Good Luck VL!
Practice, Practice Practice. I'm sure you'll do great!
Practice, Practice Practice. I'm sure you'll do great!
Dance Teachers Discussion Area
10 of 10
Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement. That's so nice! I recognise some of the advice my teacher has given, but put into writing, including some of the things Jim and Blackberry have said. It is useful to hear it again. My poor teacher has to be very patient in reiterating things several times before it gets into my head, although he does explain things clearly (and I do try to listen!) I guess it is an occupational hazard of being a teacher.
Wysiwyg, it is the ISTD non qualifiers on Nov 6th (Winter Gardens). Maybe I shouldn't say too much more!. I will be dancing with a professional.
Ballroom B, what level exams are you looking to take (I'm sure you've said before - apologies)? If you've been learning at that level already it shouldn't take too long to put a routine together?
Wysiwyg, it is the ISTD non qualifiers on Nov 6th (Winter Gardens). Maybe I shouldn't say too much more!
. I will be dancing with a professional. Ballroom B, what level exams are you looking to take (I'm sure you've said before - apologies)? If you've been learning at that level already it shouldn't take too long to put a routine together?
Originally Posted by Vivacious Lady:
“...My poor teacher has to be very patient in reiterating things several times before it gets into my head, although he does explain things clearly (and I do try to listen!) I guess it is an occupational hazard of being a teacher....”
“...My poor teacher has to be very patient in reiterating things several times before it gets into my head, although he does explain things clearly (and I do try to listen!) I guess it is an occupational hazard of being a teacher.
...”
Don't worry about it. Even high level competitors have the same problem. There are so many things to work on when dancing that when you focus on a few (which is how you're supposed to practice) you end up forgetting the others or lose what you had worked on previously. Something that might help you is to take notes after each lesson. Write them down systematically and whenever you have a problem look through your notes. Some of the really OCD dancers even take notes after their practices!
As there appear to be so many experts on the SCD forum now, I thought I'd resurrect this old thread again. 
BUMP
BUMP
Good luck to all competing or attending in Brentwood on Tuesday and Wednesday, in RAH on Thursday.
Tell us how it went? Do.
http://www.dance-news.co.uk/images/d...2timetable.pdf
Tell us how it went? Do.
http://www.dance-news.co.uk/images/d...2timetable.pdf
Originally Posted by dancing-girl:
“Hello,
Is anyone going this year!
I am going this year with people from my dancing school and I am getting very excited!”
“Hello,
Is anyone going this year!
I am going this year with people from my dancing school and I am getting very excited!
”
Vivacious Lady is going to RAH on Thursday. Elizabethjo is having eye surgery today (hug). For sure several more at least.
In Brentwood on Tuesday and Wednesday,
in Royal Albert Hall on Thursday.
Are you judging, Wysiwyg?
Dance Britannia appears to be in a renaissance judging by Blackpool last summer.
in Royal Albert Hall on Thursday.
Are you judging, Wysiwyg?
Dance Britannia appears to be in a renaissance judging by Blackpool last summer.
Alas no as I have to be at work at 8 am on Friday (and no chance of taking day off) 
I know a few people that are going to the RAH on Thursday and I'm very jealous of them. I'd love to go sometime.
I know a few people that are going to the RAH on Thursday and I'm very jealous of them. I'd love to go sometime.
Originally Posted by soulmate61:
“Vivacious Lady is going to RAH on Thursday. Elizabethjo is having eye surgery today (hug). For sure several more at least.”
“Vivacious Lady is going to RAH on Thursday. Elizabethjo is having eye surgery today (hug). For sure several more at least.
”
Thanks Soulmate though the surgery is tomorrow (Wednesday) Vivacious Lady has managed to get someone to use my ticket. I will really miss it this year. Booked for next year though.
Originally Posted by elizabethjo:
“Thanks Soulmate though the surgery is tomorrow (Wednesday) Vivacious Lady has managed to get someone to use my ticket. I will really miss it this year. Booked for next year though.”
“Thanks Soulmate though the surgery is tomorrow (Wednesday) Vivacious Lady has managed to get someone to use my ticket. I will really miss it this year. Booked for next year though.”
Good luck for tomorrow.
Originally Posted by soulmate61:
“In Brentwood on Tuesday and Wednesday,
in Royal Albert Hall on Thursday.
Are you judging, Wysiwyg?
Dance Britannia appears to be in a renaissance judging by Blackpool last summer.”
“In Brentwood on Tuesday and Wednesday,
in Royal Albert Hall on Thursday.
Are you judging, Wysiwyg?
Dance Britannia appears to be in a renaissance judging by Blackpool last summer.
”
I never tell anyone on here where and when I'm judging in case they're competing
There are also too many oddballs about and some particularly vile creatures who I would prefer to avoid like the plague! I might be tempted to throw a very large custard pie in their direction
Originally Posted by *Wysiwyg*:
“There are also too many oddballs about and some particularly vile creatures who I would prefer to avoid like the plague! I might be tempted to throw a very large custard pie in their direction”
“There are also too many oddballs about and some particularly vile creatures who I would prefer to avoid like the plague! I might be tempted to throw a very large custard pie in their direction
”
To hit more than 1 oddball,
best to throw more than 1 custard pie.
Hello dance experts! I have a question you may be able to help me with....
I've watched every series of SCD, but never danced myself, so everything I know about technique has been culled from Strictly (and DwtS) . I can blag a bit about 'top line' and 'frame' and waffle on about rise and fall etc but I remain clueless about heel and toe leads. I presume they are what they say they are ie 'stepping off' on your heel or your toe , but when does one deploy which in the ballroom. (Latin is all on the toes, isn't it? 
). Denise apparently didn't have any heel leads in her Waltz...where should they have been?
It might be too difficult to describe in words (of one syllable
), but I'd be grateful if someone could try....it's something I feel I really ought to know by now. Funnily enough, all those years of Len 'teaching' Claudia, just didn't help. Her or me .
Cheers x
I have a question you may be able to help me with....I've watched every series of SCD, but never danced myself, so everything I know about technique has been culled from Strictly (and DwtS)
. I can blag a bit about 'top line' and 'frame' and waffle on about rise and fall etc but I remain clueless about heel and toe leads. I presume they are what they say they are ie 'stepping off' on your heel or your toe , but when does one deploy which in the ballroom. (Latin is all on the toes, isn't it? ). Denise apparently didn't have any heel leads in her Waltz...where should they have been? It might be too difficult to describe in words (of one syllable
), but I'd be grateful if someone could try....it's something I feel I really ought to know by now. Funnily enough, all those years of Len 'teaching' Claudia, just didn't help. Her or me .Cheers x
I'm not a dance teacher and so you'll probably get a better answer elsewhere. But to explain heel leads.......
Waltz is easiest to explain. Given it is counted 1 2 3, it would normally be a heel when lowering and stepping forward on beat 1. The foot should then roll through from heel to flat to ball to give the push upwards for the rise in the next step. Obviously doesn't apply if you are stepping backwards on the 1). Quickstep is similar but the rhythm is different - E.g. stepping forward on beat 1 of a slow quick quick slow.
Foxtrot is more complicated (sigh) but it would normally be on a slow in a typically slow quick quick sequence, but there are exceptions. For example a three step or reverse wave (very common foxtrot steps) has a quick where you step forward on a heel on the next quick but rise onto the ball of the foot..
Tango nearly all heels.when going forward as it is a very flat dance, with legs bent most of the time. So it is the most like walking.
Advanced steps may be different. Maybe someone else can advise.
Waltz is easiest to explain. Given it is counted 1 2 3, it would normally be a heel when lowering and stepping forward on beat 1. The foot should then roll through from heel to flat to ball to give the push upwards for the rise in the next step. Obviously doesn't apply if you are stepping backwards on the 1). Quickstep is similar but the rhythm is different - E.g. stepping forward on beat 1 of a slow quick quick slow.
Foxtrot is more complicated (sigh) but it would normally be on a slow in a typically slow quick quick sequence, but there are exceptions. For example a three step or reverse wave (very common foxtrot steps) has a quick where you step forward on a heel on the next quick but rise onto the ball of the foot..
Tango nearly all heels.when going forward as it is a very flat dance, with legs bent most of the time. So it is the most like walking.
Advanced steps may be different. Maybe someone else can advise.
Not from a dance teacher, just two clips for considerationn --
heel leads in foxtrot.
toe leads in cha cha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VN2UPymvxY
As Kara stepped forward then rested her weight on the heel, there was room and time for a graceful rise from the heel. Had she landed on the balls of the foot there could not have been subside-and-rise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv0e7esK8yM
In this ingeniously (so said Darren and Lilia) choreographed cha cha cha, Kristina walked forward in promenade position with toe lead to land on the balls of her toot. At this latin speed with forward impulsion there was no time or need for fall-and-rise.
After this golden cha cha the nation fell in love with Kristina and voted for John to keep Kristina in. Craig awarded 1 paddle for this dance which outraged Brian on ITT. Craig called John names, then Claudia brought John in on the phone, who said Craig should "consider his position." From that point on it was daggers drawn both sides, ending with John's resignation. Kristina in her debut year was reduced to tears 3 times.
heel leads in foxtrot.
toe leads in cha cha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VN2UPymvxY
As Kara stepped forward then rested her weight on the heel, there was room and time for a graceful rise from the heel. Had she landed on the balls of the foot there could not have been subside-and-rise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv0e7esK8yM
In this ingeniously (so said Darren and Lilia) choreographed cha cha cha, Kristina walked forward in promenade position with toe lead to land on the balls of her toot. At this latin speed with forward impulsion there was no time or need for fall-and-rise.
After this golden cha cha the nation fell in love with Kristina and voted for John to keep Kristina in. Craig awarded 1 paddle for this dance which outraged Brian on ITT. Craig called John names, then Claudia brought John in on the phone, who said Craig should "consider his position." From that point on it was daggers drawn both sides, ending with John's resignation. Kristina in her debut year was reduced to tears 3 times.
We need WYSIWYG who is a dance teacher here for this.
With apologies to any dance teachers reading this thread who may sigh and groan at my explanation, I will try to describe it in layman's terms. I can only describe it as which part of the foot moves off and touches the ground first and it is linked to rise and fall. When you step forwards walking normally most people will place their heel on the floor first; unless they are shuffling, in which case they might put their foot down flat (or they are walking oddly to hold on crazy or ill-fitting footwear!). In ballroom it is similar. Stepping forward you move off and when you replace the foot your heel is first in contact with the floor and then your toes. Stepping backwards as a lady the heel leaves the floor first and the toes track back on the floor, followed by the heel of the other foot tracking on the floor. That is a heel lead. However, when rise and fall is involved, sometimes you are on your toes from a rising step when you take off. It is then pretty impossible to step off and land with a heel lead so your toe touches down first - a toe lead (you probably could land on a heel but it would be tricky and look very odd!).
In latin it isn't heels or toes but ball-flat. Your weight is forward over the balls of your feet and you push through the flor with the balls of your feet, landing with the balls of the feet. I think there is only two exceptions I can think of currently. A lady in the grand circle in paso doble does a heel lead and the corta jaca in samba has a step on the heel (though it isn't a heel lead).
As an aside, being told you are flat footed is pretty much that - putting the whole foot down flat rather than with a heel or toe.
I don't know if that helps or whether that made everything as clear as mud!
With apologies to any dance teachers reading this thread who may sigh and groan at my explanation, I will try to describe it in layman's terms. I can only describe it as which part of the foot moves off and touches the ground first and it is linked to rise and fall. When you step forwards walking normally most people will place their heel on the floor first; unless they are shuffling, in which case they might put their foot down flat (or they are walking oddly to hold on crazy or ill-fitting footwear!). In ballroom it is similar. Stepping forward you move off and when you replace the foot your heel is first in contact with the floor and then your toes. Stepping backwards as a lady the heel leaves the floor first and the toes track back on the floor, followed by the heel of the other foot tracking on the floor. That is a heel lead. However, when rise and fall is involved, sometimes you are on your toes from a rising step when you take off. It is then pretty impossible to step off and land with a heel lead so your toe touches down first - a toe lead (you probably could land on a heel but it would be tricky and look very odd!).
In latin it isn't heels or toes but ball-flat. Your weight is forward over the balls of your feet and you push through the flor with the balls of your feet, landing with the balls of the feet. I think there is only two exceptions I can think of currently. A lady in the grand circle in paso doble does a heel lead and the corta jaca in samba has a step on the heel (though it isn't a heel lead).
As an aside, being told you are flat footed is pretty much that - putting the whole foot down flat rather than with a heel or toe.
I don't know if that helps or whether that made everything as clear as mud!
Wow! Thank you Spin turn, soulmate and Ballroom.B. 
It's a little more complicated than I'd imagined , but a little understanding is starting to form in my addled brain .
If WISIWYG or anyone else would be kind enough to have a go, it would be great. I reckon it might be something which, explained in enough different ways, will suddenly become clear (though I've no doubt a good demonstration would speak a thousand words....What on earth did Len actually teach us?)
If nothing else, this will make me a better blagger!
It's a little more complicated than I'd imagined
, but a little understanding is starting to form in my addled brain .If WISIWYG or anyone else would be kind enough to have a go, it would be great. I reckon it might be something which, explained in enough different ways, will suddenly become clear (though I've no doubt a good demonstration would speak a thousand words....What on earth did Len actually teach us?
)If nothing else, this will make me a better blagger!
Originally Posted by fridgesoup:
“What on earth did Len actually teach us?)
”
“What on earth did Len actually teach us?
)”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9fyVeDdfOo
Long dress and dry ice made it hard to see her feet, but Denise's posture shows she was on tiptoe most of the time, i.e. she danced it in one breath, tensing and not settling her weight down then to gracefully rise again. Compared to Kara, this lack of variety detracted from the lyricism, I think.
If you search for Marcus and Karen Hilton, Simply the Best on YouTube there are lots of instructional videos for ballroom. They're the best I've seen. There's a lot there but there are some where they count the waltz and you can see the heel leads on beat one and the rise and fall.
10 of 10
