Rose's comment about how her learning to do the Lead's part helped her to become a better Follow/dancer should have been equally emphasized in reverse for us Leads. Learning to practice [usually alone] the Follow's part for a figure I am trying to lead always greatly improves my ability to lead that figure.
Thanks for pointing that out! I both lead and follow and have benefited from it greatly. Many guys won't try it because of what people may think. I think would be great to mention in it's own video, role reversal and it's benefits or even patterns on transitioning dual roles back and forth. Coming from someone who is a wonderful professional dance coach, many would respect your thoughts on the subject.
Hallelujah! What I've been saying for years: just because someone is a good dancer, or has won a competition, doesn't mean they're a good teacher. Completely different skill sets! I mourn all the lost hours spent with lousy teachers who spent more time watching themselves in the wall mirrors instead of looking at their students lined up behind them, and knowing how to teach. I've also been fortunate to have some really *excellent* dance teachers (emphasis on the _teacher_ ), and I appreciate the heck out of them.
Very true! But, in all fairness, there also some amazing teachers that are incredible dancers as well. It’s possible to be good at both, but yes they are very different skillsets.
Good video. I just did my first amateur competition after starting to dance about 10 months ago. I came in last place and cringed when I watched the videos. I was disappointed in my performance but you guys give a lot of good tips here
amen about the instructor. TH-cam is great but some instructors are no better than just watching youtube. And the flip side, some are fantastic. Sometimes you just need to take the instructors you get, whether good or bad.
Hey I really like this video, I think all your points are great. As a dance teacher I try to get my students as they progress to not be afraid to play off of each other. Example dont be afraid to let the fallow do her thing and then react to that. This makes it fun cause each time you do a move with new people it could go a different way. You guys are really great teachers 😁
I love your points and especially the 2 points regarding following. Practicing on your own to find your balance is essential, and your point about pattern recognition versus lead/follow.... THANK YOU! Any newish person who tells me that they won't know how to do the "fancy" stuff, I just let them know that all they have to do is follow and if something goes differently than expected, we call that improvisation :D
Rose, thank you for suggesting follows learn to lead. I love switching between lead and follow within a song. And now the ladies are all dancing more with each other because they're not waiting to be led!
Both of my comments are about things that you DID mention buried in other points, I just want to help bring them out more: 1. I firmly believe that EVERYONE should learn both parts, even if they only ever so one while "out dancing" for fun. It really helps to understand what's happening on the other side, and how it's perceived. It helps follows to know what the lead is asking them to do, and leads to know how to ask clearly. 2. This isn't "just" for Country Dancing. Dancing is dancing (though there is a BIG gap between social dancing and "performance" dancing, such as ballet (while still having SOME common elements)). Overall, thanks for this, and for all you do. You are, by far, my favorite (video) teachers. I won't tell you to keep it up, because I have, sadly, watched your "farewell" video, but thanks again.
I would like to add: - focus on getting and maintaining connection and tone in your frame, and tension/compression in open postures. Without it you will get tired faster, followers become very difficult to lead, and leaders become very difficult for the followers to read. - don't try to collect every kind of move, instead recognize that there are multiple ways to get into and out of different positions, so find the one that works best for you--especially if you're beginner to low intermediate. You can always learn the other ones later down the road. (To some extent) physicality and (to a greater extent) partner connection will play a factor in what you are able to do.
Brilliant advice! So easy to overlook these things by staying our comfort zone. Thank you for bringing it to the forefront! You guys are yet again filled with awesomeness and great information!
I usually just watch videos for the adds but yours really kept my attention. Kidding! Did you mention different venues? If people go to the same place they're often stuck with the same music, partners and styles. Besides when you go someplace new you tell all your old jokes and different people roll their eyes at them.
Could you do a video on how leads can practice by themselves. Like where to start and how to do it. A lot of us are trying to think of what move to do next when dancing rather than focusing on our partner and basics such as turns and being solid with those. Thanks for the videos and keep them coming!
As a purely social dancer I mix and match country 2 step with foxtrot and what we call here in South Africa the Loopdans which literally translates from Afrikaans as "walk dance ". I also throw in some Rumba, Waltz steps with modified timing and whatever else may come to mind at any given time.
@@countrydancex I must say that I follow a number of dance channels but your channel is my favourite. Your explanations and demonstrations make sense to the way I learn which is both visual and technical. Keep up the awesome work.
:) Great advice! Like the shots of dancing in a country bar. Unfortunately where I live the last real country bar closed in '12 after 30 yrs, & with covid closures, Ranchman's in Calgary closed in '20 after about 48 yrs in business. Wishing for the day studios & halls can open again for dancing.
Flights to Texas are cheap right now ;-) Country dance is growing again and we think you’ll start seeing more dancehalls pop back up within the next few years!
@@countrydancex Hoping dancing has the big comeback! Non essential travel for Canadians atm is way too costly both time & $ wise upon returning (eg: up to $2k mandatory hotel quarantine at your expense).
Oh, it will. It is already fully back here in Texas and I would expect it to bounce back everywhere else too as soon as other areas loosen up their restrictions as well.
Thank you so much. I am searching thru your videos to refresh myself and students on the dance position in relation to each other. You are so helpful thank you
Fantastic points and advice! Your guys experience shines through in this lesson! Thankyou for the advice and guidance! I will be applying these principles with my dance partner!
a) If I could give 20 thumbs up to this video I would - all your points are spot on! b) Have you taught the move in that very brief clip at 8:30? c) What's the name of the dance hall/bar/saloon the clips are filmed in? Thanks!
Thank you for responding so fast!!! You two are the most awesome and well versed dancing couple in all of the country dancing videos I've ever watched. Amazing! Thank you for all you do!@@countrydancex
Practice. Practice. More practice. :-) Honestly… there’s not much a TH-cam reply could do… but we would say WAIT. Don’t do things haha. Allow the lead to communicate and respond
I have this friend who seems to have the same problems in relationships over and over. No matter who they date, its always the other person’s fault. I really want to help them, give them some piece of advice that will help them find the perfect person for them. Someone who truly understands them and gives them everything they ever wanted in a relationship. But no matter how hard they search, they always seem unhappy and complain about how terrible the other person is. Maybe the universe is against them. Maybe there just aren’t any good people out there… or maybe they’re the problem.
duh I just realized, no one, I mean no one notices the leader...just the follower. So while the followers are always right, they will get the blame.. that takes some pressure off. lol just sayin
They say the lady is the picture and the man is the frame. I wouldn't go as far as to say that no one notices the leader, but the main focus is (and should be) the follower.
Rose's comment about how her learning to do the Lead's part helped her to become a better Follow/dancer should have been equally emphasized in reverse for us Leads. Learning to practice [usually alone] the Follow's part for a figure I am trying to lead always greatly improves my ability to lead that figure.
Definitely. Understanding what is happening with the other side is super helpful!
Thanks for pointing that out! I both lead and follow and have benefited from it greatly. Many guys won't try it because of what people may think. I think would be great to mention in it's own video, role reversal and it's benefits or even patterns on transitioning dual roles back and forth. Coming from someone who is a wonderful professional dance coach, many would respect your thoughts on the subject.
Hallelujah! What I've been saying for years: just because someone is a good dancer, or has won a competition, doesn't mean they're a good teacher. Completely different skill sets! I mourn all the lost hours spent with lousy teachers who spent more time watching themselves in the wall mirrors instead of looking at their students lined up behind them, and knowing how to teach. I've also been fortunate to have some really *excellent* dance teachers (emphasis on the _teacher_ ), and I appreciate the heck out of them.
Very true! But, in all fairness, there also some amazing teachers that are incredible dancers as well. It’s possible to be good at both, but yes they are very different skillsets.
Good video. I just did my first amateur competition after starting to dance about 10 months ago. I came in last place and cringed when I watched the videos. I was disappointed in my performance but you guys give a lot of good tips here
We still cringe when we watch our videos haha! The good news is that, if you keep working on it, you'll just keep getting better 🤠
amen about the instructor. TH-cam is great but some instructors are no better than just watching youtube. And the flip side, some are fantastic. Sometimes you just need to take the instructors you get, whether good or bad.
Hey I really like this video, I think all your points are great. As a dance teacher I try to get my students as they progress to not be afraid to play off of each other. Example dont be afraid to let the fallow do her thing and then react to that. This makes it fun cause each time you do a move with new people it could go a different way. You guys are really great teachers 😁
That’s an amazing compliment and excellent points! We appreciate you contributing to the discussion 🤠
I love your points and especially the 2 points regarding following. Practicing on your own to find your balance is essential, and your point about pattern recognition versus lead/follow.... THANK YOU! Any newish person who tells me that they won't know how to do the "fancy" stuff, I just let them know that all they have to do is follow and if something goes differently than expected, we call that improvisation :D
That’s it! Haha There is no “right” or “wrong”… only better or worse
Rose, thank you for suggesting follows learn to lead. I love switching between lead and follow within a song. And now the ladies are all dancing more with each other because they're not waiting to be led!
It’s important to understand what the other side is experiencing :-)
Both of my comments are about things that you DID mention buried in other points, I just want to help bring them out more:
1. I firmly believe that EVERYONE should learn both parts, even if they only ever so one while "out dancing" for fun. It really helps to understand what's happening on the other side, and how it's perceived. It helps follows to know what the lead is asking them to do, and leads to know how to ask clearly.
2. This isn't "just" for Country Dancing. Dancing is dancing (though there is a BIG gap between social dancing and "performance" dancing, such as ballet (while still having SOME common elements)).
Overall, thanks for this, and for all you do. You are, by far, my favorite (video) teachers. I won't tell you to keep it up, because I have, sadly, watched your "farewell" video, but thanks again.
Really good advice! Even us more advanced dancers and instructors need to remember these. Thank you for helping us all get better!
Glad it was helpful!
I would like to add:
- focus on getting and maintaining connection and tone in your frame, and tension/compression in open postures. Without it you will get tired faster, followers become very difficult to lead, and leaders become very difficult for the followers to read.
- don't try to collect every kind of move, instead recognize that there are multiple ways to get into and out of different positions, so find the one that works best for you--especially if you're beginner to low intermediate. You can always learn the other ones later down the road. (To some extent) physicality and (to a greater extent) partner connection will play a factor in what you are able to do.
HOW you dance > WHAT you dance. Moves are the easy part ... and the least important.
Brilliant advice! So easy to overlook these things by staying our comfort zone. Thank you for bringing it to the forefront! You guys are yet again filled with awesomeness and great information!
Oh my ... "filled with awesomeness"! You're amazing. Thank you for being here :-)
I usually just watch videos for the adds but yours really kept my attention. Kidding!
Did you mention different venues? If people go to the same place they're often stuck with the same music, partners and styles. Besides when you go someplace new you tell all your old jokes and different people roll their eyes at them.
That’s an excellent selling point. It’s like a Two For One special 😉
Totally agree! I always learn something new and take it home when I visit a new venue.
Could you do a video on how leads can practice by themselves. Like where to start and how to do it. A lot of us are trying to think of what move to do next when dancing rather than focusing on our partner and basics such as turns and being solid with those. Thanks for the videos and keep them coming!
That would be an interesting video concept. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@countrydancex it would be super helpful and a great confidence builder for so many of us. Thank you!
As a purely social dancer I mix and match country 2 step with foxtrot and what we call here in South Africa the Loopdans which literally translates from Afrikaans as "walk dance ". I also throw in some Rumba, Waltz steps with modified timing and whatever else may come to mind at any given time.
That's interesting. I suppose if you can lead it, someone can follow it, and everyone's having fun ... it can't be wrong :-)
@@countrydancex I must say that I follow a number of dance channels but your channel is my favourite. Your explanations and demonstrations make sense to the way I learn which is both visual and technical. Keep up the awesome work.
:) Great advice! Like the shots of dancing in a country bar. Unfortunately where I live the last real country bar closed in '12 after 30 yrs, & with covid closures, Ranchman's in Calgary closed in '20 after about 48 yrs in business. Wishing for the day studios & halls can open again for dancing.
Flights to Texas are cheap right now ;-) Country dance is growing again and we think you’ll start seeing more dancehalls pop back up within the next few years!
@@countrydancex Hoping dancing has the big comeback! Non essential travel for Canadians atm is way too costly both time & $ wise upon returning (eg: up to $2k mandatory hotel quarantine at your expense).
Oh, it will. It is already fully back here in Texas and I would expect it to bounce back everywhere else too as soon as other areas loosen up their restrictions as well.
Excellent advise. will work every issue..thanks
Glad it helped
Thank you so much. I am searching thru your videos to refresh myself and students on the dance position in relation to each other. You are so helpful thank you
Love that! Were so glad we can help ❤️❤️❤️
Fantastic points and advice! Your guys experience shines through in this lesson! Thankyou for the advice and guidance! I will be applying these principles with my dance partner!
We love to hear that! Thank you for supporting the channel and please let us know if we can help. For real
Thank you for the advice,!
You’re very welcome. We hope it was helpful!
I love y’all’s videos. I really want to get better where can I sign up🥺
Thank you for being here! Have you checked out www.xdance.com yet?
Love this video!
That makes us happy to hear! Thanks for being here
Great advice as always!
Thanks for joining us and always supporting the channel!
Where are you all located? Would love to take lessons!Do you offer lessons on video?
Hi there! We have 2 studios in the Houston Texas area :-) You can also join our virtual platform at www.xdance.com
Awesome comments!!
Bro, I am 100% digging that button up short sleeve. Where did you get it?
Probably 90% of what I wear was bought from Buckle 🤣
@@countrydancex hah, that's what most everyone I asked said, probably buckle. Hey man I appreciate the response, and I love the videos.
a) If I could give 20 thumbs up to this video I would - all your points are spot on! b) Have you taught the move in that very brief clip at 8:30? c) What's the name of the dance hall/bar/saloon the clips are filmed in? Thanks!
Hi there. We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, we have taught that move. Here ya go: th-cam.com/video/0UlfxtqKGm0/w-d-xo.html
Good Stuff guys
So glad you enjoyed it!
Anthony, where do you shop? I like your clothing and style of shirts.
Hi there. Probably 90% of what I wear comes from Buckle 🤣
Thank you for responding so fast!!! You two are the most awesome and well versed dancing couple in all of the country dancing videos I've ever watched. Amazing! Thank you for all you do!@@countrydancex
Sucks being solo, no partner to practice with😅
Totally get that. I bet if you asked around there would be dozen of ladies willing to practice dancing
My biggest suck is following. I am the girl. I am supposed to follow. Any suggestions?
Practice. Practice. More practice. :-)
Honestly… there’s not much a TH-cam reply could do… but we would say WAIT. Don’t do things haha. Allow the lead to communicate and respond
Not using breath mints
I could see how that would make you suck at dancing since people may not want to dance with you ha
🤣🤣🤣...
The struggle is real…
No help. Still looking to find a demo that it practical and attainable for a beginner.
I have this friend who seems to have the same problems in relationships over and over. No matter who they date, its always the other person’s fault. I really want to help them, give them some piece of advice that will help them find the perfect person for them. Someone who truly understands them and gives them everything they ever wanted in a relationship. But no matter how hard they search, they always seem unhappy and complain about how terrible the other person is. Maybe the universe is against them. Maybe there just aren’t any good people out there… or maybe they’re the problem.
you should rename this video DANCING LESSON - 12 Reasons Your Dancing Sucks :)
Yeah... I suppose these things are just as true for other styles too.
duh I just realized, no one, I mean no one notices the leader...just the follower. So while the followers are always right, they will get the blame.. that takes some pressure off. lol just sayin
They say the lady is the picture and the man is the frame. I wouldn't go as far as to say that no one notices the leader, but the main focus is (and should be) the follower.