After intensive study on the ‘Swing Shift” idea, I’ve now designed a new Teaching System I believe will be a terrific way forward to learn this great Dance form in a group lesson or workshop format. I’m hoping and expecting that as this method proceeds it will accelerate the WCS learning process. I had used my previous system for the past 17 years with great success, constantly upgrading as new elements and theories were added over the years. THIS new concept however, I think will be an upgrade over anything currently being used in group lessons or workshops for the following reasons, and I probably haven’t thought of them all.
- All steps and patterns taught are good to use as partners without using as a mixer
- Helps dancers remember steps better thru levels by number and/or ‘theme’ recognition
- Shorter sessions to ‘target’ needs’
- Each Levels elements won’t have so much information crammed together
- Clearer understanding of the techniques covered
- Allows more changing of partners in class without stopping (if using as a mixer).
- Solidifies better execution thru more repetition during practice
- Promotes slot control and distancing
- Step pattern transitions get practiced more
- Leaders get accustomed to using basics between moves
- Reduces cramming moves into the dance
- Followers can concentrate more on their own ‘look’
- If short on leaders, followers will have a partner only 32 or 64 beats later (as a mixer) and, by doing the moves by themselves helps control and again better memory of material
- Adds more FUN to learning
- Allows partners to integrate ‘styles’ independently without disrupting the pattern or phrasing
- Will help tremendously in learning ‘musicality’ as all (if possible) elements are naturally ‘phrased’
- Still allows for and requires proper teaching technique so as not to detract from the essence of WCS
- Will help Leaders and followers more quickly recognize ‘play’ opportunities and musicality and use them
- Changing partners if taught as a mixer not necessary – Just let couples do a whip to account for Shift step