for example. Even if it is a subtle one in closed embrace.

With a more experienced leader there is usually less need to think about your technique. They can somehow take care of that instead of you

boloes require a relaxed leg.

they can be practiced by pivoting steadying yourself with fingers on a wall