Whisper

Usual dance is a form of monologue between dancers. The leader speaks loud, the follower listens attentively. Single direction.

Next level is about creating a dialogue: leader preserves some space and moments where the follower could insert own phrase or suggest a new topic. Almost bi-directional, but one of the interlocutors needs to wait for another to finish the phrase, so noone gets rudely interrupte

Technically the same technique is applicable in other dances to slow music, like some varieties of Blues, West Coast Swing or Kizomba. Practically it used rarely used because it doesn't fit traditional patterns of lead and follow, where roles are clearly set even when exchanged.

What makes Fusion really different from other dances is a concept of attentive listening to whispers.

When the leader speaks (leads) softly and is constantly waiting for the followers reaction, the dance becomes a real bi-directional dialogue.

It's another layer of interaction, and it brings some new requirements for both leader and follower: leaders should be listening and ready for changes, followers should have something to say.

It could be complicated. But what you gain is more detailed and saturated dance dialogue without switching the roles and overtaking the initiative! Isn't that precious?

Let's see a practical sample. We'll take a simplest move as a base and see how it could be altered.

Imagine a couple standing face to face, mirroring each other, full weight on one foot. One leads another to a simple linear move: transfer the weight completely from one foot to another.

The follower could alter this movement without interrupting. The simplest change is offered when follower is getting on the top of the toes placing feet close. That will be intuitively interpreted by the leader as an offer to dance some rotations next.

It's only a delicate whisper, not a direct order or change of roles: the leader could equally use this new opportunity or do something of his own anyway. A soft, but very powerful manner, especially useful for a slow dance.

Same move, another way to alter it:

The follower could transfer a bit more weight than was expected, coming into slight off-balance to the side and back. That creates some "feedback lead" and also offers the leader to choose a circular path around the follower.

Music interpretation (musicality) could be altered same way. Same movement, but adding a bit of resistance to the expected perfect following could be slowing the movement down, declaring this intention to the partner. Some rhythmical breaks could decorate this move and demonstrate the desired way to interpret the music.

That's the way "listening to whisper" mode enriches the dance with some new flavours.

Fusion dance allows all this to be implemented on any level, from micro to slow macro. Leaders just need to give more attention to their followers and not to "shout" with their leading (that's great by itself, isn't it?). And the followers need to practice to provide some nice ideas to share. And both to keep in mind that it's not the role switching, it's whispering.

Have fun!

@Sir.Dancelot