Suggestions for learning and getting acquainted with linedancing

SMILE, RELAX & ENJOY!!!

Now that we have the 3 most important things to remember out of the way, let’s go over a few helpful hints to accomplishing the above.

Ask questions!

Please do not hesitate to ask for a step or sequence to be repeated if you don’t get it. I want to help, but I can’t if I don’t know you’re having a problem. The speed and detail in which I teach on any given night varies depending on the average ability of the students on the floor at that time. I always do my best to accommodate everyone but there may be times when you look around and see people of all levels on the floor. One of the toughest parts of an instructor’s job is trying to judge how to keep the majority of the people happy the majority of the time. Those who have attended regularly may get bored and then there are the newcomers who may feel overwhelmed. I always try to keep a happy medium for both. Pick a level which best suits your individual requirements.

Be patient!

You would be one in a million if you walked onto the dance floor for the first time and could automatically do this perfectly. Try to obtain the dance sheets, which are available from www.linedancemagazine.co.uk or www.kickit.to/ld. Feel free to practice the dances if you really want to get into this type of dancing fully. No one ever learned to dance sitting on a bar stool, although some people have the ability to watch someone for a few walls of a dance and then get up and do it, but I believe that the best way to learn the dance is to come on out onto the dance floor and give it a try. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes and around here we don’t make mistakes, we make variations, some of which are great variations, to say the least. Don’t give up. Stay on the floor.

Come often!

If you really want to become a proficient line dancer you need to come on a regular basis and try to attend your level of class each week. The more often you repeat a dance the easier it becomes. Some dances stay years, others go quickly. It is judged by the number of requests for the dances and the number of people out on the floor for that particular dance (popularity counts). Don’t try to learn every dance if you only come occasionally. It will be overwhelming. Pick and choose your favourites and enjoy those!

Take the alternatives!

If you’re new to linedancing, I try to give alternatives, mainly where turning is involved. I am fully aware that there are people who don’t like turning, and there are those who physically can’t turn, so I try to find an alternative and adapt it accordingly into the dance. Sometimes, I may find an alternative to the more intricate steps. Feel free to use these alternatives, as long as you are comfortable with them. From there, you can go on to add the original choreography back in when you’re more comfortable with the dance. Keep your steps small. You will stay in balance better and be able to fix problems more easily. Keep your knees softly flexed and keep weight to the balls of your feet. It may take you some time to adapt to your own, comfortable dancing style, and I will offer snippets of advice wherever I can.

Turn technique!

We do a lot of turning in line dancing. The better you are at it, the more fun you will have. Stay down in your turns and turn your head first.

Learn terminology!

When you hear linedancing terminology ie all the different dance steps/styles, initially, it will be like a foreign language. It will take a little time for you to learn to translate terms and get the message to your feet. Be patient. See line dance terminology. But please do NOT be put off by this comprehensive list, you will be amazed at how many of the steps you will incorporate into your linedancing within the first 3 months.

Dance floor etiquette!

With the proper dance floor etiquette we can all have a fun and a safe place to dance. See etiquette.

Comfy feet!

The main no no is strictly NO STILLETOES!! There are a wide variety of dance sneakers and shoes available, (take a peek at www.planetdancedirect.co.uk). Cowboy boots are still worn today in linedancing, but it is up to the individual’s choice of footwear, so long as you are comfortable and can carry out the steps comfortably without risk of injury to yourself or others!! I personally prefer dance sneakers and the greek style low heeled dance shoe. Each to their own!!

Music variety!

Line dancing is done to all kinds of music now, from pop to Latin, to country and just about anything else you can name. Not every piece of music is to everyone’s taste. If you don’t like the piece of music just wait 3 minutes until it ends and you never know, you might like the next piece of music!! I try to incorporate something for everybody.

Please remember some of the people want the new and “funky” stuff, some want the “golden oldie” dances, some want to be kept as up to date as possible, some like to revise dances more often than others. I will always do my best to mix it up and keep the majority of the people happy the majority of the time.

The bigger picture!

Why not consider, when you are comfortable, broadening your horizons and visiting other clubs for social events. There is usually something happening in the local area each weekend. This way, you will meet more people, see what kind of music and what kind of dances are being done elsewhere. Why not go on a linedancing weekend? These are great fun and incorporate workshops and being taught new dances, alongside live bands, and a great atmosphere. It gives you the opportunity to dance in a non-teaching environment and meet new people. You will also see how, geographically, music and dances vary. I have found that what I taught last week may have been taught in Newcastle a month ago but hasn’t been heard of in Lincolnshire yet!!!!

Be patient when things may not be exactly going your way. I am doing my best to please you, and believe you me, it’s a tough job being an instructor and linedance DJ. Thank you for coming to my class. Your presence is very much appreciated. I love teaching linedancing and want everyone to have fun.

If you have any problems, please come see me before or after class.