To be fair, in the Manhatten, you do need to specify that footwork is mirrored; it's probably worth making that explicit. And in the context of a Modern Jive class, the easiest way to do that is probably to specify which foot goes forwards and back, for both partners.
Heh, the joy of teaching Tango is the simplicity. I was setting up for my AT class at Berko Ceroc on Sunday, whilst Howard and his demo were rehearsing their class. Their rehearsals were incredibly involved, complex, very script-driven; I was in awe of both the amount of work put into the prep, and of the amount you need to remember to effectively teach the class.
Whereas me? I taught a sidestep...![]()
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From what I've seen he does everything (including taking a shower) in a suit these days
I tried last week to lead a Manhattan (for the first time). Seemed like a basic salsa step to me. But the footwork seemed to confuse at least half the ladies. That's what happens when there's no footwork in a dance - everyone's brain goes to mush ...
Can I just mention that meringue uses hip motion? Try that in a MJ class and you get some very funny looks ...![]()
Blimey CJ I didn't know you were that intimate with him.
What foot did you lead off from CJ? If you led your right foot forward, her left foot that would be confusing as the standard in MJ is the other way round.I tried last week to lead a Manhattan (for the first time). Seemed like a basic salsa step to me. But the footwork seemed to confuse at least half the ladies. That's what happens when there's no footwork in a dance - everyone's brain goes to mush ...![]()
Last edited by ant; 1st-December-2010 at 07:36 PM.
Can I suggest that (as it was your first time) you maybe got something wrong with your lead? I don't know where you dance, or what level of follow you were dancing with but I'd like to hope that most people ought to be able to follow a Manhattan if it's well lead, just a thought.
Though, as a follow, it's a pet hate of mine when a man* tries to lead footwork but gives up after just a couple of attempts when I don't manage to follow...give me a chance, especially if you're expecting me to pick up a sailor step or something equally visually led - not that a Manhatten really fits into this category.
(*I'm substituting the word man for lead but if I just keep having to interchange lead and led then my brain really will go to mush!)
As for hip motion - there's nothing wrong with that, as long as you can carry it off![]()
Last edited by gamebird; 1st-December-2010 at 07:39 PM. Reason: not wanting to sound like a bitch :)
I'm afraid this is what happens when the teacher says there's no footwork in a dance that has footwork.
You wonder if the teacher is saying "there's no footwork" out of ignorance or is trying to keep the footwork a secret to make the dance seem easier. IMHO failing to teach correct footwork creates problems.
Nothing wrong with a bit of hip action in MJ. Everyone has their own, individual, style. Hip action can look good and feel good - if it feels good, do it!
It disguises my magnificence.
Ir's quite similar to a salsa forward-and-back step. The timing's different, but it allows you to do a salsa-accent style, if the music's latin-flavoured.
And I agree with others - if the footwork confuses the ladies, unfortunately this is likely to be down to your lead. Sorry.
No need. I'm quite sure my lead wasnt good. Unfortunately my own brain was being turned to mush trying to do the class step before it - a catapult with male and female tunnels (I think that's what you call it).
ant, I think the manhattan was my left forward her right back. As in LA salsa. Cuban salsa is the one that's the other way round (right forward, left back).
Designated footwork makes it easy for the lead.
Far more challenging to have to lead the footwork, in addition to other aspects of the move.
The other challenge is that while it probably will work perfectly well with complete beginners more experienced followers may resist following footwork.
I don't think bouncing feels bad at all, or gives a bad connection particularly when dancing with people from a lindy or rock and roll background, but I wondering why it would give a better connection than not bouncing.
Would it be something to do with both moving together relative to the environment.
There's a big difference between bouncing the hand between you and both bouncing from the knees as a single unit.
The hand bounce interferes with the connection. In some dances such as Lindy Hop the bounce from the knee, done in sync by lead and follow, seems to help the connection - I'm sure Mr Stray can tell you more on this subject.
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