Video:Tips for Practicing a Father-Daughter Dance

Transcript:Tips for Practicing a Father-Daughter Dance

Hi, my name is Daniel Almodovar and I'm a dance instructor at Dance With Me Dance Studios. And I am here with my beautiful dance partner Leann Aranza. We're going to be talking about some tips for practicing your father-daughter dance.

Select Dance Style and Song for a Father-Daughter Dance

What Leann and I demonstrated was a medley between a foxtrot and a rumba and the reason why we picked those steps is because they are very simple dances, given a few basic elements of just walking forward and sides. That way both the father and daughter can feel as comfortable as possible on the dance floor. Usually in my experience, I really like the father or the daughter to choose the song. Maybe it's a song that meant something to her growing up or to him. It being sentimental makes the dance so much better.

Tips for the Father for Practicing a Father-Daughter Dance

The top tips that I would give to the father would be to make sure to look his daughter directly in the eyes, which he's going to do anyway, but also to give clear directional movement whether it be forward, sides or back. And also, to make sure he gets about 20 good hour of practice. The 20 hours - I think- should be with instruction and the reason that being is you don't want to practice bad habits. Right. More importantly, I think when you set a time with the wedding and you have so much going on and to set a date where you actually go somewhere and have a practice area is much more convenient than trying to work around all the crazy schedules we have in line.

Tips for the Daughter for Practicing a Father-Daughter Dance

For the daughter, first getting enough practice and hours in that she feels very comfortable. Waiting two weeks before to cram a bunch of stuff in -- usually I would say -- don't do that. Give yourself a little time because you want to feel good and you want to be able to talk to your dad and look in his eyes and reminisce about things even while you're moving around the dance floor.

Pick a Short Song for a Father-Daughter Dance

You can definitely cheat -- you can choose a little bit shorter of a song. You really don't need more than a minute-and-half or two minutes tops. You can have the song fade out because by the second and third minute they are like, "okay let's get on with it." So, it is your moment but you're also thinking about the crowd.

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