Hi. I have played music (drums) my entire life and know many styles of music including classical and jazz/big-band. (I have also played a lot of rock n roll and study latin beats).

Anyhow, I don't dance. It's embarassing. I can break down rhythm structures in any meter or time, and I can play drum set and sing at the same time - coordination isn't the problem.

But I can't move an inch when I'm on a dance floor. I was at a wedding last nite and was kicking myself for not knowing how to dance - not even a little.

So... The question is: Where do I start? I have tons of music and blah. But in looking over this site I realize there is a LOT I don't know about dancing. I'd like to take my time and learn some basics because I also feel like I should because to fully understand the MUSIC you need to understand the DANCE.

I don't want to be the greatest dancer really, but I want to understand the basics.

Thanks in advance. jojo

Search for the best teacher in your area. This is very complicated for a beginner to figure out who is a good teacher since you don't know that much about dance. I wasted lots of money (like everyone else) on unsuitable teachers. Plan on committing some time and money to your efforts--like 3 years or so. There are many types of dances in ballroom, so just pick a few and build from there. Pretend that you beginning to learn to play a musical instrument. Do not short change yourself by not having, even as a beginner, a dedicated and well trained teacher--and take at least 1 or better 2 private lessons per week and maybe start going to some group classes-good ones, not the ones where the teacher puts more emphasis on jokes and fun than dance technique. Go to the fun dance socials too and develop dance friends. You are ahead of the game by being able to feel and count music.

One never knows how good of a dancer he will become--the same goes for a basketball player, musician, tennis player, or whatever in the beginning (or even later) and it may take years of effort to determine that you have "got game" or not. You just have to put the time and energy into the activity and hope for the best.

I have been dancing for about 7 years and still feel overwhelmed with the stuff that I don't feel like I know or can do. For example, I am obesssing about my posture. I thought that I had very good posture, but after talking to some male pros--I realized that to get my posture at a higher level it is going to take more work and awareness.

Bottomline--make the commitment and see how it goes after a few years.

HI THERE, I JUST STARTED MYSELF . FIRST AT THE HIGHSCHOOL ADULT CLASSES JUST TO SEEIF I LIKED IT. I DIDNT LIKE IT , I LOVED IT,FROM THERE ARTHUR MURRY. BEEN DANCING , ABOUT 4 TIMES PER WEEK PRIVATE SEMI AND PRACTICE. I CAN'T WAIT TO PUT MY SHOES ON,, AND DANCE. THE TIME JUST WHISKS AWAY,I PLAN ON DANCING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. THIS HAS BEEN A LIFE LONG DREAM, TO LEARN TO PROPERLY DANCE, KIDS GROWN NOW, MORE TIME. IT'S MOM'S TIME TO LIVE HER DREAM. SOMEDAY COMPETITION. LIVE YOUR DREAM!~~IAM