Ballroom
dance tips - from walking into your first class to preparing for your first
ballroom dance competition
The following tips/suggestions were submitted by
dancers who’ve logged many miles on the dance floor – as dancers, competitors,
performers and judges. Hope they help
you in your dancing!
Solomon S. says:
Ø
Rehearse in
your costumes/hair prior to the event. Along those lines, travel with
extra safety pins, toupee tape ("top stick" which is available at wig
stores and Victoria's Secret), bobby pins, gel, and hairspray.
Ø
Remember that
the floor belongs to you. This is more a note for competition. But
don't be too polite when sharing the floor. Try not to bang into anyone,
but remember to take up space and command attention.
Ø
Breathe
regularly. Even during the routines.
Cindy M. says:
Ø
Remember that you're in close contact with your dance partner(s) and it's more pleasant if both have fresh breath and come to dance clean - or at least clean smelling :)
Ø
Don’t lose your sense
of humor. Kate and I keep each other
entertained by reading to each other quotes from either David Sadaris'
books or Bill Bryson (not queer just a funny travel writer). Laughing
'til you drool is a good thing.
Citabria
P. says:
In
performance routines and on the floor:
Ø
Keep smiling. People don't know your
routines. A confident face covers a lot.
Ø
Lessons learned:
Carry everything you plan to wear on the comp floor on the airplane with you.
Including contact lenses!
Ø
Dance in your comp shoes as much as
possible before the event. it can really change your dancing to change
the shoes.
Wen W. says:
For general dancing/classes:
Ø
Get
proper dance shoes. when i went from dancing in nike sneakers with blown out
tread to dance sneakers and then to standard & Latin shoes, dancing with
proper foot technique and spins became MUCH easier.
Ø
Remember
that everyone teaches differently, even those trained by the same program or
coach. learn which classes and teaching styles that work for you, but don't be
afraid to try new approaches as well.
Ø
Experienced
dancers: stretch yourself
by taking classes that are more advanced than you think you can do, or in a
style you're not at all proficient at. this will keep you learning, and humble.
Ø
New
dancers: remember that
all the experienced dancers started somewhere, and that somewhere was at the
beginning. They are good now because they stuck with it. (i have seen those who
got frustrated and dropped out come back for a party or dance and see the
people they started dancing with...the people who stuck with it are doing hard
moves, leading (or following) well etc. the overall sentiment of the people who
come back is "i could be at that level if i hadn't given up."
For
competition:
Ø
Practice
on a crowded floor until you are comfortable being boxed in between A-level
dancers doing a super fast move that seems to bounce erratically around the
floor, and beginners who are headed on a collision course for the judges.
leads, if you can make your follow feel like you will never smash her (or him)
into someone, and that she is safe, you will be rewarded with a relaxed,
amazing follow.
Ø
Follows,
likewise, if you watch your lead's back, she (or he) will move you confidently
even when she can't see where she's going.
Ø
Bring
a basic extra shirt and extra socks. the first will work if something happens
to your "real" shirt, or if you decide to enter another dance on the
spur of the moment (instant Night Club 2 Step outfit!). and let's face it, no
one likes to have gross wet socks all day. switch 'em out. enough said.
Ø
Bring
easy-to-eat food. bananas, bars, cheese sticks etc. that 'lunch break' might
not happen for you.
Ø
Remember
that while the results of a bunch of comps will give you an overall sense of
the level you dance at, any one comp is just a snapshot of where you are on
that particular day, at that particular moment. maybe you have a leg cramp, or
you flaked and forgot the routine, or whatever. it is just one moment. don't
worry about it.
Ø Be a
good sport. i've had people tell me they were going to crush me next time and
to watch out (and not in a joking way), or that the thing that made them
happiest that day was to beat me. alas, that sucks. i don't usually give a crap
about winning, but it still pisses me off. use your "inside inside voice," thanks.
Ø
You're
never ready. just get the heck out there and dance. it's like doing a
dissertation, writing a book, parenting, whatever. there's no "100%
ready." there's just "I’m willing to get on the floor and give it a
try"
Ø
Beginners: there is no perfect time to start
competing, so if you are curious or interested, just do it. if you hate it, you
don't have to do it again. pick one dance, find someone to do it with, put 5-10
moves together into a super short routine and dance.
Ø
Partners: don't play too hard to get. sure, we all
want amazing,
well-matched partners. however, imnsho, it's better to dance than to
sit on the sidelines wanting to dance.
and what is often perceived as
an imperfect match (in terms of height,
location, experience, even
lead-and-follow preference) might turn
out to be way better than you
thought. pick a *reasonable* approximation of a dance partner and go
for it. you don't have to commit to the next three years, just one or
two dances at the next comp. if it's
horrible, then don't renew your
agreement.
Ø
Experienced
dancers: dance with beginners. do a pick-up dance or short bronze routine to
help them out.
Ø
Remember
there is enough to go around. there are enough teachers, students, dances,
venues, events, and opportunities. don't let a model of scarcity rule.
Ø
Treat people kindly and watch your words and actions. this goes
double for teachers. No one likes to be told they look horrible on the dance floor or that they are a detriment to a performance troupe, and yes, these are actual examples. realize that while you need to be honest with your students, you can do so in a way that doesn't crush their spirits. try to offer specific, constructive criticism rather than negative pronouncements about talent or potential. this doesn't mean being 'soft' or not pushing your dancers. it means
respecting them while you do so.
Ø
Have
fun. if it's not fun, and it's just another thing you have to do, revisit if you'd rather be spending your time doing
something else.
Ø
Take
breaks. if you are getting burned out, stop dancing so much, or stop dancing
altogether for a little bit. when you miss it, come back and do it. you'll be
surprised, too, at the fact that you might be BETTER when you come back.
Ø
Surround
yourself with good dancers, people you aspire to dance like. watch comps on
PBS, go to showcases etc. you'll be motivated and you'll have strong visuals of
what good dancing looks like.
Ø
Remember
that people have different dance goals. it's not necessarily "better" to be a competition dancer than a great social dancer people enjoy twirling
around the floor with. try not to impose your hierarchy of dance on others.
Winter says:
Ø
If
you suffer from dry mouth in the throws of stage fright, put some vaseline on
your teeth - it will keep your lips from sticking to your teeth and allow you
to have a more natural smile.
Ø
if
you are wearing patent leather shoes, put vaseline on the uppers wherever they
might accidentally touch - patent leather can stick to itself and trip
you. It won't hurt the leather.
Ø
Dress-wearers:
ALWAYS make sure your underpants match your costume. No white panties
unless it's a white costume. Pantyhose should be sheer to waist.
Ø
Costuming
in ballroom dance is about tradition, more than personal taste. It isn't
what most of us would ever wear on a social occasion and it isn't supposed to
be. There is A Look that identifies ballroom dance and sets it apart from
other dance, which has evolved over a hundred years. Within that Look,
your taste can rule, but learn the Look and accommodate it as best you
can. The tails in Standard will change how you lead, and the dress and
heels will too. And we all know what the Latin Look does for the
dance. Try them and understand what they do for the dance before you go
radical - you'll want to keep that feeling as you dance - it informs the
technique. And currently, most judges prefer the accepted Look, although
that will change as more judges see more of us pushing the boundaries of
presentation.
Kate says:
Ø
Don’t get stung
by a bee on the bottom of the foot an hour before your first competition, and
if you do, ice it promptly.
Ø
Don’t leave
your bra at home, and make sure there’s nothing too embarrassing in your
underwear drawer in case you do and have to call a co-worker to go get it for
you.
Richard L. says:
Ø
Know why you are dancing (to have fun? to
win? to show off?) and don't lose sight of that as you do it. (although it
might change over time, so it is useful to re-ask the question from time to
time.)
Ø
If you are not having fun, neither are the
people watching you.
Ø
Competition is subjectively judged. And
the opinion of any one judge has limited value. But when lots of people are
telling you the same thing, maybe you should actually listen.
Ø
people may not remember that you were a good
sport, but they will never forget that you were a bad sport.
BarbaraT.
says:
Ø
Be sure to have
fun and to look like you are having fun.
Ø
Everyone is
afraid at first. Then you realize, you are dancing for yourself, see tip #1
Ø
Be helpful to
your team members and courteous to everyone, especially those who are less
skilled than you.
Ø
Bring a variety
of foot cushions and socks/stockings
Ø
Be prepared for
a wardrobe malfunction with safety pins, a sewing kit, and the like
Ø
Breathe
Ø Dance
Ø