Feedback from followers
- Thread starter dancingintherain
- Start date
Careful. You don't want to dismiss everyone's advice, especially if you aren't sure yourself.
I remember a case where one leader I know was doing something extremely uncomfortable to ladies when he was dancing. He was pulling them off balance in simple moves. Very nice guy and wasn't the arrogant type at all. He was just oblivious. The problem wasn't visible when I watched him dance, so I could see how it could be missed by the teacher.
Anyway, a friend of mine took him aside one night at the club and explained to him the problem. A few more girls came up and confirmed the same thing. He was given a mini lesson on the spot in the lobby. He was thankful for the feedback because it was a BIG problem. He would not have figured this out on his own. It took a gang of followers to corroborate the same thing. It was impossible for him to dismiss this advice since multiple partners were experiencing the same thing.
Contrast this to another guy I know who was constantly giving followers a hard time with his 'take me or leave me' persona on the dance floor. He was constantly pissing girls off with his 'I make no apologies, I am here to have fun' attitude, which came off as rude rather than carefree. Nothing wrong with having fun, but it was at the expense of many followers. He didnt seem like he was willing to take advice or grow.
I am actually very acutely aware of any criticism I get now, both verbal and non-verbal. Compliments aren't new to me, but criticism is something that happens so rarely that I have no choice but to listen to it when it happens.
So yes, it's not pleasant to get unsolicited advice, but always be understanding about it when it is given. Be self-aware, show empathy towards your fellow dancer and don't allow your ego to close off your ability to make rational adjustments to your dancing. It might save your dancing career...
I remember a case where one leader I know was doing something extremely uncomfortable to ladies when he was dancing. He was pulling them off balance in simple moves. Very nice guy and wasn't the arrogant type at all. He was just oblivious. The problem wasn't visible when I watched him dance, so I could see how it could be missed by the teacher.
Anyway, a friend of mine took him aside one night at the club and explained to him the problem. A few more girls came up and confirmed the same thing. He was given a mini lesson on the spot in the lobby. He was thankful for the feedback because it was a BIG problem. He would not have figured this out on his own. It took a gang of followers to corroborate the same thing. It was impossible for him to dismiss this advice since multiple partners were experiencing the same thing.
Contrast this to another guy I know who was constantly giving followers a hard time with his 'take me or leave me' persona on the dance floor. He was constantly pissing girls off with his 'I make no apologies, I am here to have fun' attitude, which came off as rude rather than carefree. Nothing wrong with having fun, but it was at the expense of many followers. He didnt seem like he was willing to take advice or grow.
I am actually very acutely aware of any criticism I get now, both verbal and non-verbal. Compliments aren't new to me, but criticism is something that happens so rarely that I have no choice but to listen to it when it happens.
So yes, it's not pleasant to get unsolicited advice, but always be understanding about it when it is given. Be self-aware, show empathy towards your fellow dancer and don't allow your ego to close off your ability to make rational adjustments to your dancing. It might save your dancing career...
Thanks for all the answers . In my case i think i am stuck . My follow says i turned her at 3 . Then when i correct that she says my lead is too soft . Sometimes says i am not turning her enough ( cmon we leads give the signal not physically turn follows ) and then when all these are rectified some other thing like i am making too many turns . In short i think this follow has got an issue with criticising .
My sample size in class is smaller but i have overall good vibe in dance floors (i mean with many others nationally and internationally ) .
Thanks for all the validating answers . Maybe i suck on the dance floorbut thats ok . Please dont give me continuous feedback . Let me dance and make my mistakes and get better .
Missing some of my amazing follows and hopefully times will change . For all follows out there . Be kind to your leaders . That will be good for salsa scene as fewer beginner leaders will leave the scene . Leading is more difficult than following in initial stages .Bye for now . Let me practice and also buy some earplugs .
I will not leave the scene as for each rude follow there are more amazing ones out there . Who will dance with them in future .
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The whole social dance is trying to figure it out without explicitly teaching each other. Some teachers teach in a way that they believe there is just one specific way to lead any move and only they know the right one. And some students pick that up and they thrive for perfections. So they continuously try to correct the others. Usually they are not good dancers.
While its appropriate to talk about safety concerns like rough leading, getting too much physical, too many turns or dips etc., it inappropriate if the lead is initiated at the wrong time or leading more softly. If you lead softly and it did not happen, you will learn from it and try to adjust it on the next time. Thats the concept.
The beauty of social dance is that majority of dancers will like your dances if you are a good lead.
While its appropriate to talk about safety concerns like rough leading, getting too much physical, too many turns or dips etc., it inappropriate if the lead is initiated at the wrong time or leading more softly. If you lead softly and it did not happen, you will learn from it and try to adjust it on the next time. Thats the concept.
The beauty of social dance is that majority of dancers will like your dances if you are a good lead.
dwkfym
Changui
Short answer: yes. Long answer: no, but the few I have met that did think that way, were all small girls. One even got pissed at me. I stopped dancing with her and she quit salsa (literally one of people who is too closed minded/not smart enough for salsa). This is years ago in my noob days.
dwkfym
Changui
To the OP:
- Ask your instructor about the timing.
- If a follow correctly says your lead is too soft, this is the reason - your arms are not connected to your body at all. You really should be as soft and light as you can, but your frame does need to be connected as one piece, or at least closer to it. This isn't something taught in a lot of classes because it is very hard to teach and takes forever to learn, but a single lead move is really done with your whole body, starting from your foot all the way to your fingertips.
- Ask your instructor about the timing.
- If a follow correctly says your lead is too soft, this is the reason - your arms are not connected to your body at all. You really should be as soft and light as you can, but your frame does need to be connected as one piece, or at least closer to it. This isn't something taught in a lot of classes because it is very hard to teach and takes forever to learn, but a single lead move is really done with your whole body, starting from your foot all the way to your fingertips.
dwkfym
Changui
This is off topic but now I'm dying to know what he was doing
Mr Setenta
Son
How poetic
If a larger follower is resisting lead that could be challenging (because they might have more strength).
I lead softly no matter what. Usually size does not matter. Sometimes some followers get into ladies styling class where the teacher teaches them to drop feet and almost sit or do some styles. They overdo it. It just becomes really hard to lead them.
These extra elements of showmanship make the linear dancing so hard to learn or hard to be musical. But it adds money to the business.
Groove On
Son
I think it’s important to pay attention to complaints, but don’t confuse it with advise. At face value, a complaint just tells you there is a problem, but could very easily be problem with the complainer. This is why students shouldn’t be “teaching”in a group class or on the dance floor.
If you wanna address a complaint, ask the teacher for advise or if it’s between students - do it out of class or off the dance floor. And for some people, private lessons might be effective.
Otherwise, the most effective and helpful feedback you can give in class and on the dance floor is to only follow what has been clearly led - or lead only what can be clearly followed.
If you wanna address a complaint, ask the teacher for advise or if it’s between students - do it out of class or off the dance floor. And for some people, private lessons might be effective.
Otherwise, the most effective and helpful feedback you can give in class and on the dance floor is to only follow what has been clearly led - or lead only what can be clearly followed.
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