Its offical - ladies can lead a break!

[DianaS]

Originally Posted by Gordon J Pownall

We have so gotta dance - so often ladies can take the initiative and Nige and Nina, bless em, are so good at 'levelling the playing field so that ladies can have as much fun as the guys in musical interpretation.........

Sounds like great fun.....

Hey Gordon that would be so cool..We're out in force at Hipsters on Friday
at a BB reunion bash (our toes are stilll tapping)
Be there, or square!
D

[Gordon J Pownall]

Originally Posted by Dianas

Hey Gordon that would be so cool..We're out in force at Hipsters on Friday
at a BB reunion bash (our toes are stilll tapping)
Be there, or square!
D



Going to CerocMetro's JiveIn in Cheshunt on Friday - starts at 8.00pm to midnight, fully licensed bar, sprung dancefloor, brilliant sound system,

www.cerocmetro.com for more info and a map (although it's only 10- minutes from the M25 / A10 junction.........

[DianaS]

Originally Posted by Gordon J Pownall



Going to CerocMetro's JiveIn in Cheshunt on Friday - starts at 8.00pm to midnight, fully licensed bar, sprung dancefloor, brilliant sound system,

www.cerocmetro.com for more info and a map (although it's only 10- minutes from the M25 / A10 junction.........

Hey G
we'll miss each other! Still catch you another time. Drop me a line if your in the Midlands I so rarely dance in London, (actually this will be my first time!!) the excitement is too much.What should I wear??!!

Andy McG, ideas PLEASE!

[anitaL]

In Bristol we have had quite a few lessons recently on ladies taking over the lead during a dance-- not necessarily just during a break. The men are told that their lead should be just sufficient in strength to get the lady where you want her to be. This results in a subtle lead and also allows the lady freedom to take over the lead if she wants and for the man to be aware of any slight pressure from the lady indicating this. I'm not yet at the stage where I feel confident enough to lead although I might do it with someone I know well or if we've just had a lesson in it. Only experienced male dancers seem to know that ladies can lead anyway so with anyone else I usually have to explain what I'm going to try beforehand or there will be confusion!

[MartinHarper]

Ladies - I'm sorry, but if you start "stiffening your arms" in an attempt to backlead the break, you are going to get hurt.

I've seen a stiffer lady's arm taught in both Ceroc and JazzJive as the means for the lady to lead a slow turn or return, which seems a nice way to handle some breaks. Don't try it with someone who's not progressed past the porridge-stirring phase, I guess.

[RogerR]

I like it when a lady I dance with follows constructively. Adds her style and interpretation, takes her own space to do her own thing. It inclines me to lead to include her style!!
I hate it when my partner tries to drive me through the dance. I just let the lead gently go to jelly til they realise that they havnt anything to fight, which usually distresses them, cos theyre trying to fight and cant fight nothing.

Dancing always feels better if you are dancing TOGETHER.

[drathzel]

Originally Posted by RogerR

.

Dancing always feels better if you are dancing TOGETHER.

I Find it really off putting if i am up dancing and the man deliberately puts in really advanced moves, knowing that i am only a new intermediate, and i end up getting hurt because i dont kow how to follow or what the man is wanting me to do! I dont come across this very often but the few times that i have it has really ruined the dance for me and has made me not want to dance the next few dances!

Does anyone else find this?

[Magic Hans]

Originally Posted by Sal

Some guys get so threatened by a woman taking initiative!
...

I think you're right. When men are focused in on doing moves .... and planning them ahead, it's easy it forget what the music is doing. Part of the learning curve imho!

Some people like tight structure, or rules. They feel safe there. Some prefer a far looser structure. I'm one who believes that rules are made to be broken, as effectively as creativity allows!!!! Only, in order to break a rule effectively, I need to know it like the back of my hand.

What is dancing?
a)Is it completing a sequence of set learned (and experimented) moves one after the other?
b)Is it creatively and freely expressing the music through movement?
c)Is it something in-between?

My nirvana is to get as near to c), as I possibly can. I can do this with some dancers, in particular a (far too!) young girl, Claire in Nottingham ..... who, I believe, has not yet learned to supress her creative expression .... and I hope she never does!

Some of her leads find her difficult to dance with, 'cos she doesn't do the right thing! She has had to tune herself down for these leads.

I really don't care if my follow doesn't!!! ... so long as she's still dancing with me and to the music!!!! Far less than a demand, my lead is simply an invitation!

Here's too my follow taking the initiative as and when she is moved to do so!!!

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by drathzel

I Find it really off putting if i am up dancing and the man deliberately puts in really advanced moves, knowing that i am only a new intermediate, and i end up getting hurt because i dont kow how to follow or what the man is wanting me to do! I dont come across this very often but the few times that i have it has really ruined the dance for me and has made me not want to dance the next few dances!

I hope it's not me you're referring to To be honest, I don't think I know what a "really advanced" move is, and normally lead ladys wherever the music takes me - unusual, unexpected and confusing sometimes (most times ), but I hope ultimatly rewarding.

If you are led into these moves, it could be seen as a compliment that they think you could handle anything thrown at you - but that's still no excuse for pain: It's not the maschokism tango.

As to ladies takeing the initative - I don't think that any ladies have during a freestyle dance with me: I leave the occasional window that is taken, and any time I release the lady (eg into a free-spin) then the catch is optional on my side of things.

[baldrick]

Originally Posted by Magic Hans

Here's too my follow taking the initiative as and when she is moved to do so!!!

Bring it on. I love a hijack and have never worried about being help by someone who know the music better than me (not tough). Its a partnership after all, both sides should have an input.

[MartinHarper]

Its a partnership after all, both sides should have an input.

Well, yes, but a follower don't have to "hijack" to have an input: she already has control over all aspects of her dancing that don't effect her ability to follow the next move. Probably more control than the guy, all told.

Originally Posted by DianaS

[You can] stop dramatically with both hands tucked behind the back and not offer the hand until the break is over.

(back on topic!) While Diana's advice is aimed at followers, I sometimes do much the same thing to "front lead" a break; works both ways round.

[drathzel]

Originally Posted by Gadget

I hope it's not me you're referring to To be honest, I don't think I know what a "really advanced" move is, and normally lead ladys wherever the music takes me - unusual, unexpected and confusing sometimes (most times ), but I hope ultimatly rewarding.

If you are led into these moves, it could be seen as a compliment that they think you could handle anything thrown at you - but that's still no excuse for pain: It's not the maschokism tango.

As to ladies takeing the initative - I don't think that any ladies have during a freestyle dance with me: I leave the occasional window that is taken, and any time I release the lady (eg into a free-spin) then the catch is optional on my side of things.

Dont worry i'm not refering to you!

But if the lady doesn't catch, what else will she do? (apart from run off the dance floor if you dont want to dance with someone) <--- Has anyone ever done that?

[drathzel]

Originally Posted by baldrick

Bring it on. I love a hijack and have never worried about being help by someone who know the music better than me (not tough). Its a partnership after all, both sides should have an input.

You dont say that when i try to lead !!!

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by drathzel

Dont worry i'm not refering to you!

:phew:

But if the lady doesn't catch, what else will she do?

Shimmy, walk, stalk, carress themselves, carresss the man, start "handbag dancing", apraise the man, turn slowly, flamenco round the man...

[drathzel]

Originally Posted by Gadget

Shimmy, walk, stalk, carress themselves, carresss the man, start "handbag dancing", apraise the man, turn slowly, flamenco round the man...

I have never considered any of these things!! Do most people?

[Gojive]

Originally Posted by drathzel

I have never considered any of these things!! Do most people?

In my experience Danielle, certainly not 'most'...more likely 'some'.

I have to say though, when a lady offers these kinds of responses when I'm dancing with her, I am so pleased!. It kinda shows to me that they're are comfortable enough, and enjoying the dance enough with me, to want to be 'expressive' .

At least, that's my take on it

[drathzel]

Originally Posted by Gojive

In my experience Danielle, certainly not 'most'...more likely 'some'.

I have to say though, when a lady offers these kinds of responses when I'm dancing with her, I am so pleased!. It kinda shows to me that they're are comfortable enough, and enjoying the dance enough with me, to want to be 'expressive' .

At least, that's my take on it

Well i may try it! Watch out Glasgow males, and when i get enough practice i shall dance with you again, gojive!

[Gojive]

Originally Posted by drathzel

Well i may try it! Watch out Glasgow males, and when i get enough practice i shall dance with you again, gojive!

Hey Danielle! - I do hope you will dance with me with or without practice beforehand!

If you want to get some ideas, try sitting out a few dances, and concentrate on what the 'good' dancers seem to be doing. Then pick just one thing you like, and try it out. You'd be amazed at how quickly you can pick up these things, and often they will slip into your dance without you even planning it

[drathzel]

Originally Posted by Gojive

Hey Danielle! - I do hope you will dance with me with or without practice beforehand!

of course i will!!

Originally Posted by Gojive

If you want to get some ideas, try sitting out a few dances, and concentrate on what the 'good' dancers seem to be doing. Then pick just one thing you like, and try it out. You'd be amazed at how quickly you can pick up these things, and often they will slip into your dance without you even planning it

i did that at the bfg as i had no idea what to do with my feet, so i stared at everyones feet (sorry ) And now i feel a bit more confident when moving my feet!!!