How To Make The Most of A Private

I started taking privates because I discovered quickly that beyond learning my basic and simple turns I don’t do well in workshops.  I love people, but there isn’t an official “no stepper left behind” policy when 30 other people are learning and ready to move to the next lesson and I am just stuck.  Once that left behind feeling comes over me it’s a mental workshop sabotage so I do better in privates most days.  If you are at a juncture in your dance and are ready for a private for any reason, do it! Bit by bit I’ve learned simple steps in preparation and thought to help make the time between my instructor and I well spent.  Key tips I try to remember –

1. Be on time.  Most instructors especially on weekend events have privates booked back to back.  If you don’t arrive on time, there usually is no make up on the backend for the minutes you’ve missed because someone else is right after you.  Better yet, arrive early!
2. Be prepared.  Do your homework and know yourself.  Discuss with your instructor what you want to work on and develop.  Some seasoned instructors will probably ask you when you book your private. You should have some idea of what you want to do.  Don’t walk into a private and say “Just dance with me and tell me what you think I need to work on.”
3. Be astute and refreshed.  I have to add this one.  Sometimes event weekends are late nights and I’ll just say a lot happens at night.  Arrive refreshed with a clear, sharp mind-ready to learn.  Your instructor will appreciate it.
4. Be selective.  Understand your instructor’s style of dance and style of teaching when selecting someone for a private.  Sometimes steppers choose an instructor that fits the style of dance they aspire to.  That is important, but also understand how you learn best – are you visual, a feeler or anything else.  Can this instructor teach me in a way that I can learn?
5. Take home your lesson.  Privates are usually an hour so try to cover more than one thing.  I have been in privates where I covered one technique for the entire hour and walked away knowing I could have gotten more out of the lesson.  Don’t be shy to record techniques so you can take it home and practice.  Ask your instructor’s permission to record and to move on to the next technique if you can’t fix or learn that one thing right on the spot.
6. Wear comfortable shoes.  This does not mean go buy dance sneakers.  It means  wear comfortable shoes.  I personally wear heels to workshops and privates.  Most instructors aren’t happy about it but that is what I am comfortable in.  Wear what suits you.
7. Bring a friend – maybe. It depends on your learning style and your instructor.  Sometimes instructors have someone assisting to partner with you so you practice on the spot with someone else other than the instructor – men especially.  Sometimes this is not the case.  Check with your instructor on what the set up will be.  Better yet, coupled privates are usually less expensive per person so consider that as an option as well.
8. Practice right away.  The end of the lesson is not the end of the lesson.  Take what you’ve learned and apply it right away – practice, practice, practice.  Practice in private.  Practice in public.  And, I guarantee you, your instructor will dance with you in a social setting soon after to see if you have been practicing.  And don’t be shy to ask your instructor to dance.
9. Try to continue privates with the same instructor.  When you develop a relationship in dance with your instructor and continue privates with him or her the next lesson is easily progressive because you and your instructor know each other.  When I took consecutive privates with Royce Banks, that truly helped me elevate my dance.  If you find an instructor who you can learn from, who is accessible and helps you to grow in your dance try to continue your instruction with that instructor.

I hope these 9 tips help any stepper reading this.  I was trying to round it off to a nice list of 10, but it just wasn’t working.  If you have more questions or any feedback, drop a comment.