3 Picture Yourself Slow Dancing icture yourself and your dance partner Pwalking out to the center of the dance floor. It might be your 30th anniversary, a romantic evening, or a quiet moment at home with good music. On the more formal end of the spectrum, it might be your wedding day, and now that the vows have been exchanged and the rings are on the fingers, it is time to celebrate with that memorable first dance. Your new bride is on your arm, smiling, looking more beautiful than you have ever seen her. You are feeling very sharp yourself in your tuxedo—who knew you were that tall when you stood up straight? As you reach the center of the floor, the moment arrives. You gently take your wife’s hand from your arm, lift it, and spin her out away from you, only to draw her back in and begin your dance. You confidently lead her through your first dance, moving around the floor, spinning her, and finishing the moment with a picture-perfect dip, all captured by your videogra- pher and photographer. Your wife is beaming as you two return to your table and continue the festivities as the cheers from your friends and family members slowly subside. 62 Picture Yourself Dancing The Six Ws of Slow Dance s you’ll recall from Chapter 1, there follower’s arms draped around the leader’s neck are six Ws of dance: who, what, where, and the leader’s arms either clasped conservatively A around the follower’s waist or, if he is feeling a bit when, why, and wear. The following sections will walk you through the six Ws of slow dance. fresh, they might reach down to her derriere. As intimate as this form of dancing is for the partici- pants, it is downright boring to watch. Who Popularized Slow Dance? Slow dancing is a distinctly American tradition that This is where the Slow Dance for Romance comes has been adopted by some other cultures along into play. The Slow Dance for Romance taught in with the music it accompanies. No particular indi- this text and on the accompanying DVD, and in vidual can be credited with the popularization of Shawn Trautman’s Learn to Dance series, specifically contemporary slow dancing; rather, it was popular- on the Couples Ultimate Dance Sampler, takes ized by a generation and a type of music. The “cling and sway” to a whole new level, making youth of every era redefine slow dancing for their graceful and deliberate lead-and-follow dancing contemporaries as they shape their musical tastes. attainable for every beginner. This combination of leadable moves and simple footwork makes a mundane slow dance into a romantic event to remember both for the dancers and for anyone who has the pleasure of being an audience. Where Did Slow Dance Originate and Where Is It Typically Done? As mentioned previously, slow dancing is an American tradition that has subsequently spread to other cultures, accompanying the music to which it is danced. There is no specific geographic region within the United States that can be credited with What Is Slow Dance? the creation of the slow dance. Slow dancing is meant to be an impromptu roman- tic escape from the mundane for two people. In its Slow dancing is done in myriad settings. The slow most basic form, the slow dance you frequently see dance being taught in this chapter is appropriate in is the standard “cling and sway.” Occasionally, an the nightclub setting; at a dance; at a formal event, adventurous leader will heat it up by wobbling such as a reunion or a wedding; or even in the privacy around in a circle while he and his partner cling of your own living room. The slow dance taught in to each other. This basic form is typified by the this text is as enjoyable to dance as it is to watch. Picture Yourself Slow Dancing 63 Slow dancing is appropriate on innumerable occa- sions. Because of the simplicity of the dance taught in this text, it is extremely versatile and can be used in any genre of romantic music, be it soft rock, country, Latin, Top 40, or any one of many others. If you are a beginner social dancer, the appropriate time to learn to slow dance is now. You will be learning the basics of lead-and-follow dancing as well as moves that you will use in more intricate dances to the slower tempo and simple When Did Slow Dance Become footwork of the slow dance. Popular and When Is the Right Time to Slow Dance? Why Is the Slow Dance Danced? The slow dance is danced as an intimate and The slow dance as we know it today emerged in romantic interlude between the two dancers. It is the 1960s, when dancing to popular upbeat music a dance of romance (versus slow and romantic ballads) shifted from rather than passion couples dancing to solo dancing where men and or desire, like the women danced together, but touching was rhumba or tango. discouraged and individuality was encouraged. It is more intimate There was a shift in emphasis from rhythm to lyrics than the waltz and is when appreciating contemporary Top 40 music. more appropriate on The ’60s also marked the advent of rock concerts, occasions when the where dancing became nothing more than swaying waltz is too stylized back and forth. This is the root of today’s slow or formal. It is also dance. The slow dance taught in this text takes the a romantic dance simplicity of created to accompany the root slow the 4/4 timing of dance just contemporary music. described, adds additional ©istockphoto.com/Justin Horrocks movement through sim- ple footwork, and incorpo- What Kind of Attire rates leads and Should Be Worn? moves from a There is no dress code or standard apparel for the variety of slow dance. Whatever you happen to be wearing dances to add when you are with your dance partner and the interest and right song starts playing is perfectly appropriate. zest to a simple and romantic slow dance. 64 Picture Yourself Dancing Visualize the Slow Dance ometimes conceptually it’s hard to Also, write down any questions that you might get a good feel for what you’re attempting to have at this point. There’s a good chance you will S find the answer later on in this chapter, and if it’s learn until after you see someone else doing it. Once you’ve seen it, you allow your mind to something you’re already pondering, you’re sure to start processing ideas about how to get your body remember the answer for the long-term. to do the same thing. Before we get into the nuts and bolts of how to slow dance, take a few minutes You’ll find that by time you get ready to stand up to turn on your DVD player and view the section and try the DVD, the dancing won’t be nearly as entitled “Slow Dancing.” overwhelming. Writing down the key concepts will allow you to get a jumpstart on the rest of the chapter. You’ll also find that after you get up and try it, you’ll probably have more questions. As this chapter goes on, the steps will be broken up with screenshots from the DVD, pointers will be given on where you should be during different parts of the dance, and frequently asked questions will be addressed that should satisfy most (if not all) of your questions, and then some. The third time you view the DVD, go ahead and dance along with it. See how far you can make it just by watching and trying. You’ll probably find It’s best if you watch the section one time through that one of the two of you is able to pick up and without trying to do any of it. Just give your mind understand the material quicker than the other. a chance to absorb the material so it’s somewhat familiar to you when you replay the section. Watch how the dancers move, think about the words that are used, and picture yourself doing the slow dance. Just remember, everyone learns at a different pace. Be cognizant of this as The second time you go through it, take notes. you’re learning with your partner. One of Begin to jot down the important parts of the dance you might pick up certain aspects of the so you can engage other parts of the kinesthetic dance quicker than the other, and that’s learning prior to getting up and dancing along. okay. Try to be patient and wait for the Write down what the connection points are, what other person to grasp the material, and the basic steps are called, how many counts are in then move on. a basic, how to align with your partner, and so on. Picture Yourself Slow Dancing 65 Now, take a look at the rest of these pictures. All of them are taken of couples slow dancing. Some are formal and some are very informal, but the couples are all doing the same steps. See whether you can visualize yourself slow dancing (the dance you just watched over and over) in all these different set- tings. Then, picture yourself slow dancing at events you have coming up or at local venues where you and your partner can go. If you can see it, you can do it.