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Your First Steps
Linedancing is a choreographed style of dancing.
That means, variations and mistakes aside, when
you step out a linedance, you are following a
sequence of steps that have been conceived by
the choreographer or choreographers. Rather than
write out a dance sheet or learn a dance step
by step, choreographers and linedancers have come
up with names for short sequences of steps - thus
instead of saying "step to the side, cross behind,
step to the side, step together", one merely says
"vine". While this does make things a *lot* easier,
quicker and simplier for instructors, choreographers
and dancers alike, it does have the unfortunate
result that linedancing is full of jargon. And
like any activity that is full of jargon, unless
you know the jargon, ie: the names for at least
the basic step sequences, you will, without doubt,
be totally clueless when you first try to learn
a dance.
When you start off at a beginner class it is the
task of the instructor not only to teach you dances
and to boost your confidence, but just as importantly,
to also teach you at least the basic step sequences.
Of course teaching these step sequences is usually
done as part of teaching a dance - the instructor
will teach a series of steps and then inform the
class the name for that sequence. As the class
improves, the teacher will increasingly just use
the step description. Very rarely an instructor
will teach a particular step sequence by itself
- back when I first started I remember my then
instructor getting the whole class in a circle
and then practicing shuffles, around and around
and around, until we'd gotten it right. Remembering
the named step sequences is actually more important
than trying to learn a particular dance - while
dances come into popularity and then vanish into
oblivion, the step sequences are eternal - at
least as eternal as linedancing, long may that
be! Progressing from novice to beginner to intermediate
and finally to advanced is really a matter of
learning more and increasingly complex step sequences
and putting them together.
Some step sequences are syncopated, others are
not. A non-syncopated step sequence is one where
each step in the sequence is done on successive
beats of the music. Syncopation is where you do
two steps in the one beat. Syncopation is usually
not part of beginner level dancing, however there
are a few syncopated step sequences which can
be found in beginner level dances.
Phrasing & Counts
Line dances are usually phrased as either an 8-beat
dance or a 6-beat dance, the latter being known
as waltzes. You should not confuse a linedance
"waltz" with a ballroom waltz - whilst some linedance
waltzes are very similiar to ballroom waltzes
(especially when done as a partnered dance), other's
are anything but. One of the fastest dances I've
ever learnt was, amazingly enuf, a waltz - simply
because it was a 6-beat dance. Strictly speaking,
it is the song that is phrased in either 6 or
8 beat and this phrasing is imposed on the dance,
but since this is written for line dancers, not
musicians, I'll not worry about the distinction.
Whether a linedance is a 6-beat or an 8-beat phrased
dance, it can be broken up into blocks or 6 or
8 counts - something that is immediately obvious
when you look at a dance sheet (there are exceptions,
but that's the choreographer playing games). A
beginner dance is usually 32 counts long (for
an 8-beat phrased dance) or 4 lots of 8 counts.
Most waltzes are 48 counts, beginner or not.
Starting Tips
If you are a beginner, the following is a list
of suggestions that may make learning to linedance
easier, less frustrating and more enjoyful. Many
of the points I have scoured from various sources,
others are the result of my own learning experience.
Be patient! Rome wasn't built
in a day - don't expect to be dancing with the
best of 'em after just one lesson. For most folks
it takes about three weeks before they are confident
with their first dance. If it takes longer, don't
worry - how quickly it takes you to pick it up
initially has little bearing on how good you'll
be a year on.
Practice, practice, practice! Practice may not
make perfect, but it will increase your confidence
and help you learn a dance. Don't just practice
the dance in class - run thru' it at home, at
work, at school .. anywhere and anytime you have
the chance (and the room). Also practice the basic
steps .. vines, shuffles etc. Grab a copy of the
dance sheet - either off the net or from the instructor
to help you practice away from class.
Balance is important. Keep your body straight
and your centre of weight over the foot your weight
is on.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Remember, YOU
are paying the instructor to teach YOU how to
linedance. If you are having trouble with a particular
step or can't seem to pick up a dance and need
more help, ask the instructor.
After all, that's what you are paying them for.
And don't hope that someone else will ask that
"stupid question" you really need answered - if
everyone is hoping someone else will yell for
help, no one will ask and the instructor will
prolly think no one is having trouble.
Don't be discouraged if you seem to be the worst
dancer in the class - everyone started off as
a novice. Today's two left-foot stumbler may be
tomorrow's champion.
No, you don't need a partner.
Proper footwear is very important. No, I don't
mean y'all have to all wear cowboy boots, rather
you need to wear shoes or boots that are comfortable
and provide just the right amount of traction.
Leather soled footwear is best, but not compulsory
- especially for beginners. For my first year
or so I wore a pair of sneakers who'se tread had
been worn flat. If there is too much traction
(ie: grip), then your ankles will be quite sore
afterwards (this is also the case if the floor
is in a poor way). If there is not enuf traction,
then you'll be slip-sliding all over the floor
and, for a beginner, that'll likely mean an occasional
fall. If the floor is too slippery for your footwear,
there are various types of tape which you can
put on the soles - ask around, somone will be
able to tell you what's available locally. I use
"fabric tape" which I get from the local hardware
store. If the floor has too much grip (eg: a poor
wax job or lots of spilt drinks), talcum powder
works wonders - however be sure it's the floor
and not your footwear and be warned that some
clubs don't permit this (it's also a no-no at
a social). Other than that, common sense should
dictate your choice of footwear. Remember, you
are dancing on a wooden floor so anything that
could damage the floor is a no-no. High heels
are also a big no-no - apart from the damage to
the floor, they're a killer on your feet while
dancing. Oh, and the rest of your outfit is entirely
up to you.
When you go to your first class make sure it's
a beginner class and introduce yourself to the
instrutor beforehand, making a point of telling
them you are a novice. When the class starts,
the best place is up the front, in the middle.
Yes, you can hide up the back, but that makes
it harder to see the instructor and more importantly,
the instructor's feet.
If you bump into someone, briefly apologise and
keep on dancing. Bumps, and worse, are a fact
of life on the dance floor. No matter how good
you may be, you'll still occasionally bump into
people or fall over. I've seen people trip over
whilst competing - far more embarrassing than
doing the same in class!
This article is reproduced from roots-boots.net
27 Sep 2007
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