GU Class Notes 5

GU Class Notes 5

Download Dan Calloway’s Class Notes – GUBDT – 2013-10-09

Advanced

Gold Tango

  1. Prog Link        QQ
  2. Chase              SQQQQ Q&Q
  3. Prog Link        QQ
  4. Prom Link       SQQ
  5. Oversway       QQSS
  6. Pivot, Chasse, Whisk, Close-Point     QQ Q&Q S aS
  7. Closed Promenade

Technique

  1. Stay compressed. Do not “make room for the legs” by rising.
  2. “Impulse” is the start of a movement. “Impact” is the end of the movement. Turn her to PP (impulse), for instance, but also stop her (impact).
  3. Both chasses are “open” chasses: do not completely close the feet.
  4. Step three of the Oversway is a Challenge Line.
  5. “Born to Back Lead” should be the t-shirt slogan for all followers.
  6. Remember the list of expectations for gold competitors we made in class.

Rumba: Show the trailing leg, ankle and foot on every step, with pressure against the floor.

Beginner

Waltz Basic Amalgamation

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

Quickstep

  1. Begin with a prep step on count “4.”
  2. At corners: 1-3 Natural Turn (SQQ) and Tipple Chasse to R (SQQS QQS)

Rumba/Cha Cha

  1. Fan
  2. Hockey Stick

Intermediate

Tango Group 4

  1. Progressive Link                     QQ
  2. Open Promenade                    SQQS
  3. Rock Turn, Outside Partner   QQS QQS

Group 5

  1. Prog Link                                QQ
  2. Open Promenade                    SQQS
  3. Back Corte                              SQQS
  4. Prog Side Step Reverse Turn  QQSS QQS QQS

Technique

  1. Keep back straight when keeping legs compressed, especially when turning to PP and on closed finishes.
  2. If the focus lowers, the posture inevitably follows.
  3. Drive forward with the base.
  4. Followers: Keep the head on the outside of the circle on turning figures.

Jive

  1. Whip Throwaway
  2. Whip
  3. Mooch
  4. Walks
  5. Change of Places R to L

Technique

  1. Keep body pitched forward, posture energized, and use head to pull up the spine. Do not compress the spine or dance with perfect verticality.
  2. Know the five ballet foot positions. Jive chasses are normally in an open third position. Keep the toes turned out.
  3. Make a statement with each movement of the foot. Dance with attitude. Do not dance without personality.
  4. Accent in on flicks, not out.

 

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4 Comments

  1. Matthew SaltzmanOctober 10, 2013 at 12:13 pm · Reply

    Hey Dan, for the advanced Rumba technique notes, what part of the body are we supposed to be using to generate the connection with the ground? I believe my core is responsible for it, but I wanted to check before I started practicing incorrectly.

  2. DanOctober 10, 2013 at 3:44 pm · Reply

    Hey Matthew,
    We were specifically working on keeping pressure against the floor with the non-weighted foot, so use the adductors (insides of upper thigh muscles). Thinking of having the weight split between the feet, 80%-20%, is helpful as a mental technique.

  3. Takako ShigehisaOctober 17, 2013 at 6:48 am · Reply

    “Remember the list of expectations for gold competitors we made in class”….I wish we were there. Thank you so much for sharing awesome information week after week. I read everything in awe. Your pointers especially on technique remind me of how little we know about even very basic steps. Your students are so lucky to have you there.

  4. DanOctober 17, 2013 at 10:26 am · Reply

    Gosh. Thank you.
    I think it helps that I began dancing as a college student and as a teacher and professional competitor right away.
    Nothing is better than teaching bright and devoted students.

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