What Would You Tell Beginners?

No blush needed, IMO. That's the nice thing about new DF members. You bring new life to old conversations. Very cool. :)
 
Never compare yourself to others... everyone has their own journey and their own level of progress, and their own resources, backgrounds and experiences. I remember when I was starting I was always surprised to meet someone who seemed to "catch on right away" or was "naturally talented", only to find out that they were dance majors in college,or professional dancers in their early adult years, or danced for ten years with a previous pro, or could afford lots of lessons and coachings....... just compare yourself to yourself.
 
For competitive dancers:

1. Practice like ten times more than you think you need.
2. Seek the best coaching available, not the easiest available.
3. Chill out. At the end of the day, it's a ballroom competition. Don't take to too seriously, at least until the upper levels.
 
dbk said:
1. Practice like ten times more than you think you need.
2. Seek the best coaching available, not the easiest available.
Click to expand...
Solid advice, even though I'm really struggling with these two points at the moment.
Just because a) we don't have a studio on campus and you can't just use rooms (we don't even have mirrors -.-). So am currently practice outside / in a small common room with carpet (both of which aren't ideal).
b) because there's literally only one studio in this town and while he is alright for Latin I don't want to take privates with him for ballroom (being a student and not having a car doesn't help either)

/rant over (sorry :P)
 
For a rank newbie whose exposure to ballroom dancing may be limited to watching DWTS where every dance looks like every other dance because the performance is so heavily choreographed, real ballroom dancing can be rather intimidating.

I think a lot of mileage can be gotten out of simply watching and trying to get a sense of what's going on. If you can't figure out what's going on from watching, find someone more experienced who is willing to answer questions to ease your transitions over the hurdles.
 
let's not even go there...see the thread that was started and the response:rolleyes:...plus, it definitely doesn't belong on this thread
 
Lots of great stuff in this thread. Esp advice about carefully assessing the true nature of relationships, and balancing friendliness with your role as the consumer/customer.

1. Start going to practice party early, and often. Forget "I don't know how to do that yet" or "waiting until I'm good enough". That's never going to happen if you keep avoiding it. And unless you are genuinely injured/ill/indisposed/desperately need a break, or have a legitimate reason (i.e. *not* just fear of the unknown, making a fool of yourself, being judged, making a mistake, etc.), do not turn down an offer for a dance. I'm talking to the gentlemen too here. If all you do is take lessons and you don't use/practice it somewhere else, you are wasting your money.

2. Looking back... try each event once (Showcase, Classic/Mini-Match, Trophy/Medal Ball, etc), even just a taste (one performance, a few heats, etc). If you don't like it, then you've done it and you can say so. But don't close off a bunch of options early when you haven't even given them a shot.
 
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