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Baruch
7th-October-2006, 02:45 AM
I've been putting together a leaflet for beginners entitled "The Ten Commandments of Modern Jive: A Guide for Beginners". Here's the basic text. Any constructive suggestions gratefully received. If you like it, feel free to use it.

1. Thou shalt have fun!

Modern Jive (the dance style we teach) is, first and foremost, a fun activity. Relax, smile and enjoy the experience. It may seem a bit daunting in your first few weeks, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. In time, those moves that look so impressive and complicated now will become second nature to you.

2. Thou shalt use a correct hand-hold.

It’s important to keep a loose hand-hold. Don’t grip on to your partner’s hand as this can hurt your partner, particularly in turns. As a general rule, keep your thumb off your partner’s hand. If your partner’s hand-hold becomes a tight grip and is causing you discomfort or pain, ask them to loosen their grip.

3. Thou shalt either lead or follow.

Modern Jive is a male-led dance. Ladies, it’s the one area of life where men still get to have their own way, so humour them! Men, it’s your job to provide a clear lead. That doesn’t mean yanking your partner around like a hod of bricks, though. Keep your lead smooth; treat her as if she’s got a "fragile" warning label stuck to her. Ladies, it’s your job to follow what the man leads. Don’t put yourself into spins and turns; let the man lead you into them, and you’ll find it’s a lot easier.
This is all made much easier if you keep a springy tension in your arms. If you’re not sure what this is, ask a teacher. They’ll be happy to explain it to you.
Lastly, some dancers develop a bad habit of bouncing their hands up and down in time with the music. Try to avoid this if you can, as not only does it look a bit naff, but it can make proper leading and following much more difficult with all that extra bouncing going on.

4. Thou shalt dance in time.

Dancing is basically moving to music. With that in mind, it’s surprising how many people just throw their partner (or themselves) into moves without paying any attention to the beat. Your teachers teach moves to a count to help you dance them in time. Try to listen to the beat while you’re dancing. If you lose the beat, there’s nothing wrong with pausing for a moment to pick it up again.

5. Thou shalt practise what thou learnest.

Doing dance classes is a great way to learn how to do moves, but in order to remember them and to learn how to put them together in a dance, you need to practise. At the end of the beginners’ class, and again after the intermediate and beginners’ revision classes, there is "freestyle" time to practise what you’ve learned. It can be nerve-wracking at first, but try to relax. Men, try doing the moves you know, perhaps dancing them in a different order. Have a simple "filler" move in mind to fall back on if your mind goes blank; the Octopus/Loophole or the First Move are good ones. Ladies, practise following what the man leads.

6. Thou shalt be safe.

Always dance well within your own capabilities. Sometimes you’ll see experienced dancers doing drops and other flashy moves on the dance floor, and you may think, "I’d love to have a go at that." However, those moves can be extremely dangerous if done by someone who hasn’t learned to do them properly. Until you have been taught the proper techniques, NEVER do drops or other dangerous moves. Men, even when you have learned to do them safely, always check with your partner beforehand that she is happy to do drops. Ladies, never throw yourself into a drop, as more than one lady has hit the floor or injured her partner because she threw herself backwards when her partner wasn’t actually leading a drop.
Aerials or air steps are potentially even more dangerous than drops. Again, DO NOT attempt these unless you have been taught how to do them properly and safely, and even then they should be avoided on a crowded social dance floor.
With any move, if you feel yourself pulling on your partner’s arm in an awkward way, stop and let go. Never try to force it or you may end up hurting your partner.
Dancing within your own capabilities also means that you should wait a while before attempting the intermediate class. The moves are generally much harder and more complicated than those in the beginners’ class, so you need a thorough grasp of the basics before attempting this class. For most people this takes at least 2-3 months. The best way to tell if you’re ready to move up to intermediates is to ask one of the teaching team.

7. Thou shalt not refuse a dance without a good reason.

One of the great things about Modern Jive is that you are allowed to ask anyone to dance. It’s accepted etiquette that you don’t refuse to dance with someone unless you have a very good reason. Ladies can ask men to dance too. Don’t be shy – the only way to improve is to dance as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask experienced dancers, either. Everyone was a beginner once, and we all remember what it was like. Most people are happy to dance with beginners. Having said all that, if someone does turn you down for a dance, don’t take it personally. They may be too tired, needing a drink or any of a number of good reasons. Just move on and ask someone else instead.

8. Thou shalt take care on the dance floor.

When you’re on the dance floor, particularly if it’s crowded, you should always be aware of what’s going on around you. It is your responsibility to avoid bumping into other dancers and to protect your partner. Never walk backwards onto the floor without looking where you are going. Men, always look where you are leading your partner (e.g. look over your shoulder before leading her behind you in a Catapult). If there’s not much room to move, keep your moves small. Ladies, be aware of where you’re moving and keep an eye out for your partner’s safety as well.
Also, remember that the dance floor is only for dancing. If you want to chat, move to the edge of the room. Always walk around, rather than across, the dance floor if you’re not dancing.

9. Thou shalt dress appropriately.

You don’t need to buy specialist dance shoes (though these will be worth considering further down the line if you start to take your dancing seriously), but wear smooth-soled, comfortable shoes that you can spin in. Rubber-soled shoes are generally a bad idea. Comfortable clothing helps as well. Don’t wear rings with stones set into them, because these can hurt your partner’s hand when you’re dancing. Avoid loose jewellery etc. as well, as it can easily get tangled or broken when you’re dancing.
Ladies, keep your nails trimmed. Long nails can really hurt your partner when they’re digging into his palm.

10. Thou shalt not smell.

Personal hygiene is extremely important when you’re dancing up close with someone. Always have a bath or shower before going to a dance class or freestyle, and use antiperspirant or deodorant. There is no excuse for not bothering. Some people think they don’t need deodorant – trust me, you do when you’re dancing. That’s just as true for men and women.
Dancing is a very physical activity, so it’s a good idea to bring along a hand towel to wipe your face, as well as a can of deodorant and a spare shirt or two so you can change when your shirt gets too damp. Nobody likes to dance with someone who is wringing wet.
Try to avoid smoking before dancing. If you do smoke, eat a breath mint before dancing. Also, please remember not to eat strong foods such as garlic or smoked fish before dancing. Your partners will notice if you do. A little consideration goes a long way.

ducasi
7th-October-2006, 09:42 AM
Good work. :respect:

For #3 I'd say something more general about waiting to be led, and not anticipating. I'd maybe also clarify the tension thing to say you should *match* the tension of your partner, but perhaps that's too subtle for beginners... Also, it's not just guys who yank.

In #5, maybe you should say something like "ladies, please be patient while the men master the new moves they've just been taught."

I've soften #7 to "You should accept any offer of a dance unless you have a good reason", and drop the "very" from the second sentence.

Um... That's all I can think of at the moment. :)

Yliander
7th-October-2006, 10:09 AM
Great work

Although I would change this one


7. Thou shalt not refuse a dance without a good reason.

to Thou shalt refuse a dance politely

I know that the etiquette is to never refuse a dance - but there are some people I just don't want to dance with for the simple fact that I don't like dancing with them - I no longer feel the need to give a reason in these cases - I just say no thank you - if they are persistent I will say I am resting this song - but make no offer next song or later - I've paid my money I have a right to dance with whom I would like too dance with. That said if I do make an excuse I abide by it - i.e. if I say I am resting and my favourite dancer asks me for a dance I will refuse them as well - but ask for the next dance

Caro
7th-October-2006, 10:33 AM
Nice... :respect:

For number 9. Thou shalt dress appropriately, I would add something about bringing extra tops if you intend to dance a lot: everybody gets sweaty and it is nice to your partners to freshen-up from time to time. And beginners usually don't know that it is a normal practice at ceroc/MJ venues. I remember when I started it struck me. Now when I tell non dancing friends that I take several outfits for a party, they look at me like this: :what: :eek:

Blueshoes
7th-October-2006, 12:45 PM
Nice work!

For point three it would be useful to stress that dance is a partnership; male led yes, but the dancers should be working together to a common goal. When I stopped trying to fight my partner if things weren't going well everything smoothed out a lot and made for a much better experience. :)

For point number nine it may help to suggest ladies dance-test clothing prior to wearing it at a venue - it's really offputting when your partner is putting the strap of her top back on her shoulders after every turn! :(

bigdjiver
7th-October-2006, 12:57 PM
A really good effort.:respect:


...1. Thou shalt have fun!

Thou shalt do your best to ensure that everybody has fun?


2. Thou shalt use a correct hand-hold.Thou shalt be safe?
The hand-hold ....



3. Thou shalt either lead or follow.

Modern Jive is a male-led dance...
MJ is a lead-follow dance. Usually the Leader is male and the follower female. There can be more than one follower, but only one leader at one time....


4. Thou shalt dance in time.
The leader should try to dance in time. The follower should follow...


5. Thou shalt practise what thou learnest.
5. Thou shalt practise.

(MJ is a creative activity, you also have to practise, carefully, anything new that you are trying to add.)



6. Thou shalt be safe.[/quote] I would make this No.2.



7. Thou shalt not refuse a dance without a good reason.


New 8? IF refused thou shalt believe there is a good reason, which may be private and personal.


8. Thou shalt take care on the dance floor. redundant - covered in the thou shalt be safe and and fun commandments, and care extends beyond the dance floor.

[quote]9. Thou shalt dress appropriately.


10. Thou shalt not smell.
Thou shalt be aware of personal hygiene? I would incorporate this into everybody has fun.

add: Thou shalt spread the word.

add: Thou shalt try to learn more.

:sad: not a well organised reply, but I am out of time.

Nick M
7th-October-2006, 01:42 PM
I would expand #10 to

Honour thy partner

which would include

don't smell
don't letch
don't grope
don't be rude
do smile
do say thank you

MartinHarper
7th-October-2006, 02:44 PM
1. Have fun.
2. Don't prevent your partner having fun.
3. Dance.

I think that covers everything.

ducasi
7th-October-2006, 03:05 PM
1. Have fun.
2. Don't prevent your partner having fun.
3. Dance.

I think that covers everything.
4. Don't prevent other people having fun?

MartinHarper
7th-October-2006, 03:15 PM
4. Don't prevent other people having fun?

There are other people on my dance floor? How very rude.

Daydreaming Diva
7th-October-2006, 05:56 PM
Great thread - good work!! :respect:

I particularly like this reply

don't smell
don't letch
don't grope
don't be rude
do smile
do say thank you[/QUOTE]

Regarding leading and following. Yes it is the guys (or leads) job to lead and the job of the ladies (or followers) to follow. (Trying, if fun, keeps us on our toes :rofl: and is not just a passive participation, it is sometimes hard work). Given that, I think it should be pointed out that it is very rude of a guy (lead) to look at his partner in a snotty tone of voice when his lead was rubbish and his partner consequently misinterpreted it. So 'though shalt accept responsibility for a poor lead' or something might be nice. MJ can only be fun if such mistakes taken in good part. Laugh about it guys!

Baruch
7th-October-2006, 09:14 PM
MJ is a lead-follow dance. Usually the Leader is male and the follower female. There can be more than one follower, but only one leader at one time....
This is right, but I personally think it's a bit too much information for beginners. That's why I've used more general terms, as it generally is the man who leads and the woman who follows. They can learn the exceptions later.

Gadget
7th-October-2006, 10:13 PM
:respect: for the text, I've thought about something similar, but slightly more fragmented:
Hands
- the Hand hold is simply maintaining contact; you don't need to grip or actually "hold" your partner's hand.

Leads
- The follower is a person, not an inanimate object; you only need to tell them to move, not physically move them.

Followers
- Try not to anticipate
- Follow your hand with the rest of your body.

Feet
- Exact footwork is unimportant, as long as your body is where it should be; just try not to fall over.
- The count of the dance is on a marching beat; weight normally goes from one foot to the other on this count.

Social Ettiquete
- It's a one-on-one activity where you are very close to your partner: respect your partner's sense of smell; sprey, mints, changes of top are suggested.
- Everyone is here to dance; guys ask girls, girls ask guys. There are very few reasons not to dance, so why refuse?
- Followers have to place their trust in the lead; please ensure that this trust is never betrayed.

I would perhaps change a couple of things in yours -

1. Thou shalt have fun!
I don't like being commanded to have fun, or the concept of being instructed to "have fun".
Enjoy the music, enjoy the dancing, enjoy your partner; that will lead to fun. But I'm not sure that "Thou shalt" is right. Perhaps "Thou shalt Relax"?


2. Thou shalt use a correct hand-hold.I don't like the wording on this either - perhaps "Thou shalt not grip." would be better?


3. Thou shalt either lead or follow.This is a bit confusing IMHO, Perhaps "Leads shal lead and Followers shal follow."? I would also de-genderise it as BigD suggests.
The "bouncing hand" thing I would remove - for some people it's just a way of marking time that seems to develop. Beginners seldom have it when they start.


4. Thou shalt dance in time.Like the "fun" thing, I think this is a bit 'on high' and places a lot of emphisis on the beat rather than the music.
Perhaps change it to "Thou shalt listen to the music"?


5. Thou shalt practise what thou learnest.Sorry, but to me this reads like "you must do your homework" - fairly condesending to grown adults. Sure, in order to remeber/get better, you must use the knowledge - not sure if folk need to be told that.
Perhaps a simple "Thou shal dance."? It could then take in the no-refusal ettiquete point as well.


6. Thou shalt be safe.
To me, that's rule No1: "Thou shat not cause thine partner pain."
I like the "don't just try and do what you've seen done" bit, but I wouldn't introduce things like "arials" and "drops" to fresh beginners - let them enquire if they are curious.


7. Thou shalt not refuse a dance without a good reason.:D commandments never really have an escape clause, sure put one in the text, but as a commandment, I would keep it to "Thou shalt not refuse a dance." {And I dissagree with Yliander's philosophy on this, but that's personal preference; I think it's a good social law.}


8. Thou shalt take care on the dance floor.I know floorcraft is important, but isn't that covered in the "no pain" commandment?


9. Thou shalt dress appropriately.Not sure that this is a commandment as such - more to do with consideration to your partner. People can make their own decision on what to wear and take their chances with a 'fashion fouxpa' (Is jewlery part of "dress"?)
I would change it to "Thou shalt respect thy partner" and include personal hygene in it.
{Smoking is much less of an issue up here now :) so I wouldn't really see a need to include it.}


10. Thou shalt not smell... which makes this sort of redundant.


:flower: Other than that, there are a few bits I would trim and re-word, but it's not my text - well done for the work and thought put into it :cheers:

jiveoholic
8th-October-2006, 11:57 AM
Sorry, but to me this reads like "you must do your homework" - fairly condesending to grown adults. Sure, in order to remeber/get better, you must use the knowledge - not sure if folk need to be told that.
Perhaps a simple "Thou shal dance."? It could then take in the no-refusal ettiquete point as well.

Folk DO need to be told! So many ladies tell me that they learn interesting moves in the lessons, and they never get to practice them because other regular dancers do their same old moves!

One difference between modern jive and other dances is that the weekday evening "experience" is about learning AND dancing. Some need reminding of this!

CeeCee
8th-October-2006, 02:08 PM
originally posted by Gadget
Leads
- The follower is a person, not an inanimate object; you only need to tell them to move, not physically move them.
The follower is a person – thank you
not an inanimate object – thank you
you only need to tell them to move – try inviting instead of telling
not physically move them – thank you




.

timbp
8th-October-2006, 02:20 PM
The follower is a person – thank you
not an inanimate object – thank you
you only need to tell them to move – try inviting instead of telling
not physically move them – thank you

I agree.
But also tell the follower these same things, in followers terms.

(Actually, I think both leaders and followers should be given different advice to what is in this thread, but the thread is about what beginners should be told, and I agree beginners need lies that help them learn the truth.)

Baruch
8th-October-2006, 04:44 PM
(Actually, I think both leaders and followers should be given different advice to what is in this thread, but the thread is about what beginners should be told, and I agree beginners need lies that help them learn the truth.)
Exactly. I'll be taking on board some of the ideas that have come up in this thread for the next batch of leaflets I print off, but if I put in everything that it would be helpful to know in order to get the most out of dancing, I'd end up writing a book rather than a leaflet. The idea is to give beginners a simple introduction to the basic concepts of Modern Jive. The details come later. The last thing I want to do is give beginners so much information that they can't process it. (Also, there's only so much space on a 3-panel A4 leaflet.)

MartinHarper
8th-October-2006, 06:16 PM
you only need to tell them to move – try inviting instead of telling

I think in MJ "telling" is more standard than "inviting", so that seems more appropriate for a beginner lead.

Gadget
8th-October-2006, 07:41 PM
as martin said: it's beginners. If you are "Telling", it is a lot easier to get the idea of 'clear intention' into the lead. "Inviting" is a bit wishy-washy and subtle for beginners IMHO.

I cut about 90% of my text and changed a few things.. thought on a few more since then as well. As Baruch says: there is only so much space. I would cut back on the explinations and examples quite a bit while trying to make a single sentance contain all the information. Very hard to do; :respect: for coming so far and wanting to progress it further.

David Bailey
8th-October-2006, 07:52 PM
I think in MJ "telling" is more standard than "inviting", so that seems more appropriate for a beginner lead.
I disagree - this isn't a simplification-for-beginners, this is a bad habit to start with. If you start off by focussing on the "invitational" aspect of lead-and-follow, you hopefully get less yankers in the long run.

bigdjiver
8th-October-2006, 08:49 PM
I disagree - this isn't a simplification-for-beginners, this is a bad habit to start with. If you start off by focussing on the "invitational" aspect of lead-and-follow, you hopefully get less yankers in the long run.:yeah: Indication is another word I would use.

MartinHarper
9th-October-2006, 12:19 AM
I disagree - this isn't a simplification-for-beginners, this is a bad habit to start with.

Suppose I want to lead a travelling return. If I were to "invite" my partner to do it, then I would first clear the space forward for her to travel into. This empty space would invite her in. I would also apply a small constant forwards force. This force will not tell my partner how fast to move past me, or when to move past me, only that I wished her to pass me at some time. Further, if my follower were to miss/ignore/refuse the pulling force, then there would be no "haptic error signal" (love that phrase). In other words, neither of us would feel that anything odd had happened.

If I were to "tell" my partner to perform a travelling return, then I would not need to clear a space for except at the last moment. The pulling force would be more dynamic, comprising a light pre-lead similar to the invitational lead previously, with a firmer actual lead that tells my partner when to move, and also says something about how fast I intend her to move. If my follower were to miss/ignore/refuse the pulling force, she would still not be forced through the move against her will. However, it would be immediately obvious to both of us that something unusual had happened.

As I noted in another thread (http://www.cerocscotland.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9841), CTA-style MJ does not involve clearing space for the follower to move in advance, so it's clearly not invitational in that sense. MJ followers do not refuse leads on a regular basis (but of course there are obvious exceptions), and when they do it typically feels odd rather than part of the normal ebb and flow of the dance, so it's not invitational in that sense. When someone leads a travelling return in MJ, they mostly have a pretty clear idea of when they want it to start, and when they want it to end, so again that's not very invitational.

I wouldn't call an invitational lead wrong, or a "bad habit", and I happilly use invitational leads in MJ on occasion. However, it seems to me that it's a leading style that's been imported from other dance forms. Given that beginner MJ men spend much of their time dancing with beginner MJ women who have no experience with those other dance forms, I don't think it helps them much to tell them to "invite" their partner to do stuff. On the other hand, what I might write in a "10 commandments" leaflet is:

Thou shalt make mistakes
If you're not making any mistakes, you're probably not trying hard enough.
Men: if your partner messes up, for whatever reason, don't force her round like you're wrestling. It's ok for a move to go wrong.
Women: if your partner doesn't lead you to do something, don't do it. It's ok for a move to go wrong.

Dynamo
9th-October-2006, 02:56 AM
Suppose I want to lead a travelling return. If I were to "invite" my partner to do it, then I would first clear the space forward for her to travel into. This empty space would invite her in. I would also apply a small constant forwards force. This force will not tell my partner how fast to move past me, or when to move past me, only that I wished her to pass me at some time. Further, if my follower were to miss/ignore/refuse the pulling force, then there would be no "haptic error signal" (love that phrase). In other words, neither of us would feel that anything odd had happened.

If I were to "tell" my partner to perform a travelling return, then I would not need to clear a space for except at the last moment. The pulling force would be more dynamic, comprising a light pre-lead similar to the invitational lead previously, with a firmer actual lead that tells my partner when to move, and also says something about how fast I intend her to move. If my follower were to miss/ignore/refuse the pulling force, she would still not be forced through the move against her will. However, it would be immediately obvious to both of us that something unusual had happened.
...

I wouldn't call an invitational lead wrong, or a "bad habit", and I happilly use invitational leads in MJ on occasion. However, it seems to me that it's a leading style that's been imported from other dance forms. Given that beginner MJ men spend much of their time dancing with beginner MJ women who have no experience with those other dance forms, I don't think it helps them much to tell them to "invite" their partner to do stuff. On the other hand, what I might write in a "10 commandments" leaflet is:

Thou shalt make mistakes
If you're not making any mistakes, you're probably not trying hard enough.
Men: if your partner messes up, for whatever reason, don't force her round like you're wrestling. It's ok for a move to go wrong.
Women: if your partner doesn't lead you to do something, don't do it. It's ok for a move to go wrong.

:yeah: :respect: :yeah:

You hit the nail on the head Martin :respect: , allow a more positive lead that gives some indication of speed and duration, then mix this experienced dancers including taxiis who by subtlty of lead will moderate the level of force required. Failing that, politely inform them of a more suitable level of force, stronger or weaker.

David Bailey
9th-October-2006, 09:12 AM
Given that beginner MJ men spend much of their time dancing with beginner MJ women who have no experience with those other dance forms, I don't think it helps them much to tell them to "invite" their partner to do stuff.
I'm just concerned that "tell" is too strong - a beginner leader can mistake it for "pull", or "yank".

Whereas "invite" is more gentle and fluffy, and hopefully less likely to cause injuries. Given the choice, I'd prefer leads to be too light than too heavy.

bigdjiver
9th-October-2006, 09:31 AM
Suppose I want to lead a travelling return. If I were to "invite" my partner to do it, then I would first clear the space forward for her to travel into. This empty space would invite her in. I would also apply a small constant forwards force. This force will not tell my partner how fast to move past me, or when to move past me, only that I wished her to pass me at some time. Further, if my follower were to miss/ignore/refuse the pulling force, then there would be no "haptic error signal" (love that phrase). In other words, neither of us would feel that anything odd had happened....I think we have a different view on what some words mean. If I invite a partner / indicate to a partner to do something she will know that I have. If she refuses that invitation / ignores that indication I will know that she has. Communication is a vital element of modern jive. When I used to lead my dog he would know I was leading, and would, rightly, see me as a yanker. Invites and indications would have been useless with that dog. That was simply because he had not been trained right, but I was too young to know about that when I had a dog.
The lead has to be the equivalent of "Lets", whilst being prepared for "No." Sometimes it has to be said louder to be heard, sometimes the invitation is a whisper or less, which happens when you are both in "the zone".



Thou shalt make mistakes
If you're not making any mistakes, you're probably not trying hard enough.
Men: if your partner messes up, for whatever reason, don't force her round like you're wrestling. It's ok for a move to go wrong.
Women: if your partner doesn't lead you to do something, don't do it. It's ok for a move to go wrong.
:yeah: My Father used to say "The man that never made a mistake, never made anything."

straycat
9th-October-2006, 09:43 AM
I think in MJ "telling" is more standard than "inviting"

Which is a shame :(

Lou
9th-October-2006, 10:18 AM
I'm just concerned that "tell" is too strong - a beginner leader can mistake it for "pull", or "yank".

I agree with DavidJames. :rolleyes: :D

"Tell" is definitely too strong a word. It's like "pull" or "push". Better words might be, "lead", or "guide" or, indeed, "invite".

As a follower, I've noticed a crop of Intermediates with uncomfortably forceful leads from one particular venue. I put it down to the language used by that teacher. On the plus side, she stresses that a tight handhold is bad by saying "no thumbs", but I have noticed that she uses phrases like "pull the lady into your side", much more than other teachers I've experienced. Hence, my suspicion that it's caused this larger proportion of heavy Leads.

Of course, this study isn't at all scientific, and there could just as easily be some other factor at work & this is just coincidence... ;)

David Bailey
9th-October-2006, 10:39 AM
I agree with DavidJames. :rolleyes: :D
:eek: :what: :confused: :na:

One exercise that used to be popular a while back is the "fingertip" lead - i.e. the only contact is via fingertip. That's a great exercise, and of course it's very useful for breaking bad yanker habits.

Another great exercise is the "no-hands" lead, of course. And then there's the "eyes closed" lead.

I'm looking forward to someone trying the "no-hands" and "eyes closed" together... :)

Gadget
9th-October-2006, 12:44 PM
"Tell" is definitely too strong a word. It's like "pull" or "push". Better words might be, "lead", or "guide" or, indeed, "invite".
But if you read it in context, does that not eliminate the harshness or at least soften the word? You couldn't really substitute "tell" for "yank" and have it make sense:

- The follower is a person, not an inanimate object; you only need to tell them to move, not physically move them.

David Bailey
9th-October-2006, 01:42 PM
But if you read it in context, does that not eliminate the harshness or at least soften the word? You couldn't really substitute "tell" for "yank" and have it make sense:

- The follower is a person, not an inanimate object; you only need to tell them to move, not physically move them.
I dunno - a lot of it comes down to semantics still. Having said that, "invite" might well be too wishy-washy for a beginner audience, so maybe we need a different word...

In that context, I'd say "show them where to move" instead of "tell them to move".

El Salsero Gringo
9th-October-2006, 08:09 PM
I do agree with: Thou shalt make mistakes.

I don't agree with: "treat her as if she’s got a "fragile" warning label stuck to her." She is neither more nor less fragile than you are. A lead needs to be smooth but distinct and not wishy-washy, which is what fragile can lead to.

Baruch
3rd-November-2006, 12:19 AM
As my original run of 30 or so leaflets has now gone, I've just printed off another batch. I've re-worded the leaflet to take into account some of your suggestions, so here's the revised version. Thanks for all your ideas.

The Ten Commandments of Modern Jive
(A Guide for Beginners)

1. Thou shalt relax and have fun!

Modern Jive (the dance style we teach, also known as Le Roc) is, first and foremost, a fun activity. Relax, smile and enjoy the experience. It may seem a bit daunting in your first few weeks, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. In time, those moves that look so impressive and complicated now will become second nature to you.

2. Thou shalt use a relaxed hand-hold.
It’s important to keep a loose hand-hold. Don’t grip on to your partner’s hand as this can hurt your partner, particularly in turns. As a general rule, keep your thumb off your partner’s hand. If your partner’s hand-hold becomes a tight grip and is causing you discomfort or pain, ask them to loosen their grip. This becomes even more important if your partner has long nails that are digging into your palm.

3. Thou shalt either lead or follow.
Modern Jive is a male-led dance. Ladies, it’s the one area of life where men still get to have their own way, so humour them! Men, it’s your job to provide a clear lead. That doesn’t mean yanking your partner around like a hod of bricks, though. Keep it smooth; remember that her arms are attached at the other end, and should ideally stay that way. Lead her; don’t pull her. Ladies, it’s your job to follow what the man leads. Don’t put yourself into spins and turns; wait for the man to lead you into them, and you’ll find it’s a lot easier.
This is all made much easier if you keep a springy tension in your arms. If you’re not sure how, ask a teacher. They’ll be happy to explain it to you.
Lastly, some dancers develop a bad habit of bouncing their hands up and down in time with the music. Try to avoid this if you can, as not only does it look a bit naff, but it can make proper leading and following much more difficult with all that extra bouncing going on.

4. Thou shalt dance in time.
Dancing is basically moving to music. With that in mind, it’s surprising how many people just throw their partners (or themselves) into moves without paying any attention to the beat. Your teachers teach moves to a count to help you dance them in time.
Try to listen to the music while you’re dancing. If you lose the beat, there’s nothing wrong with pausing for a moment to pick it up again.

5. Thou shalt practise.
Doing dance classes is a great way to learn how to do moves, but in order to remember them and to learn how to put them together in a dance, you need to practise. At the end of the beginners’ class, and again after the intermediate and beginners’ revision classes, there is "freestyle" time to practise what you’ve learned. It can be nerve-wracking at first, but try to relax. Men, try doing the moves you know, perhaps changing the order in which you do them. Have a simple "filler" move in mind to fall back on if your mind goes blank; the Octopus/Loophole or the First Move are good ones. Ladies, practise following what the man leads and be patient if he’s trying to master the new moves he’s just been taught.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how we learn, and if a move goes wrong it’s not the end of the world. Just laugh it off. Even the best dancers mess up occasionally.

6. Thou shalt be safe.
Always dance well within your own capabilities. Sometimes you’ll see experienced dancers doing drops and other flashy moves on the dance floor, and you may think, "I’d love to have a go at that." However, those moves can be extremely dangerous if done by someone who hasn’t learned to do them properly. Until you have been taught the proper techniques, NEVER do drops or other dangerous moves. Men, even when you have learned to do them safely, always check with your partner beforehand that she is happy to do drops. Ladies, never throw yourself into a drop, as more than one lady has hit the floor or injured her partner because she threw herself backwards when her partner wasn’t actually leading a drop.
With any move, if you feel yourself pulling on your partner’s arm in an awkward way stop and let go. Never try to force it or you may end up hurting your partner.
Dancing within your own capabilities also means that you should wait a while before attempting the intermediate class. The moves are generally much harder and more complicated than those in the beginners’ class, so you need a thorough grasp of the basics before attempting this class. For most people this takes at least 2-3 months. The best way to tell if you’re ready to move up to intermediates is to ask one of the teaching team.

7. Thou shalt not refuse a dance without a good reason.
One of the great things about Modern Jive is that you are allowed to ask anyone to dance. It’s accepted etiquette that you accept any offer of a dance unless you have a good reason not to. Ladies can ask men to dance too. Don’t be shy – the only way to improve is to dance as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask experienced dancers, either. Everyone was a beginner once, and we all remember what it was like. Most people are happy to dance with beginners. Having said all that, if someone does turn you down for a dance, don’t take it personally. They may be too tired, needing a drink or any of a number of good reasons. Just move on and ask someone else instead.

8. Thou shalt take care on the dance floor.
When you first walk onto the dance floor, try to find an empty space rather than dancing too close to another couple. Particularly if it’s crowded, you should always be aware of what’s going on around you. It is your responsibility to avoid bumping into other dancers and to protect your partner. Never walk backwards onto the floor without looking where you are going. Men, always look where you are leading your partner (e.g. look over your shoulder before leading her behind you in a Catapult). If there’s not much room to move, keep your moves small. Ladies, be aware of where you’re moving and keep an eye out for your partner’s safety as well.
Also, remember that the dance floor is only for dancing. If you want to chat, move to the edge of the room. Always walk around, rather than across, the dance floor if you’re not dancing.

9. Thou shalt dress appropriately.

You don’t need to buy specialist dance shoes (though these will be worth considering further down the line if you start to take your dancing seriously), but wear smooth-soled, comfortable shoes that you can spin in. Rubber-soled shoes are generally a bad idea. Comfortable clothing helps as well. Don’t wear rings with stones set into them, because these can hurt your partner’s hand when you’re dancing. Avoid loose jewellery etc. as well, as it can easily get tangled or broken.
Dancing is a very physical activity, so it’s a good idea to bring along a spare shirt or top (or several) so that you can change when you get a bit sweaty. A hand towel to wipe your face is a good idea too, as is a can of antiperspirant deodorant. Nobody likes to dance with someone who is wringing wet.


10. Thou shalt not smell!

Personal hygiene is extremely important when you’re dancing up close with someone. Always have a shower or bath before going to a dance class or freestyle, and use antiperspirant or deodorant. There is no excuse for not bothering. Some people think they don’t need deodorant – trust me, you do when you’re dancing. That’s just as true for men and women. It can be helpful to freshen up with a bit of deodorant at various times during the evening as well, e.g. when you change your shirt.
Try to avoid smoking before dancing. If you do smoke, eat a breath mint before dancing. Also, please remember not to eat strong foods such as garlic, curry or smoked fish before dancing. Your partners will notice if you do. A little consideration goes a long way.

Version 2.0
B.J.T. 2006

Donna
3rd-November-2006, 04:26 PM
7. Thou shalt not refuse a dance without a good reason.

One of the great things about Modern Jive is that you are allowed to ask anyone to dance. It’s accepted etiquette that you don’t refuse to dance with someone unless you have a very good reason. Ladies can ask men to dance too. Don’t be shy – the only way to improve is to dance as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask experienced dancers, either. Everyone was a beginner once, and we all remember what it was like. Most people are happy to dance with beginners. Having said all that, if someone does turn you down for a dance, don’t take it personally. They may be too tired, needing a drink or any of a number of good reasons. Just move on and ask someone else instead.

Hmmm this one bothers me... There's this guy in one of my local classes that I used to dance with all the time... great dancer - but, since he's been going out with someone, he doesn't want to. :blush: what a strange man! :rofl: I asked him twice last week and when asked by someone immediately after refusing me he goes off and dances with this other woman! :confused:

Trousers
3rd-November-2006, 05:29 PM
Hmmm this one bothers me... There's this guy in one of my local classes that I used to dance with all the time... great dancer - but, since he's been going out with someone, he doesn't want to. :blush: what a strange man! :rofl: I asked him twice last week and when asked by someone immediately after refusing me he goes off and dances with this other woman! :confused:

Erm Donna, there was a time when it seemed that you didn't dance with anyone but Steve.

Donna
3rd-November-2006, 06:12 PM
Erm Donna, there was a time when it seemed that you didn't dance with anyone but Steve.

Erm yeah, that was running up to competitions only. We did dance with other people