Sledge

So. What makes a good dancer a good dancer? What moves have you seen good dancers employ? Who's the best dancer you know and why?

In my opinion, the minimum prerequisites for gooddancerdom is having a sense of rhythm and being able to stifle your self-consciousness. I don't think breakdancing is very impressive, but I think poppers and lockers are phenomenal. Hip gyrations are TEH SEX to me whether you're male or female.

rogue49

Well, first you've got to hear the BEAT.
And you've got to move your body to the beat.

Two, you can't be shy, just move your body,
try a different move every once in awhile, not just the same one.

Move, and repeat...do this several time,
then do a different move...and repeat.

A good dancer is VERY aware of what his or her body looks like to others.
They use this to make sure that move works,
both to the music AND to the people watching.

sadatx

Personally I think that's the key, and something I'm not that good at. My girlfriend always complains about me not taking her dancing.

But I feel so umcomfortable on the dance floor

Kaos

Last time I worked up the courage (Liquid Courage) to dance, my friend told me my dancing looked like I was having a seizure.

Last time I ever do that again

Stare At The Sun

A good dancer doesnt care and has fun.

For instance, last time i was at Industrial gothic night, i saw a guy that had to weight 300 pounds atleast dancing for almost the entire night. That kicks ass.

Dancing is aobut expressing yourself and having fun. So, if you look like you're having a seizure, then so be it, keep on with it.

World's King

I've been know to do a little dance...

Make a little love...

Get down tonight.

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Sledge

I don't think I agree that all you need is to have fun. I've seen people who are having fun, and yes, their confidence is attractive, but they're also sometimes incredibly bad dancers. It's the minimum; it ain't enough.

What does it take to look good doing it?

ratbastid

lurkette and I go swing dancing every opportunity we get. We're sort of intermediate-beginners, both of us. There are some folks there who are really REALLY good. The couple who introduced us to it are sort of intermediate-advanced dancers, and have taught us a lot of things.

What really distinguishes a good swing "lead"--generally though not necessarily men--is a large repertoire of steps for the dance you're doing, the ability to communicate those steps to your partner efficiently with body language alone, and a sense of musicality sufficient to have your movements match what's going on in the music. A good "follow" really only takes being aware of what you're partner is doing and where he's sending you. Decent rhythm is important to both.

Really, really good pairs look totally at home and free on the floor. They look like they're having a great time. The women I've most enjoyed dancing with are clearly having fun--adding little flourishes to steps I'm leading them on, dancing with a big smile... That makes them great fun to dance with.

flamingdog

I love dancing like a dork so fuck off with your looking good doing it. I have an absolute ball when I go dancing, and that's because I look like a retard.

Seaver

I love dancing, but it really does require two good dancers.

Lead: Usually the male, but in the event of a shy/inexperienced male the female should step up. Must be confident, gentile yet commanding. Must be able to "ride the beat", dont pull moves out of no where without giving the partner some sort of (non)verbal que.

Non-Lead: Must be quick, and trusting. Trusting in the partner that he wont lead her into other dancers, and must be quick to read the ques that he gives her.

Cynthetiq

well stated... seems like you can interchange that with any kind of ballroom dance to street dancing, and heck that last paragraph is the underlying most important part.

Dance because you are having fun. Skogafoss will only dance if we take ballroom lessons. I don't care and will dance for whatever. because I like to have fun.

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meepa

PREACH ON!

Sledge

ratbastid, swing dancing is great. I've only ever taken a beginner's course, but I definitely want to learn more.

I - uh - I DISAGREE with everyone about having fun. Having fun is bad! If you're there to have fun you're clearly at a dance for the WRONG REASONS.

Dudes, I don't think that's in question. What I asked was what looks good on the dance floor.

Stare At The Sun

Well, TO ME, someone that is smiling, and doing whatever they are doing on the dance floor, and having fun while doing it, is good enough. Just my opinion...

and my .02 is that people like you that "look down" upon the not so good dancers are the reason there are almost always more people not dancing then dancing. They are afraid, and they have no reason to be.

I'm refering to the club thing, if your talking swing or something like that, then, whatever the form is, then if you're a good lead, fluid and such that makes you good. But there is no preset thing otherwise!

Frowning Budah

I belong to the Tequila school of dance. The only time I dance is when I am too drunk to stand up.