Wow! I could not imagine what might be next. LM and the studio owners began talking about competitions. Competitions? What, me? No way! I knew how nervous I had been just for that little studio showcase. There was no way I could get up and dance in front of more than the thirty students and family member I knew so well. Besides, I had only been dancing about two and half months. I just put it out of my mind completely.
LM also began telling me what I needed to do was go to some of the local ballroom dances and dance with other men. He explained that the more men I danced with, the better dancer I would become. I knew that dancing with the other instructors and male students (which existed of about three gentlemen who were anywhere from 70 to 95) was scary enough. I was learning real fast that no two men are alike in their leads.
Leads can range from the lightest touch all the way down to being so rough you actually get bruised. Some men were too light with their lead and you had to constantly focus on what they were trying to lead to insure your feet stayed one step out of the way of their feet, and that you went home with all of your toes in tact! Some men were too rough (or hard) with their lead. There is nothing fun about being pushed and shoved and forced to go in the right direction. Luckily, some men do have a great lead! They are so easy I found myself following them through steps completely unknown to me. Wow, so much to learn!
Let me continue with leads. Unfortunately, any woman who gets out and dances will at some point come across any and all types of leads. There prior three are easier to deal with than the remainder. I feel it is my duty as a woman dancer to give fair warning! Gentlemen, if this in any way "steps on your toes" please do not be offended. Rather take it as an incentive to take a few more lessons with an instructor that can help you. Some gentlemen have what I will call a non-existent lead. Some of these men, but not all, know a multitude of dance steps. Unfortunately, they were not taught how to properly lead those steps. The best you can do is stumble or "follow" your way until the end of the song. At that time, kindly thank the gentlemen for the dance, and commit their face to memory as one not to dance with. The next type may sometimes be a bit easier to follow, or perhaps not. These men do not have any sense of rhythm, at all! I have actually had some men try doing a waltz to a song that is in no way a waltz. Do not panic yet, simply figure out what rhythm they are performing with their feet, and do your best to follow! You may also want to add this one to your "Do Not Dance With" list.
You will definitely find many combinations and extremes of all of these different lead types. I will say, however, that by taking the time to work your way through each and every one, time after time, you will become a better dancer. I can attest to that. At least, I believe that is one of the things that had allowed me to excel at dance. It is not always an easy task, nor is it always fun. But heck, hang in there. You never know where it might take you, or who you might meet by doing so.
So, yes, that was my next step...the step in to the Dance Community. But that is the beginning of some fascinating tales, to be continued. So, hoping you "Follow If You Can!" Until next time, let your feet dance to the tune in your heart!
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