06.02.08
Dance Dvd Review- Rolling Count and “a”more
This is another new dvd from Jordan and Tatiana. You can find it at www.jordantatianaswing.com . The main part of this video is how to dance on a rolling count. Which is also known as dancing through the beat. They start by using slow blues music to get you counting on a rolling count- which is basically “and a one and a two and a three… etc..” Then they move on to showing how this count applies to footwork for both the leader and follower and how it effects connection. They do go into great detail on how to do this count as it applies to your basics. Which is great. By using the very slow blues music you can really see how everything has to go together in order to use the rolling count. They show it as applied to the basic sugar push, the whip and the underarm turn.
The last 15 minutes or so of the DVD cover the “more” part of the title, and really the more stuff, is little tips to help you dancing. Things like letting the follower own the slot on the ‘4′ of and underarm turn (meaning the guy will step forward on the for and not back.” Basically they address some of the more common mistakes they see WCS dancers doing when they travel.
This is not a dvd to teach you new patterns. This is a dvd to help you dance better. Period. If you do the exercises and drills they suggest you will get to take your footwork to a whole new level. Rolling footwork adds a really cool look to your WC. Also the last part adds some tweaks to your WC that just makes everything flow together more smoothly. All in all the dvd is well worth the money
05.25.08
Dance Dvd Review- Dvida American Style Rythm syllabus- Beginning- Intermediate Bronze Cha Cha
This is the dvd video companion to go with the Dvida written syllabus on American Style Rhythm dance. It is presented by Ron and Karla Montez. Basically the Dvida bronze consists of 15 steps the gradually build in difficulty and develop technique. They are explained very well by Ron although his monotone voice is a bit hard to listen to at times. The video quality looks a bit old and I suspect at some point there will be an update, because I know they are updating the written syllabus. Dvida is also known as DanceVision. At least so far as ballroom instructional dvds go, they produce some the best and highest quality dvds out there (followed byt Micheal Kiehm and starlight ballroom). They also offer a route for you to get your Dvida instructor certification using these videos, syllabus, and your own coaches as tools. But more on that in another post. Anyone who has danced rumba at a Bronze level won’t find much knew in this dvd, Bronze stuff tends to be fairly close to the same across, dvida, Arthur Murrays and Fred Astair’s syllabuses. What is nice though, is that he breaks down both the girls and guys part. Which remember if you using this to help get your teaching certification, you need to know both the guy’s and girl’s parts. Basically main thoughts on this are the same as my thoughts on the rumba dvd. In fact a lot of techniques are introduced in the rumba, that are re-enforced in the cha cha dvd.
The step include
- In place basic
- Side basic (chase)
- progressive basic
- crossover and open breaks
- crossbody lead
- crossover flicks with side break
- crossbody lead with pull back (aka pop and check)
Not much else to say- Dvd and be bought at www.dancevision.com and while not perfect- if you email with them with a question about a discrepancy between the video and or written syllabus, they are more than happy to answer you back.
Dance Dvd Review- Dvida American Style Rythm syllabus- Beginning- Intermediate Bronze Rumba
This is the dvd video companion to go with the Dvida written syllabus on American Style Rhythm dance. It is presented by Ron and Karla Montez. Basically the Dvida bronze consists of 15 steps the gradually build in difficulty and develop technique. They are explained very well by Ron although his monotone voice is a bit hard to listen to at times. BTW Karla never speaks. The video quality looks a bit old and I suspect at some point there will be an update, because I know they are updating the written syllabus. Dvida is also known as DanceVision. At least so far as ballroom instructional dvds go, they produce some the best and highest quality dvds out there (followed byt Micheal Kiehm and starlight ballroom). They also offer a route for you to get your Dvida instructor certification using these videos, syllabus, and your own coaches as tools. But more on that in another post. Anyone who has danced rumba at a Bronze level won’t find much knew in this dvd, Bronze stuff tends to be fairly close to the same across, dvida, Arthur Murrays and Fred Astair’s syllabuses. What is nice though, is that he breaks down both the girls and guys part. Which remember if you using this to help get your teaching certification, you need to know both the guy’s and girl’s parts.
Another really cool thing, is that if you listen and watch the detailed explanations, Ron always throws some interesting tidbits and exercises to help develop your cuban motion or partner technique. You will need this when you go for your instructor testing, because some your questions the judge asks you will be on how to actually teach this dance. Important note- Do as Ron says, not always as Ron does. Sometimes the actual demonstration leave a little to be desired. 
Also sometimes the video will not jive with the written syllabus. The written syllabus always is the final word so far as your certification goes, but if you email dancevision with question about what you see, they are very good on forwarding that to the developers of the syllabus and I have gotten written responses very quickly, including correction I can print and include in the syllabus to show the judge when I test.
Just a quick rundown as to what is taught on the dvd,
The side Basic
The rumba box
Slow underarm turns and spot underarm turns
5th position breaks
Open and Cross Over breaks
Cradle
Cuban walk
Front and back Spot turns.
Every 5 figures are demonstrated to music in an amalgamation format.
So if your looking to either certify or if you just want a nice video reference for bronze rumba, you would be hard pressed to find a better dvd to add to your collection. You can order it from www.dancevision.com
05.24.08
Dance DVD Review- My thoughts on Salsaisgood’s Bachata Caribbean Style vol. 1 “The Method”
For those who don’t know, the folks at SalsaisGood are from Australia, which is cool because they have their own take on some of the Latin dances like Salsa and bachata. They recently released a 3 volume set of dvds about bachata dance. I would classify them as semi-instructional, because while there are people dancing, what they are doing is being explained via voice-over there really is not much in the way of breaking things down, like on most traditional instructional videos.
This first dvd introduces you to 9 dancer from Curacao. Most of them are actually salsa dancers as well and one is a “bachata man” by the name of Judu Waverink. He does not know salsa, only dances bachata, and we are told he is the local bachata comp champion.
Basically you get to watch all these dancers dance their own unique variations of bachata. Since they really emphasize artistic freedom over everything, the basic step is only briefly touched on. One really nice thing is they break down bachata music and all the instruments involved. Playing a song, and isolation the various instruments so you can see how each one contributes into the overall rhythm. This is really cool and a good education in itself. Then they show break things down into Womens tech, mens tech, and partnering tech. They also include some bachata shine footwork as well. Also often there is a beat counter in the corner counting through 1-8 to help you. This is good, because basically the dancers are performing, your watching, and the voice over is explaining. This means there is no guy explaining the guys part and the girl explaining the girls part. You get the voice-over explanation and that is it. So keep up. 
In the Volume 3 there will be drills to help you but it is presented in the format. You can get a script of the voice from their website though so that helps a little.
This is a good dvd for the intermediate and above dancer. If your a beginner, I think there are better dvds out there for you. Remember Bachata is a from Dominica republic, so these dancers are showing a slightly different flavor, which is cool because I’ve yet to see a pure Dominican style bachata dvd yet. For people that think their bachata is in a rut, this series will really get you to thinking outside your box and add a lot technique to your dancing. More info on the series can be found here: http://salsaisgood.com/Bachata/Bachata.htm
What I like about this dvd, is the you get to see lots of variations of bachata styling. There is a lot of stuff here to help you change up your bachata and really up the game so to speak.
04.10.08
The Art and Importance of choosing a good dance instructor
On the surface of things, you would think learning to dance would be easy. You go into to a studio or school, say you want to learn to dance, and they toss you in with an instructor and its a done deal right? Well it is that easy from the studio’s point of view. However if you really want to become a good dancer you need to consider who is teaching you. Now for the 3 or 4 months- just about any qualified instructor can teach you the basics of the dances. If after that you decide that you want to pursue dance more seriously, (in other words you didn’t just sign up for those salsa classes because the girls or guys in marketing were inviting you to their happy hour party at that club…) then you need to consider who is going to be teaching you for what will hopefully be a long time.
Some Thing to Consider:
1. Make sure that you like the way your instructor looks when he or she dances, because at least for a while, that is going to be how you will look too. Much of learning to dance is mimicry at the beginning. So if you don’t like you instructor’s sense of style or how they do a particular dance, you should get a new instructor because that is how you are going to look to.
2. Get the best instructor you can afford. In so far that it agrees with with number 1. In a studio like an Arthur Murray or some other large one, you may have a choice of several instructors. If you are interested in Salsa or West Coast Swing, and there is an instructor there is is clearly above the others in those dances, ask for them to be your instructor. Your the consumer, its the studio’s job to please you. If you want to learn Waltz and your instructor happens to be a Lindy Hopper at heart, well you might not get as much out of them in the Smooth dances as from another instructor that specializes in smooth.
3. Make sure you agree with the instructor’s personality and style of teaching. All of the above does you no good, if the instructor cannot teach to you or you clash personality wise. Your just throwing your money away if that is the case.
4. Your at least 50 percent responsible for your learning. If there is a move or something you want to to learn, you need to tell your teacher that. They can’t read your mind. It then up to them to decide if your ready to learn it or not. Do get all bent out of shape if they won’t teach you a certain move or technique, some things take time. You need to clearly communicate what your goals in dance and in dances your learning are, so they can help you achieve them. And believe me, the good instructors will help.
5. I’m going to jump tracks here real quick and mention that point #1 applies to the purchase of instructional dvds or videos as well or even coaching for that matter. Almost any site offers a small preview of say a bachata video. Watch it first and make sure you like the way the demonstrator looks- because you going to be copying them at first. Course you can always do what I do, and work on it with your instructor to make it into your own style. A good coach may show you how to change your dance in a way you like, like say doing a cross-over for you basic chasse step in cha-cha- A bad coach may turn your smooth, flowing salsa, into a stiff choppy international Mambo that gets you laughed at, at the clubs.
6. That reminds me, there is the social dance world and there is the competition dance world. Make sure your instructor knows the difference and can show you. Something just don’t work in a crowded club or look out out place. A good instructor will suggest variation of techniques based on the environment your dancing in.
Ok, so hopefully this will help someone choose a good dance instructor. It is not a one size fits all world. I am privileged to have an 9 year teaching relationship with my instructor and anytime I get a compliment on my dancing, I acknowledge its because of her that I can do the things I can do in so many dances. When I get my instructor certs I hope I can do the same for someone else.
04.05.08
Dance DVD Review-My thoughts on Jordan and Tatiana’s Patterns and Styling Vol5 DVD
Ok if you don’t know who Jordan and Tatiana are.. Well they are the current king and queen of the West Coast swing world. They are very very good, scary good as a matter fact. Very good at musicality and making WC look sexy and smooth, not like some others.
The first thing I noticed on this dvd and this is true for most of their dvds is that they like a good “press line”. Lots of good figures that involve a press or telemark like hold. Lets you and your partner strike some nice lines.
Basically the dvd is 16 combos, 8 for leader and 8 for followers. Jordan explains the leaders parts, and Tatiana explains for the followers. Footwork is addressed first and then hands or upper body. Each technique is explained very well and in great detail. Just in the explanations alone there are lots of great tips. I have only ever had the chance to work with these two in person once, and they don’t come cheap. Worth every penny mind you, but not cheap. So these dvds have a lot of hidden value.
Some of my favorite combos of the dvd were:
Leaders reverse underarm with followers roll off- Nice smooth little 8 count pattern
the Straight Jacket- Nice pattern that changes directions and strikes a nice line toward the end
Staccato Underarm Turn- Take the 6 count UA turn make it 8 counts and play with the music a bit.
Leaders Backhanded Whip- Another cool move where the leader gets to hit a press line.
Reverse Prep with Open Break- Personally what they are calling an Open Break I call a Cross Over Break and you have probably done a move similar to this in Rumba or Cha-Cha. However this is first time I’ve seen it done in West Coast and I must say I like it!
So there you, Just my 2 cents worth on what I think of the DVD. In short, well worth adding to your collection. By the way for those of you that have the older dvds- They took at the some silly extras- like the outtake and such. I think it make the dvds appear more professional. If you want them you can purchase them here- www.jordantatianaswing.com
04.03.08
Hello world!
Ok Well I’ve been a dancer for quite some time now, going about 9 years. I know some have been doing it longer, but hey I started late so gimme a break. I guess on the main purposes of this blog is to discuss dance ideas and concepts specifically they relate to social dances. By social I mean dances where there is lead and follow. I have begun training to become an instructor now, so I get to learn everything from a followers perspective, which is already proving very enlightening.
I have always loved Salsa and I split a lot of time dancing it and West Coast Swing my other very most favorite dance. This is not to say I don’t like other dances, just that if there is a toss up on which dance event to attend, those two dances will act as tie breakers if it is a toss up where to to. Another thing I probably will be doing is reviewing a dance dvd per week or so. I try to look at one once a week, to either pick up new stuff or to help review and refresh basic concepts I have forgotten or became rusty on.
This weeks DVD is Jordan and Tatiana’s West Coast Swing Styling and Technique DVD Volume 5. And if you already know who I’m talking about, you know they have great stuff.
All Right that its for now, just trying get this page setup to be functional. Talk to you all soon.
