Back to Basics - The Importance of a Solid Foundation in Dance

When given the option between learning the basics and learning cool tricks, which sounds more fun? Tricks, of course! Just like kids want to be on a bike before the tricycle, and toddlers try to run before they can successfully walk, new dancers are usually a little over eager to get into complicated moves. Don't get me wrong, I love the excitement and gung-ho attitude, but sometimes we just need to take a step back and remind ourselves: awesomeness needs a solid foundation. Ask any basketball player if they picked up a basketball and immediately started doing slam dunks. My guess? Probably not. They spent time learning to dribble, pass, and doing free throws before they attempted a layup. Just like learning any new skill, we need to build a solid foundation to create a successful future. Whether you want to learn Tango or Two Step, here are the basics of every partner social dance that you need to have down before you can get to the super cool stuff.

Communication

Social partner dance is all about true lead and follow. This means that the man and woman have to communicate with one another without using their words. It's a lot harder than it sounds!! Leading and following uses an entirely physical language consisting of pressure and elastic tension. This allows the man to completely guide and shape the woman's movements as long as he is communicating efficiently and she is "listening." This is a crucial part of dance that has to be built early so that the more advanced moves can go smoothly. If you're still struggling to walk in a straight line together, with the man leading each step, the tricky moves will be that much trickier. 

Pro tip: Always go back to connection and communication exercises, even after you've been dancing for a while. Sometimes we can get used to our partners and build bad habits of assuming and second guessing instead of listening

Foundation steps

Consider the foundations like the alphabet of our dance language. These steps can seem basic - well, maybe not when you're first learning them - but they are the foundation of everything to come after. The basics give you your general rhythm and the shape of your dance. Even if you're dying to spin a girl 12 times, you have to learn how to properly spin her once first! By drilling in the basics, you can get comfortable enough in the dance to play with it and learn new moves much quicker.

Pro tip: Learning to Salsa dance? The crossbody lead is your new best friend. Seriously. You hate it now, but it's your best friend.

Frame

FRAME FRAME FRAME!!! I can not state enough how important frame is to successful partner dancing. The frame is literally your only source of communication between one another, so instructors (at least at Dance FX Studios) tend to really harp on it. When it is first learned, frame tends to be a little stiff. It is allowed to soften over time, but only if you maintain the structure and stability that frame is supposed to provide. Don't be surprised if you get frame adjustments even after years of dancing. Even the best dancers can get lazy sometimes, so we have to keep an eye on it.

Pro tip: Posture makes a big difference in a proper frame. You may think you're standing up perfectly, but pay attention if your instructor tells you otherwise.

There are plenty more to work on when learning to dance, but these are the biggest things you'll work on when you first start out. In all likelihood, you'll be working on all of these skills for longer than you think. Don't worry, it doesn't mean you won't learn other stuff, too! There's just always room for improvement. If you're looking to grow in dance and live near Mesa, Arizona, join us at Dance FX Studios. After 13 years serving the Valley, we still have incredible instructors offering private dance lessons to bring you from basic to incredible! Our goal is to get you comfortable and smooth on the dance floor, in whatever style of dance you like. Want to get started, but want to get your feet wet first? Our September group classes are starting next week, so you can get a feel for the studio with other dancers of all levels! 

Real Men Two-Step

We at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona are avid Country dance fans! Anything from the AZ Two-Step to Country Swing, we just love the fun, energetic dances that come along with Country music. So let's talk about a few of the different boot-scootin' dances that you can whip out at your favorite Country dance bar!

AZ Two-Step

Arizona Two-Step is a great dance for your mid to fast-tempo songs. Think along the lines of "Wagon Wheel," "How Bout Them Cowgirls," or "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy", to name a few popular Country dance songs out today. These songs keep a comfortable walking pace and are fantastic for the relaxed, but fun feel of  the Country Two-Step. This is a dance that can look and feel effortless while still keeping your partner entertained!

Country Swing

Country Swing is a super exciting dance for your uptempo songs! With lots of turns and pivoting around your partner, the Country Swing is the perfect choice for crowded dance floor and fast beats. Songs like "Guitars and Tiki Bars," "Knee Deep," and "She's Country" are a few examples of the tempo you want to look for. Just be sure to take your Cowboy hat off before you try all those spins and twirls!

Country Nite Club

Country Nite Club is our (and your!) go-to slow dance. It's a romantic, smooth dance that can be simple and beautiful, or a bit showier, depending on your personal style. It matches just about any genre, but fits incredibly well with songs like "Bless the Broken Road," "I Do (Cherish You)," and "Desperately". With smooth gliding steps and a nice closed embrace, Nite Club 2 Step is basically a grown up version of what we like to call "the 8th grade sway."

Country dancing is pretty much a staple in the greater Phoenix area. The best way to hone your skills and gain confidence on the dance floor is through private dance lessons here at Dance FX Studios in Arizona. We can even introduce you to other country dances like the Country Waltz and West Coast Swing if you want to become a Country dance superstar! We are just minutes away from Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler,AZ but anyone from Queen Creek to Flagstaff is welcome to come try out lessons with us. Country isn't your thing? We also teach Latin, Swing, Ballroom, and Argentine Tango, so anyone can find the dance that's right for them.

Looking for a place to practice your new skills? Check out our Country Dance Party on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Live music, a Country Swing Lesson, treats, and a night full of dance si what you can expect! Get your tickets today for just $15 per person and enjoy an evening of fun with us!

Three Ways to Ensure a Second Dance With Her

You've been practicing for weeks. You've finally gotten enough confidence to ask a girl onto the floor. You've found the lucky lady, popped the question, and… She said yes! You've clearly already read Dance FX Studios' do's and dont's of the dance floor already, but how do you guarantee that second dance? Let's talk about it!

Why So Serious? Have A Little Fun!

Dancing is fun, right? If it isn't, you're doing it wrong. Talk to your lady! Make her laugh!
There's so much more to dancing than knowing how to swing a girl around the floor. Ladies love a great dancer, but (from experience) are more likely to dance with an okay dancer with a fun, exciting personality than a good dancer with no personality. Laugh off mistakes, play with your partner, and enjoy the dance!

Keep Your Hands to Yourself, R. Kelly.

Let's be honest: creepers exist. Please don't be one of them. There is such a thing as personal space and it should be respected. A dance can go from fun to "Oh, I see my friend over there who needs to cut in RIGHT NOW" really fast. Dance requires a follower to have a lot of trust in her leader. Your job is to keep her feeling safe and protected. This is especially true for the sensual dances out there such as bachata, Argentine tango, or what have you. They are intimate enough without wandering hands turning an innocent dance into a grope-fest.

Side note: If dancing with your significant other (and they don't mind PDA) grope away! Although it may get you some interesting looks from fellow dancers and observers...

Keep it Comfortable. Don't Show Off (Too Much).

Okay, show off a little. You want to impress your partner, because, why not? Just be careful not to go overboard with it! The dance should be comfortable, and a lot of followers feel lost when their leader breaks frame for a little free-style. This was supposed to be a partner dance, right? It's also never fun to be on the follower's side when the leader decides now is a great time to throw in an over-the-shoulder lift. If you flip me, we will never dance again. End of story. Keep it fun, keep it comfy!

Want more ideas to keep her coming back for more? Visit us here in Mesa, Arizona at Dance FX Studios, just minutes away from Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and Queen Creek, AZ! Learn some killer moves in private dance lessons, or try out one of our group dance classes. Want to tear it up with country two-step? We've got you covered. Need some waltz or foxtrot in your life? We understand. Call us at 480.968.6177 or stop in today. See you soon!