Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 23

Thread: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

  1. #1
    Registered User Achelous's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    22
    Rep Power
    10

    Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    I've noticed that as a style point some of the good male dancers do a thing where (in a left handed hold) the right hand is kept in to the right side, fingers together, palm in and pointing down at about 45 degrees

    I think this looks quite good but my partner things it looks rubbish (at least when I do it) as I either look like a teapot or it looks like I'm pointing at my groin.

    Is there a correct way of doing this? Does it look any good?

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    6,312
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Achelous View Post
    I've noticed that as a style point some of the good male dancers do a thing where (in a left handed hold) the right hand is kept in to the right side, fingers together, palm in and pointing down at about 45 degrees

    I think this looks quite good but my partner things it looks rubbish (at least when I do it) as I either look like a teapot or it looks like I'm pointing at my groin.

    Is there a correct way of doing this? Does it look any good?
    Any photos of the offending right hand?

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    2,795
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Have a look at Woodfaces profile and i think he may have the hand on his photo. Of course i may be wrong and if i am sory Woody baby.

    XXX XXX DTS Dave

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Gold Coast, Austra
    Posts
    2,345
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Achelous View Post
    I've noticed that as a style point some of the good male dancers do a thing where (in a left handed hold) the right hand is kept in to the right side, fingers together, palm in and pointing down at about 45 degrees

    I think this looks quite good but my partner things it looks rubbish (at least when I do it) as I either look like a teapot or it looks like I'm pointing at my groin.

    Is there a correct way of doing this? Does it look any good?
    There are many places to put you spare hand, ask your partner where she would like you to put your spare hand

  5. #5
    Registered User Whitebeard's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Cheltenham, Glouce
    Posts
    2,307
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    What to do with that spare arm?

    Quote Originally Posted by Achelous View Post

    I've noticed that as a style point some of the good male dancers do a thing where (in a left handed hold) the right hand is kept in to the right side, fingers together, palm in and pointing down at about 45 degrees

    I think this looks quite good but my partner things it looks rubbish (at least when I do it) as I either look like a teapot or it looks like I'm pointing at my groin.

    Is there a correct way of doing this? Does it look any good?
    I think I know what you mean, and in general I have to agree with your partner that usually it looks rather artificial and contrived and pretty naff. I think we're talking intermediatey dancers here if it is a noticeable characteristic. Good dancers would just look ..... good ...... and any styling would flow and seem entirely natural.

    I guess most of us get to a stage where we start to think of styling and, in particular, how to deal with that wayward spare arm. Rather than adopting the peculiar posture you describe I sometimes align my right hand, palm inwards, along my right thigh and make contact with that all important second finger held at rightangles to the rest of my hand (as in so many other points in the lead).

    How that looks to others I have not a clue.

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Letchworth
    Posts
    505
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Whitebeard View Post
    What to do with that spare arm?



    I guess most of us get to a stage where we start to think of styling and, in particular, how to deal with that wayward spare arm. .
    I tend to either mimic the position of the left arm and visa versa ( Im left handed so adopt many right handed leads with the left arm going spare)

    Either that or I hold the spare arm in front with the hand open fingered on my stomach with the arm slightly bent out to the side so it looks a bit like an arrow head

    I also put it behind me in the same way as long as the follower cant see it and mistake it for a signal

    Well I know what I mean. It does make you slightly more elongated and I think emphasises the followers more open movements

  7. #7
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Hastings
    Posts
    4,386
    Blog Entries
    2
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by dave the scaffolder View Post
    Have a look at Woodfaces profile and i think he may have the hand on his photo. Of course i may be wrong and if i am sory Woody baby.

    XXX XXX DTS Dave
    No i think your right. I have noticed I tend to do that alot. Is that what you mean Achelous?

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    London
    Posts
    2,781
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Achelous View Post
    I think this looks quite good but my partner things it looks rubbish (at least when I do it) as I either look like a teapot or it looks like I'm pointing at my groin.
    Lead only double handed moves. Sorted.

  9. #9
    Registered User Achelous's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    22
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    No i think your right. I have noticed I tend to do that alot. Is that what you mean Achelous?
    Er....Yes......well except that the hand is a bit higher.

  10. #10
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Hastings
    Posts
    4,386
    Blog Entries
    2
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Achelous View Post
    Er....Yes......well except that the hand is a bit higher.
    I had an itch.

  11. #11
    Basically lazy robd's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Nr Cambridge
    Posts
    3,696
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Personally I think the leader's right hand clamped firmly to stomach/hip as so often seen does look contrived and unnatural. But it's no worse than a limp, dangling arm which is what mine tends to be (even worse when showing Freddy Krueger fingers ) Viktor gives some tips on spare arm styling in his weekender men's styling workshops and some are workable for us mortals though some (stroking your head ) look cool when Viktor does it and naff when other people try it. I went to a WCS workshop on Sunday and asked Paul Warden about spare arm styling for leads and he made the interesting point that, although he does little deliberate spare arm styling, people tend not to notice it because they are too busy looking at what the rest of his body is doing. Ultimately style is a personal issue - what works for some will not suit others and the critical thing IMO is that you have to mean it and believe in what you're trying. Doing no specific styling is preferable to half heartedly throwing your arm out because you'd been told to do it in a workshop once.

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Waltham abbey
    Posts
    4,610
    Blog Entries
    4
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by robd View Post
    Personally I think the leader's right hand clamped firmly to stomach/hip as so often seen does look contrived and unnatural. But it's no worse than a limp, dangling arm which is what mine tends to be (even worse when showing Freddy Krueger fingers ) Viktor gives some tips on spare arm styling in his weekender men's styling workshops and some are workable for us mortals though some (stroking your head ) look cool when Viktor does it and naff when other people try it. I went to a WCS workshop on Sunday and asked Paul Warden about spare arm styling for leads and he made the interesting point that, although he does little deliberate spare arm styling, people tend not to notice it because they are too busy looking at what the rest of his body is doing. Ultimately style is a personal issue - what works for some will not suit others and the critical thing IMO is that you have to mean it and believe in what you're trying. Doing no specific styling is preferable to half heartedly throwing your arm out because you'd been told to do it in a workshop once.


    Could you please revert your avatars back to what they were, im confused...

  13. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nottingham
    Posts
    1,541
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by robd View Post
    Doing no specific styling is preferable to half heartedly throwing your arm out because you'd been told to do it in a workshop once.
    to all of the post really but especially for the last bit.

    Whenever people ask me about spare arms and what should they do with them, I make a few suggestions but always say make sure it feels natural to you, if it doesn't feel natural, don't do it!

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Letchworth
    Posts
    505
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Trouble View Post


    Could you please revert your avatars back to what they were, im confused...
    Even with a tash shes much prettier than you but sort it out cos I cant deal with it


    Quote Originally Posted by Jamie View Post
    to all of the post really but especially for the last bit.

    Whenever people ask me about spare arms and what should they do with them, I make a few suggestions but always say make sure it feels natural to you, if it doesn't feel natural, don't do it!

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    130
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Achelous View Post
    I've noticed that as a style point some of the good male dancers do a thing where (in a left handed hold) the right hand is kept in to the right side, fingers together, palm in and pointing down at about 45 degrees

    I think this looks quite good but my partner things it looks rubbish (at least when I do it) as I either look like a teapot or it looks like I'm pointing at my groin.

    Is there a correct way of doing this? Does it look any good?
    This styling is used in Paso Dablo (Latin American) but looks much more stylish in Paso than MJ as this is the style it suits most. Look at American Jive styling with the arms, its a much more appropriate technique to MJ as it is Jive. You'll notice much more movements with the right arm (in a left handed hold), and is more in line with MJ possible styling. You wont look like a tea pot and she (your partner) will love it!!

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Letchworth
    Posts
    505
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Thetruth View Post
    Look at American Jive styling with the arms, its a much more appropriate technique to MJ as it is Jive. You'll notice much more movements with the right arm

    I do that ! ( as well) I got it from watching the likes of Viktor and Mick Wenger

  17. #17
    Registered User nebula's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Norfolk
    Posts
    349
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mac View Post
    I tend to either mimic the position of the left arm and visa versa ( Im left handed so adopt many right handed leads with the left arm going spare)

    Either that or I hold the spare arm in front with the hand open fingered on my stomach with the arm slightly bent out to the side so it looks a bit like an arrow head

    I also put it behind me in the same way as long as the follower cant see it and mistake it for a signal

    Well I know what I mean. It does make you slightly more elongated and I think emphasises the followers more open movements
    One of my regular partners does that, and makes him look kind of "in control", more focused almost. Much preferrable to a dangling spare arm, IMO!

  18. #18
    Lovely Moderator ducasi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    10,015
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    There's two basic rules for the spare arm...

    1) Keep some tension in it.
    2) Keep it above waist height.

    Don't do that and it looks dead. Anything more than that and you can call it style.
    Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story

  19. #19
    Registered User Whitebeard's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Cheltenham, Glouce
    Posts
    2,307
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    h

    Please do something about that crazed avatar Duke - looks like a centurion with alzheimers.

    Quote Originally Posted by ducasi View Post
    There's two basic rules for the spare arm...

    1) Keep some tension in it.

    2) Keep it above waist height.

    Don't do that and it looks dead. Anything more than that and you can call it style.
    1) Will do. And mosty do do. Except when I lapse.

    2) Gotta be careful - we're into 'signal' territory here. The ten may frown. The dance police may pounce.

    Just started leading the neckbreak on occasion. Me, a slow learner, oh no, no, no.
    Last edited by Whitebeard; 19th-July-2007 at 11:15 PM. Reason: Layout

  20. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    130
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: Men's style point - right hand - does this look OK or not?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mac View Post
    I do that ! ( as well) I got it from watching the likes of Viktor and Mick Wenger
    Seen Viktor dance in Sydney and he is one smooth and cool dancer!! Probably the best in MJ some may stated. Dont know of Mick Wenger though. You can only get better watching Viktor. I did when he was here in Sydney a few years ago.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Ceroc style vs technique vs moves
    By DavidB in forum Intermediate Corner
    Replies: 147
    Last Post: 2nd-December-2006, 05:02 PM
  2. Moves v Style
    By Gus in forum Intermediate Corner
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 16th-October-2002, 03:24 PM
  3. Dance style progression
    By Gus in forum Intermediate Corner
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 5th-July-2002, 11:34 AM
  4. Viktor & Lydia Style Workshop 8th Jun
    By Scot in forum Social events
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 2nd-June-2002, 12:25 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •