Couples dancing is a wonderful activity that combines movement, music and human connection. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer looking to improve your skills, today we offer you ten essential and universal tips for quickly progressing in partner dancing.
Before you start: 3 basic elements
Take courses
Dance classes are essential for learning correct techniques and avoiding bad habits. Enroll in regular classes with experienced teachers who can guide you and correct your mistakes. Participating in workshops or intensive courses can also boost your progress.
Practice, practice, practice
As with any skill, regular practice is the key to progress in partner dancing. Set aside time each week to dance, especially in the evenings outside of class or even at home. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with the movements and the connection with your partner, the more you will integrate the movements learned in class into your vocabulary.
Listen to music
Couple dancing is intrinsically linked to music. Take the time to listen carefully to the kinds of music you dance to. Improve your musical listening, identify rhythms, pauses and accents. This will improve your musicality and your ability to interpret music with your body.
Our 10 tips: techniques and creativity
1. Consolidate your foundations
It is crucial to consolidate your foundations. Constantly practice the basic figures you have learned and seek to perfect them. A strong foundation allows you to perform more complex movements better and dance with more confidence. Basic movements must be fluid and forceless, at very slow speeds as well as very fast speeds.
2. Develop your creativity (for guides in particular)
To avoid monotony and improve your skills, look for new movements and let your creativity flow. Watch videos for inspiration, experiment and try new things. Creativity enriches your dance and makes it unique.
Some tips to develop your creativity:
- Try to perform known movements by changing an element: position, hand used for guidance
- Play with the rhythm of movements: slow down or speed up a movement to see the impact on the dynamics of the dance
- Use errors and unexpected situations to develop new ideas.
3. Seek fluidity above all else
Fluidity is essential in couple dancing. Focus on clear, precise movements rather than strength and number of different figures. Fluidity improves the aesthetics of your dance and makes your movements more pleasant for your partner.
Tip for working on fluidity: practice at slow and fast speed and bring the same quality and continuity to the movements.
Connection and interaction
4. Work on Connection
The connection with your partner is fundamental in couples dancing. Seek to better understand your partner's body mechanics. Work on listening and presence in connection through small, simple exercises, such as following and guiding exercises while closing your eyes.
Tips for working on the connection:
- For guides: feel the support and weight transfer of the partner, use as little force as possible in the arms.
- For guides: put up as little resistance as possible in your arms, remain constantly in control of your balance, follow without interpreting.
5. Ask for feedback
Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from your teachers, dance partners, and friends. Constructive feedback is valuable for identifying areas where you can improve. Be open to criticism and use it as opportunities to grow.
6. Stay modest
Modesty is an essential quality to progress in couple dance. Recognize that you always have something to learn and be humble about your mistakes. Accept advice and correction with gratitude, and don't constantly compare yourself to others.
When a sequence or a figure does not work, first look for anything you could improve on your side before blaming your partner (guide or follower)
Adaptability and preparation
7. Vary the partners
Dancing with different partners helps you adapt your style and improve your adaptability. Each dancer has a unique way of moving and connecting. By varying your partners, you become more versatile and adaptable. Do not hesitate to invite partners at a level that you consider different from yours, more advanced or more beginner, to challenge your dancing and question yourself.
8. Practice solo
Although couples dancing requires a partner, it is also beneficial to practice solo. Work on your basic techniques, movements and posture. By strengthening your individual skills, you will be a better 2-person dance partner.
9. Set goals
Define clear and achievable goals for your progress in couples dance. Whether it's mastering a new trick, improving your musicality, putting on a show, or competing in a competition, having goals gives you direction and motivation to continue improving.
10. most important: have fun
Never lose sight of the joy of dancing. Dance should be a source of joy and satisfaction. When you're having fun, you're more relaxed and receptive, which makes it easier to learn and progress. Let yourself be carried away by the music and enjoy every moment on the dance floor.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you will be able to progress more quickly in couple dance and flourish in this passion. Remember that every dance is an opportunity for learning and fun. The road to learning to dance is long and endless, so put on your dancing shoes and above all let yourself be carried away by passion!
