Social Dance Rant # 1: Good Looking Junk!
A transcript of the speak in the video.
Welcome to this Social Dance Rant Number ONE about the paradox of Good looking Junk! Could be relevant for most social dance styles. My name is Jesper Tverskov.
When we watch a dance video, it is natural to think that if a dance figure or turn technique looks good and it works well, then that is the end of the story. This is how to do it. But that is not always the case. We should of cause first test it ourselves to see if it is leadable, TRUE SOCIAL or a least doable with a training partner. Or if it is just for a SHOW, something staged, choreographed and rehearsed into perfection with only one important detail missing: It is mostly unrealistic on the social dance floor.
But not even our own testing and modification of something we see in a dance video, a workshop class is good enough for validation.
A sequence of figures, a so-called combi or move, or a basic figure, or a turn technique is not only about how good it looks and works. There is much more to it, before we can deliver our final judgment. And we most always be ready to reopen the case, if we get new information.
Most importantly we must look at the alternatives.
What if there is a figure or a technique that does exactly the same but is easier to lead with a much higher success rate? What if there is an alternative that works better from many more start positions, that has more options for what can be done in the half way position, and has many more variations at the exit point? An alternative that somehow integrates better into our own particular sub-style of dancing?
What if there is an alternative that is more generic, more textbook, more universal and versatile, that is easier to read, recreate, learn, remember and execute because it is based on more sound principles? What if there is an alternative that reinforces clear, solid best stepping practices instead of opening the flood gates to private, homegrown, random “junk”?
Even if a figure or technique looks fabulous and works well, it might actually be so bad that we should never use it because it prevents us from learning and using the better figure or technique that serves us much better in general and especially in the long run if we want to take our dance to the next level.
Sometimes good looking junk is not all that bad. Even if there is a much better alternative, the second best solution is not always completely ruled out. It might still be relevant as an exception to the rule, in an emergency, as a Plan B, or for variation in some situations.
To conclude this rant: Don’t accept anything just because it looks good and works well. Test if it is true social or at least doable with a training partner and remember to consider the alternatives. Always be open for the better way and method.
OK, that is it for this Social Dance Rant Number One about the paradox of Good looking Junk. More videos to come. More rants to come. Thanks for watching. “Smile on Five”. See you on the dance floor or at least in the next video.
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