Dancing to uninspiring music

[Ghost]

I've realised that if music is uninspiring, I'll most likely dance circular. Slotted provides a wealth of opportunity for the follow to add their thing as shown by WCS, but it also means that it can feel like there's Huge Gaps in the dance if there's Nothing There to inspire. Whereas because circular is continuous, although it's still possible for a follow to add to it, there's not really "dead zones" as such.

Thoughts? In particular any suggestions of what to do to fill in the dead zones (preferrably not mangles)

[Steven666]

Fill dead zones by dancing circular.

That is all.

^_^

[Ghost]

Fill dead zones by dancing circular.

That is all.

^_^

Ah yes, that'll work.

I was more looking for ideas on how to fill them while dancing slotted though

[straycat]

Can you give some examples of the kind of uninspiring songs that you mean?

[timbp]

I've realised that if music is uninspiring, I'll most likely dance circular. Slotted provides a wealth of opportunity for the follow to add their thing as shown by WCS, but it also means that it can feel like there's Huge Gaps in the dance if there's Nothing There to inspire. Whereas because circular is continuous, although it's still possible for a follow to add to it, there's not really "dead zones" as such.

Thoughts? In particular any suggestions of what to do to fill in the dead zones (preferrably not mangles)

Depends who I'm dancing with.
For a beginner, the music may be irrelevant, and clear, gentle lead through some moves she's never done before may make her night -- in that case, the music is mostly irrelevant to me, except for opportunities for syncopation without affecting the follower.
With more advanced followers, the music may not inspire me, but my follower may respond to it, and I can respond to her enthusiasm, either with my own dancing and what I lead, or by giving her room to do her own stuff.
Other times, I drop from moveless dancing to leading moves...

[DavidB]

I've realised that if music is uninspiring, I'll most likely dance circular. Slotted provides a wealth of opportunity for the follow to add their thing as shown by WCS, but it also means that it can feel like there's Huge Gaps in the dance if there's Nothing There to inspire. Whereas because circular is continuous, although it's still possible for a follow to add to it, there's not really "dead zones" as such.

Thoughts?

Maybe its just me, but I find I get bored dancing slotted.

[Ghost]

Can you give some examples of the kind of uninspiring songs that you mean?

Not really, different people find different things inspiring and even that can change with your mood.

You remember in the 80s when people got synthisisers for Christmas and you'd put on the drumbeat first?

Assume for the sake of arguement that's what I'm dancing to. For one reason or another neither I nor my follow finds anything remotely inspiring about the piece of music, but at least we're both dancing to the same (constant) rythym.

If it helps, I've also found that with music I don't know, I can be dancing slotted and hit "Nothing followed by Nothing". I'm trying to figure out what options I've got other than going back to circular (or chatting ).

With more advanced followers, the music may not inspire me, but my follower may respond to it, and I can respond to her enthusiasm, either with my own dancing and what I lead, or by giving her room to do her own stuff.

Cool.

Again for the sake of arguement let's say a more advanced follower, as I agree it's not really an issue with beginners.

Other times, I drop from moveless dancing to leading moves...

[Caro]

As a follow, I can't decide if we're dancing slotted or circular (well, not unless I ignore the lead completely, which I would never do ).
I see what you mean though, I think the assumption you make is that when dancing slotted there is obvious some space to 'play' when travelling from one end of the slot to the other. (i.e. the follow can decide to take more time to reach the end of the slot and you have to wait).

When I dance to uninspiring music, I tend to try and listen to the tune even harder to find things that I could use / highlight, if possible without disturbing my partner.

[Sparkles]

Try adding in steps that go in a straight line but keep you moving, maybe?

For example, Manhattans and West Manhattans, mambo steps, basket walks and so on... Not everything that keeps you moving makes you go in a circle, and it's certainly a no-no if you realise you've been doing lots of circular moves to then try and do something like pivot turns .
Maybe that might help a bit?

[Gus]

I've realised that if music is uninspiring, I'll most likely dance circular.

I find if the music is uninspiring I don't dance ... problem solved.

[Ghost]

I think the assumption you make is that when dancing slotted there is obvious some space to 'play' when travelling from one end of the slot to the other. (i.e. the follow can decide to take more time to reach the end of the slot and you have to wait).

Not necessarliy just that though. There's the walk and the end. So she could speed up the walk and hit a slow turn at the end. Or do body rolls into a sharp 180 and lunge. Lots of interesting things - but they all pretty much need the music to make sense eg a building crescendo, stacatto accents etc.

Try adding in steps that go in a straight line but keep you moving, maybe?

I like the sound of that, thanks.

[Gadget]

I try new things: little chance that the follower will go off exploring the music, so any errors must be my fault.

Or I practice stuff I've not quite got the precision on I would like.

Or I try repetitions: for me it's really hard to remember and do something twice *exactly* the same. Or intentionally add a subtle variation.

[Miss Molly]

I find if the music is uninspiring I don't dance ... problem solved.

If the music is uninspiring......I go to the bar!!

[ducasi]

If the music is uninspiring......I go to the bar!!

Try doing that in a competition!

[fletch]

Maybe its just me, but I find I get bored dancing slotted.

I think we should just stick to the 'funky stuff' at the moment

[StokeBloke]

I find if the music is uninspiring I don't dance ... problem solved.

I completely and unreservedly agree with Gus.

[JiveLad]

I find if the music is uninspiring I don't dance ... problem solved.

And what happens if someone asks you?

For me (and this is just one of my few core principles) I never refuse a request from a lady.

It does result in dancing to some tracks I would not otherwise have danced to. This is quite a rarity as my body language usually makes it clear that I do not want to dance to a particular track.

Of course, there is that first 15 seconds of a track when you're not quite sure what it is.............

If I am dancing to 'uninspiring' music, I might try to listen deeper to the music to pick out some stuff, or just try more 'experimental' dancing (if appropriate).

[Gus]

And what happens if someone asks you?

My comment was somewhat tongue in cheek. My main strategy is avoid the DJs who have a reputation for playing this type of music. If, however, I get caught out and can't hide, of course I have to accept the offer to dance or try to postpone it till a better track is played. There have been several cases in the past when I've agreed with my partner that the track is so bad its best to leave the floor and wait for a better offering.

[StokeBloke]

Sitting tracks out is far easier than you think. Look busy and don't make eye contact usually works. There have been a couple of times when I have said "I would love to dance with you, but not to this awful track" as a matter of a fact I said that this weekend to a lady whom I dance with fairly regularly.

I was at a venue this weekend that played some really dire music non-stop. It felt like I was Gary Sparrow from Goodnight Sweetheart and I had been transported back to the 1940's for a couple of hours Awful, just awful! Twirlie Bird and me were just discussing if we should knock it on the head and go home when fortunately the music did pick back up for the last hour or so. But I learned a serious lesson! ALWAYS check the DJ at a venue, and no matter how much you long to dance... sometimes it's better not to go at all than sit frustrated for hours, or dancing very sporadically. You just can't get the mojo flowing like that!

If I do bow out of a dance to something uninspiring, I make sure that as soon as the music picks up I track the person down and give them a dance I can be proud of. But that's just my personal ethics.

[~*~Saligal~*~]

I find if the music is uninspiring I don't dance ... problem solved.

Yep - ask for a raincheck...
Other option is to "ham" up the dance for a laugh (only if agreed with partner that music is uninspiring) - and/or talk through the dance until something inspiring does appear.