Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “What’s the best way for me to learn
Swing Dancing ?”
A.) It may take time
and practice before you really start to learn and enjoy swing
dancing. If you don't "get" something right away, resist
frustration - "muscle memory" takes time. Style takes
longer. Repeat something 100 times and you'll get it. "Feel"the
music and your style will develop, too. Most important for Leaders,
be gentle- no “fling” dancing. For Followers, stay attentive
& patient with your partner !
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “No wait. What I mean is, how can I learn
Swing Dancing- FAST ?”
A.) Remember that
there are no pills, patches, shots, no shortcuts or gimmicks to
get you confident with your dancing faster. What does help is
paying attention and trying what the teacher suggests. DO NOT
teach your partner in dance class (it’s rude to your partner
and the teacher). Call the teacher over to help you and your partner.
The tactful why of saying it is “I think WE have a problem.”
Concern yourself with your part only and try to become the best
Follower or Leader you can be.
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “I’d rather just dance with the partner
I came with and NOT rotate partners...Is that ok ?”
A.) Some people believe
that they can only learn with their own partner. After teaching
thousands of students, I believe the opposite is usually the case.
What happens is that one person will try to “help” the
other by compensating but this just results in their not learning
the correct lead, follow, technique, etc. Rotating partners in
class or at a dance allows each dancer to learn how to communicate
clear, distinct leads and how to be attentive to execute well-timed
follows. It teaches us how to adjust to different partners, how
to dance to each other’s different experience levels, how
to have fun as a team- in short, how to be a better dancer ! Plus,
as a social event, it’s more FUN and a good way to make new
friends !! And additionally, rotating partners in dance class
makes students pay better attention, be on their best behavior,
and usually saves a few relationships !!!
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “Does it matter what I wear to dance in
class or at a social event ?”
A.) Yes in that you
must be comfortable and have shoes that allow you to pivot freely
on the balls of your feet (without binding up and straining your
ankles or knees) as you move around the dance floor. Otherwise,
clothes don't make the dancer. Wearing whatever is the latest
dance fashion probably won’t help you enjoy dancing more
(for long) or make you a better dancer. Only practicing what you’ve
learned at lessons or dances will !!
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “How should I prepare for a social dance
?”
A.) Like any other
social event, personal grooming is important. A little mouthwash,
deodorant, cologne, etc. would be a good idea with emphasis on
the word “little”. Please wash your hands (especially
of cologne) before taking hands with your partner. Watch out using
breath mints or chewing gum at the same time you are dancing -
make sure you can dance and talk to your partner first !
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “How can I find a Swing Dance partner
at a Dance ?”
A.) Anyone can ask
anyone else to dance. Use your good judgment before interrupting
people in conversation. (In fact, if you would like to dance,
stay next to the dance floor and look like you would welcome being
asked to dance by smiling or tapping your toe ! Even better idea-
ask someone to dance yourself !!) Something simple and polite
like, “Would you like to dance ?” usually works. If
it seems appropriate for the moment, escorting your partner on
and off the dance floor is usually appreciated.
If you must turn someone down, it’s a good idea to thank
that person for the invitation. If you’re tired, offer to
dance with them later. If you turned them down for personal reasons
relating to THEM, it would be rude to dance that song with someone
else. What goes around, eventually comes around...
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “How do I dance with different partners
at a dance ?”
A.) You will be in great demand
as a partner if you modify the ‘Golden Rule’ for dancing
and use some smarts. Dance to the least experienced partner's
level. It may be dangerous to try to impress your partner by doing
figures they don't know (this is directed especially at
Leaders). Impress them with your common sense instead.
Dance with your partner while the music is playing - line up your
next dance partner AFTER your dance with this partner. Both you
and your partner will have the most memorable time if you both
dance with focus, eye contact, sensitivity, and good humor ( leave
your ego at home !).
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “What do I need to watch out for on the
dance floor ?”
A.) Enthusiasm is
fine...safety is better. Be responsible for your own safety, your
partner’s safety (especially if you’re leading), and
the safety of dancers around you. Watch that your hands and feet
don't enter others' dance space, especially the space of West
Coast Swing dancers who are dancing in a relatively immobile “slot
or track”. Save dramatic figures for unoccupied parts of
the dance floor - save dangerous figures for your home ! Let the
following two laws of common sense dictate: (1) BE AWARE of what’s
going on around you and adjust your dancing to fit. On crowded
dance floors, take smaller steps. Always acknowledge and apologize
to someone you bump into. (2) DO NOT lead or follow ANYTHING that
may cause pain to you, your partner, or others around you !
Watch out for too slippery or too tacky a dance floor. Carry dance
rosin or dance wax to adjust the floor to your needs. Also, carry
your dancing shoes (shoes that have different types of soles that
will help your dancing on slick or non-slippery floors) to the
hall. Wearing outside shoes inside to dance can track grit onto
the dance floor that will be ground into and mark up a nice floor.
Make sure that your dance shoes give you adequate support and
that they allow you to pivot in place without binding up your
ankle or knee.
One last warning- watch for and help to keep refreshments, chairs,
coats, conversations and other obstacles well away from the dance
floor.
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “Sometimes the dance floor’s really
crowded. Then what do I do ?”
A.) The more crowded
the floor, the better it is for dancers to keep to a few general
‘zones’. Save the center of the floor for line dancers
(if any) with the outer edges of the floor for East Coast Swing
dancers(Jitterburg, Lindy, etc.). Outer lanes surrounding the
line dancers and east coast swingers is for progressing dancers
(such as Waltz, Two-Step, etc., if any).
Reserve the corners of the floor for dancers doing West Coast
Swing and please respect their space - it's not mobile like the
dance space of other swing dancers.
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “How can I relax while dancing with my
partner ?”
A.) Don’t worry
about blowing a lead or follow - remember you are both there to
HAVE FUN !! Not to generate more stress. So smile and try it again.
If you are serious about improving as a partner, take more lessons
and practice more. And don’t take liberties as a Leader in
dancing close or deeply dipping your Follower. The woman will
determine how close is comfortable - her smile may evaporate if
you get too close. Plus, a certain closeness will overly restrict
your swing dancing.
Q.) Dear
Dr. SwingDance: “How can I make it into the ‘IN’
swing dance crowd ?”
A.) Swing dancing
is always evolving - regionally and worldwide. No one style of
swing dancing is "better" than another. Categorize swing
dancing only to divide up the currently available styles into
smaller, more learnable nuggets. Each style has its place in your
enjoyment of dance. Resist the temptation to categorize swing
dancing in order to "elevate" your style from other
"not-as-good" styles.
There is something to learn from ALL swing dancers and swing dance
teachers. Adopt the styles, techniques, and figures that you see
and like the best. Then through practice, make them your own !
Enjoy !!