stepping or sliding

[Damien]

I have been dancing for six months and thought I was OK. A regular partner pointed out that I 'slide' rather than step whilst dancing. She says most men and 'good dancers' step in time to the beat. Whilst my sliding style is OK it is doesn't look as good as stepping and also it is aharder to get a rhythm going as a couple. I've tried making my stepping obvious but feel like a robot. My sliding style which I wasn't previously aware of has always seemed fine but now I'm really self conscious. I've tried stepping but it feels really uncomfortable. To be obvious never realised there were these style differences. Can anyone help?

[Diane]

At least with a sliding style you are more likely to have a smooth style and not the bouncy stepping that some have.

P.S. interesting to see your location, I lived there until I was 10.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Damien

I have been dancing for six months and thought I was OK. A regular partner pointed out that I 'slide' rather than step whilst dancing. She says most men and 'good dancers' step in time to the beat.

Without seeing it, I can't say for sure, but hmmm...

Good dancers move to the rhythm, of course. However, that's a long way from saying that "good dancers' step in time to the beat". Good dancers can stretch (or slide) a step out through two beats, or may continue past a beat - we're not robots, interpretation is a key part of the process.

It sounds like a bit of a simplistic statement, and I wouldn't treat one comment as gospel, especially if that involves trying to alter your natural style.

Especially after 6 months - I think it took me several years to even consider style, but then I'm a slow learner. But ultimately, you have to develop a style that feels good to you, rather than one you think is "correct".

If in doubt, ask a taxi or teacher - or several - then make your mind up. As always, that's why we have workshops and private lessons as well.

[Lory]

I'm wondering if she means you 'shuffle' your feet

An extreme example of what I mean is, a person walking with a zimmer frame. They kind of slide their feet along but without any grace or style. Or maybe I'm just visualizing it wrongly?

Even so, I wouldn't have the answer


But on the positive side, I have seen some amazing dancers who slide beautifully!

[bigdjiver]

I have done the slide style at times, just to give the dance a different feel. I have no idea what it looks like, but it feels good for certain tracks.

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by Damien

A regular partner pointed out that I 'slide' rather than step whilst dancing. She says most men and 'good dancers' step in time to the beat.

Can't say I've noticed, but if you want to keep the smoothness of the 'slide' but the rhythm of the step, try lifting your heels slightly to step rather than the whole foot or toes.

Any steps you do make, try and keep your steps about the same distance as your foot - bigger is huge, slower to change/recover, takes you too far away/too close to your partner and emphisises your footwork. Smaller leads to "shuffling", lazy movements, and an almost stationary look to the dancing.

You could also try deliberately picking a place to move a foot to and moving it there, rather than just stepping/sliding as the move/music takes you: more conscious thought and deliberate movement than a shuffling.

Another usefull tip would be to actually step in and out with a return - step in when her back is to you, and away when she comes to face: again, this encourages you to actually move rather than just shuffling - just be wary of getting too close and not getting out the way in time.

(I know I'm guilty of a few of the above: I try to pick a few moves to put specific footwork into so that it looks more controlled, and practice stuff during the beginner's lessons.)

[MartinHarper]

In followers I can see benefits to clearly defined footwork. Having your weight always on either left or right foot, but never both, is supposed to aid responsiveness. Clear definition in footwork helps the leader work out where the woman's weight is. I don't see the same benefits in the leader having clearly defined footwork. I'm not sure what it means to "get a rhythm going as a couple", exactly.

If you do want to switch from slides to steps, I recommend dancing in street trainers.

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

I don't see the same benefits in the leader having clearly defined footwork.

Looks more controlled and gives better and smoother leads because you don't have to adjust your footwork (therefor body position) quite so often. It can make a smooth lead into an ultrasmooth lead that the ladys go "ooooh" at

{unfortunatly, I have only developed this for a couple of moves, the rest is just the usual flailing and shuffling arround that get's more "waaa!"'s than "oooh"'s }

[TheTramp]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

If you do want to switch from slides to steps, I recommend dancing in street trainers.

I think that I slide more than I step (anyone agree with me here?).

And I dance in street trainers.

It's also not done me that badly, Damien, so I wouldn't worry about it over much....

[Clive Long]

Originally Posted by TheTramp

I think that I slide more than I step (anyone agree with me here?).

And I dance in street trainers.

It's also not done me that badly, Damien, so I wouldn't worry about it over much....

I try to slide(*) more than step.

I try to feel which foot my weight is on to give me more control and options about where I move next - for me, this is more important in "progressive" dances (right term?) such as ballroom and Tango to avoid collisions with other dancers and it looks & feels "nicer" (ugh, horrible word)

I dance in dance shoes - I find it amazing people are able to dance in trainers - but that's my prejudice.


Clive

(*) well hover actually rather than dragging the foot along the floor - but it is difficult, difficult, difficult for me...

[El Salsero Gringo]

If you dance a cha-cha and you lift your feet off the ground then you get a slap from the nasty man with the wooden ruler. Do it a second time, and you'll be in detention faster than you can say "Wiener Schnitzel".

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

faster than you can say "Wiener Schnitzel".

That'll be several hours then for me... What with Quasimodo comparisons, rulers, and other morale-boosting hints, this no-sequins thing sounds like a haven for masochists...

Anyway, I'm a big fan of sliding rather than all this bouncy stepping lark. There are some tracks, generally the faster rock&roll ones, where a bit of bounce is required. But then I usually sit those ones out.

For most of the time, I reckon smooth movements look better than stepping. But that's my own bias, and I'm too old and set in my ways now to change even if I wanted to.

So, yes, Damien, don't worry about it. Any more news on this area from you? I'd be interested to hear what you think...

[Sheepman]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

In followers I can see benefits to clearly defined footwork. Having your weight always on either left or right foot, but never both, is supposed to aid responsiveness. Clear definition in footwork helps the leader work out where the woman's weight is.

I can't agree regarding the "clear definition", because in general, where the follower's weight is, should surely depend on where she has been lead? Perhaps one of the most clearcut examples being in blues, where clearly defined footwork is not what it's about, but it should be very clear where your weight is, as you both move from side to side. Admittedly in partner dances that are not so close (like MJ), this is more difficult to do by feel alone.

The way WCS is currently taught is ultra smooth, with the feet rarely leaving the ground. Damien, if you want to see how cool this can look maybe you can get to Oxford on a Monday night, where I believe Paul Warden is now teaching a regular WCS class.

Of course there is the danger that sliding can end up as just shuffling, this is why it is important to make sure there is that full weight change.

Greg

[Chicklet]

purely from an aesthetic, non expert, non technical point of view I like to watch a man slide, it looks like he's in control, and a man with both his feet close to the ground feels strong and solid to dance with....I like strength and solidity in a man.

slidelonga MOTION feels much better than this up and down nonsense too.

[JoC]

Originally Posted by TheTramp

I think that I slide more than I step (anyone agree with me here?).

I can verify that a significant amount of sliding by The Tramp has indeed been observed recently although I do not yet have the eye of the trained dance observer, or is that the trained eye of the dance observer? Would have to study your footwork more closely to work out the ratio...

Damien, I reckon as long as you're moving (ie. not shuffling around on the spot making your partner do all the work), if possible in time to the music , then things don't sound too bad! Maybe you could post a video clip of youself dancing so we can make a more considered comment

Is Damien still out there.....?

[MartinHarper]

Originally Posted by Sheepman

Where the follower's weight is, should surely depend on where she has been lead?

At an intermediate level, I don't find that MJ contains a vast amount of lead and follow of lady footwork.
Regardless, it's a fairly minor benefit even at intermediate level, so like David I do wonder where Damien's dancing partner is coming from.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

I do wonder where Damien's dancing partner is coming from.

I'm beginning to wonder if Damien exists...

[Damien]

yep I'm still here. Will be dancing at Ceroc Manchester (tomorrow). Have found everyone's comments very helpful/useful. Not sure about the video suggestion though lol. For anyone that knows me I have danced at the following venues in Manchester: Ceroc Hyde; Cerooc Wigan; Blitz Prestwich and Bowden, Barnside and Warrington. Sometimes get to the Saturday Jive nights at Stockport Town Hall and Ceroc's Friday nights at Hyde. Both are excellent and are must attend venues.

Think I'll definately stick to my sliding". I'm still learning (do you ever stop lol) so I don't think now is the time to change. When I'm next in Scotland I will definately attend some Ceroc classes! The website is very enjoyable.

[Gojive]

Damien,

Let me know if you're going to Stockport this Saturday, and I'll try and make myself known to you (somehow). I'm curious to see this slide too