Armless!

I was asked an interesting question this week: What do I do with my arms?

Excellent question! You'll have noticed that I often use my arms and hands to try to guide you / remind you of the steps (a "V" step, a Vine, and a "short wall" all have their own hand signals!) And my beginners have been enjoying my "sausage rolls" signal! But what do you do with your arms while dancing?

At beginner level, the focus is very much on your feet. It's a bit like learning to drive, you need to concentrate on one thing at a time!

Sometimes, choreographers will put in styling notes and these will often involve what we call "armography" - telling you what to do with your arms. This is often something simple, like in Night Fever 32 when you are asked to clap above your right shoulder in count 4. As you get more experienced, you are more likely to encounter armography; two of the dances I have in the pipeline for my beginner / improver classes have arm raises which really add to the dance experience ("Lord Willin' and the River Don't Rise...").

As your confidence grows, just dance in a way that feels natural to you; and do check the choreography in case there's advice from the choreographer on what to do with your arms.

A little myth busting before I go: I have never, in my 19 years of teaching, found a choreographer's instruction to tuck your thumbs in your belt. It's a myth that line dancers do that! (Although if you want to - feel free!)

Over to you, dancers, what are your favourite examples of Armography?