Beginners - How do we keep them ??? - Page 4

**Zebra Woman** · 12th-June-2004, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianhadling

Unfortunately, since 1994, I've come across only one teacher that has specifically taught leading and following.

Several of the beginners I have talked to at Nothampton and Bedford have said how they would like to improve their leading/following, not just learn new moves, but they don't know how. They want to understand the dynamics of what is going on, and feel the dance. I think the sooner they reach this point the more likely they are to stay. It's when our connection is good that the fun really starts (and it is safer fun too).

They have a refresher on the beginners class during the first freestyle but I'm not sure whether the taxi dancers are trained to teach these details. And is it their job anyway?

I found David and Lily's exercises in lead and follow really useful. I would rather join in a class practising that, than do 4 intermediate moves that could hurt me because the lead is too strong.

In 1998 I started Ceroc at Northampton and Bedford where I was made most welcome. Since then I have tried to dance with beginners, but I have to protect my shoulder so I choose my beginners with care, unless they have chosen me first......Two of them have gone on to become Ceroc teachers and one was even a Jive Master finalist last year. So you never know ........

*Andy McGregor* · 12th-June-2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra Woman

Several of the beginners I have talked to at Nothampton and Bedford have said how they would like to improve their leading/following, not just learn new moves, but they don't know how. They want to understand the dynamics of what is going on, and feel the dance. I think the sooner they reach this point the more likely they are to stay. It's when our connection is good that the fun really starts (and it is safer fun too).

Get them to come to Amir's class on a Wednesday at Hipsters, especially the first Wednesday of the month. Amir teaches lead and follow brilliantly, not a bouncy hand in sight

**RobC** · 13th-June-2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel

You've taken the words right out of my mouth. I was stunned to hear the demos were being dropped, and have had several arguments with Marc about it - but, of course, he's just doing as he's been told.

Well, we still do demos down here in Fleet, but then may be that's because we're not 'Ceroc' but Ceroc Plus

*Andy McGregor* · 13th-June-2004, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobC

Well, we still do demos down here in Fleet, but then may be that's because we're not 'Ceroc' but Ceroc Plus

How about a new class called Ceroc Minus...

..minus the bouncy hand, skippy feet, free hand swinging above shoulder height, dancing in circles, smoking...

..one day, in Camelot

**Franck** · 14th-June-2004, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

..minus the bouncy hand, skippy feet, free hand swinging above shoulder height, dancing in circles

Most Ceroc classes I have attended did not include any of the above.
I am pretty sure some dancers / teachers have that kind of style, but I fail to understand why, in a thread about encouraging Beginners to keep dancing, you feel the need to deride a particular style.
One of the main things that attracted me and kept me passionate about Ceroc (and other MJ organizations) is the inclusiveness. Any and every style is great as long as you're enjoying yourself and not hurting / causing discomfort to your partner and the other couples on the floor.
There have been a few comments recently referring to 'bouncy hands' in relation to Ceroc, where do those rumours start? and why?
Is there a teacher somewhere who somehow believe they hold the abolute 'truth' when it comes to style?

Let's not discourage all the new people out there who started dancing and might have a bouncier style and, so far, really enjoyed it!

*Andy McGregor* · 14th-June-2004, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franck

Most Ceroc classes I have attended did not include any of the above.

-snip-

Let's not discourage all the new people out there who started dancing and might have a bouncier style and, so far, really enjoyed it!

Sorry

I hope that most people will know I was joking. As Franck says, I've also never been to a class where this style is taught. But I did dance that way for a year or two and thought I was fab - I've even got a video of myself doing it in the 1997 LeJive Champs that I lend people when they say "you're a natural dancer, I'd never be able to dance like you"

I've also got a video of Nigel Anderson dancing that way in the 1995 LeJive champs - Nigel is paying me not to show that to anyone

**Gordon J Pownall** · 14th-June-2004, 02:08 PM

Is this the same LeJive video with Adam (CerocMetro) and the lovely Tezi...?

If so it's inspirational (of something).......

**Zebra Woman** · 14th-June-2004, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

Get them to come to Amir's class on a Wednesday at Hipsters, especially the first Wednesday of the month. Amir teaches lead and follow brilliantly, not a bouncy hand in sight

Will whisper that suggestion to them.

Amir is doing a great job, but I'm not sure if they'll drive 120 miles on a weekday though. They need to get to the next level of obsessiveness for that. Catch 22 eh?

*Andy McGregor* · 1st-July-2004, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra Woman

Will whisper that suggestion to them.

Amir is doing a great job, but I'm not sure if they'll drive 120 miles on a weekday though. They need to get to the next level of obsessiveness for that. Catch 22 eh?

Most weeks I drive over 160 miles to go to Hipsters. This week I didn't do it because I was concerned about the traffic caused by the tube strike. Under Par and Mrs Par and me, Mrs McG and our friend Jan went to a local class instead. The quote of the night was "tonight has reminded us why we travel all the way to Hipsters"...

..silver lining

**Gadget** · 1st-July-2004, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

The quote of the night was "tonight has reminded us why we travel all the way to Hipsters"...

...and that would be?

TheTramp · 1st-July-2004, 09:04 AM

They like driving.

Obviously.

Trampy

**Zebra Woman** · 1st-July-2004, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTramp

They like driving.

Obviously.

Trampy

We do actually! Miss Conduct and I fill the car with friends and have a real laugh on the way down to London, and blueberry muffins and earl grey tea on the way back. One guy came out with 4 of us women and said he had enjoyed the drive even more than the dance!
We all thought huh?

**RobC** · 1st-July-2004, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra Woman

One guy came out with 4 of us women and said he had enjoyed the drive even more than the dance!

It's the company - what guy could resist

**Lory** · 1st-July-2004, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobC

It's the company - what guy could resist

It might have been the combination of the 4 women AND their muffins, that made it so enjoyable!

**under par** · 1st-July-2004, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lory

It might have been the combination of the 4 women AND their muffins, that made it so enjoyable!

Now now Lory!!!

**under par** · 1st-July-2004, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget

...and that would be?

1. Quality teaching, the teacher last night was reading from Q cards most of the time and actually during the display of a small dip, droppped his partner on the stage. He was unprepared and did not know the names of the moves nor did he give basic safety advice re the dip move.

2, Music. AAAAAAGGHHHH!!! I never want to hear another set like that.

On the plus side everybody was very friendly, there were a lots of beginners there they've obviously been out recruiting recently, they had a lovely welcoming staff and the hall was nice.

bigdjiver · 18th-January-2005, 09:06 AM

A lot of beginners at the class the other night. I thought freestyle might be crowded, but most went home early. It is common with beginners. But why?
I cannot remember the last time I paid to see a film or play and walked out early. I like to get my full moneys worth.
I think they come out of beginners refresher class, they have their dance with a taxi dancer, they watch a bit of freestyle, but do not feel part of the scene. They figure. nothing more to see, and go home.

I think perhaps we should give them something to look forward to, "lets just wait until the ........"

I think perhaps we should have, possibly two, mini-events in the freestyle. They could be non-dance, such as free ice-cream, or a non-intrusive raffle, (drawn by a beginner? Prize wine, chocolates or an admit one or 2 beginners admit ones?), or get the beginners to judge "best dressed", or best Taxi.

Or they could be dance related, like a demo, or a one-track competition.

I think that the longer the beginners stay the more at home they will feel, and it would not take much of a reason to get them to stay just a bit longer.

View Poll Results: What kept you coming back to Ceroc (MJ) as a beginner ???
The Teacher made me feel welcome and not out of place	12	30.77%
The Taxi Dancers really helped me learn quickly	9	23.08%
The DJ / Music just inspired me to move my body	1	2.56%
The men there really looked after me	3	7.69%
The women there really looked after me	6	15.38%
Where else can you have such a great night for the money ?	3	7.69%
The standard of dancers kept me interested - I just had to go back for more	4	10.26%
Eh...I though this was Line Dancing - Doh................	1	2.56%
Voters: 39. This poll is closed \| Withdraw Vote

14th-June-2004, 02:08 PM	#67 (permalink)
Gordon J Pownall Ceroc Teacher Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: errr.. in the back of my car with my microphone..anyone else want teacher cover...just call (everyone else has...!!!) Posts: 1,000 Status: No Status Rep Power: 4 Rep.: 66	Re: Beginners - How do we keep them ??? Is this the same LeJive video with Adam (CerocMetro) and the lovely Tezi...? If so it's inspirational (of something)....... __________________ Gordy ~ It's a Dance Thing ~ 'Τα δόντια μου είναι μου δικοί - οι γόμμες δεν είναι' www.vatsim-uk.org

1st-July-2004, 09:04 AM	#71 (permalink)
TheTramp The Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 10,512 Status: No Status Rep Power: 6 Rep.: 1723	Re: Beginners - How do we keep them ??? They like driving. Obviously. Trampy __________________ "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". (Attributed to Voltaire). Caveat: But reserve the right to tell you if what you say is a load of crap!

18th-January-2005, 09:06 AM	#77 (permalink)
bigdjiver Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: bedford Posts: 3,894 Status: No Status Rep Power: 3 Rep.: 803	Re: Beginners - How do we keep them ??? A lot of beginners at the class the other night. I thought freestyle might be crowded, but most went home early. It is common with beginners. But why? I cannot remember the last time I paid to see a film or play and walked out early. I like to get my full moneys worth. I think they come out of beginners refresher class, they have their dance with a taxi dancer, they watch a bit of freestyle, but do not feel part of the scene. They figure. nothing more to see, and go home. I think perhaps we should give them something to look forward to, "lets just wait until the ........" I think perhaps we should have, possibly two, mini-events in the freestyle. They could be non-dance, such as free ice-cream, or a non-intrusive raffle, (drawn by a beginner? Prize wine, chocolates or an admit one or 2 beginners admit ones?), or get the beginners to judge "best dressed", or best Taxi. Or they could be dance related, like a demo, or a one-track competition. I think that the longer the beginners stay the more at home they will feel, and it would not take much of a reason to get them to stay just a bit longer.

18th-January-2005, 09:48 AM	#78 (permalink)
Gadget Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cruden Bay (Aberdeen) Posts: 6,165 Status: Gigalo for hire Rep Power: 6 Rep.: 1527	Re: Beginners - How do we keep them ???