6: The Hardest Step

Ballroom Dancing
A Beginner's Guide
Part 6

What to Expect from this Series

Have you ever wanted to try ballroom dancing but needed to know where to start? 

Well, this is the place to begin if you want to learn. This series of articles is your gateway to the joy of partner dance! We explore, from a newcomer's eyes, that wonderful world of movement, partnership, and music. We aim to give you a good foundation of knowledge to start your dance journey and experience the sheer delight of ballroom dancing.

The number of dance styles in ballroom dancing can be confounding, not to mention the confusing terminology or how to make sense of it all. This series will clarify things for you and answer (we hope) most of your questions. We should note that this series is for those wanting to social dance—and perhaps eventually compete even—it is not geared towards one-time learning like those wishing to do a choreographed dance at their wedding, for example. 

Delve into the mesmerizing world of ballroom dancing with this comprehensive series of articles designed to guide beginners through the exhilarating realm of partner dancing. From decoding the intricate dance styles and terminology to unraveling the nuances of selecting the perfect dance shoes, these articles provide a detailed and immersive introduction to the captivating art of ballroom dancing. As you master each dance style, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment that will keep you motivated, whether your interest lies in social dancing or you aspire to compete professionally.

Overview

Birds eye view of a social dance floor

The hardest step for newcomers is the one they take to walk in the front door of a studio. While it is very easy to get into ballroom dancing to dance socially, first-time dancers might find learning some styles challenging. The key is to find the musical style that resonates with you. Then, you will have a better time of it. One thing is true: if you want to dance beyond the social level, you will find it hard to master.

First, let's dispel any misconceptions. Ballroom dancing is not as daunting as it may seem. The entry point is quite accessible, with social dances that cater to beginners. While there are some aspects that may pose a challenge for first-time learners, perseverance is the key. Even if you aspire to competition-level dancing, it's not an insurmountable feat.

Becoming a competent social dancer who performs the basic figures of popular social dances like Waltz, Tango, ChaCha, Rumba, and Salsa is a journey that requires patience and commitment. It's not an overnight transformation, but a process that spans from six months to a year. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to your goal. 

If you're aiming for the national championship level, be prepared for a significant time commitment. This is a journey that spans a decade, although it can be shorter if you have the guidance of a skilled teacher. 

And do you intend to join dancers at the world or international level? That's a whole different ball game.

However, today, we leave the esoteric heights of the DanceSport competition and focus on the beginning dancer. By the beginning, we mean someone who has never had a dance lesson.

In this article, we explore why it feels hard to get into ballroom dancing and how easy it is in reality. We also recognize that there are some parts of this process that some people might find challenging, if not difficult. We will address both in this article.

It is essential to distinguish what we conclude as a difficult task (the myth) from the ease with which we can learn how to dance (the reality). After reading this article, we hope you can join a dance class quickly.

The Easy Part

As a newcomer or a beginner, the most challenging step in ballroom dancing is the one that takes you through the studio doors. The difficulty of learning anything depends on your outlook, preparation, and attitude toward the topic.

With infrequent exceptions, everything new that we need to learn is hard initially. There is just so much we do not know. Our enthusiasm toward the task makes learning complex things more accessible (or palatable). The difficulty level or the learning curve of your dance training will depend on your teachers and their ability to communicate complex concepts to you. A spouse or significant other dragged unwittingly or unwillingly into a studio to learn a dance whose music holds no interest to them is likely to have a difficult time.

There are some tasks where we give ourselves many reasons to fail before we start. For some, that task might be doing the laundry regularly, cleaning the refrigerator, going to the dentist for a checkup, etc. Somehow, we often argue that the couch has magnetized you into inactivity (or another similar banal reason). 

Fair enough. 

However, we should recognize that this is similar to learning ballroom dancing. Like any other task that seems formidable at first, the lack of interest makes ballroom dancing seem daunting to get into. The most common example is if you are getting into ballroom dancing because your significant other is dragging you ("dragging" being the operative word). What should be an easy and pleasant foray into the joys of moving to music will likely be a tortuous one instead.

The Difficult Part

So, let's say you want to learn ballroom dancing, but something seems to be holding you back. What do you think you should do?

Over the years, we have found that the biggest impediment to learning to dance is NOT the familiar refrain of  "I have two left feet." We suspect it is caused by angst or anxiety—the fear that somehow you will make a fool of yourself and end up embarrassed, running, and screaming out the door, never to return. 

We have been ballroom dancers for a long time. We can tell you that this worst scenario only plays true in your head. That never happens in reality; if it does, then exceptionally rarely. 

Conclusion

Learning is the easy part. Dancing is the fun part. And the tricky part? Getting yourself to the studio.

Unless you live in a remote or rural area, you will find some ballroom dance events within driving distance; this is true for most cities and larger towns. The hardest part about learning ballroom dance is to motivate yourself, get up, and register for a beginner's class.