View Poll Results: How important is dance to you ?

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  • I prefer to know the count/speed etc .......

    10 30.30%
  • I like short to the point lessons

    11 33.33%
  • I prefer the more technical lessons

    13 39.39%
  • I only like the freestyle

    8 24.24%
  • I only need the basics

    2 6.06%
  • I prefer workshops

    8 24.24%
  • I prefer privates

    4 12.12%
  • Don't mind how low the lesson is

    2 6.06%
  • Get frustrated when lesson too long

    12 36.36%
  • Anything else (please see below)

    6 18.18%
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Thread: How important is THE dance to you ? (Getting it right!)

  1. #1
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    How important is THE dance to you ? (Getting it right!)

    How important is dance to you ?

    I get soooooooooooo confused with all this technical jargon thrown about on this forum

    I know it is important if you are a dance teacher, but what if you just want to dance for fun

    And ........... I prefer dance instructor not to get too technical, I just want to know the patterns/steps not why they are there

    What is your opinion ?


    --ooOoo--
    Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
    Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)

    Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
    That date is recognized as her official birthday.

  2. #2
    Registered User timbp's Avatar
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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    How important is dance to you ?

    I get soooooooooooo confused with all this technical jargon thrown about on this forum

    I know it is important if you are a dance teacher, but what if you just want to dance for fun

    And ........... I prefer dance instructor not to get too technical, I just want to know the patterns/steps not why they are there

    What is your opinion ?
    It helps me to know why I am doing something.
    But now all I really need in a class is where I should lead the follower, and where I should be when she gets there. But that's probably partly because I have been taught and absorbed the why that gives me the technique I need for the moves I see in class.

    I'm not (now) interested in details of where to place my foot or hand -- just tell me where to invite the follower to move and I will lead her there. But when I started dancing, I wanted to know exactly where to place my foot, exactly where my hands should go, exactly where the follower was going to step (unled, of course -- we had signals).

  3. #3
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    This question really depends on the class, the teacher, the type of moves, and the amount of moves,
    If in a beginners lesson I like short to the point teaching so long as all the basic building blocks are put into place which in my opinion is what the lesson is all about (especially things like hand hold etc) and is essential for learning the later stuff.
    In an intermediate class it has to be about moves that can be danced in freestyle (or more precisely lead in freestyle) which is where the most fun is had. I will never compete as its not about that to me I don't mind how hard it is to pick up a move as i am a technical person i learn quickly and get bored easily

    As for the question "how important is dance to me?" well its my time for relaxation after a busy and sometimes stressful day i can forget all about work i guess i get extremely passionate about it

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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    I get very frustrated when the teacher is not able to describe a move, or adds more styling than is apropriate for the level of the class. I also expect the moves to be described as led, and have little interest in choreographed moves. I do not go to classes 'for a laugh', even though I will mess about in a class if there is some nice slow music and there is no risk of over-confusing my partner. Classes are a route to better freestyle for me. That means that details like compression on a push-spin/american spin/tuck-turn are important because if they are not taught I have to work harder.

    I'm in favour of suggestions about footwork in a class, and surprisingly I observe that classes where there is regularly a good level of detail are the ones where my positioning is less likely to be commented on by my partner if (e.g.) I stay more off the slot than the move is being taught.

    Sean

  5. #5
    Registered User Beowulf's Avatar
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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    I like short simple lessons. I don't mind one more tricky showy move per lesson but if a class is too much of a struggle I'll actually sit it out rather than make a mess and a fool of myself.

    Dance is "something I do" it's not "who I am" The forum here is a GREAT resource but it's also quite dangerous. of the vast majority of dancers it's predominantly the ones who really take an interest in their dancing that sign up to the forum. I'd say the percentage of good / great dancers on the forum is higher than the percentage of good / great dancers on the dance floor. (if you follow)

    This does tend to give some people a false impression. I have recently just realised that I'm nopt a bad dancer but I was worrying too much about stuff that was beyond me. I was reading the forum and expecting to be as good as everyone here. I'll never be good enough to compete, I'll never be a move monster and I have accepted that now.

    As the forum is basically skimming the cream from the whole ceroc/WCS/Jive etc crop comparing yourself against this condensed skillbase only gives you a false impression of your own ability.

    Dance is fun, it's a social thing, I get to meet my friends , have a laugh and get out of the house. It's not something I'd want to do every night of the week.

    Dance is important to me in one aspect.. It's how I met Twirly and for that alone I'm glad I went dancing. and to think I used to go to Photography club with a bunch of boring old codgers instead

  6. #6
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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    I dance purely for fun and that's all I'm bothered about. ^_^

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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    And ........... I prefer dance instructor not to get too technical, I just want to know the patterns/steps not why they are there
    I'm the opposite: I would rather know why they are there rather than the patterns/steps. If I know why, then the patterns/steps don't matter - I can make them up as long as they still match the "why".

  8. #8
    Registered User Little Black Dress's Avatar
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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    Dance is incredibly important to me. I've done various different styles of dance all my life. I have to say that with mj, I like the classes to be short and to the point. The classes tend to be large and therefore don't offer much opportunity to ask questions or discuss things as they come up. Because of this I like to get into the freestyle where I can just let myself go. I like workshops as they tend to be smaller groups with room to try things out and talk about problems or ideas.

  9. #9
    Registered User Husky_Cat's Avatar
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    Re: How important is dance to you ?

    Dance is important to me but i do sometimes find it boring in lessons if a teacher goes too long on about a certain move or make everyone pause halfway through a move so arms start to ache in that position, This is because i am deaf so i cant really hear the dialogue so i get distracted easily and look around me while the teacher is speaking about the techniques of a move. That is me!!

    Freestyles are good, as dont have to think about anything, just do the moves, have a laugh. i do like the classes, i just get distracted easily through no one's fault.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    I think I chose a wrong title for this thread - a couple of the replies have misunderstood what I was getting at.

    Teachers come in all forms - some are more technical than others, that is your choice

    However, dancers IMO are different ISFA some always have to break down every step of a dance when discussing it.

    When I am told I am using the wrong foot or my hand is in the wrong place - it gets me cross ! I go dancing to enjoy myself, I know I am not technically correct and that is why I don't enter competitions.

    When I say "How important is dance to you" I meant, does it always have to be broken down in such a way that you end up loosing interest.

    I should have titled the thread "How important is THE dance to you"


    --ooOoo--
    Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
    Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)

    Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
    That date is recognized as her official birthday.

  11. #11
    Registered User Husky_Cat's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    I think I chose a wrong title for this thread - a couple of the replies have misunderstood what I was getting at.

    Teachers come in all forms - some are more technical than others, that is your choice

    However, dancers IMO are different ISFA some always have to break down every step of a dance when discussing it.

    When I am told I am using the wrong foot or my hand is in the wrong place - it gets me cross ! I go dancing to enjoy myself, I know I am not technically correct and that is why I don't enter competitions.

    When I say "How important is dance to you" I meant, does it always have to be broken down in such a way that you end up loosing interest.

    I dont care if i using the wrong foot, or hands or etc as long i enjoy the dance and i can follow what the lead want to do for that dance. It doesnt matter to me if it have to be in the right beat, right steps, right steps. I guess i am trying to say as long as we have the basic ideas of the moves, that what is important. hope you know what i mean.

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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    However, dancers IMO are different ISFA some always have to break down every step of a dance when discussing it.
    When I say "How important is dance to you" I meant, does it always have to be broken down in such a way that you end up loosing interest.
    I should have titled the thread "How important is THE dance to you"
    I'm glad I found the forum because it did allow me to learn that there was more to dancing and to take that as far as I wanted to. It also helped me to find places to travel to, not to mention meet lots of lovely people , however, like Minnie I do lose interest when people pull it to pieces too much. It's not a problem though, because I don't have to keep reading those threads.

  13. #13
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    .......... It's not a problem though, because I don't have to keep reading those threads.

    true


    --ooOoo--
    Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
    Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)

    Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
    That date is recognized as her official birthday.

  14. #14
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Husky_Cat View Post
    .......... It doesnt matter to me if it have to be in the right beat..........
    Noooooooooooo - have fun BUT you have to dance on the right beat


    --ooOoo--
    Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
    Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)

    Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
    That date is recognized as her official birthday.

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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    When I say "How important is dance to you" I meant, does it always have to be broken down in such a way that you end up loosing interest.
    that's taking your own perspective on the matter, and answering your own question, given that there are people for whom a big part of the interest lies into breaking things down to their technical components.



    I dance because I enjoy it, like all of us here. However I believe that the more able / skilled I am as a follower and to some extent as a dancer, the more my enjoyment from dances increase.
    Therefore I am interested in technical stuff, it fits with the way my brain is wired: I am more likely to reproduce something correctly if I understand the why and the how.
    For example, triple steps: I am more likely to execute swung triple steps if I understand what it is (and that would need understanding some stuff about timing, rolling count etc).

    So when you say that:
    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    When I am told I am using the wrong foot or my hand is in the wrong place - it gets me cross ! I go dancing to enjoy myself, I know I am not technically correct and that is why I don't enter competitions.
    I'm tempted to answer that it depends if being wrong is going to reduce your enjoyment of the dance or not.
    For example, say I don't know the correct technique to perform a drop but I love drops. A new lead performs one on me at the beginning of the dance, realises I can't do them properly, so doesn't lead any more in the dance. In that example, that reduce my enjoyment of the dance (as I want more drops). So I'd better go to a workshop that explains the technique for drops. When I can do them properly, chances are leaders will lead more of them.

    It's a silly example with drops, but to me it goes to many other things the same way.

    Of course, then comes your partner's enjoyment of the dance.
    Say if I lead a girl who constantly offers me her left hand instead of the right, it'll amuse me for a while and then it'll annoy me if she constantly breaks something that I consider a general rule (i.e. you offer your right hand, if I want the left, I'll take it ). So I won't ask her to dance much.
    Again silly example, but goes for many other things.

  16. #16
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    Noooooooooooo - have fun BUT you have to dance on the right beat
    that illustrates my previous point very well: may be she doesn't care about dancing on the right beat, she has fun dancing anyway. Who are you to tell her she has to dance on the right beat ? (just to be clear I mean 'you' in the most general sense, and I don't mean this to come across as agressive at all or directly specifically to you Minnie )

    May be for other people's definition of a good dance you have to dance on the right foot, perform swung triple, pulse the music, etc.

    Different people, different things they enjoy, different expectations. It's all ok.


    PS: HC is deaf Minnie, so it's a bit harder for her to dance on the right beat

  17. #17
    Registered User Husky_Cat's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ? (Getting it right!)

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    Noooooooooooo - have fun BUT you have to dance on the right beat
    Quote Originally Posted by Caro View Post
    PS: HC is deaf Minnie, so it's a bit harder for her to dance on the right beat
    I do understand that right beat is important but i cant hear it at all, I mostly rely on the lead to make sure i am on beat. But as people know that every lead have their own style, so sometimes a lead like to dance slowly to a fast song, so i just dont bother to try and force myself to listen to the beats with my hearing aid, as long i am in sync with the lead, that what matters to me.

  18. #18
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ? (Getting it right!)

    Thank you kind moderator for changing the title

    All my above posts ARE my own opinion, I apologise if anyone has taken offence, it wasn't intended

    Some dancers don't realise they are dancing off the beat, but as you say if they are having fun - that is what it is all about.

    Off thread.......... I thought that if you can't hear the music because of a hearing problem, then you follow the base - could be wrong tho


    --ooOoo--
    Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
    Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)

    Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
    That date is recognized as her official birthday.

  19. #19
    Registered User Ghost's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    When I say "How important is dance to you" I meant, does it always have to be broken down in such a way that you end up loosing interest.
    Strangely I only want enough info to "make it work". Unfortunately a lot of Ceroc moves don't work as advertised. You need to break them apart and go "actually to get this to work, you need this to be here first and this should be over here. Oh and also this bit does this....."

    So I'm with Gadget, it's the "why" that's important to me. If someone can explain that in 2 words I'm a Happy Bunny . I'm not collecting technical information for the sake of it. I suspect a class where the teacher came on said 2 words and walked off again may not be terribly popular though

    It also helps me figure out why something works with person A but not person B despite my leading it exactly the same way - so again I want it to work so I can just dance. Matching someone else's idea of "this is good dancing" in comps is of no interest to me.

  20. #20
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    Re: How important is THE dance to you ? (Getting it right!)

    ........... (sorry)
    Last edited by Minnie M; 16th-January-2008 at 07:43 PM.


    --ooOoo--
    Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
    Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)

    Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
    That date is recognized as her official birthday.

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