Barb

This might sound kind of dumb after dancing for a few years but here goes. When in competition do you start as soon as the drum starts? I find sometimes the Ladies start with the drum and sometimes they seem to be waiting for someone else to start???

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ClothDancer02

chazziff

some have a preference of starting when the actual first lead starts (sometimes the drum mess up the song or take a long time to actually start singing - then that in turn makes the dancer look "lonely" out there LOL or have to stop dancing because they messed up the lead or whatever - less of a chance of that happening after the first lead starts) .... others prefer to start when the drumming starts. others have trouble "finding the beat by themselves" and prefer to follow someone else who has started already.

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chazziff

forgot to add .... some are jus more confident in their dancing ability .... but starting right away might make you look off beat with the actual song ... thats why they start with the singing starts (not sure how to explain it - has to do with the down or honor beats ... some prefer to be on a upward motion on them).

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WocusWoman

As a traditional woman dancer I can only speak for myself. I start dancing after the first lead is sung and as soon as the rest of the drumgroup starts singing. It has nothing to do with the other dancers around me either; its only me and the drum. I do have to add that when I was little, I probably learned by following others in the circle, but that was sooooo many years ago. Its good, as an adult not to be obvious if your just learning these ways and are uncomfortable in the circle. It's better to observe first, ask polite questions of other dancers and be dressed appropriately.

Eagle Plumes

I start when the drum does , its just how ive always done it, but thast what works for me. If Iwas ever HL at a contest ive told the ladies dont wait for me, do what the were compfortable with.

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I got a fevah! And the only cure is more cowbell!!!

Buckskinrose

I used to try and start with the "second" but lately the leads are getting longer and longer....so If I feel the song I start then. I try not to watch other dancers but just listen to the drum and dance....I don't like to get thrown off by those that dance offbeat. (I actually have friends that dance offbeat during intertribals to make others laugh. :P)

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@}-->-->--BuckskinRose--<--<--{@

NancyJo

I start dancing after the lead singer sings the first line of the song........when the other singers come in and repeat that first line, I start dancing.
I try not to look at the other ladies too much......a couple of times I've got someone around me that was off beat and it would get me off. haha
So I just listen to the drum...........toward the end of the song I may look over at the lead singer to kind of see if he's going to do another push up or end......but for the most part I just listen.

Barb

Thankyou so much Ladies for your feedback. You have given me lots to think about. BOY! do I know what you mean by whatching people who are off beat I really try not watching the other dancers. I have not been dancing long and I just want to get it right. I try and dance my best to Honor those who have passed on also those who can not dance for some reason or another.

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ClothDancer02

Ivanasnagu

I start after the lead. I don't watch others, I listen to the song/drum, that's what I'm dancing to.

Traditonal Lady

I totally agree! I always wait until the rest of the singers on the drum start. I think the best thing is to do is to start when it is comfortable for you.

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Walk softly on Mother Earth

bushy_braids

sometimes it's like race horses ready to bust through the gates - when do we start, when do we start?

if you start too soon, then you have to worry about getting off beat, if you start too late, then everyone is looking at you wondering what you're doing... haha

i used to wait 'till the second too, but you're right leads do tend to be long so i usually just start w/ the lead.

sometimes that's much sooner than the other ladies... but i really do NOT pay attention to anyone else when i'm dancing b/c some ladies tend to have a rough start and start off beat and then get on... so it's whatever you feel most comfy doing.

but whatever you do, don't look at the other ladies - you want them looking at you!

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"i don't like to walk fast man - i like to strut!"