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IT'S NOT JUST WALTZ ANYMORE
Selecting a Song for Your First Dance
By Analisa Shinn

When a couple is deciding on their first dance for their wedding they are often concerned about what kind of music to use. It is quite common for couples to believe that they need to dance a waltz, since that has been viewed as the “traditional” first dance for many years. However, people are now choosing a variety of songs to use for their first dance.

At our studio, we ask wedding couples to bring in music that means something to them.  It could be the song that was...
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FIRST STEPS
A Simple Introduction to Partner Dancing
By Wanda Deagen

 What is meant by
 PRACTICAL USE?

You may often see or hear references to having "practical use" of a dance or of specific patterns or techniques. What exactly does that mean?  It's a good question and important information to have when choosing your courses. 

Because dancing is a physical activity, defining practical use specifically will differ from one person to the next. However, the following can serve as guidelines in determining if you are at the practical use stage of a dance:

• You are able to demonstrate through lead
  or follow what you have learned in your primary dances.             
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Your First Dance
As published in San Antonio Bride magazine Fall/Winter 2004
By Wanda Deagen

Of all wedding traditions, nothing seems to say “romance” quite like that first dance. The moment he takes you into his arms for your first dance as husband and wife should be memorable and meaningful – and not because he stepped on your foot!

The bride and groom dance, commonly referred to as the first dance, is a tradition nearly everyone wants as part of their wedding celebration. However, if a couple has not been dancing together throughout their courtship, this romantic tradition
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PRIMARY DANCES

The following dances are used to teach the primary movements and mechanics of partner dancing:
Fox Trot / Texas Two Step  -- introduces students to Magic rhythm - slow, slow, quick, quick; teaches traveling movement around the line of dance; introduces closed rotations to the right
Waltz -- introduces students to 3/4 timing -- 1-2-3; teaches sideward movements and leg swing; introduces closed rotations to the left
Rumba -- introduces basic Latin (or Box) rhythm - slow, quick, quick; teaches stationary movement; introduces open movements with partner
Swing -- introduces triple rhythms - 1&2, 3&4; teaches hand connection and arm positioning; teaches expression

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IT'S NOT JUST WALTZ ANYMORE continued ...
It could be the song that was playing on their first date or perhaps just something they feel is touching. Some couples tend to stick with traditional slow songs, such as Etta James’ “At Last” or Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Fallin’ in Love.” Others have been a little" more adventurous with their songs and have decided on melodies like Bread’s “Chosen One” or Barry White’s“My Everything.”

Once a couple has decided on the song, we teach them a basic step -- whether it’s a society step or a swing. From there, we proceed to build their personalized dance. We understand that a first dance should not be “one size fits all”, so we make sure to take each couple’s desires and needs into consideration when creating their dance.

When picking out a song to use for your first dance, I recommend something that speaks to you. After all, you will remember your wedding day – and your first dance – for the rest of your life! No matter which song you decide to use, we will make it work for you.

If you just can’t narrow it down to one song, create a medley. You could always start off with a Two Step and finish with a Salsa! (We’ve done it before!)                    

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A SIMPLE INTRODUCTION TO PARTNER DANCING continued ...
can – and should be! – quite easy. In fact, I write this article with the intent of providing you that mental understanding. (Wow! Now if that doesn’t make you want to read further, I don’t know what could!!!)

Learning to dance can be compared to learning a language. We begin with an alphabet, then words, then sentences… To begin to speak the language, we must learn how to group together sentences, carry on a dialogue, etc. Then if we really want to speak the language well, we work on our accent and pronunciation. Well, in dancing our basic movement elements are like the alphabet, basic steps are like words, patterns are like sentences, lead/follow is like conversing, styling is like accent, etc. TOP

So what does the “dance alphabet” consist of?

The elements of dance – what we can compare to the alphabet in a language -- are the basic directional movements that will transport the dancers from one point to another. They are as follows:
     • Walking steps – forward, back, and across locomotion for the unit
     • Side steps – sideward locomotion for the unit
     • Rock steps – transition in locomotion for the unit How does partner dancing work?

In partner dancing, both dancers connect to each other to form a “dance unit” or “couple”. Each partner, then, has a specific role: the man’s role is to lead and the lady’s role is to follow.   By lead, we mean that the man indicates, initiates, guides, inspires, and encourages. The man is the driver.  By follow, we mean that the lady responds, follows through, reacts, and enhances. The lady is the vehicle.

The basic concept of lead & follow is really quite simple:
     1. The man creates and maintains a frame.
     2. The lady attaches herself into the frame.
     3. The man and lady form a partnership that moves as a single unit.

It really is as simple as that.

Now this brings us to the area so many folks are concerned with:  RHYTHM.. I can’t tell you how many phone calls I get from people who have “no sense of rhythm”. (This imaginary affliction comes in second only to the dreaded “Two Left Feet” disease) First of all, know that rhythm is an inborn sense. Now I’m not saying there aren’t some folks who keep their sense of rhythm well-hidden, :) I’m just saying most people simply need to learn what they are looking for.
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In dancing, movements are executed in a rhythm so that the feet and legs of each partner can match each other’s more easily. In partner dancing, we most commonly describe rhythms in SLOW’s and QUICK’s.  A SLOW is a weight change over which 2 beats of music occur. A QUICK is a weight change completed in 1 beat of music.Every dance has a primary RHYTHM PATTERN which is a recurring combination of Slow and Quick counts or syncopated beats.  

The primary rhythm patterns are as follows:
     Magic Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick [6 beats]
     Box or Latin Slow, Quick, Quick [4 beats]
     Syncopated 1&2, 3&4 [4 beats]
     March 1-2-3-4 [4 beats]
     Waltz or ¾ 1-2-3, 1-2-3 [3 beats]

OK, now onto the subject of TIMING. In dancing, we work with 2 different types of timing: movement timing and musical timing.  Movement timing is the controlling of our weight changes, leg swings, and overall speed of locomotion to be in accord with a desired rhythm. Movement timing creates rhythmic movements.  Musical timing is synchronizing our rhythmic movements to the beats of the music being danced to.

Can someone dance in rhythm and still be off time to the music?  Yes, and in fact, this is what most people are doing when they are dancing “off time”. They are not sure why they are considered “off time” when they feel as if they are in rhythm. This is because they are in rhythm, but their movement rhythm is not in sync with the timing of the music.
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Let us use this example to help us understand better. We all know how to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. We know the words and we know the melody. Now let’s pretend that someone is going to play the song on the piano for us to sing to. We would need to match our singing – the words and melody and the pace – to the music as it is being played. It would not work so well (or sound so great) if we just started singing any ol’ part at any ol’ time. Or at a different speed.

It’s the same with dancing. In order to dance on time to the music, we must be in rhythm with our movements and control that rhythmic movement so that it synchronizes with the beats of the music. Dancing is like singing with your body.

If it really is simple, why does it take time?

Simple and easy are two different things. Learning to dance is like learning to play a sport. Golf? Ok, you hold this stick kind of thing and try to knock a little ball into a hole. Pretty simple concept, huh? But we all know it takes a whole lot more than knowing what to do. It's the HOW that takes time.To learn partner dancing, we need accurate and consistent instruction, a commitment to practicing on a regular basis, and time for it to become natural to our bodies.

Stay tuned for a follow-up article in FIRST STEPS in which we will discuss the basic mechanics of partner dancing.
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Your dance-related questions are always welcome. We will try to cover them in future articles.
Email us today.    © 2005 by Wanda Deagen. No parts of this article may be used or reprinted without permission.              

 

YOUR FIRST DANCE continued...
can become a task that many couples are not sure how to tackle.

After all, you want everything to be perfect, right? What bride would not want her first dance to be just like Cinderella at the ball? Well, there are some simple steps you and your Prince Charming can take to make sure your first dance is just as special.

Unless you and your fiancé already dance together and are satisfied with your skills, you should consider getting professional instruction. This can be done at a dance studio or with an independent instructor, through private lessons or group class instruction. Because you will be preparing for a very specific event – your first dance – private instruction is much better suited to your needs since you and your fiancé would be working one-on-one with your instructor. If you do choose group classes, know that your learning will be more general and your progress will not be as fast.

This brings us to the next important point: allow yourselves plenty of time. I cannot tell you how often I get a call at the beginning of the week from a bride who is getting married “this weekend” and thinks she and her fiancé can cram for their wedding dance like they would cram for a final exam. It’s just not practical. Dancing, like any other sport or physical activity, must be learned through repetition in order for it to become natural to your body, and this takes time.

I recommend couples allow from 3 to 6 months preparing depending on how elaborate they want their dancing to be. Will you be having general dancing at your reception? If so, you will want to prepare for that as well. You also need time just to practice.

Next, you want to select the special song you and your husband-to-be will be dancing to. For many years, a waltz was the traditional first dance; now couples choose a song that has meaning for them and dance what fits the song. Fox trot, night club, two step, rumba, tango – even swing! – are just some of the dances many couples are now choosing. If you do not have a song picked out your instructor can help you choose one.

When selecting an instructor, be sure you ask about his or her experience with wedding couples. An instructor experienced with wedding events will think of things that might not occur to you -- bustling your gown, practicing in your formal shoes, talking to your bandleader or deejay about your music, preparing dad for father-of-the-bride dance, the dollar dance, and a whole list of other things specific to brides and grooms. TOP

Make some phone calls and take time to visit with an instructor over the phone before scheduling a lesson. It is of utmost importance that you and your fiancé feel comfortable with the instructor you choose. As you might guess, sometimes guys are a little reluctant to take dance lessons to begin with, so be sure you find an instructor who makes learning for him fun and easy.

You prepare for all the other aspects of your wedding, don’t leave your first dance in the hands of a fairy godmother… get professional instruction!

Good luck, Cinderella.

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