Vintage Swing Spokane
Practice Makes Perfect? Maybe it hurts...
Before Class/Dance Preparations
fill your dance bag
Start before you leave the house:.
Pack your bag for all possible outcomes:
Do you have all the correct clothing??
Socks
Dance shoes
Flip Flops
Clean T-shirt
Do you have stink guards on?
Breath Freshener
Deodorant
Do you have all your learning tools??
notebook
pen/pencil
camera./storage
CHECK YOURSELF
In being a community member there is a certain amount of conformity to the cultural norms of the group.
People want to enjoy your company but may find it difficult because:
You maybe dressed inappropriately.
You may have an offensive odor,
breath or body.
So before you jump into class or a dance, check yourself.
Are you showing skin?
It's gross to touch someone's sweaty skin. Choose something that will not give someone slime hand.
If you are a sweat-er,
someone who sweats a lot,
then pack or wear things that help reduce the effects of slime hand.
Self-care is also
consideration for others.
Being clean, smelling good, and looking sharp not only boosts self confidence, but does not discourage people from wanting to interact with you.
See these other notes about
"Slime hand" abatement and
other dance floor offences.
Refresh Yourself
If your are taking classes in the evening, the events of the day still weigh on you. Take a moment and
clear your head.
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Take some deep breathes,
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enjoy fresh air with a walk to the corner
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take a moment to find the water fountain and grab a drink.
Prepare your body.
Start with making sure you stretch. Tend to any medical issues you might have by putting on any braces or other supportive or protective gear.
And make sure your teacher is advised of any physical concerns..
While In
Dance Class
A FEW NOTES ABOUT BEING
in Dance Class
VINTAGE SWING IN 20 WORDS OR lESS
It's the original body of social dances created for Swing music, the popular music of its time.
SLIGHTLY MORE DETAILS:
While the teacher is teaching/talking, save side conversations until the practice time.
When your expectations are too high, you can find your class experience discouraging. So come to class expecting to work on getting it. There is no expectation of perfection or expertise from students.
Say/sing the "song" or "mantra" or "cadence" of the move. These are tremendously helpful to convince your body parts to get on board. The trick is matching the mechanic with the thing you are saying.
Ask for help when needed. Help can be:
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watching you,
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dancing with you or your partner,
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a demonstration of the skill
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or simply restating the concept.
Always write down what was taught in class. Be sure to include:
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description of move, with notes on leading
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exercises that were meaningful or you need to practice more
Ask your partner for specific feedback during practice time. It's best if you focus on only one topic/item. There are only a few seconds between run-throughs.
Do as many things as possible to help you assimilate the new information. The more ways you experience the move the better for learning.
Watch it, say it, think it through, dance it, practice small elements are several ways to master dance moves.
Learn how you learn! Often adult students have not taken a dance class or any other class in years. It is hard to know what kind of teaching you need. Take note of delivery. If you notice something making more sense then ask the teacher to keep teaching in that fashion for your success.
Best Questions
for Class time
In Colleen's class there are lots of opportunities to ask questions in class.
As a teacher, her job is to notice what is broken and provide you tools and exercises to fix it.
Colleen can see the execution, but not inside your head.
So ... raise your hand, call out her name, when she walks by engage her.
Your query will be met with smiles and a remedy... or two.
From our other section, this is the foundation of our best questions.
Ask for help when needed. Help can be:
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watching you,
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dancing with you or your partner,
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a demonstration of the skill
-
or simply restating the concept.
Common Questions
Feel free to use these questions to help your learning process.
(Listed in no particular order)
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Can you show me that again?
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Can we practice that again?
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Will you watch me do it and help me figure out what is wrong?
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Can we dance it without the music?
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Can we dance it to slower music? Will you dancing it with me so I can feel it?
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Will you count that out for me?
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Will you give me the rhythms for?
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Will you give me the mechanics?
After Class Efforts-
Skill Elements to master
Core Swing Elements
These are good things to practice individually.
THEN, the next level is to combine all these elements to be done simultaneously!
Start with the different basic rhythms
Slows
Quicks
This one is key to integrate
Swing Position
Now this is a MUST
Pulse/Bouncer
If you follow this progression you find great success. Dedicate a few minutes each just working on these individually.
Basic Dance Mechanics
Let's study those rhythms.
Here are a few exercises to explore what you can do with each of those rhythms. These are common mechanics that are combined make up a unique rhythm variation/move variation.
QUICKS
Runs
hops
balls (of ball change)
Slows
Kick steps
hop steps
turns steps
Fine Tuning
If the next step is to make these things move and combine.
Self Improvement
Dance in front of a mirror to see what's happening. It is instant gratification... or horror. It depends.
Use your arms for balance and continue the dance with your entire body.
For as much flapping around as your arms will do, try and make them rest. Use them only when you need them. Save those calories for your feet.
Practice until...
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you know that one element
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you know each of the elements
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you can string all the elements together
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you don't have to stop in the middle of the move
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you get it perfect once
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you don't mess it up
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you don't have to think about it and it feels normal