It can be tough to discern whether he's dancing as a soloist, or if it's just a step you don't know. For leads, on the other hand, it can be difficult to communicate clearly while, at the same time, doing your own thing. In all of the excitement, taking care of your partner first is sometimes overlooked. And becoming open to the creativity of your follow requires being able to change the plan and adjust to the moment. Both lead and follow are free to create and embellish but both need to remain sensitively mindful of the essential elements, remembering that all truly great art forms, be it love, dance or jazz have their frame within which the artist has to stay.
Total freedom is chaos.
Nevertheless, in watching Frankie one can easily see that boundaries need not be limitations to creativity, style, and grace. True dancing is not so much about making steps happen as it is about letting dance happen-to the music. Really good leading, at its essence, is not remembering and skillfully guiding the follow through a choreographed set of steps. Nor is it an exercise in memory. Rather, truly accomplished leading is the ability to play with the music and to play off of your partner.