Most instructors teach patterns in order to "get
people moving" or because that's how they learned, so that's how they teach. WCS is a dance that is becoming less and less reliant
on set patterns, and more reliant on technique in order to create patterns on the fly. The latter allows you to improvise according
to how the music inspires you. So, when you learn patterns in classes, learn the skills, but pay more attention to how movements fit
the music. Pay attention to all the technique tips you can get your hands on.
How important is the "stretch" thing? Can I get
away without doing it?
NO. You can't get away without it. It is the characteristic of WCS - the essence of the dance. Without it you
are just walking around. If you think you like WCS now, and you aren't doing stretch yet, you ain't seen nuthin' yet.
I'm not
a musician, so I can't tell when a break is coming. How do I "hit it"?
It's hard to hit a break you can't hear coming. If you have
a quick reaction time, you can "freeze" on the beat or shortly after to acknowledge the break, wait 4 counts or until the music starts
up again, then continue on. It's worth it to learn a little music theory in order to hear those breaks coming. It's not difficult
if you find the right source, and you don't need to be a musician. Try 7 Habits of Highly Effective Dancers.
How
come the top dancers don't do their triple steps?
West Coast Swing encourages musical interpretation and expression, which sometimes
means that there is a more appropriate movement than a triple step for a certain part of the music. Or sometimes, they do a triple
rhythm, just not in the traditional 3rd position. Either way, triple steps are a default movement, but not mandatory on every pattern.
On the second triple step there is an anchor at the end, but as long as the dancer still does an anchor at the end of count 6 or 8,
he or she does not need to do a triple.
How hard is it to convert Lindy to WCS? Ballroom to WCS?
Lindy to WCS is not hard at all.
It's mostly the same connection, a little more upright, and alot more linear stretch. Ballroom WCS to authentic WCS isn't too hard,
there's just alot of habits to change.
People have asked me to teach them privately. Should I?
No. Don't start teaching
just because people ask you to. Just because people admire your dancing does not mean you will make a good teacher. Becoming a teacher
is a professional trade. You are responsible for the development of other potential dancers, and for the survival of the art
form. It takes training and committment. It's not just a way to make money to afford dance events. If you are prepared to invest in
your own professional development, and you are motivated by a desire to help people discover, fall in love with, and succeed at dancing,
then go ahead. Keep in mind that if you are a competitor, teaching means giving up your amateur status, which means that if you will
have to compete against the highest level of pro dancers. If you are not comfortable with the idea of teaching people privately, refer
them to your instructor.
"When in doubt, Ripple or Triple" - any merit to this phrase?
This is a cute piece of "advice" that sounds
like it came from a jaded teacher who was disappointed with her lack of competitive success. When in doubt, triple, yes. Because the
triple step is the core rhythm of the dance. But ripple? Body ripples were a trend about 6-7 years ago that the Champion dancers started
doing and everyone tried to copy them...ad nauseum. Like those songs on the radio that sounded great - until they played it 10-20
times per day! Ripples are like any other styling variation - they should be treated like salt on a meal - a little makes everything
better, but a lot can ruin the meal. They are to be used sparingly, and only if you're good at them.
Change instructors. WCS can be taught in a way that
is easy, ergonomic and instantly fun. If you aren't "getting it" after a month or so of classes, try a new instructor.
My
partner keeps telling me I'm not doing it right
If it's your significant other, try taking a private lesson together, so the instructor
can see who is making the mistake and correct it. Try to avoid "I told you so". If it's just a classmate, smile and say "I'm just
doing the best I can", then ask the instructor to help you both out.
I feel like I've hit a plateau with my dancing
This is typical
of learning any skill. Sometimes you have to step sideways in order to go forward. Try a new class, attend a dance event, work on
a different part of your dance. Anything to change your focus. Another possible cause is that you have learned all you can from your
instructor and it's time to hear advice in different words. Or maybe it's time to go back to taking lessons again.
I've been
taking group classes, but I can never tell if I'm doing it right?
This is most likely because the instructor does not dance in the
rotation with the students, because the class is too big or they are too lazy. If you really like the instructor, ask them for feedback
after class, or take a private lesson. If you're on the fence, try another instructor.
I would like to try attending
a dance event. Where should I go?
Check out the Upcoming Events page to find an event in your neck of the woods. Feel free to
email us for suggestions.
I like dancing to Blues music but I can't hear the beat of Contemporary music.
You are not alone. Blues
music is usually synchopated, which makes the tempo feel slower and more predictable. Contemporary music is faster and more driving.
It just takes practice - try tuning into the Pop/Top40 radio station everytime you are in your car.
I like Contemporary music
but I don't get the appeal of Blues music.
You are not alone. Blues is the visceral, root form of all Contemporary music, like R&B.
There is good Blues and bad Blues. It's likely you have only been exposed to bad Blues, (the kind that sounds like you should be riding
a horse). Check out out Top 20 favourites list!
My significant other wants to learn now too - can we take lessons
together?
Fabulous! Be sure to be very supportive and enthusiastic of their decision! Depending on your level, you may be able to take
a beginner group class together - the review will be good for you. But if there is a drastic level difference, your best bet is private
lessons - your partner can catch up to you quicker.
I went dancing out of town and WCS looked way different.
Yep - depending on
the type of venue you visited, it's most likely you encountered a regional variation. Embrace it and enjoy it - diversity is fun.
You can learn some new moves and challenge your brain a little. It's also possible you are from a relatively small dance community
and you visited a larger, more established community where the dancers are at a higher level and are dancing more current techniques
and style.
You're not going to like the sound of this, but trust us, it's for your own good. If you're
bored, it means you need to go back to your basics. WCS is a dance that allows you to constantly invent new patterns. If you can't
do that, it means you missed learning something along the way. Go take some private lessons from dancers whose style you admire, or
take a beginner class but in the opposite role (leader instead of follower). As a last resort, instructional videos are an excellent
way of picking up new material.
I hate dancing with this one person in class...
I know the person you're talking about! The one
with the bad breath/B.O./rough lead/sloppy frame/negative attitude, right? Chance are, all the other dancers in the room hate dancing
with them too, so you just have to suck it up and take your turn. If it's really awful, say something to the instructor so they can
have a word with the person. Then learn from their mistake - check your own hygeine and attitude just in case.
What makes advanced
dancers look so good?
Physics and comfort. The best dancers have found the most efficient way of moving their bodies. It's all about
science. Because they are moving more effieciently, their movement is more ergonomic, more natural, easier to do, and they feel more
comfortable. How do they get that? Great instruction, feedback, and practice...and in rare cases, natural talent. Be cautious with
your admiration: some dancers look great to the untrained eye, but are an eyesore to trained dancers, or a sore shoulder to their
partners.
Where can I get WCS music to practice to?
Check out the Sources:Virtual:Music page for out Top 20 songs in each genre.
In your own collection, look for songs that are in 4/4 time, between 80 and 140 bpm. After that, the genre, era, and artist is up
to you!
Every instructor seems to teach the dance differently - I'm confused!
It's like that game of telephone - by the time the
messages gets to the end of the chain, it's distorted. On a very basic level, there are different levels of instructor just as there
are different levels of dancer. Teaching is a skill, and the more training and experience one has, the better they are at that skill.
Some instructors are just dancers who decided to turn their passion into a business. Some instructors are trained professionals who
decided to apply their teaching skills to dancing. Some instructors are just talented top dancers thrust into a teaching role. The
end result is a whole lot of very different perspectives on teaching a skill set that was vague to begin with! The best thing you
can do is look at everything you learn like groceries on the shelf. Just because it's out there doesn't mean you have to buy it. Be
critical about what you are told: ask yourself if the movement makes sense in your body, in science. If the science or logic of it
can't be confidently explained, don't buy it.
I learned WCS 10 years ago - I'm rusty, but do I just need practice?
Sorry, no.
The dance has changed so much in the past 10 years that it is a completely different animal now. You really need to go back to square
one. The good news is, you will find it MUCH more ergonomic and efficient and fun to learn now!
Why do advanced dancers
follow me perfectly, but beginners can't?
10% of the time it will the because the follower's frame is really that bad (or she has not
been taught frame yet). The other 90% of the time, it's because of you. Advanced followers are not only advanced at following
a true lead, they're also experts at following poor leads, because they can tell what you meant to lead. So they're expert fakers:
they can cover for your mistakes. So the dance runs smoother because they appear to follow you better. Beginner followers haven't
tuned this skill yet, so a poor lead fails on them more frequently.
Advanced dancers look so "in tune" with the music - how do
they do that?
When you get to a point where you don't have to count in your head, you can concentrate more on listening to the music.
Advanced dancers have either taken the initiative to study music interpretaion in workshops, or they are used to hearing the song,
so they know each break and accent. There is a formula to music that is easy to learn for dancers. The dvd, 7 Habits of Highly
Effective Swing Dancers includes a chapter on Musical Interpretation.
