To dance with a complete beginner

[squirrel]

Maybe, my problems were many: I had arms of steel and wouldn't accept the lead, I went off beat all the time - heck I didn't even hear the beat... I'm not saying you can't do it, I'm just saying that, from my experience, I am sure I was almost impossible to lead...

 

[azzey]

Maybe, my problems were many: I had arms of steel and wouldn't accept the lead, I went off beat all the time - heck I didn't even hear the beat... I'm not saying you can't do it, I'm just saying that, from my experience, I am sure I was almost impossible to lead...

I hear what you say but it wasn't your fault and I meet these kind of followers all the time. It's still the leads job to overcome these problems. My cure for arms of steel is to lead with just one finger, even the most hardened woman of steel softens after a while.

Anyway, I'm glad you are now a happy relaxed dancer.

 

[Sagitta]

I agree with azzey. There are ways to ame those arms of steel become like butter. :lol:

 

[squirrel]

:lol: You guys rock!

(PS I'd introduce you to a friend of mine... she's like so hard to lead one'd say they're moving a mountain...)

 

[Sagitta]

:lol: You guys rock!

(PS I'd introduce you to a friend of mine... she's like so hard to lead one'd say they're moving a mountain...)

Can I make her blush? Make her giggle and blush and forget that she is trying to dance and I think even a mountian will dance.

 

[africana]

[quote="azzey] My cure for arms of steel is to lead with just one finger[/quote]
gee gambling with that finger eh?...what if she suddenly has the urge to snap it and wipe that self-assured teacher-grin off your face :twisted: :lol:
sorry moment of dark humor

 

[tsb]

My cure for arms of steel is to lead with just one finger

gee gambling with that finger eh?...what if she suddenly has the urge to snap it and wipe that self-assured teacher-grin off your face :twisted: :lol:
sorry moment of dark humor

i suspect that once word got around, guys would be using a different finger to communicate their thoughts if that person approached guys asking them to dance. what goes around comes around.

 

[africana]

My cure for arms of steel is to lead with just one finger

gee gambling with that finger eh?...what if she suddenly has the urge to snap it and wipe that self-assured teacher-grin off your face :twisted: :lol:
sorry moment of dark humor

i suspect that once word got around, guys would be using a different finger to communicate their thoughts if that person approached guys asking them to dance. what goes around comes around.

:lol:

 

[azzey]

My cure for arms of steel is to lead with just one finger

gee gambling with that finger eh?...what if she suddenly has the urge to snap it and wipe that self-assured teacher-grin off your face :twisted: :lol:
sorry moment of dark humor

Ah so (strikes the pose of a drunken martial artist).. but I know the art of one finger fighting.. LOL.

 

[Ms_Sunlight]

I'm a beginner (if not a complete one anymore!) and I have to say I find it harder to dance when a man's lead is too strong than when it's too weak. If I feel like I'm being pushed about it's hard to keep my composure and I feel unsteady. It doesn't make for a fun experience.

A gentler (but still definite) lead is definitely better. It's not just about the quality of the moves, it's about the quality of the experience -- especially if you want the abject beginner to want to start learning and come back!

 

[tsb]

I'm a beginner (if not a complete one anymore!) and I have to say I find it harder to dance when a man's lead is too strong than when it's too weak. If I feel like I'm being pushed about it's hard to keep my composure and I feel unsteady. It doesn't make for a fun experience.

A gentler (but still definite) lead is definitely better. It's not just about the quality of the moves, it's about the quality of the experience -- especially if you want the abject beginner to want to start learning and come back!

i've seen some followers post that they'd prefer a stronger lead.

perhaps the best answer to for leaders to observe their partners & figure which way is better for that person.

 

[Ms_Sunlight]

i've seen some followers post that they'd prefer a stronger lead.

perhaps the best answer to for leaders to observe their partners & figure which way is better for that person.

I'm thinking, it's hard on a text forum to say how strong is strong enough and how strong is too strong. Too strong to me is when you feel you're being pushed around rather than moving under your own steam but being given firm direction.

You're probably right tsb. Everyone's different. I don't know how you leaders do all that complicated adjusting-the-lead-to-suit-the-follower stuff. In this area of dancing, we have the easy job!