| Whether you want to salsa, tango or swing dance | | | | A good dancer will also mirror the style of their partner. |
| there are a few characteristics that distinguish a good | | | | For example, if the leader is dancing with bouncy steps |
| dancer from a really good dancer. Practice these tips | | | | the follower should do the same. If the leader is |
| and you will find people complimenting you the next | | | | dancing with shorter steps the follower mirrors that as |
| time you are out dancing. | | | | well. This way the partnership looks equal and the |
| Practice listening to the music. Play whatever type of | | | | dance will go much smoother. |
| music it is that you will be dancing to. Now just listen to | | | | Learn to let go of anticipation and just be present. A |
| it over and over. You want to be able to understand | | | | good partnership responds easily to leads and follows |
| the rhythm, know where the downbeat is, and even | | | | by being in the moment. |
| be able to decipher the different instruments. A good | | | | Learn the basics of connection. Connection to the |
| dancer is right on beat because they understand the | | | | partner is everything in social dancing. You do not want |
| music. In some cases it may take longer to understand | | | | to feel too heavy on your partner, but at the same |
| the rhythm of the music. For example, if you are doing | | | | time you do not want to have limp arms. Proper |
| Latin dancing but did not grow up listening to Latin | | | | connection improves with practice and by dancing with |
| music, you may have to study this music a long time | | | | different partners. |
| before being able to dance to it. | | | | Take continuing education in your dance style. Continue |
| When you go out dancing make sure to dance with | | | | to learn new steps, patterns and ways to improvise |
| different partners. Dancing with different people will | | | | with your dance partner. |
| improve your leading and following skills. A follower | | | | Most of all try to feel the music. This may be a more |
| should try to follow whatever the leader is doing even | | | | advanced aspect of a really good dancer. Dancing is |
| if they are leading it wrong! This way you are | | | | an expression of rhythm, beat and styles of music. Let |
| developing your following skills and not spending all | | | | the music flow through you when you dance and the |
| your time resisting your partner. | | | | music will create your movement. |