In theory I like this idea, but in practice there are obvious areas of conflict.

There are those who just do ballroom and there are others, like myself, who have trained in other forms of dance and also taught them as well.

This does tend to lead to arguments and different perceptions about dance, training, teaching and technique. This can be really tedious and tends to lead to sulks and tantrums, which have no place in a grown up discussion or a lively forum.

I do not know how you get around that, but it needs to be a forum where the ballroom fans do not believe that only they know everything there is to know about SCD and no other training matters.

An exchange of ideas can be wonderful. One upmanship is a pain and rarely funny or amusing

I can't see the point of asking Mods for a thread. Threads (like this one) can just be created. Unless you are referring to a Pinned Thread - which I can't see them giving for a minority interest.

A suitable thread has just been signalled

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1364828

The advantage of going to the attic is that (so long as the title avoids mentioning a celeb) rabid foaming fans of a particular celeb are unlikely to visit it. And threads can be created for various dances, music, shows etc.

So I suggest we [LIST][*]populate the above thread [*]join Anthro and myself in asking for a place in the attic as per posts above.[/LIST]

Hi, I am very pleased that there seem to be a few like minded individuals. I only recently discovered this forum, and as per my original post, its something that perhaps ought to be started next year when SCD starts again. I don't know how these things work, would it be possible to have a thread that remains open even though the series has ended ? My original thought is that something could run along side the other threads when the next series starts.

This thread is still open despite the last post being nearly two years ago.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...hp?t=1364828of course.

Why don't you (or somebody) post some dance talk and kick start it again? - other than "bump" of course.

I understand what you are saying, and yes, of course there may be differences of opinion. But from my limited experience on this forum I have "met" some lovely very knowledgeable people. At the end of the day, the people that know their onions all "sing from the same hymn sheet" really.
All types of dance can be discussed. I know very little about AT and have enjoyed reading posts from some that seem very experienced and know what they are talking about. I'm hoping that such a thread, by not attracting the fans of the celebs, will attract experienced dancers, pro's and learner dancers alike. I find that people that do know what they are talking about - rather than the " think they know it all" types are more than happy to make their point and discuss calmly. The good thing about technique, for example, is that you can't argue about it. It is either done correctly or it isn't.Thank you for your comments

It may be a good idea to start it next year, as posters can enter comments and questions, that can roll from week to week.
Now we are at the final, probably seems little point once the final has been danced and the show has ended.
I am very pleased though, that I am not alone, and not all contributors want to slag off the dancers and posters.
Hope you enjoy the final

It works both ways sofakat.

A little less them and us (those 'ballroom fans') might help more constructive discussion take place. It is not supposed to be a battle, but I get tired of the side swipes at 'the ballroom crowd' in other threads.

The thread that has been identified is one I started when I used to post on here under a different name, before I locked myself out. Personally I think it might be better to start a new one. However the thread was simply about technical points and so there would have been no reason for there to be fundamental divisions and if you read through the thread it was mainly polite and constructive. However as franglemand says, it did die through lack of interest.

When all is said and done, posting to it is a matter of personal choice, like the NAT thread.

Nice to see you here, Spin Turn.

Thanks

I do see what Sofakat is saying. If you get three dancers together there will inevitably be 4 opinions. In fact there is a running joke around these parts that the collective noun for a group of Argentine Dance teachers is an opinion of dance teachers.

The only two dances on SCD I know anything about are salsa and AT and both are notoriously subjective. I can sort of extrapolate some insight into cha cha and rumba but not the ballroom versions really. I suspect ballroom is less subjective - I assume this because I have an idea it is governed and codified which I imagine stops it from evolving quite so rapidly.

The people who have commented on this thread so far and on the Nartem's AT thread before are all people who I have come to like as people (as far as one can tell on a forum) and have opinions I respect as much for the way they make them as for the content - although that too of course. I would like to think that there is a trust and an understanding that we might disagree about how best to achieve good hip action or do a feather step but will all know that it is only because we share a passion and make allowances.

My motive for dance talk tends to the evangelistic. I came to dance late as an adult and for that I will never be very good but it has been life transforming and is IMO the most life enhancing thing you can do. I just want others to experience the joy I get from it. I believe the dance posts this season have encouraged one or two to dip a toe onto the dance floor.

I have enjoyed discussing dance with you A Throp - you are open minded and never dogmatic

Wanted to share this with you - and anybody else who might be wondering why those of us who dance AT find some the SCD versions so hilarious. No, it is not my blog, but this person is well respected for their views. It's well written and has some great vids attached!

http://mshedgehog.blogspot.co.uk/p/a...v-viewers.html

Yes, quite.

I have chosen of late not to bother posting very much, mainly because the fun has gone out of it. Far too many people who are armchair critics - with very little knowledge - have set themselves up as experts whose opinion cannot be criticised or ever doubted. The pontificating has reached epic proportions - as it tends to on forums which focus on dance.

Well the nature of the internet is that no one's claimed experience is verifiable (mine, your's, or others in this or any other threads) and I'm always suspicious of people who feel they have to to justify any argument by quoting how many years' expertise they have, or by belittling others. However unlike Alan Sugar in The Apprentice, we're unable to call in a Claude Littner to dissect someone's CV. One can only infer someone's expertise from the content of their posts and how well they present an argument. That's why, it is always better to attack the argument rather than the person.

As someone who has a very very strong preference for ballroom, I hope I am always respectful of other people's preferences. Indeed, it is interesting hearing what it is that "does it" for others.

Well I can verify Sofs CV but I don't see why I should,? I think the fact that anyone feels the needs to is the very reason why any sort dance discussion will get bogged down.

Quite frankly I find that idea an extremely weird idea

That's not the point I'm making (and the idea of one anonymous forum member verifying another is a bit weird actually )

I was replying to this post


......and saying that we should be focussing on the arguments, not the people making them (the exact opposite to what you've inferred from my post). . Never mind!

I think it could work if the thread was used to discuss the dancing and critique it professionally rather thanks I g it as a platform to belittle the contestants and pros in a personal manner. Also if those from different dance backgrounds didn't dismiss others.

Personally I loved the Dance Teachers thread on the BBC forum and it really helped me to understand why some didn't rage certain dances and thought others were wonderful.

I agree fully.

I am only about a third of the way through but wanted to thank you for this. Its great.

I am greatly comforted by Noelia's splayed hand on the man's back. Thanks to Craig I am constantly adjusting my own hand because I am conscious that he says a splayed hand is bad. I try this and that; copying the ballroom shaping where the hand is side on or even back to front (if you see what I mean) and raising fingers etc. But somehow it keeps finding its way flat again. But having seen her hand I am perhaps going to relax a little and focus my concentration on other things (no shortage of options there)

What happened to the poster whose name was something like David Evans ?

Hope I've got the right name/ person but I used to enjoy reading their opinion on certain dances.

If something's not been posted in for two years, it's better to create a brand new thread than to bump the old one.


I'd agree, the threads tend to run much smoother when people just accept that the person posting whatever opinion it is, have the necessary knowledge to make it or have given a rider to say they have experience in X but would like to contrast it with Y etc.


Are you thinking of DavidJames? He was our resident AT expert (and I believe a good friend/fellow teacher of Sofakat's) and he's not posted at all much this year.

I totally agree with you Spin.

I've always loved to join in the discussions in previous 'Dance Teacher' threads on here and on the BBC boards, but I'm sick of the constant arguments.e.g. Express an opinion if you dare, but we'll belittle you if it differs from ours.

There appears to be many dance 'experts' on here these days who have learned everthing they know from SCD and from other posters who shout long and loud with their opinions so they must be right!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on style, performance and presentation but it usually requires a trained eye to make accurate comments on technique. As SCD employs International standard ballroom/latin professionals then I expect them to teach to that standard.

We can only dream although it has got far worse over the years than when the show started. In the first five series' there were nearly always recognised steps danced which made it obvious to a none ballroom/latin dancer what was being performed. Now a lot of the dances just seem to blur into one.

BIB I so agree!!! my biggest bug bear Also agree with others one form of dance is not better than another and respect opinions of those who do other types than mine (ballroom/latin/freestyle/hiphop) ) but our dancentre covers all types

Think biggest problem is some of the pros that have come in over the years saw interview the other day Janette in 2011 saying she did not mnow enough ballroom to be a pro (BTF interview) and I think that is still the case with her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IdwtueEZN4 too many BTF or SYTYCD to be honest

Totally agree Bendy, it's fairly obvious which ones come from a traditional 10 dance background and those who've come up through the theatrical stage version. That, in itself, isn't necessarily a bad thing though providing they still take the time to teach a recognisable dance routine, which some do.