Swingin' on Nothin'

[Ben]

Spending Some Money

My wife and I took about a year's worth of dance lessons at Arthur Murray. While it was expensive on the surface, there were a few mitgating factors.

You paid for private lessons, but you could attend all the group classes that you wanted for free. That meant you had times when you were switching partners and times when you were just with one. That also meant if you took advantage of the group classes, the cost per person went down and the number of teachers you got to work with went up. It was a lot like a gym membership, how much it cost depended on how much you used it.

Also like a Gym membership, the advantage of going there was having extra equipment. I don't have a large space with hardwood floors in my apartment and mirrors where I could see my technique.

I'm not trying to write a commercial for Arthur Murray, there was plenty that we didn't like about it including the expense and the constant attempts at upselling. But my point is that it is soometimes worth investing some money. We learned a lot of dances -- not just swing -- and I am willing to get out and dance at all times.

One thought on partner swtiching. It wasn't until I danced with someone other than my wife who complimented me on my lead that I knew I was getting it. Strangers are a good test because they don't know your tics and don't have to spare your feelings.

 

[Snookie]

Dancing with various partners is the only way to become a good social dancer. I don't mean you have to rotate in a class -- if you learn better with one person, go for it. That's what you're there for. But if you want to be diverse, dance with lots of people at the dances.

Dancing with one person is great for developing your personal style -- esp. if your partner shares your aesthetic. Not everyone has that luxury, though, so I'll leave it at that.

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In terms of keeping it cheap, the only things I can think to add are:
1) Learn to sew (if you want to sweat/stain/rip vintage-style clothes).
2) Don't drink alcohol at dances.

I'd also like to echo videotaping yourself. Painful, so painful, but so helpful.

 

[Paisley]

Dancing with various partners is the only way to become a good social dancer.

There's a reason it's called social dancing: it's supposed to be a social experience, not just canoodling with your sweetie.