I often see lovely steps on YouTube I’d love to learn – like this one from Mick Mulkerrin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-deUY-qjUNs
But for someone like me, this is just a bit too fast to start learning from.
Technology not only allows generous dancers to film and post great steps, but also helps to S-L-O-W it all down – both the images and the sound- like this:
It does sound a bit strange with the slowed down audio- a bit like a horror movie- but don’t mess with this as you’ll need the sound of the feet to help guide you with the rhythm of the steps.
TIP: The key to learning new steps is to break it down into simple parts but ALWAYS do it with the rhythm of the music – even if you just hum the music to yourself rather than having the music playing.
HOW TO GET STARTED
I have used this technique to learn quite a few steps and dance routines, including the very gorgeous traditional step dance, The Priest In His Boots.
I hope you find it helpful.
NEXT WEEK: The Heel of The Reel – I haven’t forgotten this follow up to my earlier post How Backwards Can Help You Go Forwards.
Nora Stewart
Irish Bliss