7 Terrible Tips All Dancers Should Ignore
At the time, it was a lifesaver. In hindsight, it was absolutely stupid – definitely something ballroom dancers should ignore from now on.
There I was, at my first dance on a Saturday night, looking to one of my friends for advice.
The result was something that looked, remarkably, like shadowboxing.
My date for dinner and dancing was not impressed.
There was a time, for many of us, that we looked to others in search of dance help. Only to be left with some great gems of bad dance advice. Take a look at these 7 Terrible Tips to ward off any negative effects going forward.
“Just Feel the Music”
Most common uses:
“You seem so tense. Relax. Just feel the music.”
“I don’t need dance lessons, I just feel the music.”
Not to be confused with:
“You have put the time in. You know your choreography up and down. At this point, go out there and just feel the music.”
Here’s the thing about “feeling the music” – it’s not a replacement for knowing what to do. In fact, feeling the music only works when you’ve already internalized the technique. Telling a beginner to “just feel it” is like telling someone who’s never cooked to “just taste your way through the recipe.” It sounds nice. It doesn’t work.
“Have Another Drink”
Most common uses:
“Don’t worry, they’re going to love our moves. Have another drink.”
“The most important tool to improve our dancing is alcohol. Let’s have another drink.”
Not to be confused with:
“Congratulations on passing your Bronze 2. You’ve worked hard. Have another drink.”
Liquid courage is a terrible dance teacher. Sure, it might lower your inhibitions – but it also lowers your balance, your timing, and your partner’s willingness to dance with you again.
“Stand and Twirl Her”
Most common uses:
“What do you mean you don’t know how to dance?! Just stand and twirl her!”
“If you really want to know the secret to getting all the ladies to love you on the dance floor, just stand and twirl her.”
Not to be confused with:
“Anyone can just stand and twirl her. But you can actually dance with her.”
This advice is the dance equivalent of “just stare at the computer until it’s fixed.” Random twirling with no connection, no lead, and no awareness of what your partner is doing isn’t dancing. It’s just spinning someone in circles while you stand there.
“With a Strong Enough Lead, I Can Follow Anyone”
Most common uses:
“Oh, I don’t need dance lessons. With a strong enough lead, I can follow anyone.”
Not to be confused with:
Actually learning to follow.
Following is a skill. It’s not passive. It’s not “just going where you’re pushed.” Good following requires training, body awareness, and technique. The idea that you can skip lessons because someone else will do all the work? That’s not partnership – that’s just being heavy.
“Just Copy Me”
Most common uses:
“Don’t worry about the moves, just copy me.”
“If you need a move or two, just copy me.”
Not to be confused with:
“You know the formation, but if you get in trouble, just copy me.”
Copying someone else’s movement without understanding why they’re moving that way leads to one thing: movements that look vaguely like dancing but feel completely wrong. You end up a half-beat behind, doing a version of the step that works for their body but not yours.
“Try That Move You Saw on TV”
Most common uses:
“If you really need help out there, just try that move you saw on TV.”
“These basics are boring. Can you try that move you saw on TV?”
Not to be confused with:
“You could try that move you saw on TV, but for now, let’s use material that matches your dance level.”
TV dances are performed by professionals who have trained for years, rehearsed for weeks, and are dancing choreography specifically designed for their skill level. Attempting their signature move after three lessons is how injuries happen – to you, your partner, or both.
“Work on Your Facial Expressions”
Most common uses:
“Pretty good moves. Now you just need to work on your facial expressions.”
“When in doubt, work on your facial expressions. That lets them know you mean business.”
Not to be confused with:
“We can work on your facial expressions, or we can work on your dancing – it’s up to you.”
Facial expressions are the seasoning, not the meal. If your footwork is a mess but your face is theatrical, you haven’t solved the problem. You’ve just added a distraction.
Bonus Point: The Most Lethal Tip of All
Terrible tips in learning to dance happen every day. They begin as well-intentioned pointers, usually from fellow amateurs. The most lethal tip, however, you may receive will come from a non-dancer.
It will be delivered as a form of love, wrapped in concern, and will “address” your dance hobby. There will be no mention of the joy it has brought you in taking ballroom dance classes, the fun dancing moments that you’ve had, or the community who has embraced you.
No tip can be more terrible than the one that tries to pull you off the dance floor. So, with a big smile, thank them – and ignore it.
Happy Dancing!
