Is there a consistent strategy for the dancing mini-game?

[Grounder]

it's one of the few parts of the game I wouldn't hesitate to call frustrating. Yeah, the payoff is big, but getting the Heart Squid is a pain, IMO.

[Nibbie]

Didn't have too much trouble with it. Mainly a matter of practice for how much you have to lead your shots, and how long each "phase" is before it swaps directions (I assume you know there is exactly 10 masks, they just loop to the other side when they move). When I was going for my no misses, I started on the set of small masks, trying to do them in order to not leave ones isolated, since having one big mass helps reduce chances of missing. The bigger masks are also easier to hit, so going for the hard ones first means you waste less time if you do miss one of them.

[Washing Machine]

Shoot while they're moving rather than when they stop, since you got way better odds hitting them then.

Outside that, learn the timing.