Can you learn to dance from a book

**philsmove** · 10th-December-2005, 05:57 PM

I have just started “ A Passion For Tango” by David Tuner
I Have enjoyed the first 28 pages -
But the remaining 200 pagers, how to dance tango, look rather boring

Has any one else read this book?

Its it possible to lean to dance from a textbook?

**WittyBird** · 10th-December-2005, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philsmove

Its it possible to lean to dance from a textbook?

I think its possible to learn the theory behind anything. But you have to put everything into practice

**ducasi** · 11th-December-2005, 12:07 AM

If we can assume it's a good book, and you've got a partner who has also read the book, with whom you can practice...

I think from a good book it's just as likely you can learn from it as a DVD. The problem with both is the lack of feedback to tell you if you're doing it right or wrong.

What must help is the right partner. If he/she can provide an alternative understanding of the material, or has different experience, this can only help.

Maybe a third person or a video camera would also be handy...

**Lynn** · 11th-December-2005, 02:50 AM

I thought this was maybe going to be a thread about Craig Revel Horwood's new book on how to dance. I saw him plugging on breakfast TV - he said that it would be good for people who would feel too nervous to go to a dance class, they could get the basics from the book, then build up confidence to go along to a class etc.

I love books and find I learn a lot from them, on a wide variety of topics - but books give you information, and dancing is about experience as much as, if not more, than information.

I could see a book being useful as a revision aid, to go over things you have already learnt and to explain terminology and discuss some theory but it would need to be in conjunction with classes to be really effective IMO.

**David Bailey** · 11th-December-2005, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philsmove

Its it possible to lean to dance from a textbook?

I don't think so - in fact, I don't think it's possible to learn any discipline from a textbook.

Dancing, especially for beginners, requires practice to get familiar with the concepts, the music, the rhythms, etc. - there's really no substitute for being made to go out there and try to dance.

At more intermediate levels, sure, theory is very useful, to back up experience. But I think you need experience, to have something to relate the theory to, otherwise most of it will go over your head.

**ducasi** · 11th-December-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJames

Dancing, especially for beginners, requires practice to get familiar with the concepts, the music, the rhythms, etc. - there's really no substitute for being made to go out there and try to dance.

I would guess the book would at various points give you exercises to practice...

10th-December-2005, 05:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
philsmove Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,697 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 601	Can you learn to dance from a book I have just started “ A Passion For Tango” by David Tuner I Have enjoyed the first 28 pages - But the remaining 200 pagers, how to dance tango, look rather boring Has any one else read this book? Its it possible to lean to dance from a textbook? __________________ “Where the man goes, the lady must follow...” Liz , Strictly Ballroom

11th-December-2005, 12:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
ducasi Lovely Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 9,500 Rep Power: 6 Reputation Total: 3224	Re: Can you learn to dance from a book If we can assume it's a good book, and you've got a partner who has also read the book, with whom you can practice... I think from a good book it's just as likely you can learn from it as a DVD. The problem with both is the lack of feedback to tell you if you're doing it right or wrong. What must help is the right partner. If he/she can provide an alternative understanding of the material, or has different experience, this can only help. Maybe a third person or a video camera would also be handy... __________________ Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story

11th-December-2005, 02:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lynn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Belfast Posts: 7,656 Rep Power: 5 Reputation Total: 2459	Re: Can you learn to dance from a book I thought this was maybe going to be a thread about Craig Revel Horwood's new book on how to dance. I saw him plugging on breakfast TV - he said that it would be good for people who would feel too nervous to go to a dance class, they could get the basics from the book, then build up confidence to go along to a class etc. I love books and find I learn a lot from them, on a wide variety of topics - but books give you information, and dancing is about experience as much as, if not more, than information. I could see a book being useful as a revision aid, to go over things you have already learnt and to explain terminology and discuss some theory but it would need to be in conjunction with classes to be really effective IMO.

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