Ballroom Dancing Classes

This posting provides tips to help us remember the ballroom dance steps we learn in ballroom dancing classes or in private dance lessons.

Have you been going to ballroom dancing classes and had this experience?  You think you are doing really well, you can follow the ballroom dance steps the instructor is teaching you and when you come back next week, you cannot remember a thing that you learned the week before?  Don’t worry, you are not alone.  I’m like that too so I developed many techniques to help me remember and have the information sink into my long term memory.

I have used all the tips below as I am notorious for forgetting ballroom dance steps as soon as I’m out of class!

Tip#1 – Take notes.

This has been very helpful to me.  The abbreviations I use are RF (right foot), LF (left foot), RH (right hand), LH (left hand),S (slow), Q (quick), H (heel), T (toe), B (ball).

Take notes on the timing if it’s different from the norm.  Eg: in American Tango, it is not always SS QQS.  The timing for Open Fan is SS& QQ&S SS& QQS.

Take notes on footwork if it’s tricky eg: American Foxtrot has an interesting lilt action in the Bronze figures on the QQ in steps 3 & 4 of the basic figures.  For the Basic figure, the leader’s footwork for step 3 is HT (heel toe) and step 4 is TH (toe heel).  The follower’s footwork is THT (toe heel toe), step 4 is TH (toe heel).

Take notes when the figure is long and has lots in it.  Just boil it down into the elements.  For example, in American Bolero, the Romantic Sways figure is long – 8 measures.  But it is made up of simple elements starting with  alternating side rocks and forward rocks until the 5th measure which has a strong swivel action into a check and UAT turn for the follower and UAT for the leader.

Tip#2 – relate the name of the figure to the main action

Try to relate the name of the figure to something that makes sense to you.  And remember either the key lead element or for followers, the key lead they should be responding to.

For example, if the figure is Outside Partner Breaks in American Rumba, outside partner means the leader and follower are stepping outside each other.  The lead into this figure is by the leader taking a side and slightly forward step with the LF (left foot).  The key to leading this is the LF “side and slightly forward” and turning the body 1/8 left.  If it was just a LF side step, the leader will still be in closed position with the follower and there would be no way for the leader to step outside the follower’s feet.

Or if it is the Slow Underarm Turn (UAT) in the Waltz or the Rumba, the “Slow” part reminds me that the follower is completing the turn over many steps insead of the usual 2 steps like in spot turns.  I call it the12 step program as this figure has 12 steps.  The lead is in steps 3 and 5.  Release RH on step 3, raise LH on step 5 like you are waving to a friend (this is the prep for an UAT).

Tip#3 – video the dance steps

This is so much easier nowadays as cell phones and digital cameras have video capability.  Just make sure you have a narrative with it describing the name of the figure and important lead and follow elements.  You can ask the instructor if you can tape during the class or you can tape yourself or your friend(s) after class repeating the dance steps.

Tip#4 – buy the DVIDA syllabus

This has worked really well for me but I know other students who got completely overwhelmed with the DVIDA syllabus manuals.  And it only works if your instructor is teaching from this syllabus.  If you are with Arthur Murray or Fred Astaire, they have their own syllabus.  When learning a new figure, I make notes in the syllabus on the different variations.  

Not all teachers teach accurately to the syllabus.  There are many reasons for this – some are teaching the old version of the syllabus, some are teaching a more practical application of the figure or some just plain don’t know.  I teach the latest syllabus figures and then if there are variations, I will teach that too so my students who social dance can dance with anyone and not freak out when they are dancing with some one who is dancing the figure slightly differently.

Tip#5 – buy the DVIDA DVDs

This also works well for me but it is more expensive.  The DVDs do not cover as much technical elements as the manuals but is good for a quick refresher.

Tip#6 – review the ballroom dance steps immediately after the lesson or on the same day

If you don’t review it immediately or on the same day, you will most likely forget it unless you have super duper memory.  So immediately after class, stay behind if you can and walk through everything you have just learned.  Or as soon as you get home, go through the ballroom dance steps you just learned.

Tip#7 - find a way to use it when social dancing that week

This is easier for leaders as you get to lead what you want.  So keep practising that same figure you have just learned with every lady you dance with.  For followers, ask the leaders if they would mind leading you in the figure that you have just learned.  You will find the leaders to be very accomodating if you say you are learning, want to improve and would he mind leading you in that figure several times.

Tip#8 - teach it to somebody else

This is the best one for me!  Teaching it to someone else really solidifies it in my brains.  This is one of the reasons why I teach.  The other is because I love helping others grow and learn something new that’s going to make their lives better.  

When I was still an amateur, after ballroom dancing classes, I would rush over to my close friend’s house and go over the choreography or figures I just learned and teach it to her.   We would practise until we got it and laugh ourselves silly.

I hope these tips will help you remember the ballroom dance steps you are learning in your ballroom dancing classes.  I would love to hear from you, please enter your feedback or questions in the comments box below.

Technorati Tags: American Bolero., American Foxtrot, American Rumba, ballroom dance steps, ballroom dancing classes, DVIDA syllabus, Outside Partner Breaks, private dance lessons, Slow Underarm Turn

What can be confusing for beginners taking Ballroom Dancing Classes is deciding on which style to get started in.  This article explains the differences between International Latin Ballroom Dancing and other styles like American Rhythm, American Smooth or International Standard and how to choose the style is that right for you.

There are 2 main styles danced in the US.  International Style and American Style.  In the American Ballroom social dancing scene, American style is danced at social ballroom parties.  There are some smaller social groups that dance International style but that’s rare.  Social ballroom dancing is mainly dance in the US.  The rest of the world do not dance Ballroom socially like we do here, they train in International Style and compete or take their medal exams.  I would love to hear from you if you have examples where social ballroom dancing is happening outside of America – what I mean by social is true leading and following, men and women turning up at a dance party and dancing with each other and not couples dancing a routine together.

American style is also danced in competitions, but only in the US.  American style is also only taught in Ballroom dancing classes or private dance lessons only in the US.

International style ballroom has 2 divisions - International Latin and International Standard.  This is the style danced in competitions throughout the world including the US.

International Latin Ballroom Dancing is made up of the following dances - Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Paso Doble and Jive.  The International Latin technique is different from American Cuban Motion for Rumba and Cha-Cha.  International Latin  is danced on a straight leg ie. every step for Rumba and Cha-Cha is danced on a straight leg with weight transfer completely over the leg.  American Cuban Motion is on a bent leg ie. every step for Rumba and Cha-Cha is danced with a bent leg or flexed knee, the weight transfer is delayed until after the beat usually on the ‘&’ counts.  International Rumba timing is danced with the Slow on the 4-1 counts and a slower tempo than American Rumba which is danced with the Slow on the 1-2 counts.  The technique for Samba is the same for both International and American styles.  Paso Doble and Jive is unique to International Latin Ballroom Dancing.

Here is a link to the Michael and Joanna dancing International Style Rumba.  They are ranked #1 in the World in International Latin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgEX9UHiqVM&feature=related

International Standard Ballroom Dancing is made up of the following dances - Waltz, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Tango and Quickstep.  The International Standard technique is the same as American Smooth.  The International Standard figures are mainly in closed position and because it’s not danced socially, uses a body contact closed position hold.  Amercian Smooth has many figures which are in open positions and because it is danced socially, the hold can vary from body contact to 3-8 inches apart between a couple.  There appears to be a discrepancy in the timing of the Slow counts between Standard and Smooth. In Standard, the Slow count is danced on count 2.  In Smooth – the Slow is danced on count 1.  I was told by Ron Montez (my old coach and well known judge and ballroom TV host) that this is sometimes taught as beginner timing (Bronze).  In observation and interviews with many other Smooth instructors, this is due to lack of good technique training of their part.  They are teaching Smooth Silver and Gold figures (advanced) and still dancing the Slow on count 1.  I have had to fix the timing of many of my more advanced students and this was a difficult process for them.  It’s easier with beginners as I teach them the correct timing from the start.

American Rhythm is made up of the following dances – Rumba, Cha-Cha, Bolero, East Coast Swing and  Mambo.  These five dances are the core competition dances.  The other dances are Merengue, West Coast Swing, Samba and Salsa.  Rumba, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Merengue and Salsa uses the same technique – American Cuban motion.  East Coast Swing utilises Swing Hop action, Samba technique is the same as International Samba.  Bolero is unique to American style – utilising cuban motion and rise and fall.

American Smooth is made up of the following dances - Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz.  The technique is the same as International Standard but danced a lot in open positions.

There is a recent new category called Nightclub dances which is made up of Nightclub Two-Step, Hustle, Lindy Hop, Salsa and Argentine Tango.

Each of these Ballroom Dancing styles comes with a syllabus with 10-15 figures each for Bronze (beginner), Silver (intermediate) and Gold (advanced) levels.  Learning the syllabus figures first is like learning the abc’s of a new language.  You will learn important ballroom dance elements and ballroom dance steps which are then put together into figures.  Just like using the alphabet to make a word.  Then when you dance the figures in a particular sequence, you have choreography – just like stringing words together to form sentences, into paragraphs into a song, poem or book.

There are several different syllabuses out there – DVIDA, NDCA, ISTD, Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire etc and for each, many revisions.  Don’t let the many differences worry you.  I have found that my focus on learning the ballroom dance elements well instead of just ballroom dance steps means that I can adapt easily to any syllabus.  It’s just a variance or a resequencing of something I already know.  I teach ballroom dance elements to my beginners and I find that they can easily adapt and adjust much faster than other dance students who only memorised figures and ballroom dance steps but did not understand the ballroom dance elements that made up the figures.  That’s like learning how to speak a new language by memorising the words of a song.  You do not understand what the words mean and therefore you cannot apply it to create another song, use the words in conversation or even create your own words.  This is why my beginner students can dance 4 different dances in 1-2 months and 8 different dances in 3-6 months. 

It is generally easier for a total beginner to start with the American style dances.  This is because it is more forgiving from a movement and technique perspective.  International style requires a certain proficiency in coordination to begin with.  You also need to be clear on your goals …. if you wish to social dance, go out and have fun and meet other dancers, start with the American style.  International style dancers don’t social dance.  If you wish to compete and/or do shows or eventually turn pro, start with International style.  You can also start with American style if you wish to compete only in the US.  If you want to look good, the technique training in International style is best.  That is why I always stood out as a social dancer … I invested in good technique training in International style.

The term Latin Ballroom dancing is rather broad and can encompass either the International Latin Rumba- Cha-Cha, Samba, Paso Doble or Jive or American Rhythm dances – Rumba, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Salsa, Bolero, Merengue, Samba or East Coast Swing.

For anyone learning to ballroom dance, I don’t recommend only learning one dance in your Ballroom Dancing classes or private dance lessons.  There are so many cross-training benefits from learning both Rhythm and Smooth or Latin and Standard.  Once you get the foundation in, then specialise if you wish.  I will cover the reasons why in an upcoming article.

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Ballroom dancing classes – how wearing ballroom dancing shoes will advance your dancing faster and add to the fun.

What makes a big difference to your enjoyment and advancement in ballroom dancing classes and ballroom dancing in general is your footwear.  Just like a musician with their musical instrument, a dancer’s musical instrument are their ballroom dancing shoes.

If you are attending ballroom dancing classes in your bare feet, flip-flops, sneakers, tennis shoes, running shoes, stilettos, platform shoes, boots, slippers, dress shoes etc. you are doing yourself a big disservice in your efforts to learn how to ballroom dance.  

Why?  Because you are spending hours dancing on your feet and if you are wearing street shoes instead of ballroom dancing shoes, you are practicing incorrectly and also experiencing the following problems:

• slipping on dance floor - most leather soled and some synthectic soled street shoes are slippery on a wood floor.  Most ballroom dancing classes are held on wood dance floors.  This is even more dangerous for beginners as beginners are generally not as balanced.  You may slip, fall or twist your ankles especially when wearing high-heeled street shoes.  A lot of high-heeled street shoes are not constructed well to balance the body over the heels.  Turning, spinning swivelling, or any fast changes of directions becomes scary.
• sticking to dance floor - most sneakers, tennis shoes etc or shoes with rubber soles will ‘stick’ to the wood dance floor and make it difficult for you to move your feet quickly.  East Coast Swing, Salsa/Mambo, Jive, Cha-Cha, Samba, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep will be particularly challenging because of the speed of these dances.  You will have difficulty executing the correct  technique as you will need to glide from foot to foot and articulate your feet from Heel to Toe or Toe to Heel or using the inside edge of your foot etc .  In ballroom dancing, other than tango and jive, we do not pick up our feet when we move from step to step.  You will also have difficulty changing directions like in pivoting, turning, spinning or swivelling and may hurt your knees when you try to use your upper body to compensate for your feet not turning.
• clunky or stomping - you feel really clumsy, your feet feel large and clunky and you feel like you are clumping or stomping through your steps.  You are most likely dancing in tennis shoes.  Tennis shoes are bulky so you will never be able to close your feet properly – the bulk gets in the way.  This will encourage bad habits as you will always dance with your feet and legs apart even when it’s supposed to be closed in particular steps.  Platform shoes also have this similar clunky effect due to the extra weight and lack of flex in the soles of the shoes.  For men wearing tennis shoes you will keep running into the sides of the lady’s feet when you are trying to step between their feet.  Men’s dress shoes are also clunky as they are wider than men’s ballroom dance shoes.
• stubbed toes or ripped toe nails - this happens to most ladies who insist on wearing open toe shoes while dancing with beginner leaders.  The leaders are just learning how to lead and if they are not taught proper technique, they will invariably step on the lady’s feet.  If the ladies are wearing open toe shoes, this will result in pain and quite often, a ripped toe nail.  So ladies, please wear closed toe shoes when dancing with beginner men.  Men – learn the technique on how to lead properly from the start and you will never step on a lady’s toes.

Ballroom dancing shoes are specially constructed so they are balanced in the right places especially over the arch and heels of your feet.  They also flex in the right places and have suede bottoms.   

eg: of Lady’s Latin Ballroom dancing shoes with flexible arch

Ballroom dancing shoes fit your feet like a glove and there is no bulky material around your feet so you can close your feet properly.  On ballroom dance floors, suede bottoms provide the best combination of glide and grip capability.  Better ballroom dancing shoes are very flexible and allow you to articulate your feet ie. ‘point’ your feet, articulate from heel to the ball of your feet to your toes or inside edge of ball of foot to whole foot or combinations thereof.  

eg: of Men’s Latin Ballroom dancing shoes with flexible arch and Cuban heel.

This articulation of your feet is important in developing your ability to dance and is what will allow you to develop grace, fluidity and power in your dancing.  It all starts in your feet and good ballroom dancing shoes.  Every ballroom dance has specific techniques when it comes to foot articulation (footwork) to show the character of the dance.  Waltz and Foxtrot uses Heel Toe, Toe, Toe Heel, Toe Heel Toes etc.  Salsa uses Ball Flat.  Tango uses Heel, Toe Heel, inside edge of ball of foot etc.

eg: of Men’s Standard/Smooth Ballroom Dancing Shoes

eg: of Lady’s Standard/Smooth ballroom dancing shoes

It is a good idea if you take a lot of ballroom dancing classes to wear Ballroom dancing practice shoes which are more covered and have a lower heel.  Then you can save your feet and higher-heeled Ballroom dancing shoes for social dancing, performances or competitions.

eg: of Lady’s practice ballroom dancing shoes

Enough said, stop dancing in your street shoes and invest in a good pair of ballroom dancing shoes.  You will be amazed at how much more balanced you will feel and how much easier it will be for you to move from step to step, glide, turn, pivot, spin or swivel.  And you will enjoy your ballroom dancing classes more. 

Technorati Tags: articulate your feet, ballroom dancing classes, ballroom dancing shoes, ballroom footwear, clunky when stepping, latin ballroom dancing shoes, practice ballroom dancing shoes, ripped toe nails, slipping on dance floor, standard ballroom dancing shoes, sticking to dance floor, street shoes, stubbed toes