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Resources |
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Advice for the
New Swing Dancer |
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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 Lindy Hop and Baoboa!
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NEW DANCER ANXIETY |
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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!
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FEAR OF REJECTION
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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.
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FAILURE TO PLAN
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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.
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FAILURE TO
PRACTICE
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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!
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STOP AND START
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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.
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CONCLUSION
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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!
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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.
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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!
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See you on the dance floor! |
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Questions about
Hepcats
events? Contact
Mike Richardson,
info@Luv2SwingDance.com;
859-420-2426. |
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Questions about
Hepcats
events?
Contact
Mike Richardson,
info@Luv2SwingDance.com;
or 859-420-2426. |
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Why
Learn to Swing Dance
with the Hepcats?
•
We teach the original swing dances of the swing-era, accept no substitutes!
•• Already know some
swing dance? Move beyond
"step, step, rock step" and take
the challenge
to
be a Lindy Hopper!
••
Learn
Balboa! To be a well-rounded
and versatile swing-era swing dancer, you
need to learn - and embrace - Balboa! Plus
it's really cool to dance effortlessly to
200 bpm while other dancers just watch
and wonder how you do that!!
•
It's a great way to meet people.
•
Dancing will help you stay
physically active.
Men's Health
magazine named
Lexington the
least active city in the nation. Obviously they
haven't
been to a Hepcats event!
•
Learn from instructors with the
knowledge, experience and expertise
to get you out on the dance floor,
looking cool and
having fun!
•
The Swing Era = great dancing and great music! |
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