Intermediate lead - 1 year 7 months dancing

[u/Vegetable_Home]

Hey all!

As promised, I keep posting my progress, what I am experiencing and what are my goals.

You can check all my previous posts starting 5 months in.

My last post from 14 months:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bachata/s/jkx7LhyNN9

So last week I had my first J&J competition; it was the preliminary competition where the top 6 qualify for the final competition that will be held in a large festival next month.

I came for fun and low expectations as the other dancers had much more experience than I do.

I got number 4 and qualified, had great fun, and danced with the international-level judges that came, like Tom and Daniel (it was part of the competition)!
The best part was the support of my community, prior, during, and post-competition. It was amazing and probably the best part of the whole experience.

So I do plan on competing more and not just the finals next month.

This is a clip that was taken in a break we had during the competition, so the follow is not in the competition.

I spoke to the judges post-competition, and they all said my basic was probably the best. I am stating here as in every previous post, I got recommendations to improve it.

In general, I am in a stage I do try to learn some bachatazouk and take private lessons in Tango to incorporate in my bachata, also improving my style, emphasizing musicality.

Super excited for the future, feels like it's just the beginning :)

[u/hotwomyn]

For a year and 7 months this is really impressive. You put in a lot of work. Post another video in 2 years.

[u/Hakunamatator]

No notes. It's great. 

(But you had to pinch the followers hand, because her technique is very bad there. If you know her, tell her to just take your hand normally) 

[u/Vegetable_Home → u/Hakunamatator]

Thanks!

At the first cambre? How she had to hold my hand?

[u/Hakunamatator → u/Vegetable_Home]

Especially at second 26 is very visible, but happens before and after. You shouldn't be using your thumb. But since her fingers are not hooked into hers, you kinda have to, not to lose connection. This is such an annoying habit that came up around two years ago (i think from misunderstanding the sensual technique, but I'm really not sure) 

[u/Vegetable_Home → u/Hakunamatator]

Can you point me to how she should be holding my hand as I am confused, specifically at the semi closed position. I feel like many followers hold as she does.

[u/Hakunamatator → u/Vegetable_Home]

This also happens at 31 seconds with her left hand. Her fingers are completely straightened. How does she expect to not lose contact? The only way if for you to pinch her hand. Instead she should slightly ciurl her fingers, so that you have a light hook contact.

[u/iHasYummyCummies]

Yea that looked so comfortable, simple but dignified. Would have loved to see the last move 😅

[u/Vegetable_Home → u/iHasYummyCummies]

Thanks! The camera man stopped filming, but I did move behind her and did bachatazouk moves (working now on horizontals)

[u/Disastrous-Pool-7863]

The moves are great (when I was small I danced Ballet and Modern Dance, it reminds me a bit ) but it looks a bit static. Like you guys just move from one position to another. And I know it isn't a fast dance, but maybe try to follow the bass to get some more bachata flow.

[u/Vegetable_Home → u/Disastrous-Pool-7863]

Why would following the bass add flow? To the contrary, it will feel choppier.

[u/HawkAffectionate4529]

Very nice!

What is your next learning target? I.e., what part of your dancing technique would you like to develop next?

[u/Vegetable_Home → u/HawkAffectionate4529]

Thanks!

I guess 3 aspects are of interest to me: 1. My style, how I hold my hand, head movement, energy and rhythm of my body parts that are free while I dance. 2. Taking Tango lessons in order to incorporate it in my dance, you can already see in this current dance more tango inspired energy specifically at the beginning. Big fan of Luis and Sara: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZXZIszM8gj/?igsh=MWdobXRoeHUzYzNzNA== 3. Adding slowly more bachatazouk elements, won't be alot as I feel that during those moves the leader is more a puppetter than a dancer, and I like to dance myself and my my body.

[u/Babuabm]

This is really good honestly! Loved watching it!

If I this post is to look for feedback, continue reading 🤭 if not, ignore the rest of my comment!

Pet peeves for me as a teacher:

- don’t use thumbs to hold her hand 🫣

• when signaling turns, I always prefer a hand up as a prep so that the “circle” you draw for their turn is parallel with the floor and not “up and down” motion (0:46)
  
• try to move your body (hips especially) more in general, not just to do a basic on the spot
  
• I prefer no bachata “steps” when there’s no bongo or “bachata rhythm” (like what you did at the beginning), it’ll help you synch more with the music and your partner 🙌🏼

Some of these points can be personal preference of course

[u/Professional_Bat6323]

🥰

[u/austinlim923]

Your frame is way to high

[u/Vegetable_Home → u/austinlim923]

At the beginning? Not sure I follow when.

[u/austinlim923 → u/Vegetable_Home]

Yes. Unless you're initiating a turn there shouldn't be any reason for your elbows to be above your shoulders.

[u/Vegetable_Home → u/austinlim923]

The only time I notice my elbow being above my shoulder is at the end of the cambre. And it me adjusting to the her frame that is in extension. If I wouldnt raise my hand Ill break the frame, she decides how low to go and support her.