THE LONDON SWING CATS LEARNING METHODS Home About Us Hollywood Style? Classes Events Calendar Pics/Video Swing Cat Crew Links Different people prefer to learn in different ways. Below we have outlined the advantages and disadvantages of the various ways of learning. We hope this will help you to make the right choices and improve your swing dance experience with us. What learning method is best for you? Advantages Disadvantages Drop In Classes No advance booking, simply turn up on the evening. Drop In classes are normally followed by social dancing. The emphasis is on fun, lots of partner rotation and a chance to practice with dancers at all different levels. Classes are pitched at a general level and are geared to the ability of the majority. Beginners can easily get frustrated and advanced dancers may sometimes get bored. No guarantee that the numbers of leads and follows will be even. One Day Intensive Workshops A great way to get to grips with a large amount of material in a short space of time. There is no need to commit over a long period and the material is taught in a progressive structured way. The level of the course is well defined. Lead and follow numbers are well balanced. Four or five hours of intensive tuition can be physically and mentally exhausting. Remember to take advantage of breaks to re-charge and avoid the burn out factor. Progressive Courses Courses are highly structured and have a defined progression. You are learning with others at a similar level. Plenty of time in between classes to reflect, practice and absorb. Leads and follows are well balanced. Opportunities to repeat courses at a discounted price. You have to guarantee one night a week for a period of time which may conflict with work and personal commitments. Private Lessons Highly intensive one to one tuition with heaps of personal feedback. Great for perfecting technique and supercharging your dancing. Private lessons can include the use of video which will allow you to take home some of the material taught and review at your leisure. Private lessons are more expensive than other learning methods. They should be used in co-ordination with other classes and courses. Social Dancing No matter how many classes you do there is no substitute for the social dancing. You can practice what you have learnt in classes, dance with people at different levels, watch better dancers in action and perfect your lead and follow techniques. Social dancing should be a major part of your learning experience.   Absolutely none! For most people the best way to learn is by combining all the above methods. Start with a 5 week beginner's course, while making a point of coming down to Swing Cats Corner for a Drop In class and some social dancing once a week. Don't be afraid to repeat a course or attend a One Day Workshop as a refresher or a kick start. Perhaps once every few months treat yourself to a private lesson (split the cost with a friend or partner) to really boost your dancing. Remember "learning to dance is a journey not a destination" - so enjoy the ride!