Regardless of your previous experience as a dancer, my advice is to start at the
beginning of the book and study it throughout. Only by studying it from the
beginning can you thoroughly understand it.
By moving from the simple to the complex, the complex becomes simple.
Also, let me caution you not to try to progress too fast. Many students,
over-enthusiastic at first, attempt too much, then grow discouraged and stop.
This is commonly referred to as "the curve of learning." We learn rapidly at first,
then we hit a plateau where things seem to be insurmountably difficult, but if we
persist and do not permit discouragement to deter us, we move on smoothly again.
There is always this lapse after the first wave of enthusiasm. After this period,
enthusiasm rekindles and progress will remain fairly constant.
Learn to do the first simple steps well before taking up the more difficult steps.
To learn to do these simple basic steps well, may seem trifling, but trifles make
perfection, and perfection is no trifle.
Social dancing is more popular now than ever before. People have time for it. With
each succeeding generation less time is needed to produce the necessities of life,
more time is available to cultivate the artistic and social aspects of life.
In medieval Europe, only the aristocracy learned to dance well. Dances took place
in the courts of kings and queens. Dancing masters were patronized only by the very
wealthy. Later it was adopted by the rich merchant class. In our time, it is possible
for everyone to become an accomplished dancer.