Why Accountants, Math Nerds, and Lawyers Make Great Dancers (It's the STRUCTURE, Baby!)
Why Accountants, Math Nerds, and Lawyers Make Great Dancers (It's the STRUCTURE, Baby!)
One of the very BEST elements of dance is that ANYONE can learn how to do it. And by anyone, we mean even if you have two left feet and cannot find the beat to save your life.
The reason? Dance is structured. Even though it may seem like it’s all fluid movement and artsy-fartsy sequencing, dance is something you can count, predict, and anticipate–with ease, grace, elegance, and even JOY.
That’s why all you linear, logical, goal-oriented thinkers out there can and should learn and practice a killer First Dance.
Count the beats–not yourself—out
Most wedding music follows a predictable rhythm at a moderate tempo. If you can count, you can dance. Training your brain to “hear” the countable beats in the music is the first step to success.
Next time you’re in the car, pump up the radio volume and listen for the bass beats. (Those repetitive pulses you hear driving the rest of the sounds forward.) Then, when you’re OUT of the car, pop on a song and practice WALKING or MARCHING to that pulse.
Advanced practice: Listen for the musical phrases within the songs you love. Most popular music is structured in musical “sentences” of 8 beats, and musical “paragraphs” of 32 beats (4 x 8).
You can often pick out where a new phrase starts at the beginning of the verse or chorus of the song, or where you hear a big cymbal splash, or even when the beat drops out and builds up to a big entrance again.
Repeat the same sequence
If you put a few dance movements together, repeat them! Practice makes progress, and recognizable, repeatable sequences help us remember what we learn.
Advanced practice: Try walking in a small circle for 8 beats, then a simple step-tap move (right and left) for 8 beats, then keep your feet still and move your arms, shoulders, and chest any way you want for 16 beats. Repeat until you have it down.
Take lessons to learn how to move with a partner
Dancing is even MORE fun with your Sweetie. And your First Dance doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking anxiety fest. Our happy couples tell us every single week how much FUN they have in their lessons.
No matter where you live, there are super qualified teachers near you who can help you adjust your dancing styles to look awesome together on your Big Day. Plus, you can even learn a few show-stopping moves like dips, spins, or simple lifts in no time. (Seriously–our couples are shocked at how impressive they can look in a short time.)
Advance Practice: Put on some music in your living room, and try linking hands and moving WITH each other as you count beats, phrases, and generally get your groove on while you shake out your self-consciousness.
Nerds, geeks, and logic seekers, we’ve GOT you at WDC. And you CAN dance.
For all the help you need from song selection to mic-drop moves, visit our scheduling pages NOW.