SoCal Swing

[Blueslover]

I am taking lindy hop and west coast swing lessons and am not yet good at either dance. I like the connection better with lindy hop but I like the music better with west coast, so they both appeal to me. I know I could get better more quickly by dancing with good dancers, but I'm concerned I'll be wasting their time. So I had an idea to make the bad medicine taste better. Would a follow be receptive to being paid for a half hour of her time on the dance floor? Or, is it bad manners to ask? Thanks for any advice.

[Capt Morgan]

I think what you are looking for is referred to as a "private lesson". This would be very valuable in helping you become a better dancer faster. You could arrange it to be at a social venue with a follow you like.

Approach it strictly as a business/teacher/student kind of proposal, not a "I-want-a-good-follow-all-to-myself" deal (that's just creepy).

The follow doesn't have to be a regular teacher (but that would probably help more), just someone who's dancing you admire. It's best to be upfront and say something like, "Hi. I'm a beginner, and I really admire your dancing ability. Would you be interested in doing a private lesson with me?" If she says no, then thank her anyway, and look to someone else you could ask. When you find someone who is willing to help you, then give her the details, "I'm looking for feedback on my lead and my connection, and tips that would help me improve. If you like, we could just meet at a social venue and dance, and you could give me pointers after a few songs, and just work on it from there."

Some people may be willing to do this, others may insist on doing a more formal private lesson with a lead and a follow. Either way, this will probably help you.

I will say however, you don't need to be paying follows to dance with you. Honesty is the best policy. Ask a follow to dance, and just tell them up front you are a beginner and you are learning. After the end of the song, ask if there is any feedback they could give you to help improve something in your dancing.

You may also want to talk to some leads, and ask them to watch you dance a song and give you feedback as well.
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[tornredcarpet]

That was great! I think you should start an advice column, Morgan.
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-Jesse Niou (Los Angeles, CA/Hampton Roads, VA)

[longhairedfrique]

I've done this before. It was during a period when I was doing lots of workshops. I wanted someone with whom I could work out all the new material.

I knew a few follows whom I was comfortable asking for corrections on the social floor. I approached one who always seemed to have accurate assessments of my difficulties and clear explanations of how to correct them. I asked her what she would charge to be my practice robot.

She was intimidated by the idea of teaching. I explained she would not be giving me lessons. She would only be there to a) be a good follow and b) give me feedback on what I would be leading. She felt she could help me.

So our deal was that I would come ready with an hour or so of material to practice. Sometimes I would tell her up front what I would be leading, other times I would make a few attempts, and then tell her only if I were to fail. Because I was paying her ($20/hr , we decided), the practice was all about me.

It ended up being enjoyable for both of us. It helped my dancing, and she now teaches people formally (at an increased price).

In my opinion, non-social practice is a useful, often overlooked aspect of learning this skill. For me it is akin to practicing guitar by myself before playing with a band.

The challenge, as you point out, is finding the right partner. You need someone good, but so does your partner. Catch-22. Paying my partner solved that elegantly.

[byau]

I don't think it's a bad idea. Depends on how you sell it Morgan's right, just don't make it sound creepy.

I'd just say "You're a really good dancer. Would you be interested in doing a private lesson with me?"

If they're a teacher they'll give you a rate. If they don't really teach you can say "Well, I can't afford privates with a teacher right now. But I just want to dance a bit with a good follow and have them give me feedback. In fact we could just meet next week here (at this dance venue) - meet me 30 minutes earlier than when you usually get here and I can pay your cover plus whatever you'd charge me. That way you can still have your regular night of dance as well. And I just want some feedback"

I think a teacher would be willing to do this no problem since they're accustomed to lessons.

If they're not a teacher and/or not accustomed to giving lessons, they may actually feel guilty taking your money just for dancing with you for 30 minutes. So just explain that you just want to practice and get a bit of feedback.

My $.02
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