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Thread: Can you help me with blues?

  1. #1

    Can you help me with blues?

    Hi all
    May I call upon your collective wisdom?

    I am just starting to learn about blues but I've never actually seen what it's supposed to look like. I had a quick google for blues dancing video clips but I got Eiffel 65 "Blue" about a million times and songs by the band Blue.

    We were told to turn the lady out then bring her back into a close hold straight away but I keep bumping right into the men and I'm not sure if my next step should be forwards or backwards after they have caught me again? Is there a rule?

    Big thanks to anyone who can help me.

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    Registered User Lynn's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Hopefully someone else can help with links - but the best thing is to go to any venue where blues music is playing and just watch. Listen to the music and see what the dancers are doing with it. Blues is all about feeling and interpreting the music, rather than 'set moves'. I love it.
    Quote Originally Posted by Green-eyed Monsta
    We were told to turn the lady out then bring her back into a close hold straight away but I keep bumping right into the men and I'm not sure if my next step should be forwards or backwards after they have caught me again? Is there a rule?
    If you are referring to the 'standard' blues hold, then its usually in close (as close as you feel comfortable - the woman can control how close with her left hand on the man's shoulder, gently push if closer than comfortable, though head on the man's shoulder if its late and you're tired is really nice!) and a gentle shift of weight from foot to foot (not really moving your feet much or stepping forwards or backwards) in time with the music - then out into whatever the next move is.

    Relax, feel the music, enjoy.

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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Green-eyed Monsta
    We were told to turn the lady out then bring her back into a close hold straight away but I keep bumping right into the men and I'm not sure if my next step should be forwards or backwards after they have caught me again? Is there a rule?
    no. - there is no "rule" that's any different from normal (MJ) dancing. Just go where you are led. If you are not being led to a forward or backward step, then stay in place.
    Steps tend to be smaller; more a transfer of weight from one foot to the other - any bigger steps should be fairly obvious in the lead.

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    Am empathising with GEM...

    answer by PM is good...

    I am aware that, in blues rooms, I tend to do "same stuff, just slower" as opposed to "blues."

    Would anyone have the time/inclination to give me a little guidance, please? Maybe even a half hour sesh to show me some stuff, give me the confidence to try (and bollox) some things...

    Thank you.

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    Registered User Yogi_Bear's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Green-eyed Monsta
    Hi all
    May I call upon your collective wisdom?

    I am just starting to learn about blues but I've never actually seen what it's supposed to look like. I had a quick google for blues dancing video clips but I got Eiffel 65 "Blue" about a million times and songs by the band Blue.

    We were told to turn the lady out then bring her back into a close hold straight away but I keep bumping right into the men and I'm not sure if my next step should be forwards or backwards after they have caught me again? Is there a rule?

    Big thanks to anyone who can help me.
    Well, there are sure to be a number of threads on the Forum on this subject, so here are just a few words from me.

    Of course blues is a philosophy and not a dance but as commonly taught at weeekenders and workshops there seems to be a core element of close hold steps (I would hesitate to call them moves). In standard close hold facing partner these would include small steps to one side and the other, pivot turns clockwise, stepping forward and back, and some similar back and forward moves with the woman's back to the man, again in close hold.

    When applied to suitable moden jive music there may be the opportunity to break into MJ movers and then back into close hold, for example by using a slingshot exit from close hold to open, and a blocked travelling return to return to close hold. Of course, depending on the music, the couple could well dance in close hold throughout with minimal movement.

    I agree - watch people dancing to blues and experience that way - or get hold of a copy of a blues class given at a weekender. PM me if you'd like more info.
    I hope this helps a little.
    Ian

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    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gadget
    no. - there is no "rule" that's any different from normal (MJ) dancing. Just go where you are led. If you are not being led to a forward or backward step, then stay in place.
    See, that's a difference already

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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    it is? Which bit?

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    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    The bit where the follower should stand still if not being led - in practical terms, that's the most frustrating thing about trying to lead someone in Blues, who's used to jumping around in MJ. They keep moving!

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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Any handy tips on here would be appreciated by me!

    I have thoroughly enjoyed the little blues experience i have had...and simply slowing down ceroc moves is the majority of that experience but would love to learn more!

    I could not help but notice that Gadget is quite the blues mover and was commented on by freya for such.....any tips you can give me for leading it?

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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Green-eyed Monsta
    Hi all

    I am just starting to learn about blues but I've never actually seen what it's supposed to look like.
    David Rokov & Val Forsey have produced 3 Blues dance dvd's - beginners, intermediate and advanced. Visit:
    http://www.ceroc.com/members/videos.htm
    Workshop this Sat. 29th. More info:
    http://www.uk-jive.co.uk/org-details.asp?OrgID=330

    Absolute Blues Workshop with Howard & Nicola
    Sunday 20 August
    http://www.ceroclondon.com/specialist.htm

    Hope this helps.

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    Registered User Beowulf's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel
    David Rokov & Val Forsey have produced 3 Blues dance dvd's - beginners, intermediate and advanced. Visit:
    http://www.ceroc.com/members/videos.htm
    Have just ordered me one of these.. and an intermediate one too.. tell me though ,, does the ceroc shop always ask you to log in after you order something?

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    Registered User Yogi_Bear's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dazzler
    Any handy tips on here would be appreciated by me!

    I have thoroughly enjoyed the little blues experience i have had...and simply slowing down ceroc moves is the majority of that experience but would love to learn more!

    I could not help but notice that Gadget is quite the blues mover and was commented on by freya for such.....any tips you can give me for leading it?
    Unfortunately learning Ceroc does not prepare you to dance blues. Most Ceroc moves do not work even if slowed down and the tendency to keep the body moving all the time does not help. The good news is that some Ceroc moves can be made to work when slowed down to the right speed. The first move, the travelling return and the sway are examples. In particular the travelling return is a good means of managing the transition in our out of blues from MJ, and allows your partner lots of time to improvise. The sway is a basis for mirroring some of the blues danced in the standard close hold, partners facing.

    To lead into blues, assuming you are already dancing in Ceroc mode, I would suggest find the right time to lead a travelling return; as your partner passes to your right hand side slow her down with your right hand on her back and swivel round to face, going into a blues close hold and transferring your weight onto your right foot. But it’s easier to start the dance in close hold and only open out into Ceroc moves when the music suggests that you should.

    Alternatively the first move can be used to lead your partner into a blues close hold (for example follow her round as she passes your right side, or draw her in close as she comes back to face).

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    Commercial Operator Gus's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel
    David Rokov & Val Forsey have produced 3 Blues dance dvd's - beginners, intermediate and advanced. Visit:
    http://www.ceroc.com/members/videos.htm
    Workshop this Sat. 29th. More info:
    http://www.uk-jive.co.uk/org-details.asp?OrgID=330

    Absolute Blues Workshop with Howard & Nicola
    Sunday 20 August
    http://www.ceroclondon.com/specialist.htm

    Hope this helps.
    Or if you live outside London ( ) we do a regular series of Blues workshops (from Beginners to Improvers) at Blitz Chester ... or come along to the North of England Blues champs at Northwich on Aug 19th (shameless plug ).

    If you are stuck dawn Srf I would highly recommend either Nigel (the Godfather of Blues) or Dave & Val's workshops. None compare (IMHO) .

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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Have a look around this website:

    http://www.bluesdance.org.uk/4599.html

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    Lovely Moderator ducasi's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Beowulf1970
    Have just ordered me one of these.. and an intermediate one too.. tell me though ,, does the ceroc shop always ask you to log in after you order something?
    Does it still do that?
    Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story

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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Quote Originally Posted by Yogi_Bear
    Unfortunately learning Ceroc does not prepare you to dance blues. Most Ceroc moves do not work even if slowed down and the tendency to keep the body moving all the time does not help. The good news is that some Ceroc moves can be made to work when slowed down to the right speed. The first move, the travelling return and the sway are examples. In particular the travelling return is a good means of managing the transition in our out of blues from MJ, and allows your partner lots of time to improvise. The sway is a basis for mirroring some of the blues danced in the standard close hold, partners facing.

    To lead into blues, assuming you are already dancing in Ceroc mode, I would suggest find the right time to lead a travelling return; as your partner passes to your right hand side slow her down with your right hand on her back and swivel round to face, going into a blues close hold and transferring your weight onto your right foot. But it’s easier to start the dance in close hold and only open out into Ceroc moves when the music suggests that you should.

    Alternatively the first move can be used to lead your partner into a blues close hold (for example follow her round as she passes your right side, or draw her in close as she comes back to face).

    Thanks mate.....will try putting this into practice...any ladies wanna be my guinea pig on saturday night?...

  17. #17
    Registered User Yogi_Bear's Avatar
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    Re: Can you help me with blues?

    Heck, poor proof reading, my post should have read 'transferring your weight onto your left foot'.....
    Anyway, I hope it all helps.

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