Customer Reviews

Bring Back the Romance of Dance - Instruction Series Overview [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For 30 years, I have been trying to teach my husband ballroom dancing. Nancy Hays' "Romance of Dance" did it in one night! Anyone can do these simple, step-by-step instructions! (Even my husband!) The male instructor, Greg Gale, first shows the man's part very slowly step-by-step and beat-by-beat; then Nancy Hays shows the woman's part; then the two parts are shown together.

The first video is a wonderful overview of the 5 main ballroom dances - Fox Trot, Swing, Rumba, Tango, Waltz and Cha-Cha. Each of the 3 additional volumes concentrates on two specific dances in far more detail, not only showing you the practice steps but giving you the music to practice on your own! My husband actually looks forward to dancing now! What a difference these video tapes have made! A must for anyone with two left feet!!

This tape is an OVERVIEW of ballroom dance, and that's what it delivers - the most basic steps of six dances. The lessons are very clear and I had no problem following the instructions. However, because there's so many dances in one hour, they move through them fairly quickly. But that's what Pause and Rewind are for.

For each dance, Linda provides a verbal introduction, Greg shows the man's steps, then Greg and Linda together show the woman's steps, then they dance together with music for a few minutes, with some flourishes that are not taught on the tape. Greg provides most of the narration.

On the negative side, it's not very imaginative. The music is corny and neither instructor shows much personality. The step-by-step instruction part is entirely shots of their legs from the knees down. They're dancing in a small area, so after the step is demonstrated you have to see them taking back-up steps to get into position again. Also, the man is MUCH taller than the woman and he takes huge steps. Sometimes she looks like a ballet dancer trying to leap along with him.

On the positive side, it's easy to understand, it's lit well and the video and sound quality are good. In the step-by-step part they gradually increase the tempo so you can see how the steps turn into real dancing. At the end of the tape they dance each dance for several minutes, so you can practice along with the music. They very briefly explain what kind of dance goes with what kind of music, which is helpful.

This is a good tape for complete beginners. It will get you started, to the point where you can dance comfortably with another beginner.

I am a beginner trying to learn the dances in the privacy of my own home. This is one of many that I am using to learn the basic dances and it is one of, if not the very best. It is simple and easy to follow. I recommend it to whoever is brushing up on the dances or beginning to learn the basic steps.

Executive summary: A excellent basic ballroom dancing instruction tape.

Let's face it guys. Girls like to dance. Especially on cruises. Ok fine. What's the best price/value for husbands to re-learn how to dance? For me it's checking out cheap introductory ballroom dance classes at local dance schools, community colleges, park districts AND playing this video. After each local newbie lesson my wife and I go back over the video lessons and practice our steps along with the tape. Greg Gale carefully teaches all of the basic ballroom steps for gentlemen and ladies along with demonstrating proper arm positions. The difference between the local lessions and the tape is that you can play the tape any number of times without the expense of a dance instructor. For a little icing on the cake Greg and Nancy briefly demonstrate some jazzy moves just to wet your appetite, perhaps, for more advanced lessons. All of the basic ballroom steps and turns on the video matched exactly what we have learned locally. We did find that the swing music on the video was too fast for us. No matter. We can now cut a rug with a wicked foxtrot.

Greg and Nancy are very attractive. The video setting is in, perhaps, an expensive older home, where you might expect to find a wedding reception.