dancing

[dagibbs]

So, my partner and I have been talking about taking dancing lessons for a few years now and just last week a local dance school called DV up and offered her a free introductory package -- 2 1/2 hour private lessons, a 1 hour group lesson, and a free "social" dance.

So, we went for the first 1/2 hour private lesson, basically introductory -- did the basic steps for about 5 dances -- waltz, foxtrot, rhumba, swing and tango. It looks to be a lot of fun, and we're probably going to pursue it, not all the dances initially, but select one, learn it, then pick the next. Should be fun.

Comments

[mikepictor.livejournal.com]

Speaking from experience, start with group lessons. Don't even bother with private unless you want to prepare for something in paticular (like first dance at a wedding). Groups are cheaper, and really, more useful when you are learning basics. At the beginning, you really need to just burn some time walking basic patterns over and over and over. You don't need an instructor watching you the whole time, just some of the time, and you can see what other people in the group are doing. Private lessons aren't worth it unless you have money to burn, until you are least level 5 or so. That's my opinion though.

Boy I would love to get back to ballroom. I suspect I have forgotten at least a third of what I had learned.

Yay dancing!

[buttongirl.livejournal.com]

Hey David, I don't know if you will get this it is so late....

But I totally second everything that Ansfrid said. Groups are great for learning if you are going to continue your lessons. Generally you will be learning a couple of dances at once- it helps to switch off now and agian- one's brain gets full and stuck on things. Switching tempo can often help. ALso, many patterns are related between dances, but are easier in one dance than another. They work out the lessons to deal with that so you have a better chance of getting things.

and go find the movie "Dance with me" in japanese with subtitles. IT is GREAT!. I can lend it you if you can't find a rental of it.

Dance! Dance!