What else can I do to be a better dancer?
- Thread starter Meesha
- Start date
Angel HI
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the DF.
You sound as though you have a good start. Off the cuff advice... do not get stuch in the mindset that BR is just a bunch of steps and patterns. Study music/rhythm basics (listen to as much music as you can, but focusing on its pieces and parts rather than just the overall sound). Become involved in a good physical fitness regimen (must be in good shape/condition), and study a little of how the body works/moves (kinesiology). Lastly, become very familiar with your chosen dances (what types of dances are they [smooth/angular, hard/soft, rhythmic/melodic, pulsing/floating, swinging, falling, pushing/pulling, moving/feeling], and what is the cultural characteristic of each).
These are all things that the casual dancer often overlooks, but will gain you much in your endeavors. Bonne chance.
You sound as though you have a good start. Off the cuff advice... do not get stuch in the mindset that BR is just a bunch of steps and patterns. Study music/rhythm basics (listen to as much music as you can, but focusing on its pieces and parts rather than just the overall sound). Become involved in a good physical fitness regimen (must be in good shape/condition), and study a little of how the body works/moves (kinesiology). Lastly, become very familiar with your chosen dances (what types of dances are they [smooth/angular, hard/soft, rhythmic/melodic, pulsing/floating, swinging, falling, pushing/pulling, moving/feeling], and what is the cultural characteristic of each).
These are all things that the casual dancer often overlooks, but will gain you much in your endeavors. Bonne chance.
Josh
Active Member
I would second what Angel said, and add that you will also broaden your horizons by watching videos online of good dancers you admire. This will not help your dancing in and of itself, but will get the juices flowing in your mind such that you (hopefully) formulate some questions you can ask your pro. Being inquisitive and essentially immersing yourself into a discipline (basically what Angels' recommendations will do for you) goes a long way, and equates to the "village raising the child" methodology.
danceronice
Forum Master
Watch a lot of dancing. If you do pro-am comps, don't just do your heats and then go browse the vendors or grab lunch (well, do that, too, but don't JUST do that!) Sit and WATCH people competing, and not just the top-level dancers. Talk to your pro about what you're seeing, if at all possible. Learn what it is about some dancers you like, and what you don't like.
If your studio has social dances, do them. If they have showcases, do them.
Right now, for a variety of reasons, I can't do lessons (STOP SNOWING, SNOW). To stay fit (if anything I'm fitter) I work out, and I'm trying workouts based on other dance styles--my pros may laugh if they read this, but one style I've been doing is bellydance, and it's making me not only learn to do isolations (something I am not very good at, especially the hips, and this is showing me it's not that I can't, it's that I'm being lazy) but I find I'm learning to really listen to the music as it's controlling the tempo of the workout. I have a habit of tuning out and just doing whatever my pro says while he worries about the music, and working in a style where I don't have that crutch is making me learn to pay attention.
If your studio has social dances, do them. If they have showcases, do them.
Right now, for a variety of reasons, I can't do lessons (STOP SNOWING, SNOW). To stay fit (if anything I'm fitter) I work out, and I'm trying workouts based on other dance styles--my pros may laugh if they read this, but one style I've been doing is bellydance, and it's making me not only learn to do isolations (something I am not very good at, especially the hips, and this is showing me it's not that I can't, it's that I'm being lazy) but I find I'm learning to really listen to the music as it's controlling the tempo of the workout. I have a habit of tuning out and just doing whatever my pro says while he worries about the music, and working in a style where I don't have that crutch is making me learn to pay attention.
contracheck
New Member
Do I have to go that far? If I only strong legs I can be a champion. What about Yoga and Pilate. This is endless.
fascination
Site Moderator
find a dance buddy...perhaps one who is further along, with whom to practice...that can be a huge blessing
fascination
Site Moderator
welcome to df
1. Take group classes even if you think they are below your level - it's the perfect time to work on technique.
2. Dance at socials with lots of different dance partners.
3. Watch people dance whenever and wherever you can.
4. Work on your cardio and strength outside of the studo. Yoga and pilates are great, but it helps to do other things too. I'm loving water aerobics right now.
5. Work on your posture whenever you can (I do this at work all day, and it's actually really helped.)
6. Go through and read old post on DF (this has helped me tremedously.)
I really think my dancing (choreography for competition) started improving when I started getting better at social dancing (from group lessons and parties). It allowed me to get better at following, and work on technique. So that was the single biggest factor in my improvement, to me.
2. Dance at socials with lots of different dance partners.
3. Watch people dance whenever and wherever you can.
4. Work on your cardio and strength outside of the studo. Yoga and pilates are great, but it helps to do other things too. I'm loving water aerobics right now.
5. Work on your posture whenever you can (I do this at work all day, and it's actually really helped.)
6. Go through and read old post on DF (this has helped me tremedously.)
I really think my dancing (choreography for competition) started improving when I started getting better at social dancing (from group lessons and parties). It allowed me to get better at following, and work on technique. So that was the single biggest factor in my improvement, to me.
Let me add: get a personal trainer WHO WILL LISTEN TO YOU and explain that you want to improve your dancing. This may take some time, and you may have to change trainers, possibly more than once. Many PTs, in my experience, know nothing about how to improve dancing, and will train you to become what the trainer wants, not what you want. This can be a very expensive learning process, so be sure you interview the trainers at the gym until you get one who will listen to you. (Voice of experience.)
contracheck
New Member
Yes, well said, well said. I guess you did not waste your money and time because you learned priceless lesson. I don't think that there are many PTs in regular gyms who understands dancing well. I wish that studios find such PTs and open classes. I'll be the first one to sign up.
Actually I find that pilates teachers seem to do better with dancers because most of them were dancers themselves. Even so, ballroom is specialized, get a trainer/dancer that understands movement so you can familiarize them with the concepts and style so they can make sure to tailor a program that works to aid your dancing.