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General
Dance Tips for Beginners
***See this link for a demonstration - Salsa Basic step ***
- Step on
the ball of the foot, and then lower the heel, regardless of the
direction you are moving i.e. don’t step onto your heel
first
- Keep feet
as close as possible to the floor i.e. don’t stomp around.
Keeping feet close to the floor also reduces the chances of stepping
onto another dancer's feet - very painful!
- Be sure
to fully transfer your weight so you get good hip movement, especially
on the pauses on beats 4 & 8 (in ballroom this is called ‘ball
change’) - don't just stretch your foot out & back in
again!
- Dance from
your centre and try not to take all of you weight forwards/back
on the mambo step, not lunging but dancing from the hips
- Try not to
have the stiff “broom up the proverbial” posture -
your torso should remain upright & chest open while dancing,
but keep your shoulders relaxed
Be comfortable, keep knees ever so slightly bent/relaxed &
keep your weight slightly forwards on your chest so your hips
move
- When performing
the basics, try to move around, turning slightly to the right
or left so you are actually dancing instead of just moving forward
& back like a robot!
- Use a ‘clean’
steady lead
The follower needs to be able to know what you want her to do
so keep arm movements when leading easy to follow i.e. do not
pump the arms about or make circular motions like you are washing
dishes!
- Look at
your partner's face, make some eye contact & smile occasionally!
Don't look towards the ceiling or the floor, and even if you are
bored, try not to look it!!!
- Part of the
fun of dancing is that it is ‘non-verbal’ communication
- communicate what you want the follower to do using your growing
skills in leading, not by saying “I’m going to turn
you now” as this invites her to lead herself
- Keep arms
slightly tensed (no "spaghetti arms") with some gentle
pressure between the partners. This pressure makes it possible
to perform moves & lead correctly. Although during complex
turns, dancers should relax the arms to let them move freely –
don’t worry, it all comes with practice!
- If you ask
someone to dance & they say no, remember it can be for a variety
of reasons… don’t get offended or disheartened –
maybe the other person is genuinely tired & needs a breather!
If they keep saying no to you repeatedly then simple - don’t
ask them again!
- Don't grip
your partner too tightly. This applies to both leaders and followers!
Leaders generally keep your thumbs ‘open’ - it doesn't
take much force for a thumb pressing against the back of someone's
hand to feel uncomfortable
- Follower
should carry most of her own weight and provide most of her own
turning power – don’t be a sack of potatoes waiting
for him to drag you around!
- When you
do ask someone to dance start with basic turns before trying anything
too fancy. Maybe watch how they dance with other people first
so you have an idea of what they can do...
- Leaders please
be careful when turning your follower.On
double/multiple spins remember too many turns in succession in
a single direction may make the follower dizzy (I sometimes keep
my free hand as a guiding hand to frame her when I am leading
just in case)
- Dance etiquette
- be considerate on the dance floor! Try not to take up too much
space or barge into other dancers. If the floor id crowded don't
attempt fancy moves, dips and drops before making sure its safe
to to so
- The faster
the music, the smaller the steps should be
The more crowded the floor, the smaller the steps should be
- Don’t
say “sorry” all the time – it’s just a
dance! We all have to learn somewhere and mistakes are part of
learning, so don’t stress & smile when you or your partner
make a mistake… enjoy it!
- Wear
deodourant!!! You would think people wouldn't need to
be told... ;-)
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