Because ballroom dance videos are mentioned so often on this site, I think that it would be worthwhile to take a look at this medium and consider its value to the student of ballroom dancing.

First, let's consider the storage media available for videos. Essentially, there are three: tape (usually VHS), disc (usually DVD), and hard drive (various protocols). Tape provides sequential access while the other two media allow direct access. For this reason alone, tape is the least desirable medium for storing videos. DVD is the best medium.

For the purpose of this discussion, we need to categorize ballroom dance videos according to their content.

The first and most readily available videos are recordings of performances - competition and demonstration - by famous professionals, usually champions. We'll simply call these performance videos.

Next come instructional videos, recorded demonstrations of individual syllabus figures accompanied by discussions of technique. Instructional videos are less accessible than those of the performance variety because they usually must be purchased. This site is the only one I know that provides free access to video instruction.

Finally, there are the videos that we make when we record our own performances or practices. Typically done with camcorders, these can be viewed immediately and even downloaded to a personal computer if the necessary features are available. We'll call these personal dance videos.

The entertainment value of a video is generally the inverse of its instructional value. Watching Gozzoli and Betti is enchanting but the instructional value is virtually nil.

Instructional videos are, obviously, not very entertaining because the dance sequences are usually quite short. The discussions of technique are these videos' most valuable feature. Instructionals videos are useful to students for showing them what they should look like when they perform the basic elements.

Unless one is an irrepressible egotist, personal videos have no entertainment value at all (at least to the folks appearing in them). On the other hand, they have the highest instructional value simply because they show students exactly what they are doing and not what they think they are doing.

No video, however, can show student HOW to dance. As has been stated many times on this board, there is no substitute for a good dance instructor.

No matter how good and instructor may be, none can really show students exactly what they are doing on the dance floor. Videos can be a very valuable learning tool but they are always just a tool.

Also, as I've pointed out in previous posts, seeing yourself can be the best motivation to lose those extra pounds that slow you down.

Good luck.

jj

I'm a coward. I have never had the courage to purchase a video of me dancing. I'm afraid I'd quit. Reality rears it's ugly head up everyday in so many ways. I like to keep my dancing in my perfect fantasyland. Besides, my coach is so strict, I know all my faults, I'm just not ready to view them yet.
As for instructional videos, I think they are only useful if you have had the lesson first from an instructor. My husband and I use them as back-up. We could never learn something new from them but they are great as a reinforcement tool.
Performance videos - fun to watch, but I agree they are not teaching tools.

I understand your trepidation but I can promise you that if you tried recording yourself once then you and your husband would be happy that you did.

I have found that instructional videos are most valuable in those situations in which, for some reason, your coach cannot demonstrate figures adequately.



jj

Untill I spoke with a person who has had lessons with Luca. I never realised how much our best dancers use their head weight to assist the turns. A look at both Marcus and Luca on an Impetus Turn. Where are they looking as they are in the Impetus Turn. After that, (watching their head), what are they doing. Those of you who may have Richard Gleave's Dance Vision 4. In it which is all Basic stuff, does mention the head going back with the foot on an Open Impetus Turn and what will happen jf you don't. You most certainly can learn something that will improve your dancing from a clip or a video if it is pointed out what to look for. Like the use of the head weight.

OK this is my first posting on this forum so I am not quite sure who I am posting to. I just clicked on the last "Reply to this message" on the page.

I have been reading all the dancetalk all day. I started taking ballroom dancing lessons in Jan this year and yes Dancing With The Stars did motivate me to start.

I agree that you can't totally learn to dance with videos, but they sure do help.

The instructional help with difficult steps that you don't quite understand because you can play them over and over until it clicks.

The personal videos help you to improve on your weaknesses. While taking a lesson there are so many things to concentrate on that certain things are unnoticable to you, such as, leaning too far forward, or sloppy arms. When I watch myself afterwards, I think, "I know better than that" and it stays on my mind at the next lesson.

You did fine. You usually lcick on the "Reply Message" link on the post to which you wish to respond.

You are correct. The best thing about having a good camcorder available is the immediacy of the feedback. We always execute the same move repeatedly in front of it so that we can see several feathers or natural turns or whatever and pick up on several points at once.

The only bad thing about building a library of instructional videos is the cost.

jj

I have instruction videos which I have watched countless times and still untill it is pointed out to me there are parts that I missed. Like does Marcus Hilton keep his head to his left at all times in the Foxtrot. The answer is no. Where does he move his head to his right. The answer is on a Wave.There are other places.
Also we are easily distracted. Like when the conjurer waves his hand, our eyes imediately follow it. So we start looking at the feet and finish looking at the top line. If it is possible pick the part you want to watch and don't take your eyes off that spot.
Another one to look for is. Does the Demonstrator on an Open Telemark turn his head into Promenade. Many will say yes. But in reality if you look carefully he doesn't turn the head. It stays and comes around with the body. There is a big difference between turning the head and or letting it come around with the body. So when watching your videos train yourself to watch the part that you need to watch. Good Luck.

In my experience, the best use of instructional videos is as a reference to a figure or group of figures with which you're having difficulty. There is so much information on even 90 seconds of video that it's impossible to take it all in. It's like watching an ice skater - it all looks easy.
Looking for how a top dancer performs a particular movement in fine detail will often highlight the flaw in your approach to it. Polished has essentially made the same point. I've spent a long time watching Hilton, Gozzoli, Sinkinson, doing the natural turn in slow waltz (and of course watched myself doing it - with one eye closed )and i pick up new details all the time. Especially that they don't all do exactly the same things.
Unfortunately, only a negligible part of their skills has rubbed off on me. Perhaps my DVD player isn't good enough.

Phil. Nobody has mentioned the Tempo that Hilton Gozzoli and Sinkinson add Luca to that list, are dancing to. Imagine Marcus in his demonstration was to dance at 20 BPM which Luca dances to and Luca the 28 that Marcus dances to. And both of them in a competition if the music was played at 30BPM. On the day that Andrew retired from competitions he did an honours dance at Blackpool , the Foxtrot of course. It was incredibly slow but brilliant. I beleive that there will be a slowing down of the Waltz and Foxtrot officially, just as there has been in the Rumba.
I will add this. Here there is a practice dance weekly. The guy on the music playes the Cha's much to fast. He has been asked to slow them down with no response. When it was being discussed that the amount of movement of the hips that is now being taught can't be danced to music at 32BPM The teacher an ex 7th in the World has suggested that when a Rumba is played they use it for a Cha. Which it is often done when a couple are putting new routines together. He might get the message.

When talking about DVD's or tapes being of value to learn from . It should be made clear whether it is Standard or Latin that is being refered to. I dont think it would be possible to go into any more detail than Slavic and Karina go into on there DVD's Inovation. In both the Rumba and the Cha the Walks and the correct action are shown and instructed in detail, both spoken and in action. For instance how many body positions are there in one Rumba Walk and where is the weight at any given time.