In 99% cases, an experienced dancer should be able to dance with a beginner without much problem. We are supposed to be able to dance without much lessons. As others pointed out a lot of basics would be a great start. Then there are cuban moves that has a lot of tensions. My target for any dance is to take things slow, calm myself down, calm her down (regardless of her dance skills).At some point I feel we are connected and listening to the music (rather than trying out some meaningless patterns). At that point almost all follows can do the easy moves I lead. There are 1% dancers (I would call them eager dancers, who are just too excited to do too much, sometimes they misread leads). Lead follow techniques are designed in a way if the guy knows how to lead, 99% girls should be able to figure it out.
How to deal with absolute beginners in social?
- Thread starter GentleDancer
- Start date
I have two more comments
0. The guy should first lead some basics to feel connection with the music and the partner.
4. is the reason, some guys take longer to learn. Failure is a clue to what can be fixed.
I just remembered that several years ago I witnessed a very mediocre lead shouting out ONE TWO THREE...FIVE SIX SEVEN!!!!! to his follow while social dancing. I believe she was his significant other. Poor girl
Bostontraitor
Son
Everybody is different. For some new beginner followers, they appreciate you count it for them if they get lost in the music . For some followers, they don't appreciate any tips or advice. They will tell you: "I paid for my spot here just like you did. So get off my back and let me enjoy the dance. I do not want to get better, I just want to dance." I have met them all. Just don't do anything unless they ask for it.
Sabrosura
Son Montuno
If only it were that easy
I would be like:
Please lead lightly, please be musically creative, and please take small steps
Just simple asks 
elanimal
Son
I don't know, I've never had a single dance where a girl says 'count for me please,' but I have had many dances with beginners where I did the very simple marking of the 1, and they'd ask me to dance again afterwards.
Social dancing is a social activity, so you gotta read social cues. It's not always black and white and you can sniff out the people who would be too shy to dance without some sort of very gentle, subtle guidance. Always find a way to have fun with it. This might be this certain person's first ever salsa dance, or social dance of any kind. Make it fun
Bostontraitor
Son
Well, if you ask nicely.If only it were that easy
I would be like:
Please lead lightly, please be musically creative, and please take small steps
Bostontraitor
Son
For a completely beginner, She doesn't even know how to count. Show the simple steps and count for her when she gets lost. I did it many times, the dances were fun for them.
I was at a social 2 weeks ago where I apologized for mouthing the timing when I found myself getting lost. One absolute beginner asked that I continue. The rest.. well.... they were "polite." I learned to never start by counting out loud (until I'm totally f'd: Dura); only way to save myself at all.
This is where having a solid (firm) lead is essential. I could only lead beginners off timing, "two left feet" with a strong closed position where I gave them very little "room" to express; repeating basic steps over and over until they kept falling back into the "feel." Then IF they relax and follow the "feel" grooving to the music, it's become easier. Lots of validation for absolute beginners. If they are still tense AF, I just move on until they are ready to relax and "go with the flow."
I could consider it rude to count during a dance. If the leads step on time, the girl would pick it up.
Using words to lead is an indication the lead is not good enough.
The dance teachers always count in their classes, have you seen them doing that in a social dance?
Counting helps to understand where the count starts. But during a dance its counter productive.
Is it possible to count without mouthing? This is more of a perception thing, but I can't see many experienced dancers being overly enthusiastic dancing with someone who's mouthing numbers. I'm all about giving myself an edge whenever possible. Doesn't mean you should stop counting.. I'd just try to make it as discreet as possible.
I have also never had another dancer ask me to count for them. Not that I would to be honest. This is one request I won't oblige as I don't believe it helps anyone become better.
It absolutely is possible. However, it does depend on the song. I usually dance to melodies that "call" to me but sometimes there is a section where it goes haywire. It's not as though I am enunciating; usually just parted lips with minimal movement. If I am totally f'd and counting out loud, I'm plugging my ears internally (via pressure to the ears from inside the mouth) so it comes out (if you can hear is over the music) and low humming.
Bostontraitor
Son
It doesn't matter how good a lead you are. if the girl has never danced salsa ever in her life before(happens in my city all the time), you won't lead her with your skillful steps. For a complete beginner, if you give them a right turn, they will forget about the count and which leg goes first. If you count it for her for a few seconds, she will get use to it.
Obviously, a complete beginner is unlikely to have the attitude either.
As I said above, don't do it unless you are asked. Don't be a teacher unless she asked for it.
Bostontraitor
Son
In my city, the dance club teaches one lesson before the social dancing. Half the lesson is salsa, another half is bachata. Many young girls just take one lesson and stay for the social on the first day.
Those who never have danced are very rare. Its hard if its the first day. I still do not use any instructions. If she says its her first day, I usually say "Just imagine that you can dance and you will be able to dance." Sometimes its hard. I still would not count. Its a social, not a classroom. Most people who think themselves as beginners are dancing for 1-15 months. To be honest I do not usually ask girls who are absolute beginners. But I ask beginners who have had a month+ dancing experience.
1derpalm
Son Montuno
I have a follow who always counts on2. It usually happens when I slip into Son timing. Maybe she should just count the 5. We don't dance together anymore. She became a teacher and I feel our dance goals and thus our dancing is no longer compatible. And our chemistry has disappeared completely.
If they are there just for a day, they probably just want to have fun. I find most workshops of that kind don't teach proper basics, so you can't really expect them to properly follow anything. Keep it very simple
I guess that's your experience. My experience is different. But I don't lead with my steps, I lead with my body.
In closed position, I make sure we have a good connection. Then I will use my body to smoothly "push/pull" my partner into the desired direction I want, on the right timing.
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Some women who have never danced before are leadable. Some aren't. Not surprising that it is a wide spectrum. Leadable for never-before-danced means having a semblance of rhythm that can range from being able to synch with a good lead (someone leading with their core) to not crash into the lead. Whether they can take step correctly or do/finish a turn on time is moot. Most won't if it is their first time dancing. Some who have other partner dance experience like ballroom, etc might fair better. But ime those who come with the prior experience will mess up the stepping part.
I always say, two beginners learning by dancing with each other is the most suboptimal way to learn. Unfortunately there is no class structure or viability where there is a skill differential by design.
If I were hypothetically running a school with 5 or 6 levels, I would have a class structure where all level one dancers in a class partner with level three. In return the level three dancers in their class get to partner with level six. Some level six may be worse than level three is bound to happen Hence the rotation in the class. A question is how do you teach level six since if it is the highest and there is no level seven in this hypothetical school. Well, at level six, you should assume they have sufficient skills to grow while taking lessons with their peer level counterparts.
I always say, two beginners learning by dancing with each other is the most suboptimal way to learn. Unfortunately there is no class structure or viability where there is a skill differential by design.
If I were hypothetically running a school with 5 or 6 levels, I would have a class structure where all level one dancers in a class partner with level three. In return the level three dancers in their class get to partner with level six. Some level six may be worse than level three is bound to happen
Hence the rotation in the class. A question is how do you teach level six since if it is the highest and there is no level seven in this hypothetical school. Well, at level six, you should assume they have sufficient skills to grow while taking lessons with their peer level counterparts.
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