Mirrored Tutorial Videos

A similar visual experience to that of learning in a dance studio was the impression that we envisioned for each and every one of our tutorial videos. With that, comes our solution to the problem of getting the directions of which hand to move in exactly which direction: left or right. Thus, we have chosen to mirror each video in an attempt to make it more accessible to you and easier to learn from.

When two people are facing each-other (like when I face you on your screen), everything is on the opposite side. When I move to your right, I'm actually moving to my left. This is confusing if you're trying to copy my movements.

Mirroring the video avoids this problem, thus I have made it the default to all dance tutorials on this platform. My left is the same as your left and vice versa, so it's much easier to imitate my movements.

Albeit, this concept of viewing a mirrored image may be a little bit hard to get around; as your brain is used to seeing videos in it's ordinary, non-mirrored form.

It may be beneficial to look at it from the idea of spatial interaction (but in your brain!)

If I move my right hand (according to you) then you just have to move your right hand too. If I move my hand to your left, then you just have to move your hand to your left as well.

Literally, what you see on your screen is what you have to do. Just like you're playing Just Dance! Simple as π!

REVERTING BACK TO: STANDARD LATERAL INVERSION (NON-MIRRORED VIDEO)

With all that said, you may personally find that you are already attuned to learning dance from non-mirrored videos online (perhaps from K-Pop YouTube Dance Channels.) Then you may find that reverting back to non-mirrored video playback may be your best learning method. If this sounds like you, then there is a quick and easy way to make this specific change to your video playback.

Slowing Down a Tutorial Video

A great advantage of our learning online is that we can play, pause and rewind; pinpointing the exact areas that we can practice. When getting those initial moves down, it is important that we get an accurate and detailed foundation on which to build off of. A great help is the in-built YouTube video speed settings that allow you to see each one of my moves in vivid slow-motion. Giving you the time to catch up to each and every move.

I would personally recommend starting off the [with MUSIC] tutorials with repetitive practice at the x0.5 speed before slowly moving to x0.75 and conquering normal speed once you've gained confidence at previous ones. Remember, [with MUSIC] tutorials are the final piece to the puzzle at all levels; it is important that you take the adequate measures to make learning as easy as possible for you.

Seeing Yourself Dance

A vital step to learning any routine is being able to see yourself whilst comparing that against the choreographer to adequately adjust your move to be as true to the choreography as you desire.

Let's be brutally honest here, not every one of us has a spare mirror hanging around for Dance (it would be great if you do however if you don't, we have some suggestions for you). Here is where the power of your long-forgotten devices come into play (or your phone), by propping up your device turned to front-facing camera mode right beside a separate device which has the tutorial video playing (Ensure that screen-saver settings are off, and that the device is plugged in, as camera usage tends to deplete battery life rapidly.)

Another way of using this extra camera is to record yourself. You may choose to analyze your performance and highlight on certain aspects that you wish to improve on. Further honing your mastery of the routine.

Even if you don't have a spare device lying around, you may simply open up the webcam app on your device and have each window side by side.

If the suggestions above are not possible for you, the reflection of a TV screen can most definitely do the job (just make sure you have a cloth in handy to wipe the screen and allow your outline to be as visible as possible.)

It's okay to be unconventional when learning choreo as it is in the end, your own journey to the mastery of the routine. In my eyes, the more unique your method of learning, the more special the experience may be.

Get creative!