Music...That Third Partner
01.05.07

I like to use a definition of dancing that I first heard from Robert Royston, a notable dancer, instructor and coreographer. His definition goes; "Dancing is putting music in motion to create emotion." Very simple, yet elegant way to describe this thing we call dance.
 
The essence of any dance is to create an emotion in the participants and the audience. In most dance styles, the emotional goal is predetermined. In Rumba it is sensuality. Cha Cha is playful. Tango has an earthy passion. One of the great things about West Coast Swing is that the range of emotional goals is wide. Instead of being predetermined, the emotional range goes from playful to raw sexuality. The musical choices in WCS are wide and reflect that emotional rainbow.
 
The musical component is very personal. One of the biggest issues in dancing is the polarization of dancers over music. Hustle dancers want hustle music and Salsa dancers want their salsa. West Coast Dancers are further segregated by old style blues versus more contemporary musical choices. Don't get caught taking sides. It's all good stuff. Experiment with new songs and you may just find yourself with a whole new genre to dance with.
 
Most of us had no idea how to relate to the music when we started dancing. Usually classes have consisted of learning some patterns and then dancing the patterns to the beat of a song selected by the instructor. This got us on the dance floor, but did not really connect many of us to the music. In California, we have found that the instructors generally begin phrasing with their students in the first or second class. They discuss the donwbeat and how to find it, but they also teach the students about finding the first beat in a phrase and many times in the mini-phrase (8 beat measure). As a result, the students begin dancing within the framework of the music. This gets them into the music sooner rather than later and lessens the need to retrain later in their dance life.
 
This connection to the music, along with a structured thorough understanding of the fundamentals of their dance, create a well rounded dancer. The dancer begins to handle his basics and the structure of the music together. As these become instinctive rather than conscious thoughts, the dancer begins to move on to other ideas and concepts. Your dancing gains dimension and your personality begins to show through the way you dance.
 
What makes a song interesting to you? A song that moves you to want to dance is important. Some songs sound interesting, but are a challenge to dance with. Slower songs require learning discipline and not hurrying through your movements. There is a tendency to feel like filling in with extra moves or steps. The problem is your dancing then gets busy and most slow songs are smooth, calmer or in some ways more intimate. Take your time on turns. get closer to your partner. Relate the feelings you get from the music to your dance. This takes practice.
 
As a leader, test the waters as to whether your partner has something she might wish to use to embellish the dance and connect to the song. For those of you that know how, set her up to play down the slot. Don't throw her out to the end of the slot and trap her out there, expecting a show with your dance. You are liable to get the popcorn over your head if you keep that up. As she moves down the slot, a follower may use her hands, create a variation or extend and play for a bit. Work with her and try to complete the picture she creates. Take your time and try to avoid convoluted patterns. Vary the turns and spins according to the pace the music sets. Try different versions of your passes. If you have 8-10 variations in a left side pass for example, some of them will fit the style of song you are dancing to.
 
The bottom line is that the music is not just there making you count from one to six or one to eight. It is playing to move you to dance. if it moves you to dance, then honor that compulsion and pay attention to why the song gave you this urge. Share that with your physical partner. You may find they are on the same wavelength or may have a different take you didn't consider, but still feels right to you.
 
Get into the music and not just the beat. The deeper you get into a song, the more ways you will find to convey what you are hearing to those around you. Experiment...Listen...Then experiment some more. Remember...Music is not a taskmaster that marches you acorss the floor. It is the Third Partner in your dance. Treat both partners well and you will find your dancing more enjoyable than ever before!