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Advice for the New Swing Dancer

A swing dance instructor once said that "out of 1,000 folks who think they might enroll in a swing dance class, perhaps 50 will actually do it. Of these brave 50, only 30 or so will finish a beginner series of classes. Of that 30, only 20 or will return for intermediate classes. After one year, maybe 10 will still be swing dancing.  And that last number might be a little high."

Why such a high turnover? What makes it so hard to begin? What makes it so hard to stay with it?  Let’s examine some reasons why so few people try dancing and why so many people give up before they really get started.

But before we continue, Congratulations!  You’ve started taking classes; so stick with it and be one of those 10 or 20 out of a 1,000 that learn to enjoy all the great benefits of Lindy Hop and Baoboa!      

NEW DANCER ANXIETY

People don’t like to feel stupid.  It’s only human nature.  We know how to walk and we don’t necessarily want to learn to crawl again.  When new student "John/Jane Doe" walks into that first swing dance class, they become a “New Dancer”.  At that moment, gone is their expertise in areas of jogging, golfing, skiing, skating, batting, etc..  Zero is the value of the BA, MBA or Ph.D.  Suddenly “John/Jane Doe” is like a little kid again, a "New Dancer", in an unfamiliar situation, and not in control.  This is simply not a condition that people like to be in, especially men.

“New Dancer” anxiety is absolutely normal and completely unavoidable.  New students can increase their odds of staying with dancing by realizing that this is a price that every person must pay if they wish to play.  Knowing that you are not alone helps a lot.  Ask other beginners, intermediate, advanced dancers and the instructors to share their New Dancer stories with you. You are not alone!

FEAR OF REJECTION

It is also human nature to seek acceptance and avoid rejection.  New dancers enter a world of leaders and followers who seem to know everything while they seem to initially know very little.  To a new dancer, the dance floor can seem to be a little scary.

New Dancers, take heart!  Most experienced dancers will say yes to a beginner leader or follower if asked to dance.  Leaders, don’t worry about doing anything fancy, just lead what you know the best you can.  Followers you should also ask other leaders to dance, and just follow the best you can.  And remember in the swing dance community, it is perfectly acceptable for a follower to ask a leader to dance.

If you are a beginner leader, give clear leads and never force your partner.  Stay with the basics and don’t forget to smile!  Remember, a few basic steps done well are better than a hundred fancy moves led badly.

If you are a beginner follower, stay cool and relaxed, but stay "solid" in your movements.  Listen to the music and let the leader lead.  If you miss a lead, don’t worry about it; just keep dancing.  Don’t apologize or freeze up.  Just relax and follow, you will be fine.  Leaders and followers, always thank your partner regardless of their relative skill.

FAILURE TO PLAN

Lots of New Dancers quit because they fail to plan for dancing.  Dance classes take time and social dancing takes time and some planning.  Babysitters, coordinating with practice partners, and checking web sites to find out where and when dancing events take place requires a little time.

If you find yourself thinking, "I’ll go out next week," you may be on your way to quitting.  Especially in the beginning, it is important to discipline yourself to attend classes and swing dances.  Plan for dancing.  Don’t lose your momentum.

FAILURE TO PRACTICE

Failure to practice is a major cause of frustration for all dancers.  That which is not practiced will not be remembered.  It's been said that dancing is more analogous to learning a foreign language, than perhaps, riding a bike. For example, most people, once they learn to ride a bike, can do so even after prolonged periods of inactivity.  But staying proficient at a foreign language requires some amount of consistent usage.

How much you should practice depends on the individuals.  Practice new material and/or material you may not be totally comfortable with within a day or two of the lesson.  Some New Dancers find weekly practice is needed to maintain their proficiency and/or advance their skill.

Of course, practice (along with classes and workshops) is important.  But to get better at dancing, you've got to go out dancing!

STOP AND START

Some New Dancers will drop in and out of classes.  With each return effort, these folks normally demonstrate beginner-bravery but lost learner-momentum.  With each return, they normally drop out sooner and return even later.  And as expected, most stop and starters quit before obtaining any significant skill.

If you are a New Dancer, try to learn and dance on a consistent basis.  If you must miss classes and swing dances events, then practice and dance on your own to maintain your proficiency.

CONCLUSION

On a Star Trek, the Next Generation episode, Commander Data is scheduled to attend a wedding and therefore decides to learn to dance.  He enlists Beverly Crusher, the ship’s doctor to teach him to dance.  Dr. Crusher first demonstrates tap dancing to Data.  Data has no problem learning to tap dance, as he is able to view Dr. Crusher’s movements and copy them exactly, learning in mirror image, in real time.  Data states that he will now be able to dance at the upcoming wedding.  Dr. Crusher points out to Data that he needs to learn to waltz.

Data struggles a bit because he just can't watch and copy, as the two partner's roles are different.  But, being an android, he catches on in a minute or two.  He then makes a statement to the effect of:

        "As I see it, I need to maneuver my partner around the dance floor, taking care not to
         bump into anyone or anything, dancing to the music, spontaneously choreographing a
         changing and pleasing series of moves, all the while maintaining light conversation."

"Yes, that's it", says Dr. Crusher.  Data responds "My, this is difficult, isn't it."

Data was correct.  Dancing can be difficult (I mean, if it was easy, everybody would be doing it), but it is worth the time and effort!

If it is true that only 10 out of 1,000 who start dancing stay with it, then it is a huge accomplishment to be one of those ten.  If you are a beginner, and you stay with it, you will soon become a member of a special community of brave souls who did not quit. You will enter a world of folks who did not give up when the New Dancer anxiety bug struck. You will join a group of people that kept dancing, kept learning and stayed with it.  In short, you will be a part of that 10 out of 1,000!

One last piece of advice -- learn the original swing dances: Lindy Hop and Balboa!
In swing dancing, you can't separate the dance from the music.  Learning and becoming proficient at Lindy Hop and Balboa will help you connect to the music and gain a much greater appreciation for the dance itself.       

Yes, it's true, at most Hepcats events (and at lot's of other swing dances), the pre-dance lesson is often a "step, step, rock step" type of lesson.  But that lesson is designed to get those up on the dance floor that have never danced before or that have very little dance experience.  So as you progress, don't settle for anything less than the original swing dances:
Lindy Hop and Balboa!  

See you on the dance floor!

Questions about Hepcats events?  Contact Mike Richardson,  info@Luv2SwingDance.com; 859-420-2426.

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