[Tango-L] Fwd: Who's leading?

[Carol Shepherd]

I would passionately second this request for more advanced leaders to
nurture the growth of the US tango community by taking some time out to
dance with beginning follows.  If a beginning follow dances only with
other beginners, and does not get any dance time with instructors who
are leads, the follow will not learn what it feels like to be able to
balance properly having a good lead.  Since the dance is so axis- and
balance-oriented, this is essential.

I'm sure the reverse is also true (advanced follows should give some
practice to beginning leads to experience a follow who does not drape,
gives feedback and frame, is responsive to leads, etc) but I will let
the leaders speak to that issue.

Regards,

Carol Shepherd

L wrote:

> 
> It is important for the more seasoned participants in the world-wide  
> tango community to nurture newcomers and, perhaps, remember when they  
> were beginners themselves.
> 
...


> As far as Fortune expecting to dance with beginners, it would  
> probably be a good idea for some more advanced dancers to make a  
> point of dancing with an obvious beginner from time to time.   
> Afterall, he can always ask for that dance at the last dance of a  
> tanda and then if it's awful, it's only one dance.  What a really  
> good leader should do with a beginner -- or for that fact anyone he  
> dances with for the first time -- is to start as simply as possible  
> and keep adding to the repertoire as she is able to follow the lead.   
...

-- 
Carol Ruth Shepherd
Arborlaw PLC
Ann Arbor MI USA
734 668 4646 v  734 786 1241 f
http://arborlaw.com

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