I can’t remember how many times people have asked me whether they should practice dancing by themselves.
Most people believe that because it is Ballroom dancing, they should only practice with a partner. In the video I will give you my personal belief on the matter.
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Leon, If you have not thought about it as yet, all these tips that you give us should be complied, written and put together in a booklet or something and have it available for purchase online.
It is difficult to follow the steps because they are in real time and I need them slowed down so I can see them step by step. It’s like I need the foot pattern on paper so I can repeat exactly what I need to do.
I can relate to this. When I get home from a private lesson, I write it down — make diagrams, write S, Q, R, L for Slow, Quick, Right foot, Left foot. Notes like back, forward, and title each sequence with the name of the step. And I typically go over the diagram/notes at the studio with the instructor, to make sure I have it right. (getting ready for our first showcase solo!) Otherwise steps can go right out of my head, as I’m sure is the case with many other people. I think it is important to be visual — have it on paper, as notes and diagram.
Hi David & Bonnie,
Thanks for the feedback. So you’re saying that if I had step patterns written out for each of the moves, you’d use them? Would you need to print them out?
Perhaps I will take this idea and poll the other members to see if this is something they want as well, then maybe we can add it in the future…
I am flattered you are asking about my idea! This is what I do for my own recollection — it helps me for private lessons and for group. It is especially helpful for the showcase solo I am learning, where the instructor is choreographing special moves. I haven’t seen an instructor use a diagram or printout at the studios I have take lessons with. But I think it would be helpful to students, and also would work with standard steps as taught in group (or private) lessons. Yes, steps could be written out as diagrams with footprint images and arrows. Or without images and use a sequence with S – S – Q – Q (foxtrot as example), including indication of R and L or even F and B for forward and back. Included could be brief notes on head and arm position (face partner, close feet, etc.) Just ideas!
Most definitely! I would love to have the steps written out as described. I find when I review my lessons I do write them out and for more complicated steps do create diagrams. Some people are visual learners and seeing it makes much more sense….
Thank you…
I would pay for it. It is very difficult to practice more advanced steps without a pattern
I like this idea too. This would be very helpful.
I have always heard that it’s important to spend time practicing — even alone — but I’m afraid that I will practice something wrongly and that might be worse than not practicing at all! Also, I don’t have much room in my home, particularly for practicing smooth. Are there some practice techniques (such as for improving balance) that I could work on alone which could improve my dancing when I AM with my partner?
Hi Carla, You can always just practice standing on one leg, that can improve balance. But also just dancing your choreography or Ballroom steps on your own is good practice too. And you can practice on how to control the movement from foot to foot slowly – that will work on your balance.
thats great i can practice now without partner
leon, I do so enjoy your dance tips and especially this one…I don’t have a partner and havntpracticed…but I intend to now…it makes sense what you said. I also enjoyed your info about the choosing of dance shoes. I have wondered why 2 pairs of expensive shoes I bought were too big after 2 wearings. Thank you. I intend to sign upwith you after April 3,i am a bit short of cash right now;
Thanks again…you reinforce my love of dancing….I was goingto give it up..but now iwill practice at home on my own before I go out dancing.
Hi Leon,
Is it possible to download your “Should You Practice by Yourself?” video?
Sorry no we don’t have it available for download.
I LOVE this! :)!
thanks for this tip. Now I can continue to dance without feeling foolish by myself
Leon,
At my age of 85, I do not have anyone with whom to practice. Thank you for sharing your affirmation on the value of practicing alone.
Robert
Just like anything else you want to do in life you have to practice. I am a beginner and I usually practice between 10-14 hours a week (that includes studio time at classes) I want to make sure I know my own part really well so that I don’t have to think about what is going to happen next or be lost if I am lead into a certain part.
I make sure I have all of my steps that I have learned down cold so when next lessons come up I don’t have to waste my time re-doing something I should have already learned. For me that’s a waste of time and money.
Dear Leon
I love to read and watch your tips from podcast…and talking about “Should you practice dancing by yourself?” I think it is not always right for some people such as myself…because, I’ve been practicing dancing steps by myself and I’m a beginner…but when I’m with my husband (he knows how to dance well), he takes a different turns or steps which made me all confused and wanted to give up dancing, and became very depressed! I’ve watched and noticed every body has different ways or steps of dancing even thought it is called example tango steps: some call – slow, slow, quick, quick, slow…while some others call 1,2,3,4,5, as they teach and approach differently. My husband says that all dances start with only 3 steps….I am very, very confused. I would love to purchase membership with you for a year, but I’ve been hesitating due to my husband doesn’t want to follow the steps in your lessons when I showed him your webs with instruction…because I followed you instructed steps and his (my husband) are totally different, thus I became lost, lost….don’t exactly know where to step…you know what I mean? Do you have any clue or advice what should I do? Is this mean that I should dance by myself at all time due to I can’t cope with any other dancing partner if it ever takes place?
Hi Christine,
Sorry to hear that you are confused. I understand your situation.
Where did your husband learn to dance?
What I teach on this website is called “American Style” of Ballroom dancing – specifically because it’s very good for social dancing. And it is done all over the world now. And while there are some variations of steps and many other moves, the basics are universal for this style.
Perhaps your husband learned a different style? Then of course it would be hard for you to dance together.
What I recommend is that you and your husband take lessons together somewhere from the very beginning. You can either watch the videos together and/or go to a local dance studio to take lessons together so that you ARE DOING THE SAME THINGS and count things the same way.
This is the best for you guys.
Thanks Leon, my husband learned to dance with a bunch of friends when he was young back in the 80’s…and I think it was”European style or French style”, and he doesn’t want to start from scratch to take dancing lessons with me as beginner level.. I’m thinking of purchasing membership from your website and learn by myself in September when my daughter is going back to school. I guess I can only learn to know the dance steps to myself but will never be able to dance with anyone….due to the reason every body dances differently and in different variations of steps…it’s difficult to COPE or DOING THE SAME THINGS TOGETHER if you don’t practice together in routine…yes?
Thanks again my dear for your prompt advice;)
It’s difficult to dance with someone if you don’t have at least the SAME basic steps foundation. Its best to learn the same steps together. Good luck!
Thanks, this only reinforces my assertion that dancing by yourself is useful as it is often difficult to practice unless you are in a studio. Now to try and convince the others !
I can work on memorizing a routine by myself. However, it not ideal. Because I am slow at memorizing, I have to take time by myself.
Also, I can work on style when I practice alone.
Hi Anne
I have being ballroom/latin for about 7 years now and in the first studio I attended they taught social ballroom and then went on to international. After quite a long break, namely because I had a hip replacement operation, I went to a completely different studio who taught American style but with little touches of their own. ( very similar to what is taught on this website) However I can tell you, from experience, that from one studio to another and depending on what style is taught, even the names of steps can be different to be even more confusing – for instance a new Yorker in one place will be called a check step somewhere else (see cha cha and rumba). It would be worth your husband trying to teach you his method, then at least you will be able to dance together – if he has got patience and he knows the ladies part as well as his own. I hope this doesn’t confuse you further. Of course you can always go to a studio by yourself where you will be able to dance with an instructor and also to take part in socials which I am sure a good studio will provide. Good luck. Amanda
Thank you so much. I agree wholeheartedly. I have started practicing alone with aids of online videos and I have progressed a lot with salsa, cha cha and rumba. I had learned Cajun and zydeco partly by dancing alone as well, and partly by going to a lot of dances once I got the basic steps and moves.
Thanks for the encouragement – whenever I hear a tune on the radio that has a good definable beat, I will get up and practice the steps that I have learned from your videos.
I like the advice for hand motions – I would add the sway of the body to that tip!
I’m often in a position where I have to practice by myself. Do you recommend using one of those frames that hold your arms in the correct position?
Hi Pat,
You could use those frames if you want – But it’s not necessary at all.
The key is just to practice anything you’ve been working on in your lessons
so you can develop muscle memory.
Great tip Leon! Love the podcasts. Keep them coming. Your tips are helping us a lot
I do practice…it is so much helpful. Your tips help me lot…
very important to practice alone-if you can´t do everything by yourself, you can´t be a good partner….like your tips!
I am practicing by myself for a couple reasons. First, cuz my partner is away for a while and is a very fine dancer. So, in her absence, l am trying to learn some basic dances. Then when she returns, hopefully, she will help me to improve.
Yes Joseph that is the right way of thinking about this. You improve yourself and then when she’s back you’ll be so much better!
Truer words were never spoken; thanks for the reminder.
Thank you much, Leon!
You’re a great inspiration since my mother passed away recently –
I am listening to your cool tips that made me feel better and not concentrate on grieving.
Take care. God bless you.
I too am concentrating on ballroom dance after my mother passed away this year. As you state, it helps take focus off of grieving and allows a person to develop a beautiful skill that can be utilized at any age. And I’ve made new friends this way too.
For I have no constant dancing partner I tried out to dance for
my own since I started to dance again (I´m 65). For this I owned
a big mirror on wheels to have a look, how I practise. For me is
also important to have a new step saved up in my head so I don´t
have to think much about it when practising.
It is sound advise, to practice alone.
Good advice. I always thought I needed a dance partner to tell me what I was doing wrong.
I don’t know how to practice alone since I have no more partner since she passed away 3 years ago.If you are able to publish in a clear format form I would really appreciate. My memory is not really good now since I am over 80 years. I still like to dance. Thank you.
Hi Gaudencio,
In this article I gave some ideas of how to structure a practice: https://www.passion4dancing.com/ballroom-dance-practice/
It doesn’t have to be that in-depth, but you can get inspiration from it.
With due respect, instead of saying “Yes?….yes?….Yes?….”, you can try “Right?….Right?….right?…”.
Best Regards,
Colin
Hi Leon you are right I do practice by myself I am in control how I practice dancing I enjoy your videos am practicing more now that I see your videos
Thanks
Maria