88  Assuming steps/importance of connection

Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 19:19:49 -0800
From: Dan Boccia <redfox@ALASKA.NET>
Subject: Assuming steps/importance of connection

Steve wrote:
{".......If both partners know what pattern they are to reproduce, a lack of
balance or other lead and follow skills are less of an obstacle to the
appearance of learning. Students have the impression that they have learned
some new dance steps whether or not they have the requisite lead and follow
skills to dance well.
Fabian Salas is a particular genius at teaching tango because he designs
step combinations to teach his students that will only work if the students
develop the proper leading and following techniques."}


I totally agree. If instructors choose to teach with patterns, which I
think is perfectly valid, it is very beneficial to the students if the
patterns are chosen to highlight a particular technique, musicality concept,
etc. Then the technique can be focused on during class. I'm a social
dancer and as such, my measure of progress is the ability to dance
comfortably and musically with a wide variety of people who dance different
styles and have different levels of experience with the dance. Thus, I feel
better served in a class where we work on technique with several different
partners than I do just trying to get through a pattern, assuming steps.
Assuming steps ruins the process of learning improvisational dance.
Connection is the holy grail of social dancing for me. When I have a great
night, I think of how well I connected with my partners and the music. If I
have an off night, I think of how I wasn't connecting well with my partners,
or even myself for that matter, or the music. I rarely remember what steps
I dance, and I forget them as soon as I do them. If I can connect with
someone, we can dance, regardless of our respective experience. And
connection doesn't come verbally, especially at a milonga!
Happy connections!

Dan