How Can I Become A Good Dancer?

Becoming a “Good Dancer” is the dream of many beginners.
Here are some tips that will be helpful along the way.

1. Have an Open Mind
Many times we walk into a class feeling as though we have already learned most of what is being taught, but that we need just one thing (a new step, syncopation, body move, timing etc.) When this happens, we tend to only hear what we want to hear and not necessarily what is being taught. Many teachers use patterns as a means to teach a skill; that skill would be the primary thing to learn in that class, not the pattern itself.

2. Be In The Right Level
Don’t get frustrated by taking dance lessons at th wrong level. Sometimes it helps to be in a class above your skill level and sometimes it’s just a waste of time and money. We encourage you to push yourself and reach high, but not to waster your time and get frustrated. Remember, it’s the quality, not the quantity.

3. Be On Time
If you are there from the beginning of the class, you will obviously have a better understanding of what is being taught than if you come to class in the middle of an explanation. Besides, it’s not fair to the teacher or to the rest of the class to have to keep repeating things for the late comers.

4. Encourage Your Partners
On occasion, we will have a new student worried about the more advanced students in the class getting frustrated with them. While you are working on your dancing, be aware of what emotion you may be projecting. Beginning dancers tend to take this more personal. If you’re frustrated with yourself, they may think it’s them you’re frustrated with. Remember to always encourage your partners, it makes all the difference. The more comfortable people are in class, the more often they will come.

5. Come As Often As Possible
Coming to classes as often as possible will improve your dancing considerably, even when you think you know it all. I guarantee you will learn something new. Remember, you never stop learning.

6. Take Private Lessons
Taking group classes is a great way to learn patterns. However, if you really want to understand and polish your dancing, privates are the way go. To be honest, some things cannot be taught in group classes because of the time constraint. For this reason, some technique can only be fully taught in private lessons. A private lesson is an excellent way to improve your dancing quickly. You should consider taking one.

7. Get As Much Practice As Possible
Come early to class, stay after class, practice as often as possible. A coach once told us that there should be 5 hours of practice between each class. While you may not be able to practice that much, just know that the more you practice, the better. The key to improving your dancing is practice, practice, practice!!!

8. Have The Proper Tools
You don’t have to buy dance shoes, but having adequate footwear eliminates one potential roadblock to your learning. A good pair of shoes will last a long time if they are properly taken care of. Think of it as putting good tires on your car. If you are committed to dancing, invest in the right shoes. If you choose not to have dance shoes, you should wear a pair of shoes with thin, flexible, plastic, or leather soles that are slippery. Ladies should avoid wearing flip-flops and instead wear shoes with ankle straps for support. Please avoid tennis shoes and work boots. Clothing should be cool and comfortable.

9. Have Fun
Remember that this is a social activity. Think of why you walked into your first class in the first place. Most people choose to start taking classes in order to learn to dance socially and to have fun. Also remember that the learning process guarantees that mistakes will happen. You will learn faster if you learn to laugh at your mistakes instead of stressing over them. Enjoy the learning process!