Lindy Hop Today - Technique and Steps - Partnering Technique

Partnering Technique

Partnering technique is the element of lindy hop which controls the communication of the dancers engaged in the dance - the dance partners. Partnering technique allows both dancers to lead and follow dance movement, move together, and/or communicate dance ideas to each other either in an open conversation or a call and response structure.

See also: Connection

Dancers at social events usually have a wide range of skill levels, so cooperating with one's partner matters as much as dancing skill. Dancing with a new partner is a study in flexibility and calibration. What can the new partner do? What are his or her limitations? What does he or she like to do? Dancing with a regular partner is an opportunity to play and practice difficult moves, such as aerials (which are dangerous without regular practice).

More important than moves is connection (in simple form, any point of body contact between partners is connection), which allows both partners to communicate. Social dancers are generally concerned about connection, whether their partner "feels good," rather than whether their partner is capable of doing a number of moves in succession. This connection also allows both partners to style with each other and the music, resulting in a totally improvised, musical dance.

Read more about this topic:  Lindy Hop Today, Technique and Steps

Famous quotes containing the word technique:

    The more technique you have, the less you have to worry about it. The more technique there is, the less there is.
    Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)