The Problem With Patterns

Most Group Dance Classes teach 32-beat Patterns

Why?

Answer: Arthur Muray

Arthur Muray got more people than ever

onto the Dance Floor

by "simplifying" many pre-existing dances

into new 6-count Basics.

Example 1: 8-count Lindy Swing was turned into

6-count East Coast Swing

Most Swing Dances since then remain 6-count.

Example 2: Variable count Progressive Dances

of the Teens and 20s

Became 6-count Fox Trot

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The Problem With 6-Count Dancing

It Does NOT Fit the American Pop Song!

99% of American Pop Songs are

a Series of 32-Beat Phrases

If you do 5 6-count Basics

You only have 30 Beats!

Meaning You are always

"off" from the music.

The Solution to The Problem:

Fill Out the 32 beats with:

• Hang out and Wait for the Next Phrase
  
• Do 1 Slow Step
  
• Do 2 Quick Steps
  
• Mix 4 6-count basics with 1 8-count
  

When Pros are Teaching 32-Beat Phrases

They are doing one of these.

Patterns help keep Beginners on the Phrasing.

AND Dance Tools to add to your Tool Box

(which is always a good thing!)

The interesting thing is that while

Pros Teach 32-beat Phrases...

They Don't DANCE them socially.

They Improv & Converse & Connect All of the Time

In time with the 32-beat phrasing...

But NOT in pre-determined patterns.

You Should, too.

Patterns are just ways to keep Beginners on the Phrasing.

Dance Patterns take LOTS of conscious brain cycles.

Redirect those brain cyles to more

PLAY & CONNECTION & CONVERSATION

On the Dance Floor, LESS > MORE