Partnering: Basic Lead and Follow

Lesson 7 of "From Swing to Chicago Step" dance instruction series. Ron and Rene demonstrate some basic partner dancing techniques. Available from http://centos.centralavedance.com/step

Instruction by Ron Parker.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• dance
• partnering
• chicago
• step
• stepping
• steppin
• lead
• follow
• ron
• parker
• African
• black

[mplieb1]

I think you did a good job with this topic. I have not found anything else yet that it explains partnering any better. If you wanted to make a more professional looking video, I am sure you can do it if you had scripts and rehearsed.

[SwingingInTheHood]

@mplieb1

Thank you for the compliment. I must again say that my primary purpose for making this video was 1) to demonstrate how Chicago Style Step was yet another offspring of Swing dancing and b) to apply the techniques of partnering I had developed (and been taught) to a dance that sorely lacked them (at the time). I asked all the local Step instructors to help me -- all declined. So I did it on my own with the resources I had. I shot it like I was teaching someone in front of me.

[Ogunsola1228]

Thanks, though a bad recording, this is what I was looking for in understanding form in stepping. I have watched it for years and pretended, however understanding some basics comes in handy and will prevent embarrassment when getting on the floor with real steppers.

[SwingingInTheHood]

@JPLooney

On my channel are 3 videos titled: Parker Walk Fundamentals. These were more for entertainment, but also meant to teach basic concepts. There are no drills, but lots of examples.

[JPLooney]

@SwingingInTheHood

Awesome!

With that in mind, I would love a more updated video using the instructional techniques you've mastered. As I said in prior post, a lot of what you're teaching is an important building fundamentals for many dancers, even those who've been dancing for years.

[SwingingInTheHood]

@JPLooney

I've spent the past couple of years having to teach basic social dance techniques in choreography, so I can assure you that I have become the Drill-Meister in the intervening years.

[JPLooney]

So the trick is, developing interesting "Drills" like the few you demonstrated here that people can physically do that "reinforce " the fundamentals that you're attempting to teach. That's the only thing missing from this particular video.

However in all fairness, this vidoe was uploaded in 2007 and was your first, so how have things improved over the past few years? :)

[JPLooney]

@SwingingInTheHood

"One man's common sense is another man's complete mystery" Nicely put. This was something I learned the hard way the second time I gave a swing dancing lesson.

However, the first time I gave a lesson I made the same mistake you are making in this video, everything you say is important, it's just boring the way it's being said, so people "Ignore it" which defeats the purpose

Continued

[SwingingInTheHood]

@longtallsunshine

I hear you. It was my first video, so I might have been trying to overcompensate.  I'll give you that.

But, having done this for a few years now, I can tell you honestly: One man's common sense is another man's complete mystery. Trust me on that one.

[longtallsunshine]

yea but ... oh man .. too much is too much .... and most of the stuff you talked about was common sense dude ... sorry ..i just could watch it anymore cause it was so dang annoying ...