Type in your Search Term

1. What ARE Learning Plateaus?
2. What, exactly, is a Country and Western dancer?
3. How important is Dance Frame and Posture?
4. What's the Definition Of Moves, Patterns and Choreography?
5. How Can I Improve My Dancing?
6. What's The Lady's Role in Dancing?
7. What Is Defined As ...Leading and Following?
8. What is the secret to becoming better balanced in your dancing?
9. Want a quick way to spice up your dancing?

---

 

What, exactly, is a Country and Western dancer?

 

"We are Country-Western dancers... "
 
If you are, what kind of reaction do you get when you tell someone this? We always need to produce a further explanation. Most non-dancers think this means "Square Dancer". Most "Ballroom" dancers think "Line Dancer".
 
The same goes for "Swing Dancers". Most think of "Lindy"
 
We know several good dancers who are all of the above and more. But, many of our dance friends only fit in one or two groups. If this is you, consider expanding your dance ability by trying something different. It's all dancing and it's all social. Then you can be a versatile dancer.
 
Below we compiled a little list of the various types of social dancers. This list is not all inclusive as I am not the authority on this subject. This is a basis for a more comprehensive list that I would like everyone to add to.

C & W Couples Dancers
C/W couples dancer - Primarily dances Two-Step, C/W Polka, Triple-Two Step (or sometimes known as shuffle) as well as Slow Waltz, Cha, Night Club (NC2), and various Swings. Like Ballroom dancers the C/W couples dancers use the entire floor and observe the same line of dance. C/W couples dancers may also have "Ballroom" dance experience.

C and W Partner Dancers
C/W partner dancer - Many, many pattern dances, with a partner, mostly around the perimeter of the floor. Some examples are the Traveling Cha-Cha, Side Kick, Tennessee Walk, Sway and Desperado Wrap. Not much, if any, lead and follow. Everyone hopefully knows their footwork.

Line Dancers
Line Dancer - At first line dancing was danced to pop music. The ones we remember were the "Stroll" and much later "Cruising" and the "Electric Slide". A few years ago the line dancing moved into C/W music and then added pop and everything else with a beat. Although this form of dancing is usually attributed to ladies without dance partners there are many men and couples who line dance. On larger floors, with compatible music, line dancing can co-exist with couples and partner dancing, on smaller floors there will be a conflict. Lately line dancing has moved away from C/W music and toward more music that emphasizes a stronger steady beat. Line dancing is also rapidly evolving into a dance filled with every increasing complex patterns. In the clubs, there is still a large majority of line dancers who favor the older standards but many new line dancers are learning a completely new line dance each week.

Swing Dancers
Swing Dancer - This very popular dance form is all American in origin. A partial list of "Swing" dances include: Jitterbug, Lindy, West Coast Swing, Carolina Shag, Jive, East coast or Triple Swing, DC Hand Dance, and, maybe Hustle. All Swing dancing is currently very popular. The swing most Ballroom Dancers are taught is Triple-Swing and sometimes Jive. C/W dancers learn WCS first and very seldom Jive. Swing dancers are split between WCS and Lindy.  
Carolina Shag dancers, Lindy Dancers and DC Hand Dancers are the most social of the swing dancers and have a culture all their own. Hustle is cool but there are too many opinions on the correct form. In our opinion the Detroit or Street Hustle is the best Fast Tempo Hustle around. Four count Hustle is useless except when used to vary your Meringue. The best part about being a "Swing Dancer" is that you can co-exist with most other "Swing Dancers".

Ballroom Dancers
Ballroom Dancers - This is a broad based tag placed on dancers that mostly learn some very standard couples dances usually in dance studios. Ballroom dancers can be trained in the International Style or American style or both. International style dancers can dance mostly the Standard dances (Foxtrot, Waltz, etc) or Latin dances (Cha, Rumba, Jive, etc.) or both. American Style dancers can dance mostly the Smooth dances (Foxtrot, Waltz, etc.) or Rhythm Dances (Cha, Rumba, Swing, etc.) or both. Unlike C/W, Line and Swing dancers there are few places outside the studios where Ballroom music is played. 

 

Back to Top

---

 

How important is Dance Frame and Posture?

A good dance frame along with good posture will improve the looks of any dancer. How good is your posture and frame? If you are brave, set up a video camera and tape yourself dancing. If you haven't done this before it may be an eye opener. Most of us imagine ourselves as better looking dancers than what we see on video but fortunately our fellow dancers are usually less critical. A few tips to improve our frame and posture are listed below:

1. Keep your shoulders relaxed.
2. For the most part keep your elbows lower.
3. Keep you head further back, more over your spine rather than your chest.
4. Keep you and your partner's combined frame balanced. When in closed dance frame your combined frame should look balanced from right side to left.
5. For the most part keep your feet under your body when moving across the floor.
6. Smaller clean, controlled steps are better than large awkward ones.
7. Learn to use your body position and movements to reflect the character of each dance. Think of acting out the dance as well as dancing with your feet.
8. When leading, try to accomplish the lead with as little visible effort as possible.
9. When following, avoid thinking about what each lead means. Learn to just react.
10. Pay attention to how your total image reflects in your dance appearance. You may be a good dancer and have perfect timing but if you have bad posture or dress sloppy that is enough to ruin how you look on the dance floor.
11. Don't hang on your partner. Your frame is yours alone. No death grips also.
12. Smile, this shouldn't be painful so don't look the part.
13. Guys, keep you right hand where it belongs on the lady's back. And don't spread those fingers apart.
14. Everyone worries about getting stepped on. They need to worry more about elbows and thumbs. They cause more pain than feet ever did.

Back to Top

---

 

What's the Definition Of Moves, Patterns and Choreography?

These are terms used throughout all types of dancing. Many who are new to dancing can only guess at their meaning and how each relates to dancing. To keep things basic we will only refer to the above terms as related to couples dancing. There are probably more profound explanations for the above terms but below is my interpretations of them.
 
Moves - These are the basic building blocks in the art of giving your dancing some variety. Most moves that you first learn should be related to basic patterns of the dance. In WCS the first moves learned are the "Sugar Push", "Right Side Pass" and "Left Side Pass". Usually a basic "Eight Count Whip" is learned next. Further simple moves build off these. All dances start with basic moves. Some relate to several different dances. The "Box Step" is a basic move that is learned by all beginning dancers and can be used in several different "Smooth" and "Rhythm" dances. When you learn a different move it's important to learn the proper technique associated with that dance. Ask any experienced dancer and they will tell you how hard it is to un-learn (is that a word) bad technique.  
 
Patterns - Some dancers interchange this term with "moves" I do also but it really refers to what happens when you link a couple of basic moves together. An example is when you dance right and left "Cross Over Breaks" in Cha-Cha and add in a Lady's Spot Turn. (I call this a Military Turn). Another example is a "Triple Twinkle" in Waltz and Foxtrot. For you Two-Steppers, "Lariats", "Lacing" and "Sliding Doors" are popular patterns.
 
Everyone likes to start dancing patterns. Once learned they become easier to dance. When men first learn a pattern they need to watch out for their partner. Most new men dancers try to put every lady through the new pattern. Just keep in mind that all women dance and react to leads differently. The most admired male dancers not only know enough patterns, but also how to interpret the lady's reaction to the lead. They then make adjustments in frame and footwork reacting to the lady. The most avoided men just plow on ahead virtually ignoring their partner in the quest to finish the pattern.
 
That's just plain bad dancing.
 
Choreography - When advanced couples want to challenge themselves they can learn showcase routines. These are used mostly in studio and club shows as well as competitions. A few couples can put together their own choreography. Most couples rely on professional dance teachers and coaches to supply a made to order choreographed routine. Some of the best choreography has been worked out in advance by the teacher and works well with the chosen music and dance. Choreography worked out "On the Fly" often is hard to execute and more costly in the long run. If you and your partner want to showcase your dancing ask your instructor to teach you a proven choreographed routine. You may be able to purchase such a routine on video tape. If you do, ask about private lessons to help get the right technique. Purchasing and learning a choreographed routine can be very costly. If you want to keep the cost down follow these steps.

1. Get choreography suited to your dance level and physical ability. 
2. Once purchased, learn the routine completely. 
3. Set up periodic coaching lessons to help with technique. 
4. Practice until you master what you were taught. 
5. Videotape yourself repeatedly and compare each time. 
6. Don't schedule another session with the teacher until you are satisfied with what you learned and practiced.

One final word on choreographed routines. Don't use them during social dances unless you and your partner are alone on the floor. No matter how few, other dancers are on the floor you will conflict with each other. Also, If you are competing this is absolutely the worst time to practice.

 

Back to Top

---

 

How Can I Improve My Dancing?

 ...Ten tips for better dancing

1. Comfortable shoes and clothes are a must for dancing. Invest in them.
2. Technique is better than moves. But new moves are still cool; if you've got the technique.
3. Positive attitudes are contagious. So are negative ones. Which do you like?
4. Why do bands and DJ's always announce a Waltz as a slow dance like it's supposed to be less tiring?
5. It's the music that drives the dancing. Good music makes you want to dance. Boring music? Oh well...
6. Introduce yourself to the new dancer. You were there once.
7. You spend both money and time on lessons. Don't waste both by not practicing.
8. Is the lady not getting those leads? Don't lead harder. Lead smarter, earlier, or easier patterns. Often the lady can tell you what to do to fix your lead - or at least give you aclue as to what she was expecting.
9. Better personal grooming makes for a better dance partner.
10. Some learn fast. Some learn slowly. With effort even the turtle arrives. Have patience with yourself and others.

Back to Top

---

 

What's The Lady's Role in Dancing?

In a dance partnership the lady is the follower. This only means that the man sets up the patterns and the lady executes them. If the lady can't dance her part, the partnership suffers.

The lady should dance her part with balance and confidence. The confidence doesn't come with knowing every dance pattern ever thought of. Confidence comes with the knowledge of the dance. Each dance has different characteristics and timing and the lady needs to be familiar with them.

Watch how a good female dancer handles different dances then get on the floor and imagine you are that lady. You don't need to learn all the moves. Just learn what makes the dance work.

Balance, enough can't be said about this subject. Not every lady has great balance but almost everyone can improve with practice. Exercise to improve balance. Work on technique to improve balance. Work on head and hand placement to improve balance. Work on foot placement to improve balance.

• Don't hang on the man.
• Don't rely on the man for balance.
• If you haven't danced with this man before leave the excess styling out of it.
• Don't apologize for not following a move. He may be just as much or more at fault and as long as no one falls down and gets hurt it's not the end of the world.

Work at the technique of following. Some dances move quick and if you need to think about it before following it's too late.

Even if the conditions are not perfect try to make your dancing look good. We are not always blessed with perfect music, partners or floor.

If you plan to continue dancing invest in a pair of dance shoes or dance boots.

Take some lessons. All kinds of lessons are available. There are group classes, workshops and private lessons. Set up something within your budget, then pay attention and practice. Those lessons are expensive so don't waste them by not practicing. Ask a good dancer to help you.

 

Back to Top

---

 

What Is Defined As ...Leading and Following?

If you are dancing with a partner that you have danced with before you probably are aware of how she will follow that lead. If not, then trouble may be brewing. One way that a man can avoid problems with a lady following is to lead better. That doesn't mean stronger! I was told many times that I needed to develop partnering skills. Another instructor called it "follow through" Either way it mean the same. Once you give the lady a lead pay attention to what happens. If you need to adjust your position do so. Not all ladies dance the same like little robots. If the man can't adjust to this then the partnership and dancing is not smooth. Always be aware of where the lady is and adjust to her. Don't try to force the lady to dance the move your way. Give her that indication and pay attention to what happens.
 
This could go on for several pages but to keep it brief here is a list of bad dance habits for men:

1. Un-necessary upper body, hand, arm and/or head movements. If it's not essential to the dance, leave it out. Arm & hand styling is OK but only at a venue that calls for it. (Competitions, showcases, etc.)
2. Too big rock steps. Why are you working that hard to look bad! Keep your feet under your body.
3. Not adjusting to your surroundings. This covers line of dance, dancing big on a crowded floor, walking onto the floor and planting yourself in someone's WCS slot, dancing that showcase pattern no matter who is in the way and a whole host of other social dance bad manners.
4. Trying to impress the new dancer with how many moves you can put her through. Most women like some challenge and enjoy trying out new patterns. However, there is a fine line that shouldn't be crossed. If you will have a chance to dance with the lady several times try to use the first dance to get used to each other's dance styles. Don't throw everything out all at once. Usually on the first dance you will quickly find out how advanced your partner is. And ladies if your partner is new to dancing be patient if he only know a few patterns. At least he is up dancing.
5. Sloppy frame. This includes Item number one but also not having a good enough connection or frame to be able to lead or follow.

Continue to work on your dancing. I still commit many of the dance errors listed above. The only way I can improve my dancing is to work on it. The only way I know what to work on is to pay attention. Watch your own dancing. Ask your instructor. Ask your partner.

 

Back to Top

---

 

What is the secret to becoming better balanced in your dancing?

Turning is used in almost all dances and in Two Step you are both moving and turning. One of the keys used to unlock the secret of good clean turns and spins is balance. Balance, good or poor, will reflect more on your dancing than many other things. Before you get serious about turning you need to master balance.
 
The mechanics of dancing can be broken down into the movement of balancing on one foot to balancing on the other. (Gracefully we hope) A common theme of every instructor is that a good dancer can stop at any point and only have their weight on one foot or the other. When we are walking and stop we usually are stopped with both feet planted firmly. When we are dancing not only are we required to stop with the weight on one foot but often to turn like that as well. If you don't think balance is that important try dancing a very slow Waltz. You will quickly find out how important balance is in your dancing.
 
Working on balance is something that can be done without a partner, can be done at home, and can have more impact on your dancing than any number of moves.
 
So what is the secret to becoming better balanced in your dancing? I can't offer shortcuts but below I've listed several things that can improve your balance. None are easy, all are rewarding.

1. Develop your legs, ankles and feet through exercise.
2. Ask someone who has taken ballet to give you some balance exercises.
3. Improve your posture.
4. Work toward a better and more consistent dance frame.
5. Every time you get off balance on the dance floor ask yourself why.
6. Practice dancing to slower tempo music.
7. Every time you attend a dance lesson or workshop ask about balance.
8. While you are practicing a move, stop and check your foot position. Are your feet in the best position for balance?
9. Are you using your partner for balance?
10. Never quit working on balance. Be tough on yourself and practice.

 

Back to Top

---

 

Want a quick way to spice up your dancing?

Listen to the music... Then dance to it. Almost every dancer has a favorite song but how many of us make our dancing mirror our feelings for that song? Most dance music has a bass or drum keeping things on time but listen to the singer and the rest of the instruments as well.
 
We all know about keeping our dancing on time with the music but just how strict should that be? To get a good idea of what works listen to a good Frank Sinatra recording. Does he sing on time? Watch a competition couple dance a polished choreographed routine. Are they dancing on perfect time? Go rent a Fred Astaire movie. Most of his dancing involved tap routines but watch his hands, head and facial expressions as well his feet.
 
Like good singing your dancing can flow around the music. Once you are comfortable enough with the dance try to experiment with this technique. If you take lessons ask your teacher about this added part of your dancing.
Learning a choreographed showcase dance can help with this concept.
 
This concept will be most visible in a Rhythm dances like Swing and West Coast Swing (WCS). Watch how an extremely fast movement is followed by a slow movement or a hesitation. Watch how the dancers mirror the flow of the music. That doesn't mean you need to get so far away from the music that your dance partner starts fighting for control. But start paying attention to where in that special song you can use that favorite dance move. If you don't count the phrasing of that good West-Coast Swing song listen to it again and count.

 

Back to Top