| A simple summary of Ceroc for men - leading your partner to dance together with the music. I generally have problems with every single part of this.
'... leading your partner ...'
I first learnt Ceroc at Pineapple Studios in London in 1986. They just had classes, and did not have freestyle afterwards. After a couple of months, I went to my first Ceroc night, and realised I had a problem. I could do the moves ok, but I couldn't think of what move to do next! My first 2 dances must have been horrible for my partner, but it suddenly clicked at the start of the third. 16 years later I am still learning how to lead.
'... to dance together ...'
This is the hardest individual part. I can now lead acceptably well, and occasionally hit a break, but I still look like I'm a rugby player holding onto a dancer by one hand. This excuse is starting to wear a bit thin - I've now been dancing twice as long as I played rugby.
'... with the music ...'
Several years ago I got a copy of the US Open Swing Dance Championship video. I thought they were doing routines, because everything fitted so well with the music. But they were just doing freestyle. It was the first time I had seen musical interpretation - from the simple hitting of breaks, to dancing with the whole mood of the music. Breaks are relatively easy - it is interpreting the other 90% of the song that I have problems with.
But the hardest part about dancing - trying to do everything at the same time!
The easiest part is having fun!
David |