Singing, humming or mouthing with the music while dancing?

[Melvin]

I talked to a friend who said it was considered a "bad habit", or "bad style" for a dancer to start humming, sing along (if not performing in a musical of course) or mouth along to the music while dancing.

The thought never crossed my mind, and sure, lot's of intermediate women I've danced with start humming when they get into it. But never any of the advanced girls.

Perhaps it looks kind of stupid? And come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a "real dancer" actually mouthing along with the music.

Anyway, is he right?

 

[chr]

I talked to a friend who said it was considered a "bad habit", or "bad style" for a dancer to start humming, sing along (if not performing in a musical of course) or mouth along to the music while dancing.

The thought never crossed my mind, and sure, lot's of intermediate women I've danced with start humming when they get into it. But never any of the advanced girls.

Perhaps it looks kind of stupid? And come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a "real dancer" actually mouthing along with the music.

Anyway, is he right?

It depends on a lot of factors. It can be annoying, but somtimes fun, if done well. I have seen good dancers doing that IRL and also on the internet, e.g. in the following youtube video: watch?v=-YE_QFzce68 (at around 2:00).

 

[Nicole_de_reve]

I love it when a guy is so involved in the song that he hums or sings! :applause:

In fact, all my favorite leads at least occasionally do this. One whistles, one goes "pah!" when he completes showy moves, one hums, and one sings the lyrics. Of course, if any of these were throughout the entire song I think it would be irritating, but when used to highlight a beautiful part of the song or communicate feeling, I think it can add a lot.

 

[sweavo]

sometime I can't help it on a coro, or I might sing part of a moña. Even if it was outlawed I would just start my own "speakeasy" where dancers could sing along.

I usually don't like it in performances though. I think it looks hokey when done badly, and I've never seen it done well.

 

[SalsaGipsy]

I can very well imagine that the professional dancers wouldn't want to allow themselves to do it. They are in the spotlight and want to appear completely in control. In fact I don't think they ever allow themselves to be completely taken by the music - there is always the thought that everybody is watching.
It actually never happened to me to dance with somebody who does any of these. I probably wouldn't like it if my partner sings along loudly (especially if out of tune).
Having said that, I would absolutely love it if he hums, mouths along, even sings (as long as it doesn't kill the song ). I am myself very tempted when my favourite songs are on but am too selfconcious to sing, nobody would hear if I hum (loud misic) and I don't usually know the lyrics to mouth along :roll:

 

[Offbeat]

I talked to a friend who said it was considered a "bad habit", or "bad style" for a dancer to start humming, sing along (if not performing in a musical of course) or mouth along to the music while dancing.

The thought never crossed my mind, and sure, lot's of intermediate women I've danced with start humming when they get into it. But never any of the advanced girls.

Perhaps it looks kind of stupid? And come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a "real dancer" actually mouthing along with the music.

Anyway, is he right?

Even though your question is regarding humming/singing along while social dancing, let me start with the performance first. Strict no no during performance. Most dance team directors will ask their performers to refrain from mouthing the music when performing.

While social dancing it feels weird if the partner is humming or singing the song. Singing/humming along for a few bars is okay. Anything more is very distracting. Especially if you're dancing something like a close-hold Bachata. Imagine if the non-singing members of a band started to hum along when playing Hence I fall into the camp of calling it a bad habit to sing/hum when dancing.

Do people sing/hum in other dance forms like T/Arg or ballroom? I didn't mention Swing. I never experienced dancers trying to sing/hum in T/Arg.

 

[chr]

Imagine if the non-singing members of a band started to hum along when playing

Like Eddie Palmieri?

Do you know Glenn Gould the most famous interpreter of piano pieces of J.S.Bach. His humming is clearly perceptible on most of his recordings.
(From Wikipedia: "Glenn Gould usually hummed while he played, and his recording engineers varied in how successfully they were able to exclude his voice from recordings. ")

 

[TrulyMadlyAmanda]

I can very well imagine that the professional dancers wouldn't want to allow themselves to do it. They are in the spotlight and want to appear completely in control. In fact I don't think they ever allow themselves to be completely taken by the music - there is always the thought that everybody is watching.

i often sing away....when i'm completely lost in the music, either i sing, or i'm so busy going for it that i cant - but then i'm singing in my head. it's true, the feeling of being watched is very offputting and makes it hard for me to lose myself. i feel this more when my students are there, cuz i feel like i shouldnt make any technical errors 'practice what you preach' and all that...

Even though your question is regarding humming/singing along while social dancing, let me start with the performance first. Strict no no during performance. Most dance team directors will ask their performers to refrain from mouthing the music when performing.

i agree - i dont like to see singing during a dance performance, i find it distracting.

on the other hand, soft singing into your ear along to romantic words during a bachata, with soft, warm breath on your neck....shiver...

when i'm singing, i always try to sing to my partner...otherwise, it can feel like i'm off in my own world, ignoring them.

 

[Big10]

I talked to a friend who said it was considered a "bad habit", or "bad style" for a dancer to start humming, sing along (if not performing in a musical of course) or mouth along to the music while dancing.

If we're talking about social dancing, then I strongly disagree with your friend!

In my opinion, the whole point of social dancing is to enjoy the music. So, I actually take it as a high compliment when my partner is singing along with the music, because that means my lead is non-intrusive and natural enough that it doesn't interrupt her ability to focus on enjoying the music in whatever way makes her most comfortable -- including singing. In other words, she doesn't have to waste time concentrating on how to follow my moves, but instead she can simply concentrate on the music while the moves just magically "happen." I also do my best to reduce any stress or self-consciousness in my partners, so singing is another indication that she has let down some of the social barriers that might otherwise exist between two people.

So, ladies, sing away when you're dancing with Big10!

it's true, the feeling of being watched is very offputting and makes it hard for me to lose myself. i feel this more when my students are there, cuz i feel like i shouldnt make any technical errors 'practice what you preach' and all that...

I teach a couple of classes, too, but I always give new people the "do as I say, not necessarily as I do" speech before our studio socials. It helps that our studio markets itself as teaching "street" Salsa, thus reducing some of the expectations of constant formality. Plus, from a personal standpoint, I try not to dance "like a teacher" when I'm out socially. Maybe that's not the best strategy from a marketing perspective by making sure that onlookers realize they're watching a teacher from whom they can take lessons -- but it does give me added credibility when I happen to talk to somebody and show how they can grow (like me) from a "gringo" into dancer who looks somewhat "authentic" or like he/she has a background social dancing in Latin countries.

 

[antigone]

I talked to a friend who said it was considered a "bad habit", or "bad style" for a dancer to start humming, sing along (if not performing in a musical of course) or mouth along to the music while dancing.

The thought never crossed my mind, and sure, lot's of intermediate women I've danced with start humming when they get into it. But never any of the advanced girls.

Perhaps it looks kind of stupid? And come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a "real dancer" actually mouthing along with the music.

Anyway, is he right?

That's silly (and snobbish). I love it when the guy I'm dancing with starts singing with the band - it tells me he is tuned into the music and is really enjoying himself. The reason I usually don't sing along (with what miniscule amount of lyrics I can understand and repeat) is that doing fancy footwork, patters, and spinning takes serious breathing control. Any way, as I've said in other threads, don't listen to snobs.

 

[narcosis]

I sing and hum whenever I like, and honestly unless you've got bad breath I don't understand how it's bad form. Everyone's there on the social dance floor to enjoy themselves, and if you can feel the music by adding to the coro y pregon, why not?

I sing to my SO when we bachata too, TrulyMadlyAmanda, so I get what you mean

 

[Jolinia]

When I'm really into a song, I sing or hum away, too.
I don't see anything wrong with it on the social dancefloor. It just shows you're enjoying the music.
I've seen a lot of people at all kinds of clubs - rock, hip hop, latin or whatever who sing along (of even yell along) with the music - they're having fun. So why not at a salsa club?

 

[crazygirl]

the feeling of being watched is very offputting and makes it hard for me to lose myself. i feel this more when my students are there, cuz i feel like i shouldnt make any technical errors 'practice what you preach' and all that...

No you will be teaching them that salsa is sometimes purely for pleasure and appear less godly

Regarding singing I don't out loud but I do have a couple of partners who sometimes sing the odd lyric. They look very happy and contented so it's cool with me.

 

[KP-salsa]

I see no problem with humming or singing at all.

 

[sweavo]

Like Eddie Palmieri?

He more sort of does impressions of a constipated sheep though.

 

[KP-salsa]

He more sort of does impressions of a constipated sheep though.

What a coincidence! My constipated sheep sort of does impressions of Eddie Palmieri.

 

[sunsoul]

I hum along to a tune when into the music. The other night one guy on the dance floor was really shouting out the lyrics as he really got down to the beat..... that was quite funny.

What a coincidence! My constipated sheep sort of does impressions of Eddie Palmieri.

I totally love Eddie Palmieri. La Malanga is on constantly right now - a truly smoking tune.

 

[devane]

I talked to a friend who said it was considered a "bad habit", or "bad style" for a dancer to start humming, sing along (if not performing in a musical of course) or mouth along to the music while dancing.

The thought never crossed my mind, and sure, lot's of intermediate women I've danced with start humming when they get into it. But never any of the advanced girls.

Perhaps it looks kind of stupid? And come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a "real dancer" actually mouthing along with the music.

Anyway, is he right?

Absolutely. Showing signs that he actually likes the the song is a no no.

I didn't know I was being a rebel for singing along.

 

[SalsaManiac]

I always start singing when I'm really into the music and as far as I can tell, most women I have danced with love it when I do it. One of the top tier dancers here got upset when I stopped singing in the middle of the song because she said that she loves it when guys sing to her.

 

[SnowDancer]

on the other hand, soft singing into your ear along to romantic words during a bachata, with soft, warm breath on your neck....shiver...

Hmmm... I better learn Spanish before I try that. It wouldn't do to be romantically singing lyrics that translate to sexual innuendo about yucca plants.