Privates can be very expensive but pay off very quickly with the amount you learn in a fraction of the time, and with the learning of certain concepts that can only be effectively taught individually with someone who already understands them. You may not be able to afford group lessons simultaneously as private lessons, so you may have to give them up temporarily. But whatever you choose, do not give up your social dancing regimen. Again, I emphatically stress that regular attendance of social dancing is the most important thing you can do to improve your dancing. If social dancing is the only thing you can afford, choose to go social dancing over taking lessons. It is critical you never lose sight of the purpose for which you are learning (seriously, why learn to dance if you're not going to do it?).
Private lessons can be very addicting, as the rewards are virtually immediate (and continue to increase) as you return to the dance floor. But as you are investing a great deal of money into learning, make sure you start with the right teacher. If you are fortunate to live in an area with a big city, you can ask around and find out who are the well-known and reputable instructors around (However, I personally recommend that if you don't know who the good instructors are, you probably should not take privates yet). If there are no well-known instructors, or you would like to choose for yourself, finding a teacher can be a more difficult task. A good instructor will focus on teaching you how to dance, not how to perform moves and tricks. You can judge for yourself if one has a good fundamental understanding of the dance by watching them dance Lindy Hop.
First and foremost, do not be deceived by flashiness.
A good dancer is not determined by the moves one does, but by his or her basics.
Watch the teacher and note his or her feet with each step. Does the teacher dance on the balls of his or her feet without rolling back on the heels? Does he or she push off from the ground to move instead of simply picking up his or her feet? Does the teacher have visible and clear weight changes? These are good signs that the teacher may have strong basics, and may possess the skill to teach you. However, good dancers do not immediately make one a good teacher.
After you have researched and found a suitable teacher (preferably you have found several), approach one for private lessons. Do not shower them with compliments; a simple honest comment on what you like about their dancing as well as a request for a private lesson is sufficient and appropriate. They will arrange a time with you, tell you how much they cost, and some will inquire if there is anything you desire to learn in particular. Private lessons are usually an hour long, and have a median and mode cost of $50-60 with one instructor (ranging from $50-65), or $80-100 for two (instructor and partner). They may usually ask what you wish to learn. Don't ask to learn moves, or you'll be wasting your money. If you are unsure of what you desire to work on, ask to work on your basics and the swing out (and continue to learn as much about the swing out as you can). There are many concepts that you will learn in the development of your swing out, especially connection, frame, and center, so remember to look at the swing out as a reflection of your skills, not as simply a move. It has been said that when an instructor teaches an advanced workshop, he or she can work on the swing out for every class for an entire weekend, and a mature and advanced dancer will look forward to such a focused learning opportunity.
When you go to your private lesson, bring a notebook as well as your normal dance preparation (shower, brush your teeth, bring mints, etc.). Wear form-fitting clothing so that your teacher can easily view your frame and posture. Come with a mature and open mind, and trust what your teacher tells you.
You (hopefully) will be spending most of your time learning basics, with a little time spent on lecture and philosophy. You will learn a lot, so write down notes in your notebook. After your lesson, go social dancing as soon as possible so that you may put your hard work to use! Try to work on just one thing you learned each night you go out dancing. Once that is finished, work on another.
Do not expect miracles. You may not always click perfectly with your instructor, as an hour is such a short period of time that the instructor has to grow accustomed to you, decide what you need to improve on, and discover how to teach you effectively. After your lesson, if you have difficulty learning from your instructor, try taking a few more lessons, and try approaching another one. Just as any two people may not necessarily get along immediately (or at all), it may take a few more lessons for your instructor to figure out how to teach you effectively in an hour’s time.
On the other hand, after your lesson, if it seems like the heavens have opened up, shined upon your dancing, and you are now possessed with the spirits of lindy hoppers past, stay with that instructor.
If and when you stay with an instructor for continued learning, trust your teacher in the process of learning- he or she will guide you down the right path.
