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TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:
The book "ABC's of Round Dancing" is
optional.
enhances knowledge and reinforces memory retention
and recall. Increased vocabulary reduces the time
used to explain TWO STEP terms and definitions.
Limit the new material covered each session. Each
persons rate and capacity for learning new material
differs. Learn and practice at a comfortable rate.
Learn the meaning of each term and dance pattern well
before going to the next. Basics are the keys to
being a well developed and knowledgeable round
dancer. Repeat each lesson until the content is fully
understand. Walk a pattern until it is performed
with confidence before dancing to music. Dance each
pattern comfortably before starting the next. If not
sure, listen to the tape and read about it again.
Then ask an Instructor, or an experienced dancer to
walk thru the pattern with you.
REVIEW IS IMPORTANT. Start each session by review
of the previous lesson. Rewind the tape to review
items as needed. Each practice exercise contains
patterns from previous sessions. Review items when
problems occur.
Don't be over-anxious to learn dances. First learn
steps, then patterns and rhythms. These are the
basics of HOW TO DANCE. Learning a dance is easy
when basics are known.
Learn by performing each action described. When
learning alone, pretend that you have a partner.
Dancing is not learned by reading, listening or
watching others. Each action must be performed many
times. Dancing is learned by dancing, so perform
actions while listening or reading.
Take plenty of time, do not rush. Consider the
words from an old song, "It ain't what you do, it's
the way HOW you do it. That's what gets results."
Use of these instructions or tapes indicates a
desire to learn. The amusement and entertainment
aspects of dance are omitted. Pay attention and
learn each item before progressing. Good knowledge
of the first lessons enhances understanding of the
follow on material. Read and/or listen carefully.
CENTER, INSIDE and/or IN.
Join Man's right hand (R-hand) with Girl's left
hand (L-hand). Both partners face CENTER OF HALL.
You are standing in OPEN POSITION FACING CENTER. If
several couples are learning, then form a CIRCLE, by
joining your FREE HAND with the free hand of the Man
or Girl of the next couple. Maintain hand contacts
and spread the circle until arms are fully extended,
this FORMS THE CIRCLE. Form the circle prior to each
dance to provide dancing space on the circumference
for each couple. Circles lose shape or distort
during a dance, always start with a good circle.
Dancers are facing the center of the hall, center
of the circle, center, inside or in. The center is
one of four primary HALL DIRECTIONS. Your back is
aimed at the WALL.
WALL is a HALL DIRECTION. A dancers back is aimed
at the WALL when facing the CENTER. Corners are
considered WALL, with respect to the circle. WALL is
the direction from the circle opposite the center.
The direction from the circle toward the wall is
known as WALL, OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE, OUTSIDE or OUT.
Wall, outside and out are synonyms.
Still facing center with hands joined. Release all
hands.
FACE means to look FORWARD or straight ahead
and aim body front and feet in the direction
specified. FACE means aim the entire body in the
same direction. LOOK means to turn head only in
specified direction. Do not confuse the terms FACE &
LOOK. FACE means aim the entire body and LOOK
aligns the head only. Ready, FACE the CENTER or IN.
Now as individuals turn one half a right turn
(R-turn) and FACE the WALL or OUT.
Are you FACING the WALL or OUT. Then turn one
QUARTER left turn (L-turn).
You now face LINE OF DANCE. Line of dance is also called DANCE-LINE or
LINE. Dance-line is the COUNTERCLOCKWISE direction
around the circle as viewed from above. Dance-line
is the direction square dancers promenade.
Dance-line is the direction of normal progression in
dancing. DANCE-LINE is the third primary HALL
DIRECTION.
The fourth primary HALL DIRECTION is:
REVERSE DANCE-LINE. When facing DANCE-LINE your back is
aimed toward REVERSE DANCE-LINE. Turn one HALF
R-TURN and FACE REVERSE DANCE-LINE. REVERSE
DANCE-LINE is also called REVERSE LINE OF DANCE or
simply REVERSE.
Remember: During instructions, do not change FACING
DIRECTION unless told to do so.
The four primary HALL DIRECTIONS are:
CENTER;
WALL;
DANCE-LINE;
and REVERSE DANCE-LINE.
HALL DIRECTIONS never change. The Hall or Circle
directions are like North, South, East and West, they remain fixed.
Caution: REVERSE refers to REVERSE DANCE-LINE.
REVERSE does not mean BACK UP. Again, REVERSE does
not mean to back up. REVERSE sometimes means the
opposite of the last action, but REVERSE does not
mean to move BACK.
Check your knowledge of HALL DIRECTIONS.
FACE the WALL. FACE DANCE-LINE.
FACE REVERSE. FACE CENTER.
When familiar with CIRCLE or HALL DIRECTIONS go to
the next lesson. Review HALL DIRECTIONS at the
beginning of the next session.
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DANCER DIRECTIONS, are the directions from dancer's
viewpoint. DANCER DIRECTIONS are directions away
from the dancer. The four primary DANCER DIRECTIONS
are FORWARD, BACK, and SIDE. Did I count right?
Yes, there are two side directions away from you,
left and right.
FORWARD is the direction faced. Face center. The
center is FORWARD.
BACK is opposite to the direction faced. When
facing center, BACK is toward the wall.
SIDE is to left or right. Side is to the LEFT or
RIGHT determined by the FREE foot. Stand on-R
(R-foot) with no weight on-L (L-foot), and L-heel
raised. R-foot is WEIGHTED and L-foot is FREE. SIDE
is to the left when the L-foot is FREE.
Stand on-L with R-foot free, R-heel raised. SIDE
is to the right.
SIDE is the direction of the FREE foot.
FACE DANCE-LINE with weight on-R and L-free, L-heel
raised. FORWARD is toward DANCE-LINE. BACK is
toward reverse. SIDE is toward the center or left.
Now stand on-L with R-free, R-heel raised. SIDE is
toward the wall or right.
FACE the WALL or OUT. Stand on-R with L-free,
L-heel raised. Forward is toward the wall. Back is
toward center or in. Side is toward dance-line or to
the left. Now STEP on-L and free-R, R-heel raised.
Side is now toward reverse dance-line or to the
right.
FACE REVERSE and on-R with L-free, L-heel raised.
Forward is toward reverse. Back is toward
dance-line. Side is toward the wall or to the left.
STEP on-L with R-free, R-heel raised. Side is now
toward the center or to the right.
FACE CENTER stand on-R with L-free, L-heel raised.
Which direction is side? Side is toward reverse.
Note DANCER DIRECTIONS change with respect to HALL
DIRECTIONS depending on the HALL DIRECTION FACED.
HALL DIRECTIONS remain fixed. DANCER DIRECTIONS
remain fixed with respect to the dancer, but change
with the hall as the dancer turns.
Remember REVERSE is the HALL DIRECTION opposite to
DANCE-LINE. REVERSE is Clockwise around the circle
as viewed from above. BACK is the direction opposite
to the way you FACE. You can move FORWARD or BACK
toward REVERSE. You can move BACK or FORWARD toward
DANCE-LINE. Review this lesson or go to the next
based on your understanding of DANCER DIRECTIONS.
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Face center, join hands and form a circle. Form
the circle each time you get on the floor, provided
enough dancers are present.
The MAN starts most dances standing on-R with
L-free, L-heel raised. The GIRL starts most dances
standing on-L with R-free, R-heel raised.
Always stand on one foot only, with the other foot
free. Never stand with weight on both feet. The
weighted foot is the SUPPORTING FOOT. The free foot
is the STEPPING FOOT. Always keep the heel of free
foot raised. During instructions the heel of the
free foot should be raised about one inch off the
floor. The ball of the free foot may TOUCH or rest
on the floor for balance. The raised free heel
reminds you that it is free and ready for the next
step. A step changes the free foot into the weighted
foot and vice-versa. Automatically raise the heel of
the freed foot on each step. Raised heels are seen
by the teacher and reveal if dancers are on the
proper foot. A quick visual check of raised heels by
teacher saves time and reduces repetitive
instructions on which foot should be weighted.
What is a STEP? A STEP is a change of weight from
one foot to the other. Man stand on-R with L-free,
L-heel raised. Girl stand on-L with R-free, R-heel
raised. Ready, take one STEP in place, GO. Man now
stands on-L with R-free, R-heel raised. Girl now
stands on-R with L-free, L-heel raised.
Take another STEP in place, GO. Man now stands
on-R with L-free, L-heel raised. Girl now stands
on-L with R-free, R-heel raised. You took a total of
two steps in place. A STEP in place is called a
CLOSE STEP or a CLOSE. A STEP changes weight from
the SUPPORTING FOOT to the FREE or STEPPING FOOT.
Continue when you understand the definitions of:
STEP, WEIGHTED FOOT, SUPPORTING FOOT, FREE FOOT and
STEPPING FOOT, if not review.
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STEP DIRECTIONS are the same as DANCER DIRECTIONS.
A step FORWARD is in the direction faced. A step
BACK is opposite the direction faced. A SIDE step is
in the direction of the free foot. SIDE may be left
or right in the direction of the STEPPING or FREE
FOOT.
OPPOSITE FOOTWORK means the Man and Girl step at
the same time on OPPOSITE FEET. Man steps on-L as
Girl steps on-R. Man steps on-R as Girl steps on-L.
The Man is told which foot to stand on and which foot
is free. The Girl uses OPPOSITE FOOTWORK, unless
told otherwise. Always have weight on one foot with
the other free, free heel raised. Never stand with
weight on both feet.
A good knowledge of the TERMS used so far will
reduce the number and degree of problems encountered
in following lessons. Review terms that are not
clear. Go to the next lesson when all terms are
understood.
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TWO STEP music has FOUR BEATS per MEASURE or BAR of
music. Listen to 4/4 time music and COUNT the BEATS
in groups of FOURS. The COUNT Is:
1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4;
or
1, 2, 3, 4; 2, 2, 3, 4; 3, 2, 3, 4; 4, 2, 3, 4;
Four MEASURES or BARS equal a PHRASE of music.
Step in place changing weight from one foot to the
other in time with the COUNTS. Form the circle. Man
stand on-R with L-free, L-heel raised. Girl stand
on-L with R-free, R-heel raised. Ready: MUSIC:
1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4;
Step, step, step, step; Step, Step, Step, step;
L, R, L, R; L, R, L, R;
Left, 2, 3, 4; Left, 2, 3, 4;
Quick, quick, quick, quick; Q, q, q, q;
1, 2, 3, 4; 2, 2, 3, 4; 3, 2, 3, 4; 4, 2, 3, 4;
Slow TEMPO music is used, to provide time to hear,
and recognize cues, recall patterns and respond to
them in a timely manner on proper beats. Dancing to
faster tempo music is easy as experience is gained.
Two-step rhythm dances use THREE STEPS PER MEASURE
of music. Take quick steps on the first two BEATS of
music, and a slow step using the last two beats of
the measure. BEATS are the clock or METRONOME, and
provide CADENCE for steps. Take SMALL STEPS while
learning. Free style BALLROOM dancers who enjoy long
sweeping steps, should restrain themselves and take
SMALL STEPS while learning. Step length may be
increased after learning patterns, when dancing in a
fast moving circle. SMALL STEPS are recommended for
the following reasons:
1. SMALL STEPS move the body at a slow rate. A
twelve inch step moves the body at the rate of one
foot per beat. A twenty four inch step moves the
body at the rate of two feet per beat. One BEAT of
time is available in each case, but dancers move at
twice the speed with the longer step.
2. SMALL STEPS are comfortable for both Girl and
Man.
3. Balance and momentum are easier to control with
SMALL STEPS and slow body movement.
4. Better posture is easier with SMALL STEPS.
Keep head over body CENTER OF GRAVITY and stepping
ankle. As each step is taken bring the freed foot
beside the SUPPORTING FOOT in preparation for the
next STEP.
Posture is important for good appearance and
balance. Always dance HIGH, WIDE, AND HANDSOME.
DANCE HIGH: Stand erect, not rigid; with head HIGH,
as if trying to touch the ceiling with the top.
DANCE WIDE: Raise shoulders, spread them wide.
Raise and extend elbows to side to raise shoulders
and spread the upper torso.
HIGH and WIDE dancing produces a HANDSOME
appearance. Hold hands up, especially LEAD HANDS and
FREE HANDS. LEAD HANDS and FREE HANDS should be at
Girl's shoulder level. Spread arms as a glider in
flight, unless an action requires that arms be
lowered.
SMALL STEPS IMPROVE BALANCE. Weight should be on
one foot or in the process of being transferred to
the STEPPING FOOT. Each partner should maintain
individual balance without help from partner. Do not
use partner as a CRUTCH or COUNTER-BALANCE. Each
partner should maintain INDIVIDUAL BALANCE at all
times.
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Form the circle facing center. Release hands with
adjacent couples. Man's R-hand joined with Girl's
L-hand, both facing center. Stand HIGH WIDE &
HANDSOME, free hand extended. This is OPEN POSITION
facing center.
As a couple turn to face dance-line in OPEN
POSITION. Dancers may face any direction in OPEN
POSITION. Face the WALL in OPEN POSITION. Face
REVERSE in OPEN POSITION.
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Face CENTER in OPEN POSITION, ready: Now Man step
to the center and turn to face partner. Man should
be about 10 inches from the Girl. Man's R-hand
joined with Girl's L-hand. Man's L-hand and Girl's
R-hand may be free or joined as directed. Stand
tall, head high, body erect, remember HIGH WIDE and
HANDSOME. This is OPEN FACING POSITION. The term
OPEN FACING POSITION is not used in these lessons to
avoid confusion with the phrase "OPEN POSITION
FACING" when spoken or written, especially in short
form. Example: OPEN FACING WALL to mean OPEN
POSITION MAN FACING WALL. The term FACING POSITION
drops the term OPEN and reduces chances of
misunderstanding. Note the similarity between the
phrases OPEN POSITION FACING and the term OPEN FACING
POSITION.
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Man face the wall. Girl face Man, about 8 inches
apart. Man's L-hand joined with Girl's R-hand, other
hands free. The joined hands are the LEAD HANDS.
Extend joined LEAD HANDS to the side at a height
between the GIRL's shoulder and eye level.
Man place free R-hand on the Girl's back, curve
R-arm around her L-side under her L-arm. Man's
R-palm contacts her back 4 to 6 inches below her
shoulder level, with finger tips touching or
overlapping her spine. Point Man's R-hand fingers
slightly downward to raise his R-elbow and provide
the proper curve for the BRACE, and spreads the R-arm
and shoulder WIDE.
Girl place L-palm on the front of the Man's
R-shoulder with L-fingers pointing toward his neck.
This raises the Girl's L-elbow forming a HIGH WIDE
arc for the BRACE.
Dancer's shoulders should be parallel to partner's
shoulders. Each dancer's R-foot should be aimed
between partner's feet. Man's R-foot aimed between
Girl's feet. Her R-foot aimed between his feet.
This foot positioning offsets dancers 4 to 6 inches
to the left. Heads are offset to look over partner's
R-shoulder. Dance offset in CLOSED POSITION. Avoid
dancing nose to nose and toes to toes. Offset foot
position permits dancers to step outside of partner's
R-foot on forward-L steps, and between partner's feet
on forward-R steps.
Man look over Girl's R-shoulder in closed position.
Girl look over Man's R-shoulder in closed position.
The approximate direction of the Girl's line of sight
or head direction is over her L-hand. The
approximate direction of the Man's line of sight or
head direction is over Girl's R-shoulder.
Dance tall especially with a short partner. Never
stoop, squat or bend to dance at partner's level.
Best individual and couple appearance is obtained
when both partners dance tall. HIGH HEAD, BODY
ERECT, dance HIGH WIDE and HANDSOME. Take CLOSED
POSITION. Remember it. If you know a better dance
position, save it, we may use it in a later lessons
with a different name. You can always use it for
free style ballroom dancing. CLOSED POSITION is very
important when dancing COUPLE TURNS.
Repeat this lesson on CLOSED POSITION at the start
of your next three study sessions.
Man face dance-line. Girl face man. Join both
hands with L-hands to R-hands, let hands hang
comfortably.
Man stand on-R with L-free, L-heel raised.
Girl opposite, stand on-R with L-free, L-heel
raised. Ready:
Take one step side on the free foot toward center.
Now man is on-L and girl on-R. Raise the free heel.
Now step in the direction of the free foot or toward
the wall. That changed your weight, man is now on-R
and girl on-L. You took one side step toward the
center and one side step toward the wall.
Man face dance-line on-R with L-free and L-heel
raised. Girl face man with opposite footwork: Girl
on-L with R-free R-heel raised. Ready:
Step side toward the center, raise free heel. Man
is now standing on-L with R-free (girl on-R with
L-free). You can not step side toward the center
again because the weighted foot blocks the path of
the stepping foot. To take another side step toward
the center, change weight by stepping in place: Man
step on-R and Girl on-L. This frees man's-L and
girl's-R for a second side step toward center.
Step side again toward the center.
You took two steps toward the center. The man took
two side-L steps and the girl took two side-R steps.
In order to take the second side step toward center
you had to change weight or step in place. The step
in place is called a CHANGE, CLOSE STEP or CLOSE. A
side step, a step in place, and another side step is
a total of three steps. Two side steps were taken.
Now take two side steps to the center followed by
two side steps toward the wall. Man face dance-line
on-R with L-free, girl face man on-L with R-free.
Ready: take two steps to the center: Man: Side-L,
close-R, side-L, - (girl side-R, close-L, side-R);
Man is on-L with R-free, girl opposite.
Now take two side steps toward the wall, ready:
Side-R, close-L, side-R, - (girl side-L, close-R,
side-L); End in starting place man on R with L-free.
That is the TWO SIDE TWO-STEPS pattern. You took two
side steps with L-foot leads and two side steps with
R-foot leads. It took three steps to move two steps
to the side. There is no progression on the CLOSE
step, there was two steps progression to the side.
Again, Man face dance-line on-R with L-free L-heel
raised (girl face man opposite footwork), ready:
Move toward center: Side, close, side, - ;
Move toward wall: Side, close, side, - ;
Repeat:
Side, close, side, - ; and Side, close, side, - ;.
Again, this time the steps will be cued in
different manners. Man face dance-line on-R (girl
opposite), Ready:
Toward center: Side, close, side, - ;
Toward wall: Side, close, side, - ;
Again
In: Side, close, side, - ;.
Out: Side, close, side, - ;
IN: Step, close, step, - ;.
OUT: Step, close, step, - ;
IN: 1, 2, 3, - ;. OUT: 1, 2, 3, - ;
IN: L, R, L, - ;. OUT: R, L, R, - ;
IN: Side, close, side, - ;.
OUT: Side, close, side, - ;
In, close, In, - ;. Out, close, out, - ;
Two-step rhythm is Quick, quick, slow, - ; and
Quick, quick, slow, - ;. Quick and slow refer to
step speed. A quick step is twice the speed of a
slow step.
Quick steps are taken on 1/4 notes.
Slow steps are taken on 1/2 notes or two 1/4 notes.
Repeat the exercise using rhythm cues: Man face
dance-line on-R (Girl face man on-L), Ready:
Side Two-step IN and OUT, GO:
IN: Quick, quick, slow, - ;
OUT: Quick, quick, slow, - ;
repeat:
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;.
Two-step rhythm is danced to 4/4 time music. 4/4
time music has four beats per measure or bar of
music. Take a quick step on the first beat, a quick
step on the second beat, and a slow step using the
third and forth beats. Quick, quick, slow, - ; is
two-step rhythm, and repeats throughout the music and
dance.
The RULE OF THE RHYTHM for the two-step is: Take
three steps per measure unless told otherwise. The
timing of the rhythm is Quick, quick, slow, - ;
Count steps or repeat Quick, quick, slow, - ; in time
with the music. As you develop the rhythm you will
count less.
Change partners frequently if learning with other
couples, it speeds group learning by spreading and
sharing knowledge. It also helps prevent couples
from perfecting mistakes and reduces arguments
between spouses. Mixing helps each spouse
concentrate on their part, and reduces concern over
partner's problems. Practice with other partners
without and with music. With and without seems like
a better phrase, but dancers should first practice
without music, then dance with music after becoming
familiar with step patterns.
Walk the side two-step without music until the
steps, counts, rhythm and directions are understood,
then continue and dance to music. Go slow, learn one
pattern well before going to the next. Knowledge of
each word and it's meaning, is preparation for
learning the next pattern, without worry of previous
patterns. Review previous patterns, then dance to
music for good recall and reaction time before
starting a new lesson. Review the side two-step
without music, then dance it to music. Rewind the
tape to repeat, until the side two-step dances
comfortably. Dance HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME.
Ready for music: Man face dance-line on-R with
L-free, L-heel raised (Girl face man opposite
footwork), ready: [Use following cues to 4/4 time
music with 30 measures per minute tempo.].
MUSIC: ..... ready toward center: Side two-step Go:
IN: Side, close, side, - ;
OUT: Side, close, side, - ;
Again-
Side, close, side, -; Side, close, side, - ;
Step, close, step, - ; Step, close, step, - ;
Step, close, step, - ; Step, close, step, - ;
1, 2, 3, - ; 2, 2, 3, - ;
3, 2, 3, - ; 4, 2, 3, - ;
Man L, R, L, - ; R, L, R, - ;
L, R, L, - ; R, L, R, - ;
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
Side, close, side, - ; Side, close, side, - ;
Side, close, side, - ; Side, close, side, - ;
Side two-step IN ; Side two-step OUT ;
Side two-step in ; Side two-step out ;
Continue dancing with self cues: ;;;;;;;......
At end: smile and thank partner. Always thank
partner after a dance. Back up the tape and re-dance
the side two-step to music. Dance High, wide, and
Handsome. When ready proceed to the next lesson.
Always maintain the dance rhythm, especially if not
sure of the cue. React to a cue with a step on the
first beat of the next measure, don't wait to recall
the entire pattern. Hesitating to recall a pattern
causes late steps. Step on beat one of the coming
measure with a quick step, follow it with a quick
close step on beat two, and then a slow step using
beats three and four. The pattern may be recalled
during the first or second step, if not you stay in
step with the music. The music does not wait for
dancers to think, so dance to the music and adjust
steps for the cues when possible. The first two
steps should be automatic quick, quick,. Mind the
music and the rule of the rhythm. Stay on the floor
and keep dancing.
Recognition and reaction come easier each time a
cue is heard. Like any language, cue words and
meanings are learned quicker when spoken out loud.
Speak cues and/or count out loud to learn the words
and rhythm quicker. Learn the words and meanings
correctly, if not sure, refer to ABCs of Round
Dancing.
Summary exercise: What do the following terms
mean: Center, IN, OUT, Wall, Dance-line, Reverse,
Back, Forward, Side, Close, Step, Quick, slow,
Opposite footwork, Free foot, Weighted foot, Side
Two-Step?