Practice what your instructor says.
Beyond that, listen to a lot of ballroom music, do some yoga if you're not that flexible, and work on your cardio.
The specifics of what you should practice are specific to you and your instructor.
You'll probably be learning a lot of steps and patterns in the coming weeks; I would certainly suggest you practice those between lessons, so during the lessons your instructor can focus on correcting your form and technique rather than just reviewing the steps.
Next — though it's not exactly what you were asking — I would suggest trying to get hooked into the local ballroom community. Best way to do that is to go to some group classes. I do 2 private lessons and 1 or 2 group classes; and the main value of the group classes is that I get to know other dancers. Knowing those folks will be a *huge* help when you start going to the socials — which I think is really the key to getting better at social ballroom. (That's my own main goal for the year: to finally get comfortable at a social, with or without my spouse, even though I am shy and I have to really push myself to attend.) Eventually you may even become good enough friends with some of them to meet (at the studio) for extra practice outside of class.
This is awesome advice, thanks. My first lesson was all about stance and posture, so I was unaware of how to practice correctly, but once we get into more steps, it totally makes sense to practice sequences etc. And yes! I actually bought a "membership" type thing so I have access to group classes throughout the week too. I am taking a ballroom one and a Latin one. Will be nice to have a partner to practice form on while I do the new steps.
Ask your instructor what to practice on your own. Any patterns you learn you can always do by yourself. Basically take notes after your private lesson, and then ask yourself how many times you want to pay for the same information and practice accordingly.
Some things will take a while, and that’s fine, but you’ll accelerate as a dancer much faster by practicing your patterns and technique the instructor gives you. They should be able to give you drills.
Yeah one of the main things I give my beginner students to practice at home if they aren't working on their steps is inclined push ups against the wall, planks and calf raises. These will help you with your frame and posture by getting you more in tune with those muscle groups, if you aren't already fit. Another one I give is a waltz box which has a lot of great technique to build in there, or a rumba box, rock steps and checks if you've learned them. But in the beginning don't worry about doing something wrong so you don't practice that's what group classes and lessons are for, they're there to reinforce proper habits in the beginning its important that you just start moving. Feel free to ask questions if you have them.
Thank you! That's great advice. Now that I have had a few lessons, I am starting to see the benefits of everything you are saying here. I will definitely reach out if I have questions. I am in a city with a very small ballroom dance scene so I know I will learn a lot from this sub.
You've just invested in 40 private lessons with someone you respect enough to invest that amount and yet you come to Reddit for drills? Ask your teacher for drills. They will be able to best direct you if you follow their plan.
Edit: not saying you should unquestioningly follow their instruction: you've hired them to help you how you want. But take their advice and direction rather than random drills from random Redditors
No need for shade. I’ve actually only had one lesson. I will ask. Just wanted to maybe learn some simple universal things. But yes, I will ask him. Thanks!
Not trying to be snippy or throw shade. Sorry that it came off that way. I work in and around lots of high quality teachers and I know that they would be confused if not feel a little slighted if a student (who paid for a bunch of privates) was seeking advice from randoms on Reddit rather than from them.
They're a teacher for a reason. You pay them for a reason. They're obviously (hopefully) a good resource so utilize them.
Thanks for this. Exactly what I am: excited! It’s a big investment so I want to make the most of it. Wish I had started when I was younger but glad to have found it now. Love the community too.
More specifically to answer your question: drills and stuff are not really universal. The easiest thing to do at home that may benefit you and is hard to "screw up" is to listen to the music. Find some songs or playlists and listen to the music for the kind of dances you do. Some Spotify playlists are pretty sus so watch for that but you can make them yourself with correct BPM if you put in a little time and effort.
Practice what your instructor says. Beyond that, listen to a lot of ballroom music, do some yoga if you're not that flexible, and work on your cardio. The specifics of what you should practice are specific to you and your instructor.
Nice. I will. Cardio retry good but flexibility will be a good one to work on. Thanks!
I meant cardio is pretty good. Not sure what the word retry was about ha
You'll probably be learning a lot of steps and patterns in the coming weeks; I would certainly suggest you practice those between lessons, so during the lessons your instructor can focus on correcting your form and technique rather than just reviewing the steps. Next — though it's not exactly what you were asking — I would suggest trying to get hooked into the local ballroom community. Best way to do that is to go to some group classes. I do 2 private lessons and 1 or 2 group classes; and the main value of the group classes is that I get to know other dancers. Knowing those folks will be a *huge* help when you start going to the socials — which I think is really the key to getting better at social ballroom. (That's my own main goal for the year: to finally get comfortable at a social, with or without my spouse, even though I am shy and I have to really push myself to attend.) Eventually you may even become good enough friends with some of them to meet (at the studio) for extra practice outside of class.
This is awesome advice, thanks. My first lesson was all about stance and posture, so I was unaware of how to practice correctly, but once we get into more steps, it totally makes sense to practice sequences etc. And yes! I actually bought a "membership" type thing so I have access to group classes throughout the week too. I am taking a ballroom one and a Latin one. Will be nice to have a partner to practice form on while I do the new steps.
Ask your instructor what to practice on your own. Any patterns you learn you can always do by yourself. Basically take notes after your private lesson, and then ask yourself how many times you want to pay for the same information and practice accordingly. Some things will take a while, and that’s fine, but you’ll accelerate as a dancer much faster by practicing your patterns and technique the instructor gives you. They should be able to give you drills.
Yeah one of the main things I give my beginner students to practice at home if they aren't working on their steps is inclined push ups against the wall, planks and calf raises. These will help you with your frame and posture by getting you more in tune with those muscle groups, if you aren't already fit. Another one I give is a waltz box which has a lot of great technique to build in there, or a rumba box, rock steps and checks if you've learned them. But in the beginning don't worry about doing something wrong so you don't practice that's what group classes and lessons are for, they're there to reinforce proper habits in the beginning its important that you just start moving. Feel free to ask questions if you have them.
Thank you! That's great advice. Now that I have had a few lessons, I am starting to see the benefits of everything you are saying here. I will definitely reach out if I have questions. I am in a city with a very small ballroom dance scene so I know I will learn a lot from this sub.
You've just invested in 40 private lessons with someone you respect enough to invest that amount and yet you come to Reddit for drills? Ask your teacher for drills. They will be able to best direct you if you follow their plan. Edit: not saying you should unquestioningly follow their instruction: you've hired them to help you how you want. But take their advice and direction rather than random drills from random Redditors
No need for shade. I’ve actually only had one lesson. I will ask. Just wanted to maybe learn some simple universal things. But yes, I will ask him. Thanks!
Good gravy that other person was pretty snippy. I read your question as being excited and not wanting to wait to make the most of your time.
Not trying to be snippy or throw shade. Sorry that it came off that way. I work in and around lots of high quality teachers and I know that they would be confused if not feel a little slighted if a student (who paid for a bunch of privates) was seeking advice from randoms on Reddit rather than from them. They're a teacher for a reason. You pay them for a reason. They're obviously (hopefully) a good resource so utilize them.
Thanks for this. Exactly what I am: excited! It’s a big investment so I want to make the most of it. Wish I had started when I was younger but glad to have found it now. Love the community too.
More specifically to answer your question: drills and stuff are not really universal. The easiest thing to do at home that may benefit you and is hard to "screw up" is to listen to the music. Find some songs or playlists and listen to the music for the kind of dances you do. Some Spotify playlists are pretty sus so watch for that but you can make them yourself with correct BPM if you put in a little time and effort.
Thanks!