DANce StepsNotes from Dan

Download Dan Calloway’s Class Notes – BAM – 20140324

Beginner Tango: New Group (with Myra!)

1. Progressive Link                     QQ
2. Open Promenade                    SQQS
3. Back Corte                              SQQS

Waltz

1. Natural Spin Turn: 1-3 Natural Turn; then, “Back, forward, side” for Leader; “Forward, fwd, brush, fwd” for follower
2. 4-6 Reverse Turn
3. Reverse Turn
4. Whisk
5. Chasse from PP

Quickstep – At Corners:

1. Natural Spin Turn                                           SQQ SSS
2. Progressive Chasse (down new LOD)            SQQS

Rumba/Cha Cha

Begin in Open Position with Prep Step on 4 (Rumba) or Prep Lock on 4&1 (Cha Cha)

1. Alemana
2. Closed Hip Twist
3. Hockey Stick

Each figure requires two measures of music.

Silver  Waltz Technique

1. Review Open Impetus to Weave from PP with tracking of feet under hips.
2. Dance “tight” (responsive and reactive to each other), not too loose.

Foxtrot

1. Advanced Timing: (1) 2, 3, (4) &
2. Going forward, the body moves first; going backward, the foot moves first.
3. The follower places her foot. The leader puts her weight on the foot.
4. The back heel should never lower until the other foot draws even with it.
5. Dance every back step by sending the foot back and the supporting knee forward for as long as possible.

Leg Division should be maximized.

Latin Technique

1. Review principles from Class 5 on turnout, especially in turns, emphasizing speed.
2. Slide the torso sideways, like a typewriter action, to project the lats. If the step is with the left foot, the left lat is projected, and vice versa. The figure eight of the hips is matched with the figure eight of the lats.

This use of the ribcage prevents over-bouncing in the Samba.

1. Show the figure four position of the legs as the moving foot passes under the body. Try to get the foot to cramp from the extreme point of the foot arch and ankle.

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