SOCIAL DANCING TIPS // How to be the best lead
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- Опубликовано: 12 июл 2024
- Ever wonder what it takes to be a good lead while social dancing? Any questions you have always wanted to ask but never had the chance to? Or curious to know what follows generally prefer in a lead?
We got you covered, join Ana and Jeff as they discuss what some of their students have shared with them, their own personal accounts and experiences, and what can help you become an amazing lead that everyone will want to dance with.
Got any tips of your own that we may not have mentioned?Questions and/or concerns? Leave a comment bellow and we will do our best to answer them!
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Before dancing with someone you don't know, it's probably a good idea to watch them dance first, paying attention to their level as a dancer, their style, if they like to separate and do shines, and if they seem to be a good match for your own level and way of dancing.
Great video! Totally agree with all of these points, I just hope followers realize how hard it is for a lead to execute on all of these points unless they've been dancing for many years or have incredible natural ability. Keep in mind, the leader is also keeping track of the beat, adjusting to when the song changes rythm or when there is a break, watching for people about to hit the follower, plus trying to remember how to execute the move or adjust on the fly when a follower does something you don't expect or adjust to the tension (or lack of) the follower is giving you. Also, it's really tough to read the follower's mind on what sort of moves to perform but I like your tips on instead reading fascial expressions as you are dancing, like a conversation for cues on what to do next. Enjoying your channel, keep up the good work!
Great video! Very good advice :) I like that you make the point of making sure your partner is comfortable. The last few times I've been at Salsa and Bachata at Wasaga beach, there's a lead that trails his hands on follows' chests during dips and then even going lower, without permission. Another point is to accept when a follow tells you "no". Nothing more frustrating than having to avoid a lead that comes to ask me to dance insistently when I've already told them "no" 3+ times. People get tired/uncomfortable at socials and refusing an offer to dance should be respected
Guys, REALLY appreciate this video!! It’s so refreshing to explore the world of dance and to get experienced point of views rather than just another technique video.
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Treat your dancing like a conversation is huge!!! I always tell people that, it's all about communication. I think a good lead will always take a few seconds getting to know you.
couple of tips ..
1 - As a lead when you start a dance the first thing you do is to establish basic connection .
always start with the basics and build on your dance depending how you are connecting with your partner. A good lead always dances a his partner level.
As a follow the more you connect the more your partner can escalate with his lead. Also remember to smile and enjoy the dance even when you dance with a beginner that might just know how to do the basic step, remember, you are just dancing a song with him not the whole night so why not be nice? he will always remember how nice you were to him and as he gets better and more advanced he’ll enjoy dancing with you again.
2 - Lead/Follow is = Communication, the lead asks and the follow responds. therefore, as the follow listens, the lead must send a clear message to establish a flawless connection.
3 - Dancing is not about moves, is about connection. yes we do use moves to dance, but they are dependent on connection and skill level. As a lead you wouldn’t do an advanced move with a beginner because she won’t be able to follow that move because she is not at that level, so it goes back to connection … how do you know your partner’s level of dancing by starting with the basics … not only that, but the flow of dancing is influence by the mood in which you are in … we are energy and we do partner dancing we are connecting two energies, if the energies are not synchronize it just not going to work.
4 - Yes, Dancing is supposed to be fun, especially Social Dancing! if you are not having fun, what is the point in dancing ? smile and have fun!
5 - This might sound crazy but Partner Dancing is a lot like marriage, the more you nurture it the better it is. In addition, when you dance your character comes out because dancing is about expression so naturally your character will show up when you dance. so, hopefully you are nice person because if you are it will show in your dancing! ;-)
I also smile more when I mess up or when my lead tries something and it either goes really awkwardly or really, really great.
Tips for both:
- if you don't feel comfortable with a lot of direct eye contact, you can look over your partner's shoulder. It will still feel warm and you can see just about every visual lead in your peripheral.
- If you ask someone to dance and they say no, don't ask again in the same night (unless they gave you a condition like "next song") let them come to you when they're ready. So if you say no, then it's up to you to approach them if you change your mind.
Tips for leads:
- Have different types of moves in your repertoire. Not all spins, not all dips, not all aerials. You will be better able to meet your follower at their needs and abilities, and fancier moves will feel more special if you don't "over season" your dance.
- Totally agree about giving the dance breathing room--not rushing into the next combination, but maybe holding or settling into a pose every once in a while. I like to play and improvise, I want that time to do a hip roll or ronde.
- If you're practicing a new move, try it out with as many capable follows as you can. You will be able to hone in on what works.
Tips for follows:
- Don't think so hard about your part and don't assume you know what your lead is trying to do--you might surprise yourself at what your lead can do with you if you keep an open mind and react to the lead you're given.
I recently found your channel and I'm a big fan! I'm a social dancer and also a dance instructor myself and I really appreciate how well you articulate your points, plus you have very good tips! :)
Very excellent tips and comments. Often I thought I am the only one who experiences these issues/problems and felt that I am "stupid" or never be good enough as a lead. But after listening to you two and looking at the published date of this video, I realized that I haven't even know about Latin Dance until last summer Ottawa Latin Spark Festival, then I went to Salsa City Hall last summer, and then finally took the plunge last Sep to learn Salsa first then Bachata. I am very happy that I am doing the right things as you both discussed/encouraged lead to do, and that is what exactly what follows want. I will continue that route then as I really enjoy artistic self-expression dancing rather than rigid moves/patterns -- because I freeze trying to remember them at times. I often tell my partner I just want to dance and have fun together! I tried to dance with everyone to learn about their different style and preference, and then learn to adapt as quickly as possible.
These video was amazing!!! thank you guys for your great videos, super informing and uplifting!
As a beginner in salsa I have faced many of the topics you have discussed in this video when it comes to leading in social dancing and can relate. Thank you for the video, very helpful.
Excellent tips shared here. Wish I knew them during socials. Once the pandemic is over for good, hopefully I'll get a chance to attend these socials again be a much more fluid dancer in the eyes of any partner I would dance with.
Thank you for another great video!
Good video - thanks for the tips!
Can you show any videos of you two social dancing?
as a not so experienced dancer, its intimidating to hear the "not doing the same thing 5+ times". as i dont have enough moves to not be repetitive on a long song.
really all you can do is outside of the socials spend a lot of time learning the moves. I've been dancing for about year. The exact time table will very but for me after a few months I had just enough moves and skills to survive social dancing. By 8 months social dancing actually became enjoyable for me and the follows. I spent considerable amount of time self teaching myself using 'The Dance Dojo' online classes to supplement my in-person classes. People suggested to just sit and watch people dance at socials to learn, this didn't work for me, usually there were a few more women then men and the women wanting to dance a lot would frequently ask me to dance, especially the women from my classes, when I really just wanted to watch and absorb but I felt kinda rude saying no, especially if i was going to see them in class in a few days. Anyways, long story short, is I self taught myself enough moves and after a few months I was able to social dance. I highly recommend 'The Dance Dojo' class if you're starting from zero experience and willing to put in the time like I did.
The same person you call a pattern monkey will be a beast in the future, so give the guy a break