The Sideways Glance™: A Habit Almost Every Flamenco Dancer Has
I want to tell you about a move that happens in flamenco classes all over the world.
No, it's not a llamada.
It's not a remate.
And it's definitely not something anyone teaches.
I call it...
The Sideways Glance™.
If you've ever done it, you'll know exactly what I mean.
You're dancing along quite happily.
The music starts.
Everything seems under control.
Then, without warning, you realise you've lost your place.
Not dramatically.
Just enough to make you wonder: "Wait... where are we?"
So you do what countless dancers have done before you.
You glance at the dancer next to you.
Not because you're interested in what they're wearing.
Not because you're analysing their technique.
You're looking for clues.
You want to know whether you're still in the right place.
Why We Do It
Many dancers assume this happens because they aren't musical enough.
Others think they simply need more confidence.
But after teaching flamenco for many years, I've noticed something different.
Most dancers who do the Sideways Glance™ are not lacking confidence.
They're lacking information.
More specifically...
They haven't yet learned how to recognise where they are in the music.
That's a very different problem.
Because confidence doesn't come from hoping you're right.
Confidence comes from understanding what's happening.
The Difference Between Guessing And Recognising
Imagine driving somewhere without road signs.
You could probably keep moving.
You might even arrive eventually.
But it wouldn't feel very relaxing.
Now imagine the signs are suddenly clear.
→ You know exactly where you are.
→ You know what's coming next.
→ You stop second-guessing yourself.
That's very similar to what happens when dancers begin recognising the compás instead of simply trying to survive it.
They're no longer depending on the people around them.
They start trusting what they hear.
The Good News
If you've recognised yourself in this blog post, please don't jump to the conclusion that you lack rhythm or musicality.
In my experience, that's rarely the real problem.
Listening is a skill.
And like any skill, it can be developed.
Sometimes all it takes is someone showing you what to listen out for.
That's why I created Hearing The 12.
Over the years, I've met so many dancers who quietly carried the same frustration:
"Why can't I hear where I am?"
So I created Hearing The 12, a practical mini-course designed to help dancers stop guessing and start recognising where they are in the compás.
No complicated theory.
No mysterious "just feel it" advice.
Just practical ways to help the music make sense.
Because flamenco becomes a lot more enjoyable when you know where you are.
🎶 If you'd like to learn more about Hearing The 12, you can find all the details here:
Belinda
Hi, I'm Belinda
I help flamenco dancers understand how flamenco actually works.
Many dancers tell me after taking my lessons they suddenly think:
"Oh... now I understand what's happening."
That moment never gets old.
See here why my teaching is different.
