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The Five Stages of Modern Jive

Most people go through the following stages when learning Modern Jive:-

The "Are you serious" Stage

"What? Rock and roll dancing? Yeah right, so what do we do dress up as the Fonz or something? How about a nice beer, that'll take your mind off it."

"Dance? Who, me? No way...."

"...I'd be no good." "...I'm too macho and that's for girls and dainty pouffy people with high pitched voices." "...I can't dance."

The "Wow !" Stage

"Amazing! Now I have seen Modern Jive I am truly amazed! All those people having so much fun. I never knew this existed. Why didn't you tell me before? You knew I'd like this! What sort or a friend are you anyway? Excuse me, do you want to dance? Please???"

The "I'll never do it" Stage

"I'll never do this. All those moves, so quickly. And I got stepped on today. Everyone is so good at this. I'm the world's worst Jiver. No, I'm the worst Jiver in the history of the world. And probably the worst in the future too. If Terminator 4 came back through time from the 29th Century he'd say they still haven't found a worse Jiver than me."

"I am so embarrased about dancing with people. I just waste the time of the good people because I can't lead/follow/think of new moves/stay upright/hear the beat/look like I'm having fun. I really feel bad for just daring to even exist in the same room as these superhuman dance machines."

"And if I dance with someone the same level as me then I don't learn anything and don't help them to improve either. Who CAN I dance with?" Answer - anyone!

The "Dammit I wish I didn't have to eat, sleep or drink so I could spend more time Jiving" Stage"

"What do you mean you don't want to dance tonight? Come on, its only the 8th consecutive night. Are you a REAL Jiver or what????? And I'm dying to practice my new move, you know the quadruple spin with a half nelson backhander return wurlitzer baked bean hatchback sway comb, hairdryer and cherry on top. Plus I want to see if I can get through the entire evening without repeating a move, well maybe variations only...."

The "Modern Jive is Cool" Stage

"Modern Jive? Yeah, cool dance. I go once a week or so, mainly to see friends. Good exercise too, great place to meet people and lots of fun. Why don't you come down one evening? It's Rock 'n' Roll dancing..."

So now you know. It takes on average about four months to work through the whole cycle. For new people, remember the following:-

• The person you are dancing with was new once too. Even if they act like they have forgotten.
• Modern Jive is not about pure dance perfection. Its about FUN. And quite often that means getting things wrong and laughing about it. Its quite possible for a couple of widely differing experience to have much more fun than two very good dancers.
• Modern Jive really is very easy to learn. Attend once a week, and within a month you'll be dancing with a first-timer you'll be amazed at how much more you know than they do.
• Even the worst dances only last till the end of the record...
• Modern Jive is deservedly renowed for being friendly. But there are exceptions. If you meet one, don't tar us all with the same brush.
• Women can ask men to dance!
• Men can refuse ;-)
• Talk to people. Sometimes it feels like its just nonstop dancing, no social interaction. Do you feel this way? Then start interacting, someone has to!

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