Cause And Effect

Today I will explain what I see as the main difference between solo dancing and couples dancing.

I will use line dancing as my example of individual dancing, but any of the dance forms apply, when they are danced solo; ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop. Couples dancing can be any form, ballroom, latin, swing, country, etc, basically any form of dancing where two people are dancing together.

The concept that separates solo dancing from couples dancing is cause and effect. When two people are dancing together, every movement must be either a cause or an effect. If cause and effect is not displayed, then you are just two people who happen to be solo dancing at the same time.

Without cause and effect, couples dancing has no point and will be difficult for an audience to read/understand.

As a follower, you need to ask yourself during every step you take, "Why am I doing this?". If the answer is, "because the leader led me to do this", then you're on the right track. If your answer is, "because I know this step comes after that step in the pattern", then you're not allowing your movements to be "caused".

As a leader, you need to ask yourself during every step you take, "What do I want the follower to do, and am I translating that want to her in a clear manner?". If you are, then you are on the right track. But if you are thinking, "She will take a step here because that's the way this pattern goes", you are not "effecting" her movement.

As dancers, this is often difficult because we know so many patterns. It's easy to forget to lead or follow when you're executing a pattern that you've done a million times in your life. But as a follower, you must dance as if you don't know the pattern, and as a leader you must lead as if your partner doesn't know the pattern.

This is also difficult when dancing choreographed routines. As a follower, when you know what movement is coming next, it's very easy to just execute it yourself, without waiting for the proper "cause". But in doing so, you set off a chain reaction. You've thrown your partner off of his timing and balance, and you've robbed from him the ability to execute the next movement at his best, because he has to then rush to catch up with you.

Even when dancing "shine" patterns (which are patterns that are danced without touching each other) you should show cause and effect. Some simple examples: If you want your partner to move backwards, you should move towards him/her; if you want your partner to come towards you, you should reach your arms out towards him/her and pull your hands into yourself, etc. etc.

Here are a couple of great examples of cause and effect in action. Every movement of the leaders causes an effect in the followers.



Cause and effect is a very understandable concept to people. Displaying it in your dancing will draw the audience's eye to you and make a pleasing picture for them.