Dance Tank

This is the fifth post in a seven part series that extends from 7 Ways of Learning.

Musical Learners
These students have the ability to learn through sound: music, voice and rhythm. They like information to be to time (beats, pace), rhythm (collection of sounds), mood (feeling the Waltz) - but also musical (e.g. vocal: Slooow, Quick! Quick!) . Movement rhythm is also very important. They associate movement according to different styles and feels of music.

Musical Learners are very good at listening. They have a strong sense of time, space, and rhythm. Since dance is the visual expression of music, Musical Learners can utilise their musicality for dance. Listed below are some dance tools that are beneficial to Musical Learners.

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This is the fourth post in a seven part series that extends from 7 Ways of Learning.

Vocal Learners
These students have the ability to learn through language: meaning, words, sounds, and even voice rhythms and ’song’. They like information to be technical (place your right foot forward) or musical (Slooow, Quick! Quick!). Describing words are very important: floating, weight, balance, centre; as well as counting steps: 1, 2 3, 4&.

Vocal Learners are very good at listening (to others, of course, but also to themselves). Dance provides great tools for the Vocal Learner, especially for self-learning and practice. Listed below are some learning tools that will help you get the most out of your practice.

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The most lessons dance instructors teach are first lessons. Usually the student has never learnt dance before. Most often they have always thought about learning to dance but haven’t taken the opportunity until now. (Now is always a very good time to start.)

Students see many advertisements about how easy learning to dance is and how quickly they will learn. TV shows like Dancing with the Stars can put expectations in students that they will be able to dance like Fred Astaire in a week. Unfortunately, on the first lesson, students can become disillusioned because they realise how much hard work it is learning to dance.

It is best to go into dancing knowing who you are up against - you. There are generally two reasons why a student doesn’t continue - they either can’t make their body do what they want or they can’t understand the movements or steps. These are the major factors why first time dance students drop out.

How to Get Over Mind and Matter

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The dance floor can be like driving in another country. Before you start driving it is handy to know where some landmarks and main streets are to help you navigate (which will hopefully prevent you from getting lost).

Likewise in dance, there are a couple of markers, spaces and directions that every dancer should know to manoeuvre around the dance floor.

Spot Dances
Spot dances are those that use a small area on the dance floor. These dances have shorter-sized step patterns that do not progress and therefore the dance only needs a small space for movement. Latin and Swings dances are considered spot dances.

Travelling Dances
Travelling dances are those that require a large space for progressive movement. These dances have large step patterns that advance around the floor. Travelling dances rely on a rule called Line of Dance. Ballroom (Smooth/Standard) dances are considered travelling dances.

Of course, there are always exceptions, e.g. Samba, Merengue and Argentine Bolero can travel the floor, whereas Tango and Waltz can be danced on the spot.

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This is the third post in a seven part series that extends from 7 Ways of Learning.

Physical Learners
These students have the ability to learn through body movement: activity, touch, feeling and actions. They like information to be active and ‘now’ (learning by doing) and also by touch (shaped into dance frame by teacher) and feeling (music and motion association). Their bodies are good at remembering motion and position. Physical expression is very important.

There are many dance tools for the Physical Learner. If you are a Physical Learner, these tools will help you learn and retain information. However, the most important dance tool for Physical Learners is practise! Listed below are some learning tools that will help you get the most out of your practise.

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All dances are made from combinations of steps and all steps are made from combinations of elements – elements are the building blocks of all dance.

In this post I list the five most common foot elements, known as the Five Foot Positions. These positions are found in all Ballroom, Swing and Latin Dances.

First Position

The feet are placed together – the heels and balls of your feet are touching.

First Position is known as the ‘starting’ position. All dances use this position, however, Latin dances have made it a feature.

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