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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 swing dancing!
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 dance
lesson, 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 your
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 very scary
place, much like an ice rink to a new skater.
New Dancers, take
heart! A
very high percentage of experienced dancers will say
yes to a beginner leader or follower if asked
politely to dance. Tell the person that you are
just starting and don’t worry about doing anything
fancy. Followers you should also ask others to
dance. 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. 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 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! |
