What is important for ladies in a dance?
- Thread starter ticolora
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Yes it is an element but not easily attained. . essential ? moot point depending upon the student . Auto didactism is not a quality that all have, so self motivation needs a "prod " .
I'm not sure we're interpreting "self-mobilizing" the same way. I think the above suggest the interpretation "teaches themselves".
I interpreted self mobilizing as turning yourself rather than having the lead try to spin you like a top, "stepping forward and backward yourself rather than being pushed by the lead" and so on".
I think the second interpretation is an important follow skill. (My husband often complains of follows he seem to want him to give them a shove to turn. )
The first interpretation is an important "learner" skill.
Which was meant?
snapdancer
Forum Master
I took it the way Lucia took it. The sense that tangotime seems to be thinking of is important to a regular partnership, at least the two should have similar goals and motivation to learn. If I ask someone to dance socially by default she was motivated to show up at the event, whether or not she was motivated to learn her part beforehand. No, I don't expect them to have a year's lessons under their belt before they show up, but if they've been coming for a year and are still wearing platform shoes to dance ...
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I should have said "important skill in a follower" rather than a "follow skill". Technically, it's also an important skill for a lead, but I don't think leads expecting or waiting to be pushed or pulled around exist.
I agree with you that self-mobilizing isn't the same as going where you are asked, which is what I think of as the main thing in the task of "following" as "following".
I should have said "important skill in a follower" rather than a "follow skill". Technically, it's also an important skill for a lead, but I don't think leads expecting or waiting to be pushed or pulled around exist.
I agree with you that self-mobilizing isn't the same as going where you are asked, which is what I think of as the main thing in the task of "following" as "following".
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It seems to me that there are at least two different ways a follow can self-mobilized. One is the physical skill of moving in space, being balanced, etc. The other is the ability (and inclination) to react so quickly to a lead that the couple moves in space without the lead having to transmit a lot of energy to the follow.
The second one feels like a skill that's pretty specific to following as a discipline.
That's not to imply that either ways of being self-mobilized are at all easy.
The second one feels like a skill that's pretty specific to following as a discipline.
That's not to imply that either ways of being self-mobilized are at all easy.
snapdancer
Forum Master
Still struggling with the separation of following skills from basic movement skills. When we were discussing leading skills, we did not separate the leader's mastery of his own body and balance. Which I think is justified, because when it comes down to it the best way to lead is by our own example.
Maybe another quality like connection. When I'm dancing with someone, I like to know where they are, but just barely. At one extreme is the ghost, pretty rare, where you wonder if someone's there. At the other extreme are the ones who make you feel like you're wrestling a bear. Most women though fall into the Goldilocks-approved baby bear range.
It's also nice when they can take a lead and amplify or embellish it without taking over the whole dance. So some words come to mind for the 4th category: connection, presence, artistry.
Still thinking on it.
Maybe another quality like connection. When I'm dancing with someone, I like to know where they are, but just barely. At one extreme is the ghost, pretty rare, where you wonder if someone's there. At the other extreme are the ones who make you feel like you're wrestling a bear. Most women though fall into the Goldilocks-approved baby bear range.
It's also nice when they can take a lead and amplify or embellish it without taking over the whole dance. So some words come to mind for the 4th category: connection, presence, artistry.
Still thinking on it.
opendoor
Forum Master
I find 5. commitment is lacking! You can check it by looking at her shoes.
Lots of women by things for display. I've seen plenty of women with expensive dance shoes who are not committed to improving technique or practicing. Having a shoe brush is a better sign of commitment.
Love this, so true.
I will admit the first thing I usually look for is dance shoes. But you are right, there are still people in too-loose bedazzled 3" Latin heels that probably should have invested in practice shoes first.
Of all the many fab partners I have danced with in latino clubs over the many years, not one had the traditional dance shoe . Also. they never had a lesson in their life... Are there those around that did wear them? probably but not in my experience
opendoor
Forum Master
Always see so many in cheap street shoes, western boots, or gym sneakers. Practice sneakers are appreciated as well as latin heels.
I think "self-mobilizing" and "good following" are actually distinct.
For context: I'm a ballroom dancer with two regular competition partners. Both I regard as good followers, but they have entirely different styles and strengths.
One of them has a very heavy follow. It takes a relatively large amount of force to communicate to her what I'm asking for, which makes her somewhat sluggish to respond to a lead. But when that strength is applied, she can credibly follow literally any step, whether she has formally learned it or not. This is incredibly useful in tight spaces where we need to improvise in order to avoid collisions.
The other has a wonderfully light follow (extremely self-mobilizing). She very quickly understands what I'm asking with very little pressure needed. However, that does not mean she is a strictly better follower. Once she understands my lead to start a pattern, she then finishes the pattern essentially by herself...the downside being, she can get crossed up when we need to improvise. But on the open floor, when we are "on book," her light follow allows us unmatched power and range of motion.
I'd keep them separate. And I'm not sure which I'd rank more highly!