One of the issues that some new steppers have is dancing mechanically.  What does this mean and how can you avoid it?

In the very beginning it's difficult to avoid.  You are first trying to learn the format of the dance and basic musicality.  You are also learning how to communicate through physical signals and rules that are similar to learning a language. 

Those who have ever studied a foreign language know that you are not expected to speak like a native speaker in the beginning.  Once you can have a decent conversation having attained some sort of fluency then you can work on your accent and slang.

Again just like in language learning if you have a frequent opportunity to dance with native dancers in the native culture (Chicago), then it's easier to pick up on the little nuances that help you dance fluidly.

Fear Not

Here we discuss some of those nuances that you can practice so that you will get away from dancing mechanically.  Let's get back to what causes us to dance mechanically.  Some say if you dance to the numbers 123, 456, 78 (or quick quick slow, quick quick slow, slow slow) then you end up dancing "like a robot", but I disagree.  You can dance exactly on those numbers and be smooth as silk.

What makes you dance mechanically is a lack of variation in your timing and foot placement.  Not every move works well with the default timing and foot placement learned in beginner classes.  Oftentimes the slows and quicks need to be rearranged or shifted in some way to achieve a fluid stylish movement. 

You can also alter crossover steps or steps backward, forward and sideways to create style and flare.

Actually you can adopt a default way of dancing that is different than what you learn in the beginner class.  The normal count with the normal pauses 123, 456, 78 then becomes less literal in terms of timing and is more just identification of which foot you are on.

For example step number one for the follower is the left foot.  At first you learn that you cross over to the right on the up beat for step number one.  Later you experiment with those notions.  The left foot is still step number one, but it doesn't have to be on the up beat and it doesn't have to always cross to the right.

Also step #3 is the follower's left foot, but there doesn't have to be a pause after it.  The pause can be before it (after step #2).

These are just a couple of examples.  Varying these aspects of the dance will help you dance more organically and less mechanically.

In the video above I discuss 3 options to vary the dance: the 1-2 basic, the Bounce basic and a combination of the two.

What they have in common is that step number 7 is on the left foot on the up beat.  This is the most common aspect of the dance.  Step #7 is the anchor of the dance.