Do you feel like your dancing is just not improving despite all the time you put into it?
In today’s post I’d like to describe to you something that happens to me almost everyday…
Understanding this point can make a huge difference in how you learn to dance.
—Transcript—
Repetition is the key to improving your dancing. And even if you watch our online dance lessons 100 times everyday, without repetition, you will not get anywhere.
You see when I am teaching my students and we are working on something specific in their dancing (Be it the steps, technique or timing), as soon as they get it correct once, they want to move on to the next thing right away.
And while I understand that everyone wants fast results… It is not enough to do something correctly once, so I usually jump in with: “Let’s do that again!”. I make my couples repeat what they did correctly 4-5 times slowly and then another 4-5 times with music before I even consider moving on to the next thing.
This is imperative because doing something well once will not sink in into your body and is certainly not part of you muscle memory yet. If you don’t follow my advice you’ll end up wasting a lot of time and money without making much progress….You will simply not remember what you worked on.
The key is repetition…
Furthermore, I suggest to let your professional dance instructor set the pace. He/she will know when you’ve really gotten it and it’s time to move on. Trust yourself in their hands.
What do you think?
Leave a comment below.
Related:
Use a lesson combo (video podcast)
Do you switch partners?
Fundamentals first (Article)
Hi I’m not sure whether you can help me.
I have been learning social dance for a while, but I still have issues with Timing, or so call the beat. Can you recommend something? I believe I need more practice material.
My concern is- even I listen to more songs, but how do I know I’m correctly counting, for example of my concerns
thanks for any advice
Timing and musicality is one of those things that take a long time to really get and feel. You have to learn the counts and timing of every step and then match that to the music. So far I did one video which explained how to hear the beats of the music better…You can watch it here: https://www.passion4dancing.com/3-tips-to-help-you-find-the-beat-in-music/ …It should help you!
And I would recommend listening to lots of songs and trying to count the beats in that music…ignore all the other melodies that may distract from the beat and try to find the underlying beat.
Hope this helps a little.
more tips on each dance will help greatly. like etiqette on the dancefloor, clothing, shoes, worm ups
Victor please tell me what styles of dancing you do so I can think of a way to help.
I do Ballroom and latin dancing only. And find it fascinating.
Lessons will be repeated untill they are learned – in life AND in ballroom dancing.
I’ve read somewhere that it takes about 10,000 repetitions to get something right. I’m always surprised how much better I get (on anything) with lots of practice.
Thanks Tony,
Yeah I think it was in the book “outliers”…He says there that studies showed that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master something.
Well my problem is facial expressions asI have not performed anywhere yet its being difficult for me to give proper and catchy facial expressions and also while dancing I think a lot about the next move rather thaan just dancing so it comes on my face which makes my performance dull….
This is TRUE, TRUE, TRUE. We can leave the dance studio thinking we ‘have it’ solidly and by the next morning aren’t exactly sure of the steps or pattern or something.
Repeat, repeat, repeat….and yes, trust the professionals!
Also have made up a ‘routine’ for some dances/steps we know and that has helped with the memory.
As soon as I am cancelled with another company on line I will be very happy to join your group
Excellent advice. What you explained not only applies to dancing but to any sport or physical activity (martial arts) one wishes to master. I continue to be impressed with your instruction/advice. Thank you.
very good advice!!!! I’m telling my people this all the time. You wouldn’t believe the number of people that quit taking lessons because they do not buy into this theory and want to get into a hurry and learn everything in two-three lessons and if they don’t, they quit. Very good advice!!!!!!
MR. LEON TURETSK
Dear Leon
Practice makes perfect. What you said is all true. However, a student can’t spend a long time repeating the same action in the same session, tired will put one off. One has to let put and switch over to a different movement. Try to put in some practice in between lessons, once tutor says good than practice it moderately. Practicing a wrong movement, or sticking too long will have adverse results.
Thanks for your advice.
Angelo
Great videos!!!! I’m going to refer my students to them for extra help.
@Angleo,
I agree that practicing the wrong thing will be really bad… My point is when they already got it right, to keep repeating it still.
Total gree! My coach taught me as the same way that you teach your students. So, althought I just practiced for 2 months (1 year ago), but now I still can dance basic steps of salsa, rumba, chacha, samba, mambo, tango… Thank you so much!
Thanks for your good and correct teaching and advice.then we can do the practice make perfect correctly. thank you
mark chao
i agree practice maks pefect and i always ty to install it into my muscle memory so i can concntrate on my songs and facial expression as my body does the moves.
I am almost finished with my studio lessons and will join your site. I showed my instructor your site and the beginner rumba routine I loved. He agreed you are a good instructor and that it was fine for me to watch online as long as I came in and asked the proper questions of “Please show my how if I have this right, and show me how this FEELS being lead!!”. You and Kim are awesome!
And I agree, it is boring to overdo one move in class, so a little 2 or 3 move routine makes it more fun!! But absolutely review and practice. (I am a total beginner!!)
You are a very good instructor who seems to understand teaching and dancing well. Sadly, I don’t think there are too many instructors in our area who are like you, and I don’t learn too well with videos. I like videos to supplement a class.
As I read and heard your video I intuitively knew that what you were saying is true for me. My husband and I have been taking dance lessons for about 6 weeks. I always forget what we have learned by the next week. I am going to ask our instructor to please stay with us until we have REALLY repeated, repeated and mastered the steps before moving on to another set of steps.
Also, being female, please tell Kim I love to watch how she moves her feet. She is such a beautiful, feminine and graceful dancer. I love watching the videos and will be joining all your lessons soon. Thank you very much for your help.
You are absolutely correct Leon have to keep going over ,not only different steps, but also routines as well. Repetition and practice is the key to becoming confident on the dance floor.
So True! Repetition is key! I haven’t danced in 3 yrs. but the moves are still ingrained. Also, for those struggling with timing–it helps to play a musical instrument. If not, a little beeper called a metronome will help you start counting your steps in time. It takes time to count on time–especially the Latin syncopated rhythm dances.
Nice to see the best advice anyone can give to a novice, so early in a learning programme!
Totally agree. The last place I took lessons covered too much and not enough repetition. Then at their social dances I had zero confidence to get on the floor. After listening to a previous post of yours on practicing alone. that’s what I will now do, but I still would rather dance with a partner.
You have given some very useful advice. Thanks.
not into it yet but starting Zumba classes tomorrow, Very informative advise which I will put into practice very soon. Thank you.
I could not open your repition video!
In the waltz basic weave – Bronze level, I sometimes felt I was backing into line of dance!