In London the vast majority of Lindy classes are drop-in. There are a few courses (of 4-6 weeks, prepaid), but the evidence seems to suggest that Londoners don't want to commit to a block of classes.
I understand this is pretty unusual, so I was wondering:
What happens in your scene? Drop-in classes or prepaid blocks of classes?
What impact do you think that has?
In London some people theorise that going to drop-in classes means that dancers get good slower...
Swing Out London lists all of the Lindy social dancing and classes in London.
Follow me for London Swing news: @SwingOutLondon.
Originally posted Thursday, February 9, 2012 (3 months ago)
In my scene "Beginner" drop-in lessons are customary before dances but anything beyond the basics are progressive weekly classes, currently we run a series for 5+1 weeks (5 weeks of classes + 1 week of extra help, q&a, practice time). The goal of our drop-in classes is to just get people dancing and having fun. Our drop-in classes are usually taught at a faster pace with less attention to making sure the class is "getting it" that we teach in the progressive series.
I have seen drop-in classes that offer beginner and intermediate levels and I've also seen attempts at a progressive drop-in where there is no formal registration or commitment but the material builds on the previous week(s), usually on a 4 week cycle. The latter can work but can be a little overwhelming for someone dropping in to only the last class.
I can see how a scene might improve more slowly if every class covers material at only a basic level. If the lessons are in the club, it might be more important to just get people dancing. The other reason people may not want to commit to learning more is because there are no role models (better dancers) in the scene to motivate people to improve.
Originally posted Thursday, February 9, 2012 (3 months ago)
Thanks for the insights Dave.
Actually in London there are drop-in classes of anywhere from improver up to Int/Adv level - certainly not just covering basic material! Although most classes have a hardcore of regulars, classes are basically self-contained, covering a core concept or a collection of related figures, and aren't dependent on specific material from previous weeks. Obviously I'm generalising a bit - there are a lot of swing schools in London!
There's a clear distinction between a real class, and a taster class for 45 mins before a social say.
Swing Out London lists all of the Lindy social dancing and classes in London.
Follow me for London Swing news: @SwingOutLondon.
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Drop-in Classes or prepaid blocks?
Hello World.
In London the vast majority of Lindy classes are drop-in. There are a few courses (of 4-6 weeks, prepaid), but the evidence seems to suggest that Londoners don't want to commit to a block of classes.
I understand this is pretty unusual, so I was wondering:
What happens in your scene? Drop-in classes or prepaid blocks of classes?
What impact do you think that has?
In London some people theorise that going to drop-in classes means that dancers get good slower...
Swing Out London lists all of the Lindy social dancing and classes in London. Follow me for London Swing news: @SwingOutLondon.
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In my scene "Beginner" drop-in lessons are customary before dances but anything beyond the basics are progressive weekly classes, currently we run a series for 5+1 weeks (5 weeks of classes + 1 week of extra help, q&a, practice time). The goal of our drop-in classes is to just get people dancing and having fun. Our drop-in classes are usually taught at a faster pace with less attention to making sure the class is "getting it" that we teach in the progressive series.
I have seen drop-in classes that offer beginner and intermediate levels and I've also seen attempts at a progressive drop-in where there is no formal registration or commitment but the material builds on the previous week(s), usually on a 4 week cycle. The latter can work but can be a little overwhelming for someone dropping in to only the last class.
I can see how a scene might improve more slowly if every class covers material at only a basic level. If the lessons are in the club, it might be more important to just get people dancing. The other reason people may not want to commit to learning more is because there are no role models (better dancers) in the scene to motivate people to improve.
Thanks for the insights Dave.
Actually in London there are drop-in classes of anywhere from improver up to Int/Adv level - certainly not just covering basic material! Although most classes have a hardcore of regulars, classes are basically self-contained, covering a core concept or a collection of related figures, and aren't dependent on specific material from previous weeks. Obviously I'm generalising a bit - there are a lot of swing schools in London!
There's a clear distinction between a real class, and a taster class for 45 mins before a social say.
Swing Out London lists all of the Lindy social dancing and classes in London. Follow me for London Swing news: @SwingOutLondon.
(2 items total, 30 per page)
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