DANce StepsNotes from Dan

Download the Notes

Latin/Rhythm

1. Place each foot for the purpose of pushing away from that foot to get to the next foot. There are always two simultaneous directions of the push:
   1. Down (vertical)
   2. Away (horizontal): Push down and to the left to go to the right. Press down and to the right to go the left
      Move the floor. Slide the floor out from under you, like it is a rug.
2. It is about the standing foot. Be able to say which foot is not stepping on every step.
3. Use the larger muscles of the hips and thighs: Alternate adductor and abductor action
   Pull with the insides of feet and legs to close the legs; push with the outer muscles to open the legs. Great starter examples: Voltas, Cucarachas, Cuban Rocks

4. Hold the floor down with the non-weighted foot. The definition of being grounded is keeping pressure in the balls of both feet at all times.
5. The 80/20 Rule
   Work between the feet at all times. A continuous pelvic shimmy (as an exercise) guarantees the use of both feet and the constant engagement of the core throughout a figure.

Standard/Smooth

1. Ballet 101: Push down to go up; push down to go down.
2. Push/Pull: Push from the standing foot; pull onto the receiving foot.
   1. Walk Exercise: Use the abductors to open the legs; use the adductors to close them, with partner in practice hold and without partner
   2. Push/Pull in Promenade Position Walks
   3. Push/Pull Outside Partner Walks
3. The Diagonal Walk Exercise
   1. Do not turn the feet. Move obliquely.
   2. Use heel leads
   3. Use larger steps when the legs are open, smaller steps when the legs are crossed.
   4. Use the inside edges of the feet on open steps and the outside edges on crossed steps.
   5. Apply the push/pull principle.
   6. Apply the diagonal walk principles to Tango, then Foxtrot, then all other standard and smooth dances. All steps in all dances are taken with legs open or crossed, except closing steps.
4. Power is not the only objective of good floor usage. Great beauty is achieved when you stroke the floor with the moving foot. Use a paint brush action with the moving ankle and foot. Devotion to the motion creates the emotion. Enjoy the tactile experience of stroking the floor with multiple surfaces of the feet.
5. Dance the basic amalgamation of each dance slowly and with conscientious application of these principles to learn to apply these principles in a range of basic figures.

Share this Post: