Ballroom dance lessons are expensive. Everyone forks out around $100 for 45 minutes or so.
But how much you pay each lesson isn't what makes them expensive. It's that you pay that amount each time, you take your lesson, and you leave.
...
And then you come back! And you say, "Teach me something else."
Maybe your teacher does teach you something different than the previous lesson, or maybe they rephrase the old lesson so it sounds like something else. But, for some reason, you are not getting better at dancing.
Shall I make a suggestion?
PRACTICE!
If you're taking lessons at a studio that offers group classes for free when you take private lessons, you have no excuse. Believe it or not, that studio is offering you those group classes for free, so that you can practice what you're learning and get better. Really.
Let's try practicing what you're learning, in a group class:
- Boil down your previous private lesson (love alliteration) to one technique. Posture, frame, timing, getting your weight on one foot or the other, whatever. Go to the group class, use the pattern/dance they're teaching, and work on that thing.
- Go to an easier class. Are you working on Bronze figures? Take a beginning class. See above.
- Pretend that everything the instructor points out is meant for you, you baaaaad dancer, you. Check out your footwork, evaluate your leading/following, stand up, don't look at the ground, etc. It's all pointed at you. Shape up... You.
Going out dancing? There's great ways to practice what you're learning out on the town, too:
- Patterns, duh. Got some new moves you're dying to try? Having your instructor prompt you on what to do when and then counting them out for you is not dancing. Sorry. Take your show on the road and see what actually works.
- Dance with a newbie. It's a thrill for the non-dancer and great practice for you. Don't do anything crazy. Do the basic, rotate the basic, smile, and try one other easy step. Men, if you couldn't lead a new lady, you need some work. Women, if you couldn't teach a guy the basic, you need some work.
- Floor craft. You spend a lot of time learning patterns and frame, but do you know how to use it when you need it? If you're always running into others, it's not them, it's you. Learn how to fix it, then try again.
How about just hanging out at the studio for a couple extra minutes? Here's what I'd do:
- Walk. This sounds silly, but take a concise stroll and make sure you're doing heel leads and toe releases in Smooth, or bend/straighten/settle in Rhythm. Need something more? Ask your pro for some exercises; we have tons.
- Go over what you just learned in your lesson. Learn a new pattern? Try it on your own and make sure you remember it. New technique? Make sure you understand it. Maybe even write it down for bonus points.
And for you couples, always keep in mind that practicing means "how can I improve myself," not "he's not doing it right" or "she feels heavy" or "blah blah blah [my partner sucks]."
Now, go forth and conquer.
I had originally titled this post "For Those Who Like to Complain," but I'm working on being less blunt. How'd it go?
