Book Description
Ballroom dancing is back! And now anyone can move like a pro. DVD included!
In addition to the step-by-step photos, footwork illustrations, and instruction covering all the common ballroom dances, this new edition of the bestselling Complete Idiot's Guide® to Ballroom Dancing includes a 90-minute instructional DVD featuring award-winning dancer and dance instructor Jeff Allen. It corresponds with the text seamlessly, giving readers the next best thing to one-on-one instruction, at a fraction of the cost.
• The #1 selling ballroom dancing book
• Includes a fantastic, new instructional DVD and hundreds of illustrations and instructions
• Allen is a renowned, award-winning ballroom-dance teacher
Customer Reviews:
Great for the absolute beginner.......2007-09-14
This book will take you through the basic patterns of popular social dances and does a fairly adept job of doing so. This is purely a footwork book, as there is little mention of styling, but for the absolute novice it will get you out on the dance floor.
I particularly enjoyed the section on rhythm and the emphasis that dancing is about doing the same motion, the exact same way every time, so you don't really have to have rhythm to dance, you just need to perform the same motion the same way consistently. I have a friend struggling with this same issue in his dancing and recommended this book to him, with the practice exercises included, to help him improve.
All in all, a well written book for the novice dancer and one I recommend.
More information than in a dancing lesson!.......2007-08-27
If you are taking lessons and are serious about putting some hard work into learning how to dance then this book is a great resource. As a 50-ish beginner, I loved the background information but did skip ahead to the "lessons", only to come back later and see how important the background and foundations were! Like anything else, there are no shortcuts if you want a quality result. You're not going to pick this book up and be dancing in a week, any more than you could learn to paint a landscape or play the piano in a week. Dancing is music, art and body control. Idiots, - It takes practice!
One suggestion: I would like to have seen some footwork diagrams as many "Idiots", like myself, need a visual diagram in addition to photos and the lengthy "Step" descriptions.
pretty good.......2007-08-04
To bo honest I have not read much of the book, I started dance classes (ballroom and latin)about 2months ago and I am able to pick up the moves pretty fast cause I love it. So I focussed more on the CD here which I was very impressed with. It was more than I expected to find, covering a few basics two or three patterns per dance, having a little knowledge of dance already it was a nice review and practise. However to thos of you that are interested in the book you will find explanations for both the man and woman's steps and also pictures as guidelines covering waltz, foxtrot,tango, viennese waltz, rumba, merengue, samba, cha-cha, mambo, east coast swing...that's a good spread for your money, of course the Cd is necessary to also help explain.
Tough skill, tough read.......2007-05-13
This book, as other reviewers have stated, is NOT for the complete idiot. You must invest a great deal of time and attention to get much out of it. Among other things, you'll have to read the "how-to" text several times to understand what the author is trying to get across to you, and the DVD doesn't make it any easier. I have learned what little dancing I now know largely from the gentle coaching my wife provided. She stayed a couple of steps ahead of me in the book (so to speak) and correctly interpreted the author's intentions. We can now waltz (a little) and continue to learn with each other's help.
Don't expect this book to be an easy way to learn ballroom dancing.
The idiot, the genius, and the dancer.......2007-02-18
i love this book, my husband loves this book, we have been having a lot of fun watching the DVD and trying some of the steps. My husband, who is a genius and not an idiot, brought this book home last week. We want to improve our dancing skills--well, doesn't everyone?
After reading a lot of the book and also dropping it halfway into the bathtub (this is the mark of honor for a book in our house, it shows that a book is truly so enthralling that a reader can't let go of it even when taking a bath), I decided to call the author's 800 number (in the book) to see if he could recommend a dance teacher in the Boston area. But, to my surprise, he teaches dancers in Providence, RI, only an hour's drive away, so we signed up to take some lessons from him.
Jeff Allen is not just a good writer but also an excellent teacher. We are having a lot of fun. Would we be able to learn so much so fast just from the book without taking lessons? Probably not--but the book and DVD just by themselves are very enjoyable and informative. And if you live close enough to Providence to take actual lessons from the author, I thoroughly recommend doing so.
Average customer rating:
- BEAUTIFUL BOO K - ALMOST USELESS INFORMATION
- good complement for beginning international dancers
- Can't learn how to dance from this book.
- Good overview of ballroom dance
- Disapointed
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Let's Dance: Learn to Swing, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Line Dance, Lambada, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Jitterbug and Salsa With Style, Elegance and Ease
Paul Bottomer
Manufacturer: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
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Similar Items:
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
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Quickstart to Swing : An Easy - to - Follow Guide for Swing Dancing - Beginner through Expert (QuickStart Dance)
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Complete Book of Ballroom Dancing
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Latin Dance: Intermediate Rumba, Cha-cha & Salsa
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Social Dance: Steps to Success (Steps to Success, 25)
ASIN: 1579120466 |
Book Description
Step-by-step lessons from the basics of the Foxtrot to the nuances of the Argentine Tango are presented in detailed description and over 1300 informative full-color photographs, illustrations and diagrams. Beginners and advanced dancers alike will find the lessons easy, fun and a novel way to spend time with new partners, add spice to mature relationships or find a new dance mate.
This book covers an immense selection of styles for every kind of music from the Electric Slide, the Hustle and the Chicken Walk to the Viennese Waltz, the Slow Foxtrot and the Modern Tango. Specific dance moves like Spot Turns, Hip Twists and Feather Steps will make any couple an instant sensation on the dance floor.
Full of footprint diagrams, style tips, music suggestions and hints on getting started, this big book has everything that you need to explore the exhilarating world of ballroom and club dancing.
Customer Reviews:
BEAUTIFUL BOO K - ALMOST USELESS INFORMATION.......2002-06-25
BEWARE: This book describes the International Style of ballroom dance. NOT the American style. Perhaps 10% of American dance students are learning International.
EXAMPLE: THE WALTZ
American Waltz:
The basic figure is a square in which the man starts by stepping forward with the left foot and the dancers return to the starting position in 6 beats, making a square.
International Waltz:
The basic figure is a zig-zag. The man starts with the RIGHT foot and the dancers travel around the dance floor in a zig-zag pattern.
It would be great if Paul Bottomer would write a similar beautiful book for American ballroom dancers.
Dave Palmer
good complement for beginning international dancers.......2001-11-08
Many of the dances taught in this book are international style. If you plan to dance in the USA, you should know that social dancing is mainly American style for beginners.
The book is richly illustrated with photos. However, the angle of the photos changes randomly. So if you see a dance couple facing different directions in consecutive photos, maybe they have turned, or maybe the photographer moved. You have to read the accompanying text to tell.
I think this book is a good complement for beginning to advance-beginnning international dancers. You cannot completely rely on the book to learn techniques because while it does touches on them somewhat, it mostly concentrates on dance patterns. It will give you a rough idea of what a particular step looks like and give you the name of the step. If you have learned the step before, this would serve as a good review.
Can't learn how to dance from this book........2001-09-13
It's a good reference book if you know how to dance. If you're a beginner and try to learn from this book, you're in deep trouble. Unless you can translate "move you left foot to left, reflex your right knee, shift your weight on to the left on beat 3" description into movement right away, you'll go through one basic movement in hours. If you want to improve your dance skill, it may be helpful. Since I'm a total beginner, I can't say that for sure.
Good overview of ballroom dance.......2000-08-13
This book outlines most of the ballroom dances from a pictorial point of view with the assistance of footstep illustrations. Its virtue is it is pretty comprehensive, with most of the ballroom dances discussed. Even some dances considered a little risque, such as the lambada, are discussed in the book. No doubt that professional instructors will find areas of disagreement in the advice and the patterns developed, but no book can cover all the idiosyncrasies of styling that exist in ballroom classes. A good book to have when learning ballroom, and the price is very reasonable.
Disapointed.......2000-05-06
Disappointed
It looked like a very easy reading book, and it turned out to be a very confusing bunch of steps and pictures. And by the way, I have asked my swing instructor about the steps and he had found some mistakes.
Book Description
This book is written for the absolute beginner, not by a dance champion, but by someone who knows what a beginning dancer feels like and wants to know. The basics of ballroom dance are covered in a logical, easy to absorb manner that a beginner can feel comfortable with and see immediate progress. All the most popular ballroom dances are covered with enough steps to enable a complete novice to dance, without overwhelming the new student with technical jargon and ballroom snobbery.
Customer Reviews:
Shall we dance?.......2007-01-10
This is a fine book for folks who haven't danced for a long time. For seniors, like myself, it quickly reviewed the steps I had forgotten. The diagrams are excellent. However, I was not able to get my teen-age granddaughters interested in the book. It does not cover their kind of dancing.
satisfied.......2006-08-27
Ordered the book 'Shall we Dance' to help me learn foot placement and other helps in ballroom dancing. It was just what I wanted.
Andre.......2006-08-11
This is a very good basic book for someone wanting to learn Ballroom dancing.
Wonderful first book!.......2005-10-08
I knew nothing about ballroom dancing and I picked up this book. It is great! Everything is explained step by step. I love it!
It *shows* the steps!.......2005-10-02
I checked out a lot of books from the library and read the reviews for this book. This is the best book because it shows the actual foot positions. Most other books tell you to put your left foot here and right foot there, but this has the footprints on the pages. This book has helped a beginner like me a lot.
Average customer rating:
- Fantastic new fairytale for everyone to enjoy!
- Dancing With Dragonflies
- Dancing with Dragonflies
- A New FairyTale Discovered
- Dancing with Dragonflies Instructs at Several Levels
|
Dancing with Dragonflies
Jack Francis Gorfien
Manufacturer: Dog Ear Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1598582739 |
Book Description
Dancing with Dragonflies is a fable written for children and adults of all ages. It may be read out loud in less than 20 minutes, making it a good length for a bedtime story. The tale is about a princess and a knight named Lirona and Zohar. They meet while on separate journeys and continue on different paths in search of treasure. With the help of a little magic supplied by a mysterious old woman called Adamina, they find themselves where they first met, and continue their journey together to discover something more valuable than any precious gem. Among other things, the book encourages the ability to see opportunity, and the courage to act upon it. It also advocates work, balance, cooperation, perseverance and self-determination. The words and whimsical illustrations work together to form a contemporary trip into the past and the future. Visit the author's website at www.dancingwithdragonflies.com "This little book shows dance as a common ground where two people from very different worlds can come together. On the dance floor, they're able to take down the defensive walls they've built and not only find each other but also find their inner strength to trust and love again. Some may find this a fairy tale. Others a life lesson." Karen Pfrommer, Co-owner and dance instructor Let's Dance in Rhythm Branford, CT About the author: Jack Francis Gorfien is a writer and licensed acupuncturist practicing in Madison, Connecticut. His inspiration for this story grew in part from having studied the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He found that the concept of balancing the opposing forces known as Yin and Yang to relieve pain and create a state of good health, apply to all areas of life. Inspiration for this story also grew out of his experiences with ballroom dancing. He discovered that ballroom dancing is an excellent metaphor for all types of relationships, and the benefits available to partners who are willing to strive for balance and help each other excel. The author's desire is to encourage people to look within themselves and others to focus on their qualities, and choose to cultivate those qualities to their most positive potential. In today's chaotic and sometimes frightening world, we will all be well served by nourishing what is best in others and ourselves whenever possible. About the illustrator: Grace Turman has a mother, a father, a brother, two sisters and a handsome prince who keep her life just as exciting as it should be. She needs water (preferably sparkling), shelter, and at least three different colored ink pens to survive. Grace also helped illustrate The Thimble Island Story Book, a collection of salty sea stories by Captain Bob Milne.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic new fairytale for everyone to enjoy!.......2007-10-03
This is such a delightful tale! It entertains, teaches us all something, and has wonderful illustration! Mr. Gorfien is truly a terrific new talent. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to step into a fantasy once in awhile. I am going to read it to my grandchildren someday, as it is a timeless story that makes one feel good.
Dancing With Dragonflies.......2007-10-02
This is a wonderfully enchanting book with very colorful illustrations. I've read it several times now to my children, ages 4, 6, 9, and 11. I plan on purchasing additional copies for my neices and nephews for Christmas. I love how inspirational the book is, it is truely one of the best stories I have read in quite a while. The thoughts of Lirona dancing inches above the ground and Adamina's dragonfly necklace are awesome, the kids really enjoyed those parts. I am also a huge lover of dragonflies and love the beginning of the book where it tells a bit about them. Thankyou, Jack, for a beautiful story that has fast become a favorite in our home!!
Dancing with Dragonflies.......2007-10-02
I not only find the book intriguing but I find the Author himself just as intriguing. I recommend this book very highly and hope the child in all of us could reach in and Dance with a Dragonfly.
Pauline Hale
A New FairyTale Discovered.......2007-09-30
Consider the delight of my eight year old daughter's face as she listened intently as I turned the pages of this new fairy tale, Dancing With Dragonflies. Her eyes were wide as she saw the princess Lirona sprout wings and fly away from her kingdom to make merriment with elves by dancing all night. And as Zohar entered this realm of mystery she smiled and said they would fall in love. She was quite taken with the old woman's magic and wisdom and asked me if I could make a dragonfly necklace just like Adamina's which she wore around her neck. We may just try that one day. The happy abandonment the couple celebrated in their dance was truly inspiring. As they each went their separate ways my daughter said they would one day get back together after their travels and get married and kiss! After reading this wonderful fable my little redhead dressed in her wings and princess dress and did her own dance. She asked if she could take it to the school for her teacher to read to her class. It was truly a fun read for me as well, but like my daughter I look for a sequel. =) Thankyou Jack Gorfien for this treasure. Also, many kudos to Grace Turman for the beautiful illustrations which add so much to the book.
Dancing with Dragonflies Instructs at Several Levels.......2007-06-20
Dancing with Dragonflies is a lovely story. On the surface it is a simple fairy tale. At other levels it instructs on relatonships, trust, self esteem, and letting go of attitudes that are no longer needed.
Book Description
Renaissance classic includes choreography and music for 49 dances, plus all-important guidance on how to dress, how to behave, and how to carry oneself while dancing at court, set down with utmost clarity and precision. Indispensable source of authentic information on courtly dance in the period from 1550 to 1610.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent source, but not for beginners.......2005-06-03
Julia Sutton is one of the leading Renaissance dance historians, and this work reflects her careful scholarship. However, while "Courtly Dance of the Renaissance" does contain Fabritio Caroso's explanations of steps and choreographies, it is quite difficult to reconstruct dances from these descriptions. There are many ambiguities in the instructions, and since Sutton's goal is to provide an accurate translation rather than an interpretation, she leaves these conundrums intact. Sutton also translates the names of the steps into English, which makes this volume harder to use in conjunction with other Renaissance dance resources, which leave them in Italian. Nevertheless, for those with some grounding in dances of this period, "Courtly Dance of the Renaissance" is a critical source, and the wonderful discussions of etiquette and costume require no prior knowledge to enjoy.
Antique Reproduced.......2004-11-28
This is an actual book from 1600. The ad doesn't quite make that clear. This is not "we look at past history." This IS it as our ancestors would have viewed it.
A person can make sense of this. The steps are taught and there are masses of music sheets.
I am holding the actual material all those elite ladies and gentlemen were taught by.
Wow!
No one especially in America is going to be outdone by the grand people of the past. We're there. I reason it doesn't matter if one is lousy and does it wrong. It's the point of this whole thing. I have read enough to know that "dancing" was about a two year serious undertaking to learn in the past. It'll take about two years one step at a time. This isn't a thin little paper back.
I recommend it but not for the peasants. They can do Darrin's Dance Groves.
A Must Have for the Historical Dance Enthusiast.......2000-06-13
This book is a wonderful reference tool for anyone interested in historical dancing! Translated and Edited by none other than Julia Sutton, this book explains many of the social dances and practices of the aristocrats. It includes the dance steps, an explanation of how they occur, music, and labnotation. This book is truly a must have for anyone with a serious desire to understand dance practices of the times!
Book Description
Featuring clear, step-by-step instruction, this classic guide is the most successful book on ballroom dancing ever published, with 600,000 copies sold worldwide.
Customer Reviews:
The Rich Get Richer.......2003-02-09
MODERN BALLROOM DANCING has been valuable to me in improving my skills in those dances with which I was already familiar. The usefulness seemed to have been in direct proportion to what I knew before reading the book. It has not been very helpful in learning new dances.
The text includes several dazzling photos of competitive dancers in action.
A very good reference.......2000-09-26
This text is a very good reference for International style dancing. It is very complete and conforms fairly well to the syllabus. As stated by other reviewers, if you're a beginner its probably too much, but if you have a good teacher nearby to help explain some of the ambiguities you can learn a lot on your own from it. Definitely not a book that you can just pick up and start dancing, it requires some intellectual effort to digest, but once you've done that you'll have a clear and systematic conceptualization and schema for dancing that few teachers can impart. My only major complaint: an excess of glossy pictures from dancing competitions. This book is really most helpful for the standard dances (which is OK with me since that's my style, not latin.)
A very good buy!.......2000-09-20
I purchased this book to compliment my dance instruction. Being that I take lessons in Japan, I needed a book, in English, which would reinforce and further explain what was being taught to me in class. I have found it a very useful book. However, this is not a book for a beginning dancer! The explanations and footwork patterns are detailed, but if you have no experience with ballroom dancing, the figures and explanations will mean very little to you.
Some of the more complicated steps do not have foot diagrams, which would have been helpful. All and all, an excellent book!
Only for the VERY EXPERIENCED dancer.......2000-06-17
I've been ballroom dancing for quite a while, and I bought this book in order to learn some more dance steps over and beyond the basics. I found the descriptions and diagrams IMPOSSIBLE to understand, and the steps I could figure out ended up being out of place among the steps that I usually dance. I think this book is only good if you're a dance teacher who is used to reading steps in a certain format and can translate them into motion. If you're a beginner, this book will do you NO GOOD!
A SMASHING GOOD READ........2000-02-11
Victor Silvester's book is a good alternative to Alex Moore's book of Technique of Ballroom Dancing.
It covers the world 10-dances in Standard and Latin. It is recommended for the novice to amateur who is currently taking some dance lessons.; though there is a short chapter on Beginner's Waltz.The content is technically sound and littered with lots of competition personalities.
What is lacking in the book are the much-needed foot diagrams for some complicated variations.
Book Description
Combining "Tango, the Structure of the Dance® & Tango Discovery®", Mauricio Castro's latest discoveries in the field of tango development, the success exercises that he has been teaching in Tango seminars and his applications in the movement technique arena, "Tango, the Structure of the Dance® level 1/extended version", provides new insights into the dancing process.
Mauricio's genius and in-depth understanding of how the brain works and how we use our communicating processes to generate movement unconsciously stand out on their own and speak for themselves. Mauricio's success in tango is solidly based on his unique ability to present seemingly complex issues simply.
With live video, animated sequences and a test !
Minimum Requeriments / Requerimientos Mínimos PC: Pentium with 100Mhz processor and 32 MB of RAM/ Monitor SVGA / CD-Rom 16X / Windows 95® or better / Microsoft® Internet Explorerr4 or better, or Netscape Navigator4 or better / Quicktime® 4 or better. Macintosh: Power Mac 100 Mhz processor 32MB of RAM / CD-Rom 16X / Mac OS 8.1 or better / Microsoft® Internet Explorer4 or better, Netscape Navigator4 or better / Quicktime 4 or better.
Customer Reviews:
Very useful.......2004-03-25
I am glad I've found this CD Rom. I've been learning tango for a long time, and finally I have found a system that makes sense to me.
Fabulous!.......2003-02-12
The section that I love the most is the 40 video secuences danced by Mauricio Castro and Carla Marano, where you can see
these two marvelous dancers in action.
Easy and powerful.......2003-02-05
As I stared to watch the videos and the animations, all the explanations came to my help. So now I can easily do a lot more than before.
The first part is good, and it has all the sense in the world when you finish to see all videos, cause then you realize the whole concept.
Practical way to learn to dance.......2002-12-08
It is amazing how easy it is to improve your dancing by watching the videos and the explanations, cause then when you go to practice, you know what to do and what you are looking for in the exercises.
No way to learn to dance.......2002-11-20
I tried it, but it was no use. How can anyone improve their dancing by reading a book or watching a CD? Maybe it has some useful concepts, but I don't see any practical applications. I'd rather read a book about history of tango or about some famous tango dancers or composers, but when it comes to dancing, I would rather take classes with good teachers.
Average customer rating:
- Lacking the Spanish names for the dance patterns
- An indespensible eye-opener
- Great book !!! I also recomend Tango awareness
- Very useful
- Great book about Structure
|
Tango: The Structure of the Dance Vol.1
Castro Mauricio
Manufacturer: Tango discovery
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Tango Awareness
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Tango: The Structure of the Dance Vol.2
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Tango Discovery Series, Men's Technique (Tango Discovery Series)
ASIN: 9505261292 |
Book Description
Mauricio Castro's book offers a new system to help the dancer creatively develop his/her tango using solidly established technical foundations. The instructions can be easily followed with the help of a series of two and three-dimensional diagrams especially designed by the author.
The method is explained in a clear, concise and efficient way and includes lessons for the beginner to the most advanced in tango dance theory.
This book revolutionizes all of the traditional concepts used until now in the teaching of this sensuous, passionate and complex dance form which aquires enthusiastic new followers daily, all around the world.
Customer Reviews:
Lacking the Spanish names for the dance patterns.......2007-02-19
I have been taking Tango lessons in the San Francisco Bay Area on and off for 3 years. The instructors always refer to the Spanish names of the patterns or moves, such as a "Barrida" or "Curzada". I wanted a book that would be a reference to the patterns I was using so I ordered this book.
However, I was amazed to find that all the moves lack the Spanish name, instead using terms like "front cross", "open step". I cannot tie those patterns back to what I am learning and returned the book.
I did like all the wonderful footwork diagrams in the book and would have been thrilled if they were titled with the Spanish name, such as "ochos".
An indespensible eye-opener.......2006-02-23
Tango is usually taught using a series of well-known patterns -- students might recognize ideas such as the "eight-count basic," "back ochos," or the "ocho cortado." Dancers usually learn to dance by learning these sequences, then assembling and inventing little variations.
Late in the 20th century, several tango dancers (the author among them) discovered that there is a far more basic structure underlying all these sequences. Every known sequence -- almost every possible sequence, in fact, can be described in terms of just three basic kinds of step combined in different ways. This is a surprisingly but incredibly powerful revelation: it is as if you've been learning a language from a phrasebook, and all of a sudden somebody introduces you to the grammar. You've only learned whole melodies, and somebody teaches you to name the notes. It opens up an entire world of possibilities for invention, improvisation, and personal expression.
Some people are bewildered by this. They need prearranged sequences, things that they can memorize and repeat. If you find the idea of improvisation threatening instead of exciting, skip this book, and keep learning your sequences.
If, however, you are a creative person, and you feel that there are many things you *could* do with the dance -- if only you could figure out the possibilities! -- then get this book. The whole thing is good, but what you really want is the first 15 or 20 of the "Theory" section. That's the heart of the book, and it will change your tango world.
Complaints: (1) As with "Tango Awareness," the editing is poor, and there are some conspicuous typos. Hopefully a new edition will fix this. (2) Much of the book is really just exercises working out many possible combinations of the same things for you to practice. While working through all those combinations is good -- essential, in fact! -- that material is quite tedious in a book, and probably better presented in video or audio form. I don't own the CD ROM, but it might be a better buy.
Regardless, get this book -- and if nothing else, read the first part of "Theory" carefully, word by word, until you understand it thoroughly. Your effort will be rewarded many, many times over.
Great book !!! I also recomend Tango awareness.......2005-01-29
I read it and is perfect. I also recomend the book Tango awareness by Mauricio Castro, wich is full of the why he made up Tango discovery as a dancing method.
Very useful.......2004-03-25
I am glad I've found this book. I've been learning tango for a long time, and finally I have found a system that makes sense to me.
Great book about Structure.......2004-02-29
In my opinion it is a very good book. It had clarify to me and my students a lot about this dance. I use it with all my students and we have great fun.
Book Description
Be a star on any dance floor!
Whether you’re a beginning dancer, or just looking for a fun way to get in shape, Teach Yourself Ballroom Dancing teaches all the basic moves for a number of dances, from the traditional foxtrot, waltz, and tango to the modern mambo, rhumba, and samba. This guide takes aspiring dancers step-by-step through all the moves.
Book Description
Picture yourself floating across the floor to an elegant waltz or spinning past your partner to the driving beat of a West Coast Swing. Visualize yourself maneuvering your partner around the dance floor to an upbeat Two Step or gracefully enjoying your first dance together at your wedding. If these images left you saying to yourself, Wow, that sounds great, but what does a waltz look like? or, I'll never be able to remember all of those steps!, then prepare to see yourself in a whole new light. Picture Yourself Dancing is full of easy-to-follow, visual examples for a variety of dance styles. From the upbeat steps of country dancing to the elegant moves of ballroom classics, this book will help you perfect your moves and strut your stuff on the dance floor with confidence. The accompanying DVD is full of 75 minutes of instructional video to help you easily visualize each dance that is covered in the book.
Customer Reviews:
A Bargain.......2007-09-19
Picture Yourself Dancing, the book, wouldn't be able to teach you to dance on its own, but it will be very effective in combination with the enclosed DVD. The book contains a lot of material not covered in any DVD, such as origins of the dances and customary dress, etc. The DVD is the Ultimate Couples Dance Sampler, which sells by itself for $20-30. The combination will give you enough for the occasional wedding dance obligation. Of course, if you want to develop more skills at any particular step, the authors have videos specific to those dances.
Feels Like I'm Dancing With The Stars!.......2006-11-09
Read this book and you will feel like you are ready to dance with the stars! These instructors teach the dances in detail with pictures and they lead practice sessions for each dance on the DVD. Their professional approach makes it easy to learn a variety of steps. I like the video included with the book so much that I am now planning to buy some of the other dance DVD's produced by these instructors. It looks to me like this book and anything from the Trautman series of dance videos will be perfect for holiday gifts this year!
Learn to dance the easy way!.......2006-08-28
Picture Yourself Dancing is a perfect partner for the Learn to Dance Series of DVD lessons offered by Shawn and Joanna Trautman. These professionals provide a logical approach to learning all of the dance steps. In this book, they include a comprehensive history of each dance, as well as step-by-step instructions for the dances. The video included with the book shows you the way each dance should look and it helps you to develop your own individual dancing style. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning the total dance "picture". The vivid action photos and suggestions for dance attire inspire you to actually imagine yourself on the dance floor. Buy this book for anyone who loves to dance or who would like to learn, and include it as a companion to the Shawn Trautman Learn to Dance Series of DVD's!
Famous Dancers?.......2006-06-13
The book was great but what I really want to know is the names of the couple shown on the front cover. Top row, third from the left. I swear I saw them at some dance competition. Do you know who they are? I gotta know!
A Little Disappointed.......2006-06-03
Great literature on the history of dance. Great word discriptions on the steps but no foot pattern diagrams. The enclosed DVD is Couples Ultimate Dance Sampler which I already own. The DVD's are very good. All of the dances covered in the book are in one or the other of their several DVD's. If you have the DVD's you don't need the book
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