Learn to Dance DVD or video?

kmcwed Posted: Mar 12, 2003 10:10 PM

Learn to Dance DVD or video?

Hi girls,

My FH and I want to learn how to 'really' dance for our first song. We were going to take lessons, but now his work schedule is changing and might get worse if we go to war, so there's no way we can take lessons.

Has anyone ever tried those 'Learn to Dance' DVDs or videos? Are they any good?

Thanks!

Km

Sunny Posted: Mar 12, 2003 10:55 PM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

I was looking for one, but can't find any! Do you know the name of one?

lizmike8 Posted: Mar 12, 2003 10:57 PM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

dancestudent.com

shelzyp Posted: Mar 13, 2003 08:15 AM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

I went to that website, but what kind of dance would I want to do? I have no idea what the mambo or the hustle is, I know I am clueless!!!

alina Posted: Mar 13, 2003 09:41 AM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

We haven't tried the tapes by the dance school we plan to take lessons at has a video too...

try www.shall-we-dance.com

MarcellaBella Posted: Mar 13, 2003 10:41 AM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

honestly, for what a video will cost you, you and your FH can go to Dancesport and do a class, I believe a class with other students is like 12 bucks or something ridiculous like that.. def look into it.. learning with a professional who will teach you technique and the right pose doesn't compare to a video..

CippyLoo Posted: Mar 13, 2003 11:04 AM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

The type of dance you should learn depends on your song. The average frist dance song (a slow dance) means you should learn the waltz.

shelzyp Posted: Mar 13, 2003 11:06 AM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

My FH does not want to go to dance lessons but i think i cna convince him to do the tape though!

SomedayBride Posted: Mar 13, 2003 11:32 AM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

I foolishly bought a video hoping to avoid lessons, but I actually think the video made us worse! Well, not really, but it didn't help one bit. The video we have is Cal Pozo's Learn to Dance in Minutes-- Party Dancing. It promises to teach the Lindy, Jitterbug, Polka, Foxtrot, Cha- Cha, Mambo, and the Waltz. The video is this one dorky guy, and a partner, and he dances, then they show little footprints on the screen, then they show them dancing again. I don't know, but it is HARD!! Keep in mind, we have NO idea how to dance in the first place. I mean, we dance, but not actual dances like the waltz. We tried the video a few times, and maybe it's our extreme lack of coordination, but every time the couple danced to the right, I would go right, fh would go right, and since he was facing me we were going in opposite directions. Forget when we had to go forwards and backwards. I'm surprised I still have toes! All in all, if you're really pressed for time, getting the tape probably won't hurt, but it might not help either. Maybe there is a better one out there, if you find one let me know.

CippyLoo Posted: Mar 13, 2003 11:50 AM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

We're taking dance lessons and I don't really think it would be easy to learn from a video but maybe if you found a really good video it could work. We've only taken three lesson and we know at least 5- 6 steps for a bunch of dances (foxtrot, hussle, lindy, merengue, and salsa). So if you have the money and can just make some time for at least a few lessons I would suggest you try it out.
You'll aslo have to make time to practice if you go to a class learn a bunch of steps and the never practice you'll quickly forget everything you learned.

alina Posted: Mar 13, 2003 12:13 PM

Re: Learn to Dance DVD or video?

I would think its pretty hard to learn from a video too. I know a lot of studios offer 'trial' private lesson for like $20/half hour or so, so that you can see if you like the instructor. After my FH and I tried a few, he wasn't totally against the private lessons and actually liked them. We have found group lessons a bit more intimidating, and not that much more cheaper to make it worth it...

For example, a 4 week course at Dancesport in NYC is $86/per person, or $172 total. Private lessons are usually $70/lesson or so, depending on where you take them, and even less when buying a package. So for another 100, you can take 4 privates for $280, with full attention of the instructor, and not competing with other students for that attention.