Help Mr Vim learn to swing dance.

Mr Vim · Oct 2, 2010

Well folks, some of you who have read my other posts have heard tell that for several months now, I have been trying to find a suitable swing dance instructor in Juneau. Now either those instructors are gone, missing, or just plain old don't care to return my messages. So I've taken it upon myself to learn to swing anyway that I can.

I am looking at books, dvds and online videos of swing dance to try and gleam even the tiniest bit of knowledge and I could use your help, if you have experience teaching swing, or have learned the way I am trying to, or just have something you think I should look at, I say leave no stone unturned and let me know... I would be much obliged.

-Mr Vim-

Paisley · Oct 2, 2010

If there's no scene and no instructor there, you're going to have a tough time learning the dance. My suggestion is that you and your partner get some instructional videos and use every trick in the Learning to Dance thread (see my signature line). Some of my teachers (Dan & Tiffiny and Joe & Nelle) have some videos for sale. I've never seen the videos, but the teachers are all terrific. Frankie Manning & Erin Stevens also made some videos, but I don't think they're still in print.

When you take videos of yourselves dancing--and I think you'll need to to progress--why don't you post them here. I'll be happy to give you some tips, and I'm sure some other advanced dancers here will too.

Good luck!

HepKitty · Oct 2, 2010

Here are a couple good ones:

I've even had my kids try this one. It's all 6-count and no Lindy but it's still pretty good

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Swing-I...ef=sr_1_8?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1286033456&sr=1-8

more Lindy here

http://www.dancestore.com/Swing-Dance-DVDs/products/58/

dancestore.com is a pretty good site, they are slow to exchange stuff though. I had to exchange a pair of shoes (Aris Allens are a bit narrow, at least the women's shoes, so if your feet are on the wide side of average get a half size up), so be sure to make them sign for it. I waited so long for a pair of shoes that I had given up and thought I was out $80 but I finally got them

Tom and Debra's Gotta Swing is a good one too but I can't find a link for it. I swear I got it from dancestore.com but it was a while ago

Here is a search list on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=dvd&field-keywords=swing+dance&x=0&y=0

Mr Vim · Oct 3, 2010

Paisley, yeah, I forgot to mention I do not have a partner either... that probably puts an even larger dent in things does it not?

Thanks Hep for the links, I'll be looking at them today.

Paisley · Oct 3, 2010

I guess it'll be the Charleston and the Shim Sham, then. Those should be much easier to learn on your own.

Diamondback · Oct 3, 2010

Question that might help all of us in Mr Vim's situation: are there any drills or exercises or minor points of physical conditioning that might be useful in helping lay a foundation? (For example, given that aerials require quite a bit of upper-body strength, taking a little time to work on the pectorals, deltoids and other muscle groups involved if you plan on having such moves in your repertoire.)

Hang in there, man, you ain't the only one in this boat!

Paisley · Oct 4, 2010

If you don't have a partner or access to swing dance instruction, I suggest learning other forms of dance to learn how to move. Jazz, ballet, belly dance, and so on--these will make your partner dancing better. Learning these makes the difference between just getting from A to B and getting from A to B with style. If there are other social dance classes available, go ahead and take them to learn how to lead or follow.

The better condition you're in, the better you can dance. IMHO, getting in shape consists of proper diet and strength training. After I started lifting weights, I was able to dance the way I wanted to. The best exercise I know of to strengthen your quads, which get a lot of use in lindy, are doorknob squats, which are part of Fred Hahn's Slow Burn program. Ballet will help whip you into shape, too. IME, ballroom and Latin dances don't require much fitness to do at a basic level.

I know a lot of people are fascinated by aerials, but unless you're competing or performing, you won't get much use out of an aerials class. Those solo dance classes are far and away a better use of your time, money and energy.

Paisley · Oct 4, 2010

Diamondback, Dan Newsome lives in Seattle. He's one of my old teachers, and he's awesome! He's a former lindy hop champ, too. And don't they have a swing camp in Seattle?

What's the prob? No partners? I've never gone to a dance with a partner in my life, and I turned out OK.

lolly_loisides · Oct 4, 2010

I've just purchased "Learn to Lindy Hop with Rusty Franks & Peter Flahiff" (level one). I'm yet to receive it but will let you know if it's any good, it certainly looks comprehensive.

The DVDs can be purchased here

Diamondback · Oct 4, 2010

Part no partners, part being so far way the hell out in the sticks (seriously, I'm a long ways out into the Cascade foothills) that getting into Seattle for lessons one-way would take a huge chunk of the day and once class was out I'd have to find a hotel-room and do the return leg back home the next morning... and part a quirk that I've made some headway on, but I'm still not comfortable with putting anyone who doesn't know exactly what they're dealing with at risk from (which ties in with lack of partner--if I haven't known you long enough to have a "working profile" to help me suppress my reflexes, best to stay at arms-length).

Paisley, I know you've given me advice before, and appreciate it--I'm trying to target my thoughts here to help a new guy in a similar situation, albeit without my "Untouchable Issue".

HepKitty · Oct 4, 2010

Paisley said:
I know a lot of people are fascinated by aerials, but unless you're competing or performing, you won't get much use out of an aerials class.

Unless you're tossing me around

Good advice Paisley!

Thanks for the link Lolly, those look really good

Mr Vim · Oct 4, 2010

Well, I am in superb shape even though I do say so myself. I'm the physical training rep for my unit here in Juneau... and I wore everyone else out on the square dance floor during our folk fest... But I should probably concentrate on some more stretching and balance exercises, don't you think Paisley?

Lolly, do let me know.

Paisley · Oct 4, 2010

If someone is concerned about not having a *regular* partner, they should stop worrying about it and just take some classes, and go out dancing when they feel ready. I've said it before, but people who dance with only one partner tend to hit a plateau at an intermediate level. People who dance with various partners learn to lead and follow better.

It was a lack of partners that prompted me to learn more solo dancing. When I'm at a dance with no partner, it's no problem: I solo dance. When I have a partner, I dance better.

If you don't have anybody *at all* to lindy or East Coast with, it isn't a problem, but a fact of life that you can't do these dances until you find someone. Swing dances rely on counterbalance, and connection plays a big role in lindy in particular. You can't lindy or jitterbug or balboa by yourself any more than you can play bridge by yourself. It also takes frequent practice to get good at these dances (or any others); keep this in mind if you're considering a swing camp or workshop.

I don't like to be discouraging, but I don't want people to set themselves up for failure. Hence, my suggestion is to take classes that are available in dances they can practice regularly.

Paisley · Oct 4, 2010

Mr Vim said:
Well, I am in superb shape even though I do say so myself. I'm the physical training rep for my unit here in Juneau... and I wore everyone else out on the square dance floor during our folk fest... But I should probably concentrate on some more stretching and balance exercises, don't you think Paisley?

Lolly, do let me know.

Good for you for being in such great shape! If you wore out everyone else, I'm sure you're fit enough for any sort of dance.

I'm not an expert on fitness. Some say stretching and balancing exercises are good; Fred Hahn, whose system I use, doesn't think they help. I don't think you need to be very flexible to swing dance. Dan Newsome never seemed very flexible to me, and he made it to the top.

The Shim Sham and other old jazz moves don't require you to be especially fit or flexible. But if you go in for ballet, your teacher will put you through plenty of stretching exercises. She'll probably try to help you with any balance problems, too.

Mugwump · Oct 4, 2010

Ballet is great for stretching and balance! :eusa_clap ...but if one feels uncomfortable with that particular dance form (hey, just saying...some guys are a little squeemish when it comes to that dance form

), wouldn't tai chi or yoga (related to belly dance) be good too? Or am I loopy?
Paisley, I am so checking out your blogs and so forth - I need the motivation for getting into belly dancing (more on the tribal side of things), and you seem like a great dance-type of person / expert to consult! :eusa_clap

Mr Vim · Oct 4, 2010

I would like to get into yoga, and they do offer classes here.

That should be the first goal I su ppose, who knows I may find a dancing partner.

Paisley · Oct 4, 2010

I'm sure there are a lot of great dances and other exercise forms like tai chi out there that people would find helpful in learning how to move--I've just noted the ones I'm familiar with.

I can understand that men might hesitate to take a ballet class. But if they can get past the idea that it's fluffy and feminine, I think they'll be impressed with how physically demanding it is. Want stronger muscles and better balance when you're moving around? Want to jump and land without jarring your teeth and shaking the floor? Want to look smooth on the dance floor? Ballet is one thing that will help you; I imagine lyrical or modern dance might also.

If you just want to learn to move well, which is a very worthwhile goal, a jazz dance class, along with a lot of practice, will help you get there. I'm sure there are other solo dances that would help, too.

As for learning from videos, I've never tried it. But if someone wants to learn a dance via video, I think they should go for it.

Not to put out TMI, but--how to say this--good movement is a very attractive trait in a man.

Paisley · Oct 4, 2010

If you just want the basics...

Just to clarify for any beginners, the suggestions I've made here on exercise and learning various solo dances aren't requirements for learning to swing dance. They're for people who really want to be great dancers, or don't yet have access to what they'd need to swing dance.

If you just want to learn to do some dancing, which is a perfectly good goal, just go to a class or get a video, and get some practice.

carebear · Oct 11, 2010

Mr. Vim,

Just texted (electro-telegraphed

) my ex who teaches up here to ask if she knows anyone in the scene or teaching in Juneau.

I'll let you know what she says.

Matthew

Mr Vim · Oct 11, 2010

I really appreciate it... what a good lead!

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