Good point. Musicians can hear, painters can see, actors can act, sportsmen can move, and politicians can talk.
Dance would seem to call for a comination of skills.
Dance would seem to call for a comination of skills.
Advice needed from dance experts
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Originally Posted by miaviv:
“ My kids are old enough to be left alone for an hour or so now and I think I might have persuaded my husband to come to dance lessons with me.”
“ My kids are old enough to be left alone for an hour or so now and I think I might have persuaded my husband to come to dance lessons with me.”
Good for you
Originally Posted by miaviv:
“There seems to be a mixed bag on offer = just salsa class, a class that does a mix rock, tango, cha cha cha, paso etc, or a line dancing class.”
“There seems to be a mixed bag on offer = just salsa class, a class that does a mix rock, tango, cha cha cha, paso etc, or a line dancing class.”
If you can PM me your location, I can probably send you a list of dance venues in your general areas
The question of "what dance to learn" is a tricky one. Basically it boils down to "what do you want to do?"
If you want to learn to dance socially, there are currently three decent-sized social dance scenes in the UK:
- Modern Jive / Ceroc
- Salsa
- Argentine Tango
(there are others, but those three are the biggest scenes, although AT is the small relative compared to the others)
Bear in mind that if you go to a "ballroom" class, these will typically teach multiple dance forms (maybe 6 or more), so you'll obviously take longer to master all of these, than any single dance.
Originally Posted by miaviv:
“I'm not a bad mover, my husband's a bit 'stiff' and neither of us have ever learnt dancing before. What would you advise us to go for in the first year ? Thanks in advance”
“I'm not a bad mover, my husband's a bit 'stiff' and neither of us have ever learnt dancing before. What would you advise us to go for in the first year ? Thanks in advance”
I'd suggest trying classes in lots of different dance forms - basically, do the research - until you both find one you enjoy, then learn that form.
miaviv hello ! I would totally recommend that you start with a ballet class. Why ? Well, how many times have you heard the celebs being advised to do the same ?
It's a great base for any form of dance, and if you find that you prefer ballroom dancing or line dancing or anything in between then you will be so well placed to make the most of it.
I'd suggest you start with your nearest ballet company and ask them what classes are available locally - not with them, just locally.
In almost all cases you'll find dance classes heavily subscribed. That rises each Strictly season so get starting now !
And many of the Strictly pro's run their own dance studios too - as does Len Goodman, so there's a place to try if you just want to head for ballroom.
Fingers crossed for you - you'll never look back !!!
It's a great base for any form of dance, and if you find that you prefer ballroom dancing or line dancing or anything in between then you will be so well placed to make the most of it.
I'd suggest you start with your nearest ballet company and ask them what classes are available locally - not with them, just locally.
In almost all cases you'll find dance classes heavily subscribed. That rises each Strictly season so get starting now !
And many of the Strictly pro's run their own dance studios too - as does Len Goodman, so there's a place to try if you just want to head for ballroom.
Fingers crossed for you - you'll never look back !!!
Originally Posted by Cheryl423:
“miaviv hello ! I would totally recommend that you start with a ballet class.”
“miaviv hello ! I would totally recommend that you start with a ballet class.”
Again it depends what she wants to do. If she's interested in partner dancing, ballet (and for that matter line dancing) will not be a good choice.
Ballet has very little awareness of the concept of lead-and-follow, because it's not really relevant to ballet.
Originally Posted by DavidJames:
“Again it depends what she wants to do. If she's interested in partner dancing, ballet (and for that matter line dancing) will not be a good choice.
Ballet has very little awareness of the concept of lead-and-follow, because it's not really relevant to ballet.”
“Again it depends what she wants to do. If she's interested in partner dancing, ballet (and for that matter line dancing) will not be a good choice.
Ballet has very little awareness of the concept of lead-and-follow, because it's not really relevant to ballet.”
David's right. Ballet is of course brilliant for posture and I always advise young dancers to study it (I did) but we're talking about the two of you having fun together so stick to partner dancing and learn together.
And of you do ballroom, don't get sucked into the 'medals' thing. You don't need that. Do social ballroom!
Originally Posted by F&CStrictlyBlog:
“
Argentine tango is really hard to learn - it's not something that you can pick up a basic step and muddle through a basic dance in a month or two. The class I went to rotated partners like a salsa class though I don't know if this is generally the rule. I'd guess it's probably the most rewarding once you've cracked it though - but I imagine that takes years :/
”
“
Argentine tango is really hard to learn - it's not something that you can pick up a basic step and muddle through a basic dance in a month or two. The class I went to rotated partners like a salsa class though I don't know if this is generally the rule. I'd guess it's probably the most rewarding once you've cracked it though - but I imagine that takes years :/
”
You seem to have had a bad experience with Argentine tango - which is a shame. Yes, it's a very different dance form, but with a good teacher you can learn and no, it doesn't take years unless you want to be a professional!
Yes, we do rotate partners in class but that's because you have to learn to lead and follow in tango. There is no set choreography but a series of moves that you learn, which are then put together in any combination a man chooses to lead.
It's a fabulous dance and you never stop learning it!
Originally Posted by F&CStrictlyBlog:
“I don't agree that a genuine latin teacher is necessarily better given my own experiences but with salsa you just try different classes until you find the one that fits you best.”
“I don't agree that a genuine latin teacher is necessarily better given my own experiences but with salsa you just try different classes until you find the one that fits you best.”
Actually, I'd say that applies to learning all dance forms. It's worth trying as many teachers and classes as you can, at the start, to see which ones you like.
Re: salsa:
Originally Posted by F&CStrictlyBlog:
“It's definitely the most fun.”
“It's definitely the most fun.”
Mmm, subjective. To be honest, the most "fun" (that is undermanding, social, friendly, just-turn-up) venues are usually Modern Jive.
Some salsa venues are incredibly unfriendly. And to put that in context, I say that from a perspective of a dance form which has an actual specific word for a woman who turns up to a social night and doesn't get a single dance all night long.
Originally Posted by F&CStrictlyBlog:
“Argentine tango is really hard to learn”
“Argentine tango is really hard to learn”
It's hard to master.
Originally Posted by F&CStrictlyBlog:
“ - it's not something that you can pick up a basic step and muddle through a basic dance in a month or two.”
“ - it's not something that you can pick up a basic step and muddle through a basic dance in a month or two.”
I disagree. I can get a follower to the point where she can follow in close embrace social dancing in under an hour. Actually, 5 minutes is usually enough. Leaders, admittedly, take longer to get to basic competence.
Of course, they won't be dancing well, but they'll be dancing.
Originally Posted by F&CStrictlyBlog:
“I'd guess it's probably the most rewarding once you've cracked it though - but I imagine that takes years”
“I'd guess it's probably the most rewarding once you've cracked it though - but I imagine that takes years”
Yes, like everything in life, the more effort the more reward.
Originally Posted by DavidJames:
“Actually, I'd say that applies to learning all dance forms. It's worth trying as many teachers and classes as you can, at the start, to see which ones you like.
Re: salsa:
Mmm, subjective. To be honest, the most "fun" (that is undermanding, social, friendly, just-turn-up) venues are usually Modern Jive.
Some salsa venues are incredibly unfriendly. And to put that in context, I say that from a perspective of a dance form which has an actual specific word for a woman who turns up to a social night and doesn't get a single dance all night long.
It's hard to master.
I disagree. I can get a follower to the point where she can follow in close embrace social dancing in under an hour. Actually, 5 minutes is usually enough. Leaders, admittedly, take longer to get to basic competence.
Of course, they won't be dancing well, but they'll be dancing.
Yes, like everything in life, the more effort the more reward.”
“Actually, I'd say that applies to learning all dance forms. It's worth trying as many teachers and classes as you can, at the start, to see which ones you like.
Re: salsa:
Mmm, subjective. To be honest, the most "fun" (that is undermanding, social, friendly, just-turn-up) venues are usually Modern Jive.
Some salsa venues are incredibly unfriendly. And to put that in context, I say that from a perspective of a dance form which has an actual specific word for a woman who turns up to a social night and doesn't get a single dance all night long.
It's hard to master.
I disagree. I can get a follower to the point where she can follow in close embrace social dancing in under an hour. Actually, 5 minutes is usually enough. Leaders, admittedly, take longer to get to basic competence.
Of course, they won't be dancing well, but they'll be dancing.
Yes, like everything in life, the more effort the more reward.”
Well said David. What he hasn't said is that he is a brilliant Argentine Tango teacher, so he knows what he is talking about.
Take note.
Originally Posted by Cheryl423:
“miaviv hello ! I would totally recommend that you start with a ballet class. Why ? Well, how many times have you heard the celebs being advised to do the same ?
It's a great base for any form of dance, and if you find that you prefer ballroom dancing or line dancing or anything in between then you will be so well placed to make the most of it.
I'd suggest you start with your nearest ballet company and ask them what classes are available locally - not with them, just locally.
In almost all cases you'll find dance classes heavily subscribed. That rises each Strictly season so get starting now !
And many of the Strictly pro's run their own dance studios too - as does Len Goodman, so there's a place to try if you just want to head for ballroom.
Fingers crossed for you - you'll never look back !!!”
“miaviv hello ! I would totally recommend that you start with a ballet class. Why ? Well, how many times have you heard the celebs being advised to do the same ?
It's a great base for any form of dance, and if you find that you prefer ballroom dancing or line dancing or anything in between then you will be so well placed to make the most of it.
I'd suggest you start with your nearest ballet company and ask them what classes are available locally - not with them, just locally.
In almost all cases you'll find dance classes heavily subscribed. That rises each Strictly season so get starting now !
And many of the Strictly pro's run their own dance studios too - as does Len Goodman, so there's a place to try if you just want to head for ballroom.
Fingers crossed for you - you'll never look back !!!”
hi there
Am not entirely sure, on wanting to learn to dance, if I would START with a ballet class - I do agree with you though, as do many professional dancers I know, that ballet is so beneficial to dance in general because it makes you aware at some level of poise etc, but if you are just starting, I'm not sure it would be a factor early on. Would come a bit later, once you decided you were getting a bit more committed and wanting to improve, I think.
I still think a Ballroom and Latin mix is best to start - given that miaviv said she had some rhythm and her husband was "stiff", he may dislike salsa/general Latin and she Ballroom - so if I were in that position, I think I might start with the mixed classes then I could see what we would do well TOGETHER. Just to keep hubby on board!
Am very impressed Miaviv that you have managed to get hubby on board - perhaps you'd come and have a word with mine! I'd give you some chocolate
Good luck with whatever you choose and what is available - would be amazing if you chose salsa and he had fabulous hips.
Will you come and tell us what you have decided to do, and how you get on?
You've had so much good advice from everyone on this thread, so wishing you both luck! and a lot of pleasure from it, whatever you choose.
I don't think it is fair to say that ballroom/latin has less socials. I think it depends on the individual schools and the area. I go to a dance school that runs a social night about once a month.
Also I think if you go down the ballroom /latin route then going to a qualified teacher is important. My first teacher wasn't properly qualified and as a result I have some bad habits and things that I was taught wrongly. It may not matter so much if you just dance socially for a bit of light relief once or twice a week, but if you found that you enjoyed it and started to take it more seriously it could become important to have got a good grounded background.
Still you have to try out lots of dance forms until you find the style you like.
Also I think if you go down the ballroom /latin route then going to a qualified teacher is important. My first teacher wasn't properly qualified and as a result I have some bad habits and things that I was taught wrongly. It may not matter so much if you just dance socially for a bit of light relief once or twice a week, but if you found that you enjoyed it and started to take it more seriously it could become important to have got a good grounded background.
Still you have to try out lots of dance forms until you find the style you like.
Thank you everyone for your various opinions and different advice, all of which is very welcome.
I'm actually in France so none of the UK based suggestions are doable for me but I'm so grateful for your suggestions as it's not easy to know where to start when you just "want to dance" !
I'm not sure if my husband is going off the boil a bit so I'm going to take him to a try out lesson so he can see what's on offer and hopefully feel the need to get up on the dancefloor and join in when he sees everyone having fun ! Thanks once again
I'm actually in France so none of the UK based suggestions are doable for me but I'm so grateful for your suggestions as it's not easy to know where to start when you just "want to dance" !
I'm not sure if my husband is going off the boil a bit so I'm going to take him to a try out lesson so he can see what's on offer and hopefully feel the need to get up on the dancefloor and join in when he sees everyone having fun ! Thanks once again
Originally Posted by miaviv:
“I'm actually in France so none of the UK based suggestions are doable for me”
“I'm actually in France so none of the UK based suggestions are doable for me”
Fair enough, scratch Modern Jive then.
Originally Posted by miaviv:
“
I'm actually in France so none of the UK based suggestions are doable for me but I'm so grateful for your suggestions as it's not easy to know where to start when you just "want to dance" !
I'm not sure if my husband is going off the boil a bit so I'm going to take him to a try out lesson so he can see what's on offer and hopefully feel the need to get up on the dancefloor and join in when he sees everyone having fun ! Thanks once again”
“
I'm actually in France so none of the UK based suggestions are doable for me but I'm so grateful for your suggestions as it's not easy to know where to start when you just "want to dance" !
I'm not sure if my husband is going off the boil a bit so I'm going to take him to a try out lesson so he can see what's on offer and hopefully feel the need to get up on the dancefloor and join in when he sees everyone having fun ! Thanks once again”
Ahhhh, if you're in France I'd definitely suggest Argentine Tango
Europe loves AT, and they also love what they call tango nuevo, AT with a very modern feel. The music is also amazing. You'll find demos on youtube.Good luck with whatever you do!
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