Lead or Follow

[Trish]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

... very long rant from Andy McG with lots of good stuff in it.

I agree with this Andy. Until quite recently I would bemoan the fact that there sometimes aren't the amount of good dancers I'd like (male or female - I'm not fussy), but I've just started to realise that as one of the more experienced dancers in my venue (at least sometimes anyway), and as a taxi, it's up to me to do something about this in the way you're describing.

So (despite my bad shoulders, which do sometimes put meoff dancing with new people who might yank me) I've started to dance with a wider range of people, and concentrate on giving help where it's asked for, and making my own dancing look as good as it can, rather than moaning about the lack of good dancers (well not moaning all the time anyway, only if it's one of my absolute favourite tracks !)

The payoff, which I hadn't really realised is how many people have told me that I've really helped them, and the improvement in some people .

So to the forum (and Andy particularly) for inspiring me to do this. As you said, it's a slow process, but the only way we're going to get the "next generation" of good dancers.

Sorry Minnie - this is completely off topic, but too interesting to pass up!

[Minnie M]

Originally Posted by Trish

So to the forum (and Andy particularly) for inspiring me to do this. As you said, it's a slow process, but the only way we're going to get the "next generation" of good dancers.

Sorry Minnie - this is completely off topic, but too interesting to pass up!

and
Andy inspiring you

we all (I hope) help newbies, I was just wondering which would be more helpful as a female, to lead or follow in class lessons

Andy wants the current generation of dancers to be better dancers which he feels will happen faster with the help of advance dancers assisting (which we all do anyway, hopefully)

[Donna]

I was just wondering which would be more helpful as a female, to lead or follow in class lessons

Both. There is one girl in my class who has been dancing as a male for some time and I believe it gives the female more of an idea on what makes it easier for the men to lead. This then can help her to follow properly...plus she'll get more dances I'm sure!!! Well, she does anyway.

[Trish]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

and
Andy inspiring you

we all (I hope) help newbies, I was just wondering which would be more helpful as a female, to lead or follow in class lessons

Andy wants the current generation of dancers to be better dancers which he feels will happen faster with the help of advance dancers assisting (which we all do anyway, hopefully)

Sorry if I confused you. What I was trying to say was that although I have always danced with beginners to some extent (well, I wouldn't taxi otherwise would I?), I'd been through a bit of a period of thinking of it as a chore when I wasn't taxiing (probably mostly because of my bad shoulders). I am now thinking of it as a interesting and good thing to do, which is where the inspiration came in. More of a kick up the backside to stop moaning and a change of attitude on my part than anything else.

[LMC]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

...I was just wondering which would be more helpful as a female, to lead or follow in class lessons

If there are more women than men in a class, which there frequently are, then women leading helps even the numbers of followers and leaders. Learning to lead has definitely given me an insight into improving my following - so it has been helpful to me. Otherwise, I can't see that it makes any difference to anyone whether I lead or follow in classes.

I sometimes wish there were more female taxis at some of my venues to help the guys become better leaders - not just in class, but in freestyle too.