View Poll Results: How do you start a dance?

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  • I do the semi circle

    3 12.50%
  • I always do the same starting move

    4 16.67%
  • I do a travelling return thingy

    3 12.50%
  • I wait to be backlead into something

    1 4.17%
  • Other

    13 54.17%
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Thread: How do you start?

  1. #1
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    How do you start?

    From another thread...

    Quote Originally Posted by martingold View Post
    just wondering how many people use the semi circle when leading into a freestyle dance?????
    I know i dont
    So how do you start a dance? Do you still use that semi circle thingy or do yu do something else?

    I either :

    - Go straight into a french girl with step under (usually with people I don't know so I can immediately judge their level etc).
    - Push away, slightlt to the left then do a travelling return (usually with someone I know).
    - Or if I walk on kack-handed then I'll do whatever suit the hand positions at the time (again usually with someone I know).

    (and if someone would be kind enough to edit the poll to put an "other" catagory in then ta thanks!)

    (and change also to always, darn my crap typing)
    Last edited by Steven666; 29th-November-2007 at 01:25 PM.

  2. #2
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steven666 View Post
    From another thread...



    So how do you start a dance? Do you still use that semi circle thingy or do yu do something else?

    I either :

    - Go straight into a french girl with step under (usually with people I don't know so I can immediately judge their level etc.
    - Push away, slightlt to the left then do a travelling return (usually with someone I know).
    - Or if I walk on kack-handed then I'll do whatever suit the hand positions at the time (again usually with someone I know).
    -
    normally i would use an arm jive to pick up the beat when dancing with someone i dont know
    or a travelling return
    depends on the music really

  3. #3
    Registered User Ghost's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    I bow

    (I start from the moment the lady starts moving when I've asked "Would you like to dance" - after all, I lead her onto the floor, why deliberately lose the connection and re-start?)

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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steven666 View Post
    - Go straight into a french girl with step under (usually with people I don't know so I can immediately judge their level etc).
    or they judge yours..!!!!!

  5. #5
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by martingold View Post
    normally i would use an arm jive to pick up the beat when dancing with someone i dont know
    Yeah, that's pretty much my approach too, for a bop-bop track with a clear beat. Either that or a Manhattan step, probably. For a slower track I'd probably go into hold and do something from there.

    Of course, in Tango you start off by just cuddling standing still for about 3 minutes, then work your way on from there

    Quote Originally Posted by Ghost View Post
    (I start from the moment the lady starts moving when I've asked "Would you like to dance" - after all, I lead her onto the floor, why deliberately lose the connection and re-start?)
    Actually, yes - the walking onto the dance floor should be the start, thinking about it I usually try to make that in time also.

    What's a French Girl? (no silly comments please)

  6. #6
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post

    What's a French Girl? (no silly comments please)
    I think thats the arm jive twizzle

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    Registered User Ghost's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    Of course, in Tango you start off by just cuddling standing still for about 3 minutes, then work your way on from there


    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    Actually, yes - the walking onto the dance floor should be the start, thinking about it I usually try to make that in time also.
    I've never actually heard this in the UK, but Down Under they feel it's Very Wrong not to begin dancing on the "1". By adjusting how long you take to walk to where you start dancing you can immediately start on the "1" rather than stand there like a lemon waiting.

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    What's a French Girl? (no silly comments please)
    Caro
    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    Ahh, you're making those move names up, aren't you...
    Quote Originally Posted by Steven666 View Post
    You noticed. I can never remember the real names for moves so I name them as I see fit.

  8. #8
    Lovely Moderator ducasi's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Beyond the stuff about starting the dance even before you're on the dance-floor, I use a variety of moves to get going, depending, partly I guess on my relative position to my partner and where I want her to end up, and what occurs to me at the time...

    I recall starting with spins, (travelling) turns and returns, blocks, in&outs, and blues-style cuddle position.

    I don't semi-circle (ever), I don't arm-jive (ever). I have no idea what a "french girl" is, beyond that Caro is one.
    Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story

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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    What's a French Girl? (no silly comments please)
    An arm jive swizzle without the arm jive.

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    Re: How do you start?

    Depends on the occasion...
    In a class, I always start with a small semi-circle and lead them back;
    - it gives my partner a signal that something is going to happen (and time to react)
    - it establishes a connection with my partner
    - i can establish when to step back so we are in sync (since there is generally no music)

    In a workshop I normally lead into a move without much preperation;
    - we both know what to expect and when to expect it
    - we already have a connection
    - I can concentrate on the lead into the move rather than preping it with a step back

    In freestyle I am normally leading before we have even stepped onto the dance floor;
    - even if there is no physical connection, my partner is moving towards me - I can time this movement and choose to continue it or lead them into something.
    - If I have a hand, then I have a connection, then I can lead from the outset.

    The main "trick" about leading a follower from the off is to keep their omentum and direction of travel, then guide them into a turn/sway/walk/... without disrupting the flow or immediatly using a 'block' move.

  11. #11
    Commercial Operator StokeBloke's Avatar
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    Cool Re: How do you start?

    There are just too many variables to give you an answer.... the closest I can get is... it depends (on a lot). I have been known to walk up behind a lady who is facing away from the floor, gently hook my arms under hers and lean her backwards and drag her out onto the floor with her feet trailing.... I would add that you need to know the follow pretty darn well for that approach! But it's a fun and exciting way to start a dance... just don't let Andy McG see you doing it... he'd probably take you out... with a rifle!

    After doing Lucky and Ruby's Fishing workshop I try to take a very different approach to starting a dance with a stranger. It certainly opened my eyes to a wealth of new possibilities.

    The one thing that I can say with complete confidence is that I don't start a dance with a semi-circle as I try to be a good, clear lead and that 'move' isn't conducive either of those things

  12. #12
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    Of course, in Tango you start off by just cuddling standing still for about 3 minutes, then work your way on from there
    Just in Tango? I usually start my MJ dances like that - the nicer the person, the longer the cuddle
    What's a French Girl? (no silly comments please)
    Can I count that as a silly comment, considering that I've actually learnt this move standing next to you in a class, from a teacher for whom you then acted as demonstrator for months and it was her most regularly taught move?

  13. #13
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by StokeBloke View Post
    . lean her backwards and drag her out onto the floor with her feet trailing....

    ahhhhh...could this be called a 'caveman start'

  14. #14
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by jemessex View Post
    ahhhhh...could this be called a 'caveman start'
    that would be clubbing them over the head first...but after that the connection is just not there...

    do you know you've misspelled "james" in your name ?

  15. #15
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tessalicious View Post
    Can I count that as a silly comment, considering that I've actually learnt this move standing next to you in a class, from a teacher for whom you then acted as demonstrator for months and it was her most regularly taught move?
    Even more Christ, I don't even know who the teacher was, I've never been a demonstrator for months for anyone...

  16. #16
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe View Post
    do you know you've misspelled "james" in your name ?
    ooops.....am I called James???? First I have ever known that
    Will have to check on depole to change from JEM

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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    What's a French Girl?
    Quote Originally Posted by Steven666 View Post
    An arm jive swizzle without the arm jive.
    how offensive !!!

    I wouldn't go and learn anything, let alone dancing, from any organisation that dares using that name for a move :smug and arrogant Frenchy smiley:

  18. #18
    Cheeky by nature Little Monkey's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    Yeah, that's pretty much my approach too, for a bop-bop track with a clear beat. Either that or a Manhattan step, probably. For a slower track I'd probably go into hold and do something from there.
    Sounds like what I do when I lead. Armjive into whatever on a boppy track, or closed hold on a slower/bluesy track.

  19. #19
    Registered User Ghost's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    What's a French Girl? (no silly comments please)
    Quote Originally Posted by Steven666 View Post
    An arm jive swizzle without the arm jive.
    Ok I'll bite

    Why isn't the "arm jive swizzle" called an "arm jive french girl"?

    or

    a "French Girl" just called a "swizzle"?

    Quote Originally Posted by Caro View Post
    how offensive !!!

    I wouldn't go and learn anything, let alone dancing, from any organisation that dares using that name for a move :smug and arrogant Frenchy smiley:
    That explains a lot *ducks*

  20. #20
    Registered User Baruch's Avatar
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    Re: How do you start?

    I never use the semi-circle, and I use a variety of ways to start a dance. Often the dance will begin as I lead my partner onto the floor and will just carry on seamlessly from that, or I may lead her back by pushing her hand back, or I may do a travelling return, or start from a close hold, or... come to think of it, there isn't any one way. I think it just comes down to what feels right at the time.

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