Will "He never learned to dance", be on my grave stone?

Question

Help! I am one of those hopelessly clumsy, awkward dancers. I want to learn how to dance, and have really tried a few times in life, never progressing very much (and later forgetting everything).

Some people don't have rhythm. That only partially describes me. I used to play a musical instrument, so I have the beat in my head, but it never gets down as far as my legs.

For example, I need to learn the Polka for a wedding this weekend. A friend who is a professional dance teacher gave me a few lessons. I'm just clumsy and awkward. I hear the beat, but my feet can't seem to keep up. It's like singing off-key when you know you're not hitting the right notes but can't make the correction.

Is there any book that teaches basic coordination exercises? I think I need to take this very basic step.

Answer 1

Ask yourself if your inability bothers you. I can't dance and I know I look bad, but I love it. Dancing is between you and your partner, if you are both enjoying it , then ++++s to anyone else.

Answer 2

The book would be headed in the wrong direction. Since you're musical to start with, the dancing is very much like playing the musical instrument. If you take lessons and practice regularly, you'll get good; if you only pick it up when a wedding or some other special event pops up, you'll continue in your present circumstance. You have to learn the technique, and you have to repeat things until they get into "muscle memory." Simple, but not easy, as that!

Answer 3

I believe control is the most important part of dancing. If you stop worrying about the beat and counting the music and you just feel it, the awkwardness will slip away.