DANce StepsNotes from Dan

Download Dan Calloway’s Class Notes – BAM – 20140203

Beginner

Waltz

Four Closed Changes Forward and Back; Two Closed Changes Forward and Back; One Closed Change Forward and Back

Quickstep (Begin with leader facing diagonal wall; follower backing diagonal wall)

1. Quarter Turn to R       SQQS
2. Progressive Chasse     SQQS

Quickstep begins with the leader stepping between the follower’s feet. Every Quarter Turn to the Right after that starts with him stepping outside his partner’s feet.

All chasses should be danced as smoothly as possible. Impress your partners with your fluidity as you move sideways from one foot to the next.

Rumba             Basic Movement         2 3 4 (1)

Cha Cha          Basic Movement         2 3 4&1

Jive                  Basic Movement         123 123 1 2

Bronze Waltz

Basic Amalgamation                           # of Bars

1. Natural Turn                                 2
2. RF Closed Change                        1
3. Reverse Turn                                2
4. LF Closed Change                         1

Basic Amalgamation #2

1. Underturned Natural Spin Turn         2
2. 4-6 Reverse Turn                                1
3. Reverse Turn                                      2
4. Whisk                                                  1
5. Chasse from PP                                  1

Waltz Technique

1. Essential Exercise: Dance an amalgamation by dancing each measure and holding each three count up the toes for a whole measure, then lower one heel and dance the next measure to repeat the hold on the next three count.
2. Exercise # 2: Dance an amalgamation alone while someone else watches to ensure that one heel is lowered on every three count. Remember: what it feels like never matches what it looks like. Dance supervised as often as possible.
3. The champions dance lower than you do. Always lower more than you think you should.
4. Do not blink, especially leaders on Whisk and Chasse. Keep a hard focus at all times.

Quickstep

1. Underturned Natural Spin Turn         SQQ SSS
2. Progressive Chasse to DC                  SQQS S
3. Chasse Reverse Turn                          SQQ
4. Progressive Chasse                             SQQS
5. Forward Lock                                     SQQS

Go for flow, especially on transitions from figure to figure.

Foxtrot

1. Feather Step                            SQQ
2. Reverse Turn                          SQQ SQQ
3. Three Step                              SQQ
4. 1-3 Natural Turn                     SQQ
5. Closed Impetus                       SQQ
6. Feather Finish                         SQQ

Foxtrot Technique

1. Contrary Body Movement (CBM) is the rotation of the opposite side of the body toward the stepping foot/leg. CBM is used on the first step of each swing/figure (on every slow in Foxtrot). Do not overuse CBM on reverse figures.
2. The second step of all turns is forward. Do not step sideward on step two of any figure. Instead, scissor one leg past the other, then turn as late as possible on that foot. The best example of the application of this rule for the follower is the Feather Finish, including steps 4-6 of Reverse Turn.

Rumba (See bronze routine on website.)

1. The best count is “1&a 2& 3& 4&”
2. Every step is preceded by a hip action. Be able to demonstrate “hip, step” while dancing.
3. Never bend a leg that has weight on it. Watch back steps, particularly.
4. Turn is always connected to the next step. Turn as late as possible.
5. Always engage two legs simultaneously and fully. It is power rumba. Keep strong pressure in the moving foot.

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