I have been attending lessons for almost 2 months now and am considered a pretty good dancer. I have no problem with the smooth dances and the Latin steps. (which are my favorite) But when the class goes into East coast swing, It seems like I am lost! I have even tried pulling the instructer to the side to get extra help. It is very frustrating. HELP!!

Billman

Grab a private lesson or two purely on swing technique. A group class instructor generally doesn't have time to help you specifically with your movement, but a private teacher can. And just a couple of lessons shouls at least get you feeling more at ease with theway you're executing your triple steps / chasses.

Good luck!

Regards,
Jonathan

What do you mean by feeling lost? Do you not hear the beat? ... Can you keep up to the music? ... Or are you just have trouble leading steps?

I do not have a problem with the music. I think it is the lead. I have no problems with leading from a closed ballroom position. It is the triple step that seems to throw me off.

Billman

Anyone have tips or hints for leading?

Billman

It's hard to answer your question without specifics...what about the lead is difficult? Is there a particular step, or do you not get how do do one-handed lead?

Why is it that after 2 months you think you're even a beginner dancer? It takes a long time to simply get your body to move.

All right - in social or in swing, it takes very little before you become one of the better dancers, but jeez, think about it!! it takes more than 2 months to do it.

Remember the old saw: In social dance, an intermediate dancer is there after a few months - in dancesport, an intermediate dancer is there in a few YEARS.

Fact is, after only a few months, probably all you are doing is the classic 'walking to music' patterning. With no technique and only dancing around the beginner/social dancers, you're at the very start.

Dance is a journey not a destination. You'll be surprised at how far you get in a few more months (and look back at how 'good' you thought you were at THIS point) if you stick to it, take real lessons, and actually practice.

Another wise comment that I think is very wise: an hour of bad dancing reinforces your muscle memory as much as an hour of good dancing. Therefore, try to aviod the social for practice - do practicing with someone who is interested in proper form etc. You'll have plenty of time to 'undo' that at the next social - but perhaps some of the 'good' movement will stick!

Billman,
Check the post, 'Six Count Lindy'; you might better understand how the Triple Steps works with trhe music.
Black Sheep

Tips on Leading:
1) Keep your weight over your foremost foot so lady can kinetically sense which corresponding foot to shift to;
2) Drop your shoulder slightly in the direction you want her to follow;
3) Keep your arms firm, not rag-loose or frozen rigid; but firm so that the arms are locked into your shoulders;
4) In some moves it's permissable to use a free hand to nudge her gently in the right turn or direction.
5) Avoid strong arm leads. Even a beginner dancer will take a gentile lead correctly;
6) Do not try to lead partner into moves you or she are not advanced enough for.
Six tips is all you get, but use the old axium that works in every walk or dance in life, "KISS" .
Joe Lanza aka Black Sheep