There’s no simple answer to this. If you’ve just graduated from a new dancer program, DBD is probably not for you (yet). It usually takes some time for you to become comfortable dancing -- even with standard positioning. If you’re an experienced dancer, the following tool may give you some idea.
In each row, pick the statement you most agree with. Few people will select all B’s, but the more B’s you choose, the more of the DBD mindset you already have. You may already be dancing "soft" DBD and not recognize it.
By the way, this doesn’t grade you as a dancer. It’s just a tool. We know that DBD isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. We know many very good dancers who would pick mostly A’s.
| I go to a dance mostly to socialize. I don’t want to have to think too much. | I go to a dance mostly for the dancing. It’s kind of boring if I don’t have to do some thinking. |
| At a festival, I never make it to the morning workshops. The after-parties run too late at night. | At a festival, I always make it to the morning workshops, even if it means skipping some of the evening dance. |
| I dance maybe once a month and only with our club’s caller. | I dance several times a week, with as many different callers as I can. |
| When I’m looking for a dance, I always choose the easiest dance and the one closest to home | When I’m looking for a dance, I look for a caller who’ll give me a bit of a challenge, even if it does mean some driving. |
| I’ll never be interested in the next level. Too much work. | I’m thinking seriously about taking lessons for the next level (or: I already dance at a higher level). |
| I make it through a tip, usually with some help from my friends. | I make it through almost every tip, sometimes helping other dancers. |
| I can hold my own at my home club, but I’m less successful when I visit other clubs. | I generally do pretty well, regardless of who’s calling or which club I’m dancing with. |
| I try to get in a square with (pick a name) because he/she will pull me through. | I find people saying they’re happy to be in my square so I can pull them through. |
| When a caller starts talking about choreography, my eyes glaze over and my mind wanders off. | When a caller talks about formations like "inverted lines", "quarter tag", "eight chain thru", I can visualize the setup and follow the discussion. |
| After a tip, I just head for the refreshments. The next tip will be better. | After a tip, I find myself talking to the caller, asking "How did that work?" or "Why was it that way?" |
Unconventional Squares' required notice:
©2010, 2015, 2016, 2018 Joe Pryluck and Unconventional Squares. Permission to reprint, republish, and create derivative works without royalty is hereby granted, provided this notice appears and a link to this source is included. Publication on the Internet of derivative works without royalty is hereby granted provided this notice appears and a link to this source is included. Permission to quote parts or all of this document without royalty is hereby granted, provided this notice is included and a link to this source is included.
The Crossfires' copyright:
©2021 Charles Campbell and The Crossfires. Permission to reprint, republish, and create derivative works without royalty is hereby granted, provided this notice appears and a link to this source is included. Publication on the Internet of derivative works without royalty is hereby granted provided this notice appears and a link to this source is included. Permission to quote parts or all of this document without royalty is hereby granted, provided this notice is included and a link to this source is included.
| Last Modified Feb 28, 2022 01:39:10 PM | © 2012, Charles E Campbell |