The social dancer’s guide to leading.
Following these 4 points will go a long way in making your social dance experience a little more fulfilling for both you and your partner. And isn’t that the whole point of social dance anyways?
1. Start slowly.
No matter what, accelerate slowly.
Take it step by step, feel out your partner’s capabilities and for the most part, stay within that range. Cheat a bit, but keep it to a minimum!
For example, if all your partner can do is walk to the music, you must work all of your magic within that walk. Take what they know -basic steps- and create a dance from her basic steps. Be creative and understand a tight lead can do wonders for even the most inexperienced dancer.
2 . Indicate that you are going to indicate.
Always lead early.
If you lead early, and she follows slightly late, there is plenty of time for musical play. Keep this in mind. Don’t just give her a prep, give her a pre-prep! This means an early indicator of an early indicator. How about that?!?
3. Keep secrets.
If she “messes up”, smile, smooth it over and make it a secret between the two of you. Don’t flinch. If you mess up, it never happened.
4. Use the minimum force required by your partner.
Use only what you need. This is totally dependent on your follow, and the song that the two of you are expressing together.
Please work to apply at least ONE of these points to your social dance. And that means you have to go out and actually dance.
Professional training + dance floor experience = tremendous dancer.
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Good points E. I guess I know why you smile when I dance with you
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Does Stephanie have advice for follows?
I try to take advantage of opportunities to express myself and work all the magic I can within my leads abilities. Any other advice for follows?
Actually, that is a good point. As a follow you not only have to work within your leads capabilities in areas such as rhythm and timing, but also within what you are being led to do.
All of this makes the fitting process even more complex for follows who are virtual chameleons -changing with every lead.
I smile with you because you are fun to dance with!!
We will work on compiling a guide for follows. It may take a bit, since choosing 4 points takes MUCH longer than writing say, 20.