Many people ask me “Can I take the dance class even if I don’t have a partner?”
You may think that because Ballroom dancing is danced with a partner you need to have one, but as I explain in today’s video – It is far from the truth…
In summary, you don’t need a partner to learn Ballroom dancing or to practice. There are so many dance elements to worry about like timing, technique, leg and foot work – which have nothing to do with a partner. Instead of worrying about having a partner, you should be learning how to find the beats in the music, how to dance the basic steps correctly and practicing your technique.
Yes you will also need to learn how to lead and follow when you get together with a partner. But don’t you think it will be much easier to dance with someone when you already gotten your timing, steps and technique?
So forget about having a partner and just focus on improving your own dancing. It will pay off in the long run.
What do you think? leave a comment below.
Nao says
Oh, that’s what I’ve been thinking about.
because when I practice dancing with a partner, I find it very difficult to care about many things in mind.
So I very agree with what you are saying in this video…
Sorry my English is very limited to tell well enough….
Thanks anyway for uploading this kind of video!
Carla Taylor says
I do try to practice my steps and my technique alone as I don’t have a partner (other than my instructor). I don’t practice as much as I think I should, though. This is because when I’m alone I’m concerned that I’m remembering things incorrectly and I would rather not practice than practice something wrong!
Leon Turetsky says
Hi Carla,
Yes students are often afraid to practice something wrong… But that’s part of learning…if you have someone looking over you (like your instructor) then you will have someone to make sure you going in the right track. And its okay to make mistakes with practice, but I think its imperative that you do it so that you can learn what is right and what is wrong over time!
Michael G Hill says
Hi Leon, yes I also agree you can learn a lot about dancing without a partner. But you can only go so far without one. Eventually the whole point is to learn a social skill and have fun. You really do need a partner. I am in Melbourne Australia. Is there any partnerless lady who would like a partner? I am a beginner aged 55 years. Thanks, Michael
Roman says
This is great to hear! I have no partner and wondered if I was crazy practicing for hours at home without one. Nice to know I’m not wasting my time going at it alone.
Linda Palliaer says
I do practice on my own. Some dance it’s hard to do on your own. And it’s true it’s easy with the partner who is already good in dancing then he can lead.
Thank you.
Carolyn says
Comments and tips are very helpful. Plan to start on your plan when I finish with private lessons
Jamie says
This is interesting. I never thought you could learn ballroom dancing alone.
Wendy says
I guess, ideally, it’s better if you have a partner to learn dancing, depending how dedicated your partner is to learn dancing the same way as you do, but I do not have a partner and learn by taking private lessons. Even though it’s costly, I learn the proper way….exactly as shown on these videos here with Leon and Kim. Then I practise at home playing these videos. However, I also go to the group classes, where they accept single persons and dance with the assistants. Or there are also dancing schools where switching partners after each dance is mandatory.