You are a much better social dancer than in class!

[smiling28]

Was told this last night by my instructor:

You are a much better social dancer than in class!

Took it as a compliment ha ha but realise it has another interpretation.

When I competed in sport, the mantra was ‘you play as you train’.

That was the ideal yet some people were terrible in training but INCREDIBLE in games/pressure situations. Whilst others were vice versa. Training superstars but shrinking violets in games.

Is this the same for dancing have you noticed?

I feel the differences for me social dancing as opposed to class:

- generally class is laboratory, social is the SHOW 
- class focus on the moves and my technique, social focus on partner and music


And of course social is usually dark lighting ha ha

So how can I improve my in class performance?

 

[SnowDancer]

I think you're probably feeling more pressure in a class situation. When social dancing, you get a chance to warm up to your partner; and if something doesn't work, you can try another move that you're more comfortable with. In class, you have to do what's being taught, and you're changing partners constantly. Plus, you're trying to memorize a new move, train yourself to do it correctly; and your partner has the same pressure.

I used to get nervous in classes, and eventually decided that I wasn't good at learning new moves on-the-spot. So I concentrated on memorizing the pattern and any tips the instructors gave. Then I could shadow-dance it at home, and come back the next week with a lot more confidence.

 

[sac]

I think you're probably feeling more pressure in a class situation. When social dancing, you get a chance to warm up to your partner; and if something doesn't work, you can try another move that you're more comfortable with. In class, you have to do what's being taught, and you're changing partners constantly. Plus, you're trying to memorize a new move, train yourself to do it correctly; and your partner has the same pressure.

I used to get nervous in classes, and eventually decided that I wasn't good at learning new moves on-the-spot. So I concentrated on memorizing the pattern and any tips the instructors gave. Then I could shadow-dance it at home, and come back the next week with a lot more confidence.

yes agree with Snow dancer. i sometimes had the same problem and im lot better when i try the move at home. :lol:
there are 2 types of dancers:
1) dancers who are brilliant in class but terrible in Social dancing.well some of them look great on the stage but put them on the social floor and they suck
2) dancers who are not so good in the class but are real social dancers.everythign is smooth about them when they are on the floor.
I reckon you have to keep a balance between the two if you wanna grow as a dancer.
im still trying to be somewhere there....
Does anyone know how to look good when ur performing?what are the things that you or the instructors tell you constantly?

 

[MacMoto]

I think it's natural for someone to be not at his best in a class - after all, classes are where you learn new things. It takes time to practise and perfect what you've just been taught. You get new material to work on in classes; you practise it to make it your own, and you actually *dance* at socials. That's what really counts as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Jolinia]

So far nobody has made that comment to me. But that is how I feel. In class I often feel clumsy and like I have two left feet. I usually understand what the teacher is trying to tell me but I just can't get my body to do it.
On the social dancefloor it's different. Probably because I'm more relaxed and more focused on my partner and the music than on my body and what it's trying to do.
So I use SnowDancer's technique: I try to memorize what I'm supposed to do in class rather than focusing on actually getting it right on the spot and practice at home so next time in class when we repeat it I am more comfortable with the material and can correct and improve things with the help of the trainer.

 

[smiling28]

Thanks everyone!!!

Really appreciate the 'you are not alone/a freak/going to dance hell' vibe ha ha

I think you're probably feeling more pressure in a class situation. When social dancing, you get a chance to warm up to your partner; and if something doesn't work, you can try another move that you're more comfortable with. In class, you have to do what's being taught, and you're changing partners constantly. Plus, you're trying to memorize a new move, train yourself to do it correctly; and your partner has the same pressure.

I used to get nervous in classes, and eventually decided that I wasn't good at learning new moves on-the-spot. So I concentrated on memorizing the pattern and any tips the instructors gave. Then I could shadow-dance it at home, and come back the next week with a lot more confidence.

Thanks champ. That is EXACTLY how I like to learn. I LOVE to shadow dance without music as I can go SLOWLY through the move understanding the transitions. First with footwork. Then with lead then all together. I REALLY go slow when I learn something but once learnt, it is mine forever as I understand the principles

 

[sweavo]

I think it's natural for someone to be not at his best in a class - after all, classes are where you learn new things. It takes time to practise and perfect what you've just been taught. You get new material to work on in classes; you practise it to make it your own, and you actually *dance* at socials. That's what really counts as far as I'm concerned.

I don't have anything to add to Mac's point, I just wanted you to read it again

 

[AndrewD]

I’ve been told this before and I took it as a compliment

My take on it is that you’re really concentrating and analysing the information you receive in class and perhaps some of the other guys (with weaker leads) are relying on their partner to get them through.

I would rather not lead a move at all than lead it badly – as such it can look like I’m struggling, when what’s really going on is that I’m unwilling to move on to the next stage before I’ve got a good understanding of what has gone on before.

 

[smiling28]

I’ve been told this before and I took it as a compliment

My take on it is that you’re really concentrating and analysing the information you receive in class and perhaps some of the other guys (with weaker leads) are relying on their partner to get them through.

I would rather not lead a move at all than lead it badly – as such it can look like I’m struggling, when what’s really going on is that I’m unwilling to move on to the next stage before I’ve got a good understanding of what has gone on before.

exactly. I try and go super slow in class and UNDERSTAND the move. WHY the girl will move a certain way. What she is looking for. How this new move compares to similar moves. How does she know the difference etc

 

[smiling28]

I think it's natural for someone to be not at his best in a class - after all, classes are where you learn new things. It takes time to practise and perfect what you've just been taught. You get new material to work on in classes; you practise it to make it your own, and you actually *dance* at socials. That's what really counts as far as I'm concerned.

I don't have anything to add to Mac's point, I just wanted you to read it again

3 times a charm he he

Tis a great post!

 

[smiling28]

it usually takes me a little while sorting out the lead on the dance floor. this is why dancing with improvers is great. when you can lead it on them (if appropriate) then i know i can lead well, as there's less fault tolerance.

Wonderful!

 

[tj]

Classes = working on something you don't know.

Social dancing = relaxing, doing something you do know