slowing down moves

[Gadget]

Anyone give any advice on how to lead a slower version of basic moves so that (eg) a return takes three beats instead of one or wrapping into a basket takes two or more beats ?

I've seen Bill & Franck do it, but never caught on to what the women were picking up on to tell them to slow it down. It can add an extra element of sensuality to any dance , but any time I try, it just ends up aquard or with a rushed start, slowing down.

[Franck]

Originally posted by Gadget
I've seen Bill & Franck do it, but never caught on to what the women were picking up on to tell them to slow it down.

Hehe Gadget, you are certainly catching up with the posts!
Your question is a really good one and it took me a while to think about what I was doing to lead my partner into a slow down or any of the hundreds of subtle variations.
Everything is in the lead, but it is almost impossible to describe how to lead a slow down in words, you have to feel it. However, it seems to me that you are looking in the wrong place. It is not something you add to your dancing / leading that allows you to do this (like a signal for example). The only way to achieve that level of subtlety in your leading is to become a very good lead in the first place, so that your partner will trust your lead and follow easily. Then (and only then young Jedi ) will your partner read a subtle change in your leading as a signal to slow down or to do something else for that matter, instead of thinking that you just stubbed your toe!
Even then, it won't work everytime, but the fun is in trying, and getting it right just occasionally.

So my advice, work on leading the moves better and more clearly (just the normal moves, nothing fancy). Also try air dancing (ie dancing without touching your partner's hand) with a willing partner (it is very good practise for women too ). The idea is to get your lead to become very gentle but very clear. Not dragging your partner through the move, but more like closing all other options but the one you want her to move into.
Once you get there, try small effects, like keeping your hand up after a turn or return and keep your partner there for a bit or two... Then just experiment and have fun

Franck.

[Jon]

My dancing style changed recently and I've started slowing down the moves and it adds a new dimension to your dancing. My style in the last couple of months has changed so much and it's really good fun improvising and slowing down. Gives you longer to think of the next move as well (added bonus ).

I have to say that I agree with Frank that it is all in the lead. You need to be gentle, with a looseish grip but still be firm in the lead. Actually signalling the slowing down of a move I cannot really describe it's something you just end up doing. To help you start it is probably easier for the lady to recognise you are slowing down the move when the music starts to slow down. A move I slowed down to start with was a right handed comb. From there it should be obvious to the lady what you are doing and she should follow.

[Lou]

Originally posted by Gadget
Anyone give any advice on how to lead a slower version of basic moves so that (eg) a return takes three beats instead of one or wrapping into a basket takes two or more beats ?

Hi Gadget,

It's all in your lead. I, and probably most (if not all ) women on here, wait for the man to indicate what I should do. Most of the time, especially if it's a man I don't know particularly well, I'd be expecting the normal version of a move, and it would be up to you to indicate anything different.

Take the loophole, for example. You can slow it down by adding an extra turn of the lady after each loop - but, as Franck points out, the only way I'd know is if you kept your hand above my head, and moved your fingers to spin me.

Or the comb - I'd know that you wanted to pause & wiggle for a few beats because you would have put one hand on my hip to hold me in place.

To slow moves down, you must decide what you want the lady to do during those extra beats & just clearly lead her to do it!

[Gadget]

So it's down to practice and perfecting technique: I have been told I'm a good lead , I just need to improve on 'good'. {ahhh; the force is strong in this one.}

On a similar style of move, I've been thinking about an appreciative stalk around your partner - I can lead the lady around myself in a moderately slow manor, but how do I convince (lead) her to stay put while I walk around her ?

In theory it should be the same as a turn, or wrap sort of thing, except instead of actually turning the lady, you move around her and turn her to stay still. Any time I've tried this however, the lady always wants to turn her body & face me {good practice normally, but it's not as if I'm that good looking!}

From observation, I think that the key is a hand on the lady's hip, holding her there at the start of the move, then trailing around to the start again?

[Sandy]

Hey Lou I don't know you at all but I hope you dance a lot slower than your avatar! i'm dizzy just watching it for a minute!

Cheers

Sandy

[Lou]

Originally posted by Gadget
From observation, I think that the key is a hand on the lady's hip, holding her there at the start of the move, then trailing around to the start again?

It's just a case of having been stopped, I think. Placing your hand on the lady's hip is a good signal. Placing hers on yours also works (I'm thinking of a variation of a catapault, where on beat 2 you have the lady behind you - both hands behind your back, leaning forwards as she leans back, on beat 3 you can pull her forwards & place her hands on your hips for a sleazy wiggle, etc....)

Another tip - you can whisper to her to stay still.

Originally posted by Sandy
Hey Lou I don't know you at all but I hope you dance a lot slower than your avatar!

Yup, definitely - with the exception of Ricky Martin & Mack The Knife!

[Sandy]

Originally posted by Sandy
Hey Lou I don't know you at all but I hope you dance a lot slower than your avatar!
Yup, definitely - with the exception of Ricky Martin & Mack The Knife! [/b]

Well if you are ever up in Scotland you can give us a demonstration!

Cheers

Sandy

[DavidB]

Originally posted by Gadget
On a similar style of move, I've been thinking about an appreciative stalk around your partner - I can lead the lady around myself in a moderately slow manor, but how do I convince (lead) her to stay put while I walk around her ?

In theory it should be the same as a turn, or wrap sort of thing, except instead of actually turning the lady, you move around her and turn her to stay still. Any time I've tried this however, the lady always wants to turn her body & face me {good practice normally, but it's not as if I'm that good looking!}

From observation, I think that the key is a hand on the lady's hip, holding her there at the start of the move, then trailing around to the start again?

You can do it one handed. Lead the lady like a turn, but do it a little bit slower. As you raise your hand, flatten it so that you have her fingertips in the palm of your hand. Then gently close your fingers around her hand. DON'T SQUEEZE. About 75% of ladies will realise that if she can't turn her hand, then the man doesn't want her to turn, and you can stalk her as long as you want! If she doesn't realise, and continues her turn, just let her. Don't fight it.

When I lead, I try to think that I am only leading my partner, not the whole dance floor. I try to make it as small and subtle as possible while still making it a clear lead. (It doesn't always work)
I assume that the lady can move herself, and doesn't need to be dragged around. I also assume she can count, so I don't need to point out every beat in the music to her.
You realise that the hand connection is like an amplifier - a small movement of my hand can make the lady move 6 feet. A larger movement still makes her move 6 feet, but with a grimace on her face.

David

[Jayne]

Originally posted by DavidB

You realise that the hand connection is like an amplifier - a small movement of my hand can make the lady move 6 feet. A larger movement still makes her move 6 feet, but with a grimace on her face.

David

Very true! I find that if a guy can keep time to the music (not necessarily dancing every beat) and he comes across as being confident then I'll follow whatever lead he offers - fast or slow. As for the larger movement making a girl move six feet but with a grimace - you forgot to mention the dislocated shoulder and the black eye from bumping into the couple next to you!

Lou's right - you can just tell her to stand still! There's one guy I dance with who throws in moves he's learned in salsa. The first time he does a new move he'll often tell me to stand still , duck, double spin or something similar. The next time we do the move it ususally works without the verbal warning.

Let us know how you get on!

Jayne

[Gadget]

Originally posted by DavidB
You can do it one handed. Lead the lady like a turn, but do it a little bit slower. As you raise your hand, flatten it so that you have her fingertips in the palm of your hand. Then gently close your fingers around her hand. DON'T SQUEEZE. About 75% of ladies will realise that if she can't turn her hand, then the man doesn't want her to turn, and you can stalk her as long as you want! If she doesn't realise, and continues her turn, just let her. Don't fight it.

Now that's what I was looking for Thanks.

If you see someone trying to dance and read an e-mail at the same time, that'll be me.:p

[Bill]

Originally posted by Gadget


Now that's what I was looking for Thanks.

If you see someone trying to dance and read an e-mail at the same time, that'll be me.:p

But I thought it was only girls who could multi-task like that

Some very good tips here about leading and slowing down and as a few folk have said it's almost difficult to describe what happens when you do slow a move down or pause with the beat.

I love putting in breaks and a lot of women up here now almost expect me to and listen for the beat and the break but if a woman follws well she will take her cue from the man and if he doesn't move she won't

I think at times I use my thumb as a 'stop' sign.........we are allowed to do that with certain Ceroc moves but I also almosttense up my arm so the woman should be able to feel something different is about to happen.

However, there's no point slowing down the dance if the music is still quite fast it should be following the beat and if the tempo changes then change with it.

I'll look out for you tomorrow night with your emails

[Gadget]

Originally posted by bill foreman

I'll look out for you tomorrow night with your emails

If only I could spare the time and finances {breaks out the violin} I only get to dance once a week - and there are a few times that I have been on my way to the venue and got a phone call to recall me. {sniff}

I'm working on seeing if I can sneak out on Friday (If Franck will let me in without pre-purchace of a ticket)

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by Gadget
If you see someone trying to dance and read an e-mail at the same time, that'll be me.:p

Hey, Gadge! I'll lend you my palm if you want Just don't drop it!

Anyway.. I thought you were strong in the Farce not the Force

[Gadget]

Originally posted by Beowulf1970
Hey, Gadge! I'll lend you my palm if you want Just don't drop it!

...actually I can just see you trying to dance with one hand while reading the moves from your Palm with the other... hmmm... how would you manage two handed moves?... you need a hat with a fishing pole to dangle the palm infront of you, then a couple of bits of string around your neck to make sure it always faces the way your head is pointing... it would need to be cushoned so that accidental thwapping of your partner didn't leave them concussed... all that extra weight would pull the hat forward, so you would need some braces to fix the back of it to your trousers.

Sorted. just need to patent it and make my first million ! {}

[Chicklet]

Hadn't noticed this thread before (started long before my time) but great subject to pick up again.

Guys, TRY THE SLOWING DOWN cos it feels GREAT!!!

Of course it won't work right first time every time (unless it's Franck or Bill or (have to give a mention cos he also does it very well) Scooby probably but get trying!!!!

I was on the receiving end of a fair amount on Saturday night and probably missed as many as I followed properly and am trying to remember how I "knew", when I did know, that the move was being slowed down and I think it was mostly, as said above, in the subtle change of pressure, one other thing that I don't think was mentioned above is that it works better and is easier to read "in close". And as was mentioned, there's nothing wrong with a bit of whispering!!


More discussion please!!!

C

[Gadget]

Chickie diverting an off-topic post back on topic!!! what ever next? {}

[Chicklet]

Originally posted by Gadget
Chickie diverting an off-topic post back on topic!!! what ever next? {}

on topic is the new black!!!

don't worry Go-Go, it'll likely not last!!!

v quiet around here today isn't it???

[Bill]

Originally posted by Chicklet
, one other thing that I don't think was mentioned above is that it works better and is easier to read "in close". And as was mentioned, there's nothing wrong with a bit of whispering!!


More discussion please!!!

C

How close are you talking about Little Chickie ?? and doesn't it depend on what is being whispered ? Imagine if I'd whispered those words up close :sorry