Watching other people dance

A

Albanaich

New Member
I was at a new venue (Modern Jive) this week and did what I normally do, that is check out who can dance and who can't.

I look for two qualities mostly, can they dance in time and are they secure on one leg.

What really amazes me are the very strong leads who can lead complex patterns deftly, with great skill, but completely out of contact with the music and without lifting their feet from the floor.

It's obvious in MJ, but I've seen similar in Argentine Tango (where the lead dances right through the music) and in Swing (dancing the 6 and 8 beat pattern right through the break)

I've felt this way more or less from the day I started dancing, I know it sounds big headed, but it seems to me only a very small percentage (5 -10%) of people dancing, actually get what its about in the sense that (in this order of importance)

1. You have to a sense of rhythm and an ear for the music

2. You have to have good balance

3. You have to have good co-ordination.

People can usually get 3 (which I had difficulty with and still have) but not 1 and 2.

Whenever I've done a new dance form the immediate reaction of my instructors, ballroom, swing, AT, has been 'wow, you've got rhythm, or 'you can hear the music' - you actually see their face light up. I have to say you get the same feeling when you hit that 1 in 10 beginner who you know has immediately 'got it'.

It's not an age thing or physical ability thing, I've got a feeling it has something to do with early contact with dance, in the sense that you can usually identify ballroom dancers, ballet dancers, contemporary dancer and even highland dancers as soon as they step on the floor



Comments? Observations?

When
 
Albanaich said:
I was at a new venue (Modern Jive) this week and did what I normally do, that is check out who can dance and who can't.

I look for two qualities mostly, can they dance in time and are they secure on one leg.

What really amazes me are the very strong leads who can lead complex patterns deftly, with great skill, but completely out of contact with the music and without lifting their feet from the floor.

It's obvious in MJ, but I've seen similar in Argentine Tango (where the lead dances right through the music) and in Swing (dancing the 6 and 8 beat pattern right through the break)

I've felt this way more or less from the day I started dancing, I know it sounds big headed, but it seems to me only a very small percentage (5 -10%) of people dancing, actually get what its about in the sense that (in this order of importance)

1. You have to a sense of rhythm and an ear for the music

2. You have to have good balance

3. You have to have good co-ordination.

People can usually get 3 (which I had difficulty with and still have) but not 1 and 2.

Whenever I've done a new dance form the immediate reaction of my instructors, ballroom, swing, AT, has been 'wow, you've got rhythm, or 'you can hear the music' - you actually see their face light up. I have to say you get the same feeling when you hit that 1 in 10 beginner who you know has immediately 'got it'.

It's not an age thing or physical ability thing, I've got a feeling it has something to do with early contact with dance, in the sense that you can usually identify ballroom dancers, ballet dancers, contemporary dancer and even highland dancers as soon as they step on the floor



Comments? Observations?

When
Click to expand...
I personally think early exposure to dance and music, and having it in your everyday life, whether you are doing it or not, but seeing, hearing and being around it, definitely contributes to one's sense of rhythm, and therefore, one's inborn ability to dance.

I have watched numerous dancers at my studio, many of whom have taken several lessons, and still have no clue about rhythm. Even in practice lessons, I see them with their pro and they are being totally led by their pro, but they have no sense of rhythm of the song whatsoever.

If they have no rhythm it means they are not connected to the music, and the music is the source of the dance, so they therefore have no feeling, they look so mechanical.
 
I found that dancing has helped tremendously in my sense of rythm. I never thought about the beat of a song until i started dancing and now it is obvious when I hear a song that there is a danceable beat in there!
 
And here I thought MJ was supposed to be the magic answer to everything ;-)

Actually though, I think the only primary skill required to be a dancer is simpler: a willingness to take steps to improve in the areas where you are currently not so great.
 
MJ isn't the answer to everything Chris, in fact it has some pretty major flaws once you get past the novice dancer level - but it's good at what it does, getting people on the dance floor and teaching the basic lead - follow concept that is the foundation of partner dance.

It's also good as one size fits all dance form that can be done anywhere to more or less anykind of music.

But it is a 'one size fits all' dance form, with all that implies.

If you have any talent as dancer you quickly realise its limitations and move onto something else - if you haven't any talent, you stay within your comfort zone, so MJ probablly has the highest concentration of crap dancers you'll ever encounter.
 
Just suggesting, this could be merged so people who want in on the discussion don't have to jump from thread to thread... to thread... lol ;)
 
I mainly look at those things too, but I also especially look at connection with their partner. Checking out the leads to dance with, how do they treat their partner? They may be on time/balanced with cool executed moves, but are they yanking the follow around or ignoring her in showing off? To me, that's a BIG personal turnoff and I'll stay away
 
The showing off thing is always difficult. You always want a partner who will 'push you' but you don't want to look stupid either.
 
MJ could certainly revolutionise dance in the USA in terms of creating a good social atmosphere for beginner dancers, because of that it would also encourage a lot more crossover between the various dance forms
 
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