The KISS Method

By Roger Chen, Village Park:

Many years ago, in the last century, the dance disciplines developed the Bronze, Silver and Gold categories to signify advancement in the dancing fields. Of course, they included only the most difficult of the steps in each category because it would take longer to teach them. It's the money, Sonny.

 

"A dance is a measured pace, as a verse is a measured speech."

Of course, the students were all for it. They wanted to dance like a professional in six easy lessons if possible. There was no way in the world that it would happen but the entire industry arose on that one presumption. Before this time if you were taught the minuet, by professionals naturally, that was it. You could dance it anywhere and the standardization is what gave it easy acceptance. Now this was partner dancing and there was a lead and follow, two different halves of the same dance.

"Joanna" by Kool And The Gang

So the entire dance structure has developed into more movements, patterns or steps in every dance. For instance, there are now over 600 documented steps or patterns in Salsa. There ain't no way for anyone to know all of them. Which leads us back to basics, the enjoyment of moving to music with many different partners, socially, and make it easy for the lead and follow.

The KISS method is becoming more prevalent, Keep It Simple, Stupid. So the people that enjoy  moving to music, will find an enlarged Bronze division more acceptable. It would contain many more basic moves that are present in any discipline. But the lead would be easy and the ladies, (a marvel anyway) would enjoy the music without too much worry over the follow.

"That Lucky Old Sun" - Frankie Laine

There will develop more basic Samba footwork with other dances. The chassé is a basic movement throughout the world but it was complicated by the Professionals in the US and Europe. This in turn relegated it more into an exhibition thing and not for social dancing. This was definitely not the  KISS method.

You will eventually enjoy a dance as if no one is watching.