DANce StepsNotes from Dan

Download Dan Calloway’s Class Notes – BAM – 20131111

Beginner

Waltz: Review with long leg swings and Rise and Fall

Quickstep and Tango: Review

Foxtrot

Feather Step (SQQ)

1. Starts with leader’s right foot
2. Step three is outside partner
3. Heel lead only on step one

Three Step (SQQ)

1. Starts with leader’s Left foot
2. No outside partner steps
3. Heel leads on steps one and two

Rumba and Cha Cha

Add Natural Top (three bars), then Closed Hip Twist

Samba
In Shadow Position, starting with leader’s right foot:

1. Two Bota Fogos                                             1a2 1a2
2. Right Foot Volta, curving toward LOD          1a2a3a4
3. Two Bota Fogos                                             1a2 1a2
4. Left Foot Volta, curving toward LOD            1a2a3a4

Jive

1. Whip Throwaway                  1,2 3a4 1,2 3a4
2. Whip                                       1,2 3a4 1,2 3a4
3. Mooch
4. Walks                                      1,2 3a4 3a4 SS QQQQ
5. Change of Places R to L          1,2 3a4 3a4
6. Change of Places L to R          1,2 3a4 3a4

Restart.

Silver

Foxtrot
Begin facing DW.

1. Hover Telemark to PP                        SQQ
2. Feather Ending, to DC            SQQ
3. Open Telemark                       SQQ
4. Feather Ending, to DW           SQQ
5. Three Step                              SQQ

Technique

1. In all dances, it is not about the steps. It is about EXECUTION and REACTIVITY.
2. Every figure has sway on steps two and three.
3. If the sway is to the follower’s right, her head can turn to the right as long as a) it is generated from both partners’ base and transmitted through the spine and frame, and b) her head turns right without moving to the right to the wrong side of the dance position.
4. Two types of rise
   1. Rise to stop (for closing actions in Waltz)
   2. Rise to project the movement (Foxtrot). Raising heels does not mean going up on the toes.
5. The important leg is the supporting leg, not the stepping leg. Continue moving the supporting knee forward as long as possible on every step, whether moving forward or backward.

Samba (after the Plait)

1. Lady’s Under Arm Turn        Leader ends facing Center       1a2
2. Corta Jaca, turning to right     Leader ends backing DW        1 2&3&4&; 1 2&3&4&
3. Criss Cross Volta                                                                    1a2a3a4a5a6

Paso Doble

Begin with leader facing Wall.                         # of Counts

1. Low Chasse to R                                            4
2. High Chasse to R                                            4
3. Chasse to L (Start with Appel, end in PP)     8
4. Spanish Lines                                                  4; 4
5. Flamenco Taps                                               1 2& 3 4
6. Promenade Close                                            2
7. Chasse to R                                                     2

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