How many times do you dance per week? If its one time per week or less, please watch this video.
In this video podcast I share what I see a lot of dancers are doing these days (or not doing…) and why its hurting their dancing.
Share it with your fellow dancer friends!
If you are dancing only once a week, you are not going to get much out of your lessons. Most people (esp in the beginning) either do 1 group class per week, or take 1 private lesson once a week in order to learn how to dance…And that’s it…Yes, private dance lessons are the best way to learn Ballroom dancing, still once a week is not enough. It’s not enough to become proficient at it. What ends up happening is most of your lesson time ends up being spent on reviewing old materials… So you progress very slowly.
What is the solution? You need to add more days to your dance schedule.
For example, take a group class on Monday and then review and perfect what you learned with a private lesson on Wednesday. Then show up on Thursday at the studio to practice all those things on your own or with a practice partner. Remember that repetition is key to improve your dancing. Lastly, attend a weekly or monthly dance party to put everything you have been learning to practice.
If you do this regularly you will progress much faster!
On a related topic, you need to actively seek out opportunities to use what you are learning. I see many students learning to dance simply for the sake of learning how to dance, in the studio, with their teacher…And never go out outside their comfort zone to use what they have been learning. You need to apply your dance lessons in the real world or else you won’t get anywhere.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Related:
Learn 1 dance or many at the same time?
How to become confident in your dancing
Beginner dance steps – 3 videos
Articles about dance
Repetition is the answer to learning any multi-skill task. The old saying of ‘practice makes perfect’ applies here. ‘Time on task’ is the key way to learning along with motivation and patience and perseverance.
I have been taking private lessons for 2 years. I enjoy dancing with my teacher, who has a very strong lead. I have danced my first competition. Yet still, I am very afraid to dance with anyone other than my teacher.
I am the other extreme, I probably have too many privates but I do go to all the groups and parties. My instructor has started making me work steps by myself so I don’t depend on him so much; I am not as strong and steady as I would like. Following along with Passion videos is giving me extra “independent” ‘practice,
its sooo fast..cant follow
The difficulty in Thailand is that there are no opportunities (though possibly in expat groups in Bangkok, though i doubt even that) to dance at parties and events. One can dance only at the studio.
Be interested to see some comments from Leon, Kim. or members.
Hi Matt,
The idea of this video is that you need to practice more, doesn’t matter where you go to dance, even if it’s just the studio – you can show up several times a week and practice!
Yes. That is what I intend to do. I already practice for 1 hour per day using your videos.
When I go to the studio, 2 sessions of 2 hours each week, I intend practicing with several partners in addition to following the instruction lessons by the teachers. They are relaxed about that.
The two main “problems” are:
that the husband and wife instructors teach a little differently, when they give the count for example
that Thais are used to not touching their partners when dancing (all Thai traditional dances have hand movements but no partner contact). In the Latin dances they hold hands at waist level which is not helpful in maintaining a strong frame with your partner.
I think I can get round these difficulties by using your videos each day for 1 hour, practicing with different dancers at the studio, and trying to use what contact that is acceptable to them to get a good frame. Maybe I’ll whisper to indicate a turn or another step.
You and Kim are excellent teachers.
Matt