Anvilcloud was asking a few weeks ago about my progress with Latin dancing. First, some history. A number of months ago, Sarah and I went to a Latin dance club. I decided the thing to do was to take in the one-hour dance lesson which precedes the evening's open dancing. I remember thinking to myself "This won't be that hard... I mean, how tough can it be, really?" Forgetting, of course, that I'm a Turtle and we turtles accomplish things VERY SLOWLY. My date, on the other hand has been a competition-level dancer for years. Thankfully, the teacher in her came out that evening and helped me through some of the rough parts.
A little later on, after having visited the Latin club a few times - terrified to step foot on the floor amongst such accomplished dancers as frequent the establishment - I decided to take lessons. I signed up for an 8-week session at a school I ASSUMED was credible. Four weeks in I was extremely frustrated. I wasn't getting it. I consulted a couple people to discover that I had in fact chosen the worst school going - all about perception, prestige, marketing, money and flare.
Frustration set in and I felt almost guilty for not having consulted someone who was so obviously in the know.
I was upset. And it wasn't about the money. I was being taught something wrong. Maybe not "wrong", but extremely simplified to the point that what was confusing me about the Salsa step was the syncopation between steps 4 and 5 and 8 and 1. I was HEARING it, but wasn't told what to DO with it.
I then set about signing up at a real school. By this time, however, the Spring classes were full. Now... I'm holding out to the Fall. Hopefully this is just a brief pause in the action.
More later as it develops.
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About Me
- Turtle Guy
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- English student, Pottery enthusiast, Yoga novice and lover of all people. I make friends over a warm handshake and a beverage. I discover, every day, someone willing to help me along my path.
8 comments:
I would love to learn to dance - and I would have to join a very, very beginners class to feel comfortable to do so. I hope your enthusiasm for learning to dance will last until the next available class!
I can say i have never tried latin dance but i did take two years of country swing in college. as a farmer growing up it was all dairy work and dances on my time off.thanks for sharing you interesting blog hope to see you over my way.
Richard
I still don't know how to do couples dancing. I think it's significant that you are willing to keep at it after a negative experience. I have come to the conclusion that it's like babies learning to walk. Whether they start at 8 months or 18 months, they all learn, and no one cares when they're 30 months old. By then, the parents wish that they would all slow down. There are some latinish line dances, like to Ricky Martin's Jezabel, and I really like the flow, so I can understand the appeal.
MM - I soooo want to learn - to get to that "it's second-nature" point. I remember what that feeling was like learning to drive a manual transmission. At 16 I was CLUTCH-FRUSTRATED... I'm a Turtle, not a Jackrabbit! By 21 I was teaching my sister so she could look credible in front of her then boyfriend, now husband. It felt great!
RICHARD - Welcome aboard! Looking forward to your writing!
AC - We certainly don't give up on our babies, and that's a piece of advice I picked up but a few years ago... give yourself FOREVER if that's what it takes. I don't know where we've adopted the "this is obviously not working, so I'll give up now" attitude. We lose our steam, I think.
I think it is fun that you want to learn this. I agree..don't give up. WHen you are able to do it with ease you are going to enjoy just a high from it.
I find it very interesting that they were teaching you but you heard more in the music and knew there was more to the movement.
I have tremendous respect for someone who can feel music like that. I have long believed that music should be felt not just heard.
I'm glad you're not giving up dancing, it's so much fun, once you've got the hang of it, (which I'm sure you will)
I totally love the Salsa, though I just went for a basic class, wanted to go to the next stage, but never got around to it...
Look forward to hearing more about your Salsa adventures :0)
a brief pause, I'm sure... :)))
Oh well I hope things turn out better. Find that big door pic yet!!! Yes I was going through some of those pics of vacation. I made P take that pic and I'm so proud of it. Mine didn't turn out to good. Just too funny and odd looking...
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