Dance Notes

Teacher's Notes: Reflections on dance by
Carlos Maldonado

July 30, 2008
Teacher’s Notes from Carlos

In recent times (days and weeks), some of the lady dancers
have approached me to express their enjoyment of dancing -
up to a point. Although the women’s experiences were at
different times and places, the end result for each was the
same.

Scenario:
A woman comes to enjoy an evening of dancing, and for a
good part of it she does. She is then approached by a
gentleman who asks her to dance, and in a matter of a few
beats of the music, commences to instruct her. In his mind,
he may think he is being helpful, but if she is feeling
frustrated, not being able to execute what he is attempting to
lead, that can undermine the lady’s understanding and ability
to dance.

My advice:
To each one of these women, I said, “If you are having a
problem with this gentleman’s explanation – his attempt to
instruct – then you should stop and ask him to please
demonstrate the lady’s part. If he cannot fulfill this request,
then you should request that he just lead you and not
instruct you.”

As an instructor, it is my fundamental duty and absolute
responsibility to know the lady’s part as well as the lead’s
part. I would not feel comfortable as an instructor of more
than 30 years teaching any part of any dance without first
knowing the intricacies of the lead and follow. So, I will say to
all, if he attempts to teach, ask him to demonstrate. If he
cannot, then all he should do is lead and be silent.

His heart can be in the right place, but without the full
understanding, this will lead to confusion and frustration for
both. On the other hand, likewise, if she doesn’t know his
part, she shouldn’t attempt to correct and/or teach.

Remember, “I will not judge my brother until I have walked in
his moccasins for a mile.”

July 21, 2008
Did you know?

Did you know that there is such a thing as a universal
pattern? This pattern is used both by men and women – for
the leads and follows – using the same foot pattern: left foot
forward, side step right, left to close to the right foot; right
foot back, left foot side, and right foot closes to left foot.
Sounds familiar?

It should. It’s the box pattern, or as some call it: the box step.

This pattern is done in the waltz, which is what comes to mind
first. However, it is also used in the rumba, fox trot, and even
samba. The only difference in all four is the technique of foot
placement and the music.

Fox trot and waltz will ask both lead and follow to step forward
onto the left heel, and side steps on the ball of the foot.

Whereas, in rumba and samba, you step forward onto the left
foot as flat as you can, and flatten the side steps as much as
you can. In the rumba and samba, the reason for the
flatness is to enhance the hip action, which some call Cuba
motion or Cuban hips, therefore giving these Latin dances
their signature body language.

With the waltz and fox trot, the body language is smooth,
gliding, and elegant, hence the differences in foot technique.

So, if you practice these techniques, you will be able to give
the fox trot and waltz its look and properly execute those
particular patterns and do the same for the rumba and
samba.

Did you know? Now you do.

June 12, 2008
A thank you to all

I wish to thank all of you who have attended our group
lessons at St.Mark’s. The 1400 sq/ft room has given me an
opportunity to teach in a more intimate manner. In this
location we can work on the elements of good dancing and
have some fun along the way. It's a great feeling a teacher
gets when our hands and minds are free to teach. When
teaching a beginners class it gives me that chance to break
down how and why the patterns work, and with each lesson, I
too learn and relearn something about dance. In recent times
I was told that I probably didn't like teaching beginners; my
answer was "No." Teaching new folks the how and why and
that they can do this thing called dancing is a charge to my
soul. 30 plus years, and I still get a charge from going to the
beginning. We all can stand to go to the beginning every now
and then to improve our overall sense of that thing called
dancing. In a way it's like driving: there are those who have
been driving for a while, and if asked to parallel park, they
freeze with fear because it's been a while since they have
done such a thing. Yet with a little bit of practice, it comes
back, and they feel a sense of accomplishment. At St.Mark’s,
we can get up close and personal about the patterns that are
being worked out which means that even at a beginners
level, I too will learn something. At the end of the day my
technique will have improved, for I am practicing while
teaching, which means that my overall dance will grow and
get better. Only through practice do we get stronger and
develop into "the best dancer we can ever be."

Sincerely, from my heart to yours, thank you.

Carlos.

Dance Notes

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