Film Your Dance Practice at Home to Become a Better Dancer
Regardless of the type of dance classes that you enroll in, you'll need to practice at home to implement what you learn each week. Even if your home isn't exactly conducive to dancing—perhaps you don't have hardwood flooring, for example—you should still be able to find a space in which to practice. One technique to consider is setting up your smartphone to record your practice sessions. Doing so is easy with a tripod or even a basic stand, then you can watch your videos after-the-fact to assess your movements. Here are some specific things to pay attention to.
Transitions
Many different types of dance involve specific techniques and the need to occasionally change from one technique to another. Beginners can often look awkward during these transitions, perhaps pausing for a moment in an effort to remember exactly how to position their feet or upper body. The more you practice, the more you will see a high degree of fluidity in these transitions. You'll know that you're effectively implementing what your dance instructor has taught you when you can effortlessly move from one movement to another.
Timing
You should always practice your dancing with appropriate music. This is because music and dance almost always go hand in hand. For your practice sessions, it's ideal if you can use the exact songs that you use in your lessons. Veteran dancers know to always listen for cues in the music. For example, perhaps they're turning their bodies in a certain manner on the downbeats, or maybe they're changing their tempo during a tempo change in the music. It might be a cliché, but you want to feel as one with the music as possible when you dance.
Tension
The best dancers look completely relaxed as they glide across the floor. It may take you a considerable amount of time until your body appears completely devoid of tension while you're dancing, but you should be cognizant of how you look in this regard. As you watch the playback of your practice video, note how tense or relaxed your body appears. Ideally, if you notice tension, you can isolate the areas in which it's present so you can make the necessary changes next time. For example, if you can tell that you're holding your shoulders tightly, be cognizant of loosening them up the next time that you practice.
By using these tips, you'll go from novice to expert in no time.