Dance Asylum Blog

by Joseph Schneider

Last time, we discussed how a clear understanding of division of labor can help empower your dancing and avoid unnecessary bickering.  Specifically, we addressed what leaders have to do to keep up their end of work, but that’s only half the battle.

Following is anything but passive.  I get a lot of complaints from ladies during lessons that everything the man is doing is wrong (and sometimes that’s true), but it never occurs to them to ask what they can do to make his job easier.  I don’t blame the ladies for this, rather I think it’s a general misunderstanding of partner dancing.  The words “lead” and “follow” are poor descriptors of what goes on.  I prefer the analogy that the leader draws up the blueprints, and the follower builds the house.  Here are the follower’s four duties:

1.     Determine the power of the figure being danced.

2.     Determine the amount of movement to be exerted in that figure.

3.     Determine the level of expression that figure will receive.

4.     Determine the degree of shaping you will commit to.

You’ve probably noticed that while the leader’s jobs are clear cut, quantifiable things like speed, rotation, etc., the follower’s responsibilities are a little more subjective, and each one depends upon the other.  In fact, all of them can be lumped together in one sentence: The follower interprets a figure, assigning the appropriate degree of power to each motion, based on her ability and that of her partner, including to what extent a movement is expressed and shaped.

Followers, no matter how good the leader is, without your direct and proactive involvement, everything falls flat.

by Joseph Schneider

One of my old coaches once said that in order to maximize their effectiveness, dance lessons should be interspersed with at least three hours of practice.  Otherwise, he told me, the new material you’ve learned isn’t going to take root.

It makes sense, but so do many diet plans, New Year’s resolutions, car servicing schedules, and a whole lot of other things we’d rather avoid.  One of the reasons we tend to eschew practice is because it reminds us that we’ve got a long way to go, particularly when we first start out and progress seems so far away.

An easy fix to many dance related problems is the understanding of division of labor.  Susannah Cuesta, a brilliant dancer and instructor, explains that there are four key elements that both the leader and follower are responsible for.  Today, let’s deal with the leader.  Here we go:

1. Determine the pattern, figure, or sequence being danced.

2. Determining the direction, or alignment of the figure.

3. Determining the amount of rotation, if any.

4. Determine the speed at which the figure is danced.

So, basically, what are we dancing, where is it going, do we need to turn, and how fast are we moving?  These are the leader’s responsibilities, and anything else is generally outside his purview.  Believe me, it’s enough.  A leader has to think about all these things at once, and at the same time keep on time with the music and avoid other couples.  Followers, make sure he embraces these responsibilities, but have a little compassion if he slips up.  Understanding this principle will reduce fights while at the same time empowering the leader by defining his role more clearly.

Next time, we’ll get to the followers.

by Joseph Schneider

Let’s face it – as great as it can be, partner dancing is tough.  Not only do you have to keep your game up to your own standards, but you’re constantly having to adjust and relate to your partner.  The number of fights I’ve seen on the dance floor would rattle most divorce attorneys.   “You stepped on my foot!”  “You push too hard!”  “You pull too much!”  “You’re in my way!”  “You’re not leading!”  “You’re not following!”  And on and on…

That’s where this blog comes in.  No matter where you are in your dancing, you’ll find something here that can help – tips and tricks, shortcuts, painless lessons in technique, and general advice.  Along the way, I encourage any comments and questions you may have – you’d be surprised how many people out there are concerned with the same issues you are.

Above all, I want you to know that despite all the growing pains, dance really is one of the most incredible gifts you can give to yourself.  It does take work, but so does anything worthwhile.  Richard Tsim, one of the most brilliant teachers I know, says that frustration is alright, but don’t let yourself get discouraged.  Discouragement can break your discipline, and more often than not, lead to the abandonment of your goals.  All the time and money you’ve put into something gets thrown away.

So stick with me, and I’ll see you on the boards.