Customer Reviews

Swing Dancing for Beginners: Volume 1 - Shawn Trautman's Dance Collection

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Other than dancing with my son at his wedding, I am a dancing "newbie"--so green that I was reluctant to go to a dance class! I have wanted to learn to dance for many years but never had a partner so I decided to take matters into my own hands and begin with DVD instruction. I made several unsuccessful phone calls with various suppliers until I happened upon Shawn Trautman's order department. An operator helped me personally select the first two DVD's to suit my needs and then long-story-short, I have purchased 12 DVD's to date. I received a personal email follow-up making sure that I had received the DVD's and that I was satisfied.

Shawn Trautman's teaching style is comprehensive and clear allowing for plenty of practice time within the lesson. The DVD format has all chapters clearly labeled allowing for precise access to a desired spot in the lesson. He and his wife, Joanna, give the lessons with plenty of tips for men on how to lead effectively and for the women, how to follow responsively...also provided are the much-needed tips on how to look stylish and confident as you take your first steps on the dance floor. It's great for us who fit into the "fake it 'til you make it" category!

I was cautioned by dancing friends to make sure the instruction I received was accurate as to avoid learning faulty technique. I have learned enough at home to Swing dance with several different partners and I have been complimented on my technique when I confess that I am a beginner. Thanks for the great product!

My wife and I are in the process of taking East Coast Swing dance lessons. Being a novice I was overwelmed! I purchased the Swing Dancing for Beginners (both volumes) to supplement our lessons. To my delight Shawn teaches exactly what my dance instructor is teaching us. I wish I had found these DVD's before signing up for dance lessons. These DVD's are the same as taking professional dance lessons. We also purchased the intermeadiate volume and have completed it as well. I highly recommend these DVD's to anyone who wants to learn the East Coast Swing quickly, correctly and know you are getting quality intruction.

An excellent introduction to East Coast Swing, including single-time and triple-time. Shawn and Joanna have become our favorite dance teachers as they produce videos that we can actually follow step-by-step. Each new step is introduced, then repeatedly shown from various angles. Each step is shown from the Leader's perspective, and then the Follower's, and the Trautman's are talking you through it each step of the way. This way you can start the DVD and dance right along with it, without constantly stopping, rewinding, and replaying parts. If you didn't get it the first time, just wait and they will show you again. There are lots of helpful hints, and enough moves to get you started on the dance floor. We ordered Beginners Volume 1 and Volume 2, as well as Intermediate Swing at the same time. We like to view the whole set first to see what's coming and to give us a goal. These DVD's are great learning tools, but we also keep them and use them repeatedly to accompany practice time, and as a refresher on things that we may have forgotten. Shawn and Joanna make it fun. They have an easy-going informal style that makes you comfortable.
I highly recommend all three of these DVD's.

I am 50 years old and have NEVER danced, but got this DVD to be able to take my wife dancing. Within 5 practice sessions we had most of the basic steps and turns down. Shawn does a great job of whole-part-whole teaching; using very appropriate and comfortable progressions. It is not flash and dash it is just great, easy to follow teaching. Shawn and Joanna come across as completely professional, but never rigid. A great beginning dance video.

WOW! Having been born with two left feet I was thrilled to find "Swing Dancing for Beginners"! Shawn and Joanna break the dance down into easy steps that ANYONE can easily understand and perform. The way this video is filmed is unique and makes it simple to follow their lead. After years of wanting to be able to dance, my husband and I have finally found a teaching method that works! I can't wait to try Volume 2.

This DVD is all you need to learn the basic swing steps, fast swing as well as slow swing depending on the music being played. The instruction technics were simple to learn and easy to remember. As an example, using the Hula Hoop as an aid to demonstrate the swing move is superb and is imprinted in the viewer's mind. I strongly recommend it to beginners.

I have many swing dance DVD's at home but this one is by far the best. The instructor breaks down each step, arm position, and dance position into its most basic form allowing a person who has never danced before to master the basics. Each step is repeated many times so that there is no need to stop and replay each section. Split camera angles are used effectively to show the proper position of each partner. I highly recommend this DVD for anyone who has no prior experience in dance.

Shawn and Joanna Trautman's three DVD series on Swing Dancing is an excellent way to learn Swing Dance basics. For example, both lead and follow basics are explained so that both the lead and the follow know exactly what to expect on every move. The lead's role is explained, the follow's role is explained, the individual move is explained, and then the move is done to music.

Also, at the end of the DVD, there is a summary of what was taught in the indidvidual DVD. I found that this really reinforced learning.

Furthermore, the difference between single step swing and triple step swing are explained. Plus, I thought the explaination of how to lead left turns and right turns proved helpful to me. It was explained in a way that I could grasp it.

I also thought that there customer service is excellent and that they were very respectful.

These DVD's are reccomended highly.

This was a great intro to Swing Dancing in a way I've never seen taught before. The attention to detail on all facets of leading and following including the demonstration with the hula hoop was impressive. The instructors are very relaxed and easy to follow on the floor. The parts on connection points and on going from single swing to triple (east coast) swing were very helpful. If you want to learn how to Swing dance, go with this video.

I recently purchased all three of the Swing Dancing DVD's despite already being a regular (once a month) swing dancer, but wanting to have a better idea of what I was supposed to be doing on the floor.

This DVD starts with the basic footwork and leads into using the arms and the different turns. This much isn't even covered in the free 1 hour lesson before each swing dance at my local dance place.

Also, I enjoy this much more as I can learn at my own pace and not risk the embarassment of feeling like a total newbie in front of people I'd potentially like to dance with.

With this DVD, I can use it as a refresher for myself or friends before we go out so we can spend more time on the real priority. (what to wear!)