It annoys me most when someone...

[LMC]

It annoys me when the teacher tries to be too funny. Stupid stuff/cheesy moves in classes/hamming it all up at Christmas is fine - MJ is supposed to be fun.

But THREE "cheesy" moves in one intermediate class? I got bored with walking round my partner (move 1) and then standing there while he walked around me (move 2) and I hate "duck" moves anyway (move 3 was basket, step forward then duck backwards under lead's arm, bashing head on way because you can't b****y see).

OK, that last one might be a personal preference thing - but TWO of the moves were definitely silly and taught as silly moves - which is ONE too many for a "non-general-occasion" class (silliness is fine, but in moderation?). Even if the teacher is going on holiday. You know who you are, and I apologise for the rant if you see this - but I got nothing out of tonight's intermediate class, frankly. Glad I made it to the beginners', which was, as always, grand (esp. since we were moving men on )

[spindr]

But THREE "cheesy" moves in one intermediate class? I got bored with walking round my partner (move 1) and then standing there while he walked around me (move 2) and I hate "duck" moves anyway (move 3 was basket, step forward then duck backwards under lead's arm, bashing head on way because you can't b****y see).

Hmmm, the leader can give you a hint to duck as he pulls you into his right side by bringing his right elbow up slightly from waist height and pushing your back slightly, so that you start to lean forwards -- before you start to actually go under his arm.

SpinDr.

[bobgadjet]

It annoys me when the teacher tries to be too funny. Stupid stuff/cheesy moves in classes/hamming it all up at Christmas is fine - MJ is supposed to be fun.

But THREE "cheesy" moves in one intermediate class? I got bored with walking round my partner (move 1) and then standing there while he walked around me (move 2) and I hate "duck" moves anyway (move 3 was basket, step forward then duck backwards under lead's arm, bashing head on way because you can't b****y see).

OK, that last one might be a personal preference thing - but TWO of the moves were definitely silly and taught as silly moves - which is ONE too many for a "non-general-occasion" class (silliness is fine, but in moderation?). Even if the teacher is going on holiday. You know who you are, and I apologise for the rant if you see this - but I got nothing out of tonight's intermediate class, frankly. Glad I made it to the beginners', which was, as always, grand (esp. since we were moving men on )

Seems to me you were not that impressed with the lesson then ?

[LMC]

Hmmm, the leader can give you a hint to duck as he pulls you into his right side by bringing his right elbow up slightly from waist height and pushing your back slightly, so that you start to lean forwards -- before you start to actually go under his arm.

SpinDr.

I am tall (nearly 6' by the time I'm wearing my shiny shoes), so doing a duck move with a short lead is not easy - and if it's a backwards duck, you can't see where the lead's arms are. Having never had a 'duck' move led on me in freestyle I can't comment definitively on whether the guys were leading it well or not - as a follow, however much you try not to backlead in a class, you do know what's coming next so with the best will in the world there is often an element of anticipation/compensation for tentative or poor leads. I would suggest that most of last night's were poor if I couldn't tell how far I needed to duck and kept bashing my head.

sorry to go OT, maybe I should post "ALL duck moves" on the Moves from Hell thread

[LMC]

Seems to me you were not that impressed with the lesson then ?

The high point was the DJ taking up the dare to play Amarillo during the lesson (I owe him a drink!)

[David Bailey]

It annoys me when the teacher tries to be too funny.

I'm getting more and more convinced there's a secret Ceroc Joke Book...

ALthough I love genuine humour in classes. A few weeks ago at my regular venue, the teacher was doing her round-up speech, and suddenly got handed another announcement from the venue manager; not missing a beat, she said "Oh, hold on, got a note from me Mum here" - classic off-the-cuff humour.

But I could die happy without ever hearing "the other left" type comment again...

But THREE "cheesy" moves in one intermediate class? I got bored with walking round my partner (move 1) and then standing there while he walked around me (move 2) and I hate "duck" moves anyway (move 3 was basket, step forward then duck backwards under lead's arm, bashing head on way because you can't b****y see).

I dunno - cheesy moves are what you make them. Even the shoulder drop thing can probably be done with a certain amount of style.

And what's wrong with walkarounds? They're the best chance you get as a follower to interpret the music - the leader is saying to you "do what you want, take your time, use any steps you want, just walk around me in this direction". So you can do footwork shines, slow walks, wiggles, fast walks - anything you want. I love walkarounds

[Sparkles]

maybe I should post "ALL duck moves" on the Moves from Hell thread

A fellow 'ducking moves' hater
They're such a stupid idea - unless you've practiced them with your partner and know they're coming.
I have quite long hair, and am quite tall, and always find I get tangled up on ducking moves. It's especially difficult on guys with cuffs and wrist watches. I then spend the rest of the dance literally looking like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards with my hair pulling so much I'm in pain - and then the guy looks at you weirdly when you want to stop and sort yourself out before continuing with the dance!

All ducking moves should be banned in freestyle IMHO.

S. x

[robd]

And what's wrong with walkarounds?

Nothing. I like them because as a lead there isn't a lot you can do to **** it up! The fact that the 'man down on one knee' walkaround really embarasses my partner doesn't have any bearing on how regularly I choose to lead it with her...

Robert

[LMC]

And what's wrong with walkarounds? They're the best chance you get as a follower to interpret the music - the leader is saying to you "do what you want, take your time, use any steps you want, just walk around me in this direction". So you can do footwork shines, slow walks, wiggles, fast walks - anything you want. I love walkarounds

I agree that walkarounds are fun. My complaint was "excess" - you can have too much of a good thing. Three moves in one intermediate class. Two were walkarounds. After 25 minutes that just got booooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring.

All ducking moves should be banned in freestyle IMHO.

And if they are banned in freestyle then there's no point teaching them is there?

[JoC]

All ducking moves should be banned in freestyle IMHO.

I'm finding these easier to follow with time, now the lead only has to shout 'duck' at me sometimes instead of all the time.
But then I'm a shortie so that's maybe an advantage. I find it trickier when a large gentleman partner does the ducking under my arm, which is maybe easy for you taller ladies?

[MartinHarper]

What's wrong with walkarounds?

I like 'em in freestyle. They're a little less fun in class, as they have to be done in X beats, and one full revolution, which hinders the playing.

[JoC]

And what's wrong with walkarounds? They're the best chance you get as a follower to interpret the music - the leader is saying to you "do what you want, take your time, use any steps you want, just walk around me in this direction". So you can do footwork shines, slow walks, wiggles, fast walks - anything you want

I just hope it's not too annoying when a follower is in the process of trying out things to do during a walkaround cos I'm sure I'm looking like a right prat doing these at the moment Having fun trying though