Dancing with a partner is an enjoyable and natural way to hone your dancing. Whether you are just starting out or have been dancing for years, there are some things you should keep in mind when dancing with someone.
Put your partner at ease and ensure they feel at ease during the dance. Make them feel like a part of the ensemble.
Basics
Partner dancing consists of two (or sometimes three) individuals dancing together. Formal dances such as round or square dances serve to form the basis for this style of partner dancing.
Partner dancing begins with learning the basic figures, how to hold your frame and posture, and how to move from foot to foot. These fundamental elements should be mastered before learning any other aspects of moving with a partner.
As a novice dancer, it can be easy to feel uneasy and uncertain about how best to move with a new partner. The best way to combat this is by dancing with people who have very different dance styles than yourself; this will provide you with an entirely fresh perspective on the art of ballroom dancing.
You might be amazed at how much you can learn by dancing with others. The more often you do it, the better at it you will become at it.
Some moves will feel better when you’re closer to your partner, while others won’t work so well if they live far apart. To truly enjoy both, find that happy medium.
Be mindful that your partner may not be able to hold you as tightly as desired. This is understandable, particularly if both of you are tall or have long arms.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t dance with your partner. If there are any difficulties holding onto them or they are unable to hold you securely, make sure they know about it so they can better accommodate for your needs and help improve both of your skillsets.
It’s essential to not be intimidated or afraid of getting close to your partner when dancing. Dancing is a contact sport, so while no inappropriate contact should ever take place during social dancing, you do need to touch them frequently.
Furthermore, don’t be afraid to ask questions or compliment your partner on their dancing or outfit. Doing so will help both of you feel at ease and confident on the dance floor.
Variations
Dancers may opt to vary the steps they take with their partner. This is beneficial, as it enables them to express themselves creatively and personally.
Some dancers may want to adjust the tempo or rhythm of a song they are dancing. Additionally, they could add an artistic touch by clapping or jumping up and down.
One way to achieve this is by moving the body slightly in a certain direction or making sure all feet are moving together. Doing this helps the dancer maintain their center of balance and prevent dizziness.
Dancers can benefit by focusing on their partner when turning, which makes it easier to determine when to stop and reduces the risk of dizziness. They will focus on a reference point (usually their partner or another distant point along the line of travel) and move their head around as quickly as possible to “spot” that reference point again once the turn is completed.
This technique is especially helpful for people who tend to dizzy or find it hard to turn. It is a commonly used trick in International Standard dances and works particularly well when doing turns and dips.
Stepping into outside partner position refers to when one partner’s moving foot moves onto a track outside their partner’s standing foot, usually in an effort to get their foot over to one side and into counter-promenade mode. This move is commonly found in many International Standard dances, often preceded by strong side leads.
Another step that involves the same side lead is swaying. This can be done both closed and open positions.
In the Domenico troupe’s version of this movement, men move counter clockwise as they touch swords in the middle and women follow suit by pulling with their left hand clockwise around until all partners have returned to place. A French variation sends men into a left-hand star once around while women cast out over their left shoulder and return to begin a left-hand turn with their partner.
Turns
When dancing with a partner, it’s essential to know about all of the various turns. They can be enjoyable and help create an organized dance routine.
A pirouette turn is an example of such a turn. This series of steps includes various gestalts (such as swivel, spin or twist), that combine to form one distinct motion.
Another type of turn is the chained half turn. In this movement, the leader shifts her weight from toe to heel while her follower reverses it.
A third type of turn is the pivot turn, which involves several coordinated movements.
This turn can be one of the most captivating to execute, as it alters a dancer’s entire movement pattern. Unfortunately, it requires great control and coordination to execute successfully.
When dancing with a partner, the most important thing to maintain your connection throughout the entire dance. This means being aware of your hip contact, staying centered on your partner as you move through the line, and acknowledging her presence by swaying or turning towards her.
To achieve this, it’s ideal to relocate into an empty space free of other people. Additionally, proper attire and cleaning up before the dance begin is essential.
To achieve a successful pirouette turn, keep your feet close together and remain balanced. Doing this will prevent you from falling over or feeling dizzy while performing the maneuver.
While performing a turn, it’s beneficial to watch your partner’s face but avoid looking directly into their eyes. Doing so may cause distraction and make it harder for you to focus on the choreography at hand.
There are various types of turns, such as the pirouette turn which is one of the most impressive, Monterey turn and tuck turn, among others. Furthermore, there are various partnered movements that can be entertaining to perform together.
Dips
Dips can be an exhilarating way to dance with your partner, but they should only be done properly by someone experienced. Failure could result in broken noses, dislocated vertebrae or neck strain if done incorrectly.
To perform a perfect dip, both the leader and follower must put forth 100% effort to maintain control of their partner’s body. They should keep their arms tight in front of them as they lower themselves towards their partner’s level.
Before beginning a dip, ensure your partner is comfortable and well-dressed. A short dress could expose their breasts, so this may not be ideal.
Put both hands on her upper back and gently lower her backward. Do this a few times so she knows you are ready for the move.
If your partner feels as though she may be becoming stiff, this could be a sign that they do not wish to be dipped and it’s time for an end. Dipping can be uncomfortable and painful for some dancers; so be respectful of their feelings and preferences when choosing when and if to dip.
When dancing with a partner, it is beneficial to provide constructive criticism and constructive advice in an appropriate manner. Not only will this enhance your dance technique, but it may also make the other person more at ease with you.
One of the simplest ways to provide feedback is by commenting on your partner’s performance. This will enable them to recognize where they are succeeding and where they could improve. Furthermore, it will give them encouragement to continue improving their dancing in the future.
One way to show your appreciation for your partner’s dancing is by saying “thank you” or “nice work” after every dance. This will encourage them to keep coming back and dance with you again.
Another way to show your partner appreciation is by escorting them off the dance floor when they finish their performance. This will relieve stress from having to navigate multiple spaces and also prevent bumping heads against other dancers trying to exit a spot.