Take CLOSED POSITION Man FACE WALL. Man stand on-R
with L-free, L-heel raised. Girl use opposite
footwork unless told otherwise. Girl stand on-L with
R-free, R-heel raised. Remember in CLOSED POSITION
aim R-foot between partner's feet, and L-foot outside
of partner's feet.
BOX is a two measure, six step pattern. Remember
take three steps per measure unless told otherwise.
Three steps with Man's L-foot lead, then take three
steps with Man's R-foot lead step. Girl opposite.
MAN's STEPS: 1. Side-L, 2. Close-R, 3. Forward-L,
- ; 4. Side-R, 5. Close-L, 6. Back-R, - ;
GIRL's STEPS: 1. Side-R, 2. Close-L, 3. Back-R, - ;
4. Side-L, 5. Close-R, 6. Forward-L, - ;
STEP CUES are shortened and simplified by stating
the direction of each step, omitting L- and R-foot
data. L-foot and R-foot information is not lost,
because dancers alternate stepping foot with each
beat. Dancing is simplified when steps are taken
without identifying L-foot or R-foot with each step.
There is not enough time between beats to decide
which foot is the L and R before stepping. STEP CUES
without L and R data are:
MAN's BOX: SIDE, CLOSE, FORWARD, - ;
SIDE, CLOSE, BACK, - ;
GIRL's BOX: SIDE, CLOSE, BACK, - ;
SIDE, CLOSE, FORWARD, - ;
Two-step rhythm is: Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick,
quick, slow, - ;.
A quick step equals one beat of music.
A slow step equals two beats of music.
Instructions and CUES are directed to the Man to
shorten and simplify CUES. CUES are easier spoken
and understood with fewer words. The girl must
translate the Man's CUES to fit her position and
facing direction, which is easier for both dancers
than separating each part from a large number of
words directed at both dancers. CUES are directed to
the Girl in special cases when her part can not be
interpreted from CUES directed
to the
The BOX is named for the footpath traced by the
feet in dancing the BOX. The BOX footpath traces a
SQUARE on the floor. The SQUARE footpath gives rise
to the term BOX.
Walk the BOX slowly. CLOSED POSITION Man FACE WALL
on-R, L-free, L-heel raised. Girl use opposite
footwork. Ready, BOX:
SIDE, CLOSE, FORWARD, - ; SIDE, CLOSE, BACK, - ;.
Stop the tape and WALK the BOX without music. Cue
yourself with the STEP CUES as you walk the BOX.
Cuing steps aloud helps learning. The Man's cue
words are: Side, close, forward; and Side, close,
back;.
The Girl's cue are:
Side, close, back; and Side, close, forward;.
Remember CLOSE is a step in place, transfer weight to
the CLOSING foot and free the other foot. If there
is a problem walking the BOX, re-wind the tape and
repeat the lesson. Then walk the BOX exercise which
follows.
Take CLOSED position Man face wall on-R with L-heel
raised. Girl opposite footwork. Ready, walk HIGH
WIDE and HANDSOME.
BOX: Side, close, forward; Side, close, back;
BOX: Side, close, forward; Side, close, back;
BOX: Quick, quick, slow; Quick, quick, slow;
BOX: Quick, quick, slow; Quick, quick, slow;
BOX: Left, 2, 3; Right, 2, 3;
BOX: Left, 2, 3; Right, 2, 3;
BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3;
BOX: BOX; BOX; BOX; Cue yourself out loud.
Re-walk for understanding and smoothness. Walk
with different partners if other couples are present.
Continue until the BOX is walked with comfort, then
dance to music.
Play music and cue the above exercise. Re-dance as
needed for smoothness and timely steps. Then go to
the next lesson when ready.
The manner of stepping determines if the dance is
the TWO STEP or just steps in time with music. A
two-step dance measure consists of three steps, each
step is different. Step one is a quick step on the
ball of the foot. Step two is quick step in place on
the flat of the foot. Step three is a slow walking
step, body weight is first accepted on the heel then
transferred through the flat to the ball as the body
weight moves forward. Slow forward steps are heel to
ball steps. Slow backward steps are ball to heel
steps. The steps for the box may also be stated as:
Ball, change, forward, -; Ball, change, back, - ;.
Walk the box: Step one on ball. Step two close on
flat. Step three heel to ball action of forward
steps and ball to heel action on backward steps.
MAN:
Side-L on ball, close-R flat, Forward-L Heel to toe,
- ; Side-R on ball, Close-L flat, back-R ball to
heel, - ;
GIRL:
Side-R ball, close-L flat, back-R ball to heel, - ;
Side-L ball, close-R flat, fwd-L heel to ball, - ;.
Again with short cues. Closed position Man face
wall on-R, Girl opposite, ready:
BOX: Side, close, forward, -; Side, close, back, -;
BOX: 1, 2, 3, - ; 2, 2, 3, - ; 3, 2, 3, -; 4, 2,3, -;
Stop the tape and walk the BOX for smooth flow of
steps, then return and dance the BOX to music.
Ready for Music. Take closed position, Man face
wall on which foot? Which foot free? Which heel
raised? Girl opposite. Dance high, wide and
handsome with small steps. READY: MUSIC.
BOX: Side, close, forward, -; Side, close, back, -;
BOX: Side, close, forward, -; Side, close, back, -;
BOX: 1, 2, 3, -; 2, 2, 3, -;
BOX: 1, 2, 3, -; 2, 2, 3, -;
BOX;; BOX;; BOX;; BOX;;
Cue yourself;;;; ---
Re-dance the BOX to music until it flows smoothly.
Walk the following: Take closed position Man face
wall on-R (Girl opposite), ready:
Side two-step: Side-L, close-R, side-L, - ;
Side-R, close-L, side-R, - ;
BOX: Side-L, close-R, forward-L, - ; Side-R,
close-L, back-R, - ;
Side two-step: Side, close, side, - ; Side, close,
side, - ;
BOX: Side, close, forward, - ; Side, close, back, - ;
Side two-step: Quick, quick, slow, -; Quick, Quick,
slow, -;
BOX: Quick, quick, slow, -; Quick, quick, slow, -;
Side two-step: Step, close, step, -; Step, close,
step, -;
BOX: Step, close, step, -; Step, close, step, - ;
Side two-step;; BOX;; Side two-step;; BOX;;
Side two-step;; BOX;;
CUE yourself;;;;....
Re-walk until ready for music. Then come back and
dance to music.
Cue the above exercise to MUSIC. At the end give
yourself a hand. Applaud yourself and partner after
each dance. Repeat with music as needed, then go to
the next lesson.
The REVERSE BOX steps trace a path counterclockwise
to the BOX steps. Reverse box is a six-step
two-measure pattern where the third and sixth steps
[or last step of each measure] are reversed. Take
closed position Man face wall on-R, ready REVERSE
BOX:
Side-L, close-R, back-L, - ;
Side-R, close-L, forward-R, - ;
Note: The first two steps of the REVERSE BOX, the
BOX and the SIDE TWO-STEP are the same, all start
with Side and close.
The rhythm of each pattern is Quick, quick, slow, -
;. The third step of each pattern is different.
Walk the REVERSE BOX several times. Take closed
position Man face wall on-R, ready: REVERSE BOX:
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;.
Step, close, step, - ; Step, close, step, - ;
Step, close, step, - ; Step, close, step, - ;
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
Ball, change, back, - ; Ball, change, forward, - ;
Ball, change, back, - ; Ball, change, back, - ;
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;
Stop the tape and re-walk the REVERSE BOX, cue
yourself aloud. Re-start the tape to dance to music.
Take closed position Man face wall on-R, ready:
MUSIC.
REVERSE BOX:
Side, close, back, -; Side, close, forward, -;
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, -;
REVERSE BOX:
Step, close, step, - ; Step, close, step, - ;
Step, close, step, - ; Step, close, step, - ;
REVERSE BOX:
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
REV BOX:
Ball, change, back, -; Ball, change, forward, -;
Ball, change, back, - ; Ball, change, forward, -;
REVERSE BOX:
1, 2, 3, - ; 2, 2, 2, - ; 1, 2, 3, - ; 2, 2, 3, - ;
REVERSE BOX:
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;
REVERSE BOX;; REVERSE BOX;;
REVERSE BOX;; REVERSE BOX;;
cue yourself to music.
Repeat the REVERSE BOX as necessary, then walk the
SIDE TWO-STEP, BOX, and REVERSE BOX routine.
Take closed position Man face wall on-R, ready:
SIDE TWO-STEP:
Side, close, side, - ; Side, close, side, - ;
SIDE TWO-STEP:
Side, change, side, -; Ball, change, side, -;
SIDE TWO-STEP:
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
SIDE TWO-STEP:
Side, close, side, -; Side, close, side, -;
BOX: Side, close, forward, - ; Side, close, back, - ;
BOX: Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
REVERSE BOX:
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;
REVERSE BOX:
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, qk, slow, - ;
SIDE TWO-STEP;; BOX;; REVERSE BOX;; SIDE TWO-STEP;;
BOX;; REVERSE BOX;; SIDE TWO-STEP;; REVERSE BOX;;
BOX;; SIDE TWO-STEP;; REVERSE BOX;; REVERSE BOX;;
BOX;; SIDE TWO-STEP;; REVERSE BOX;; REVERSE BOX;;
Re-walk till ready for music, then continue tape.
Dance with MUSIC: [use above choreography].
Re-dance with music until ready for next lesson.
APART 3 AND TOGETHER 3 is a six-step two-measure
pattern. Face partner and wall on-R. Partners will
back APART one two-step, Man back toward center and
Girl toward wall, ready:
BACK APART: Quick, quick, slow, - ;.
Now dance together one two-step, ready:
TOGETHER: Quick, quick, slow, - ;.
The cues are APART THREE & TOGETHER THREE.
Now try again with a variety of step cues. Face
partner and wall on-R (Girl opposite), ready:
APART THREE: Back, close, back, - ;
TOGETHER THREE: Forward, close, forward, - ;.
APART THREE: Step, close, step, - ;
TOGETHER THREE: Step, close, step, - ;
APART THREE: Quick, quick, slow, - ;
TOGETHER THERE: Quick, quick, slow, - ;
APART THREE: 1, 2, 3, - ;
TOGETHER THREE: 1, 2, 3, - ;
APART THREE: Ball, change, back, - ;
TOGETHER THREE: Ball, change, forward, - ;
APART THREE: Back, close, back, - ;
TOGETHER THREE: Forward, close, forward, - ;.
APART THREE; TOGETHER THREE;.
Practice several times on your own.
APART THREE & TOGETHER THREE may be used to change
or mix partners in the circle during dances. Face
partner and wall on-R, ready: APART THREE go: Back,
close, back, FREEZE;. From this position dancers
look-R. In a circle of dancers the Man looks at the
Girl of the adjacent couple to his-R, and the Girl
looks at the Man of the adjacent couple to her-R. On
the cue TOGETHER THREE or NEW PARTNER THREE dance
together to a new partner. This is called MIXING,
and dances using this are called MIXERS. MIXING may
be used during the APART THREE and TOGETHER THREE
when enough couples are dancing in a circle. The
cues APART THREE and NEW PARTNER THREE are not used
in the lessons on the assumption that only one couple
is present.
Remember, keep the rhythm while dancing: Quick,
quick, slow, - ;. Count steps if you prefer, or use
step cues such as: Back, close, back, - ; and
Forward, close, forward, - ;. Rewind the tape and
repeat this lesson as needed, then walk-thru the
exercise which follows.
Face partner and wall on-R (girl on-L), ready:
SIDE TWO-STEP:
Side, close, side, - ; Side, close, side, - ;
SIDE TWO-STEP:
Side, close, side, - ; Side, close, side, - ;
BOX: Side, close, forward, -; Side, close, back, -;
BOX: Side, close, forward, - ; Side, close, back, -;
REVERSE BOX:
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;
REVERSE BOX:
Side, close, back, - ; Side, close, forward, - ;
APART THREE: Back, close, back, - ;
TOGETHER THREE: Forward, close, forward, - ;
APART THREE: Back, close, back, - ;
TOGETHER THREE: Forward, close, forward, - ;
SIDE TWO-STEP;; SIDE TWO-STEP;; BOX;; BOX;;
REVERSE BOX;; REVERSE BOX;;
APART THREE; TOGETHER THREE; APART-3; TOGETHER-3;
Re-walk as needed, then dance to music and re-dance
as needed before going to the next exercise.
Remember dance HIGH, WIDE, and HANDSOME.
Henceforth the SIDE TWO-STEP, BOX, REVERSE BOX and
APART THREE & TOGETHER THREE are pattern cued without
step cues. If step cues are needed for these
patterns, rewind the tape and review the step cues
until patterns can be danced without step cues.
|
Man face partner and wall, in FACING POSITION.
Stand high, wide and handsome about 10 inches from
partner. Join Man's L-hand with Girl's R-hand. Join
Man's R-hand with Girl's L-hand. Extend joined hands
to the sides at Girl's shoulder level. This is
BUTTERFLY POSITION. Joined hands should be held
loosely, use light hand contact. Each dancer support
own extended arms. Don't hang on partners extended
hands. Supporting your extended arms is tiring, but
supporting partner's extended arms, it is very
unpleasant. Time spent in BUTTERFLY POSITION is
limited to avoid over-tiring arms. The term PRETTY
BUTTERFLY is a reminder to dance high, wide and
handsome with arms extended at Girl's shoulder level.
Slouchy "Experienced Dancers" often dance with arms
sagging below the Girl's shoulder level, elbows
retracted at sides or between partners. This slouchy
BUTTERFLY POSITION is more like a praying mantis than
a PRETTY BUTTERFLY and displays a sloven attitude
toward the position and appearance. Dancers look
best in PRETTY BUTTERFLY. Better dancers who know
fewer dances
often look and dance better. Experience is no
measure of how good a dancer looks or dances. Dance
high, wide and handsome with small steps. Notice
raised arms and elbows raise the head and shoulders
to enhance the HIGH, WIDE & HANDSOME attitude.
Re-dance the last exercise in BUTTERFLY POSITION.
Review BUTTERFLY POSITION on the next session.
Remember, speak terms aloud and read about them to
improve vocabulary, recognition, recall and reaction
times.
Take OPEN POSITION facing dance-line Man on-L. As
individuals turn in place ONE-HALF TURN (1/2-turn) to
face reverse. Both now facing reverse, Man on R-side
and Girl on L-side. Join inside hands, Man's L-hand
and Girl's R-hand. This is L-OPEN POSITION.
THRU TURN FACE REVERSE: A turn from OPEN POSITION
facing dance-line to L-OPEN POSITION facing reverse.
This may be cued "THRU TURN FACE REVERSE" meaning
BOTH HALF-TURN to L-OPEN POSITION facing reverse.
The cue "THRU TURN" means begin the TURN toward
partner. Start from OPEN position both face
dance-line, man on-L. In three steps, THRU TURN: 1.
Forward-R QUARTER R-TURN face partner (Girl forward-L
1/4 L-turn), 2. close-L 1/4 turn both face reverse
in L-Open position, 3. back-R end in L-OPEN position
facing reverse, - ;.
|
SUMMARY REVIEW OF POSITIONS. Take the following
positions in a High, wide and Handsome manner.
Re-wind the tape and review these positions as
needed.
1. FACING POSITION.
2. OPEN POSITION.
3. L-OPEN POSITION.
4. BUTTERFLY POSITION.
5. CLOSED POSITION.
Review the lesson on the CLOSED POSITION carefully
before starting the next lesson.
Always form a circle and be ready to receive
instructions before starting the tape. Time and tape
space are saved by omission of CIRCLE UP
instructions.
CHANGE PLACES is a TWO-measure, six step pattern,
started from CLOSED POSITION Man facing wall on-R and
ended in CLOSED POSITION Man facing center on-R.
MEASURE ONE of CHANGE PLACES may be cued as ARCH AND
CHANGE SIDES. MEASURE TWO of CHANGE PLACES may be
cued as FORWARD, FACE, CLOSE.
Take CLOSED position Man face wall on-R. CHANGE
PLACES with partner in any manner you wish, to place
Man facing center and Girl facing wall. CHANGE
PLACES simply means to change places with partner.
OK, CHANGE PLACES with partner again. You should be
in CLOSED position Man facing wall and Girl facing
center.
Take CLOSED position Man face wall on-R. Raise
joined LEAD HANDS (Man's L-hand to Girl's R-hand)
higher than the Girl's head. Joined LEAD hands form
an ARCH. Always ARCH with joined LEAD hands unless
told otherwise. The ARCH should be high enough for
the Girl to pass under without stooping or squatting.
Girl passes under the ARCH to the center or INSIDE of
the circle, as the Man passes behind the Girl to the
OUTSIDE of the circle.
MEASURE ONE is the ARCH AND CHANGE SIDES. ARCH &
CHANGE SIDES starts from CLOSED position Man facing
wall on-R and ends in L-OPEN position facing
dance-line. Take CLOSED position Man face wall on-R
with LEAD hands ARCHED. In three steps dance to
L-OPEN position both facing dance-line. Go ARCH &
CHANGE SIDES: 1, 2, 3, - ; That puts Man outside the
circle on-L, and Girl inside the circle on-R, both
facing dance-line in L-OPEN position.
MEASURE TWO starts in L-Open position both facing
dance-line Man on-L and ends in CLOSED position Man
facing center on-R. Steps are: 1. Forward-R toward
dance-line, 2. close-L face partner, 3. Side-R blend
to closed position, - ; end Man facing center on-R.
Stay put. Keep this position and facing direction.
Now repeat the two-measure CHANGE PLACES pattern
to return Man to the center of the hall. You should
be in CLOSED position Man facing center on-R. If not
get there. Ready: ARCH and CHANGE SIDES in three
steps dance to L-Open both facing reverse. Go: 1, 2,
3; Keep moving: FORWARD-R toward reverse, close-L
face partner, side-R blend to Closed position Man
facing wall on R-foot, - ;. On the change sides the
girl moves forward under the arch and the man passes
behind the girl.
Repeat as required, then stop the tape and walk the
CHANGE PLACES pattern with self cues.
WALK THRU the combined BOX and CHANGE PLACES
routine. Take Closed position Man face wall on-R,
ready:
BOX;;
CHANGE PLACES:
Arch and Change Sides 1, 2, 3 to L-Open;
Forward & face 1, 2, 3, - ;
BOX;;
CHANGE PLACES:
Arch Change Sides 1, 2, 3 to L-Open;
Forward & face 1, 2, 3, - ;
BOX;; CHANGE PLACES;; BOX;; CHANGE PLACES;;
Continue with self cues.
Re-walk until ready, then dance to music until
smooth.
.... MUSIC:
When BOX & CHANGE PLACES dances smoothly, then walk
thru the following routine:
Closed position man face wall on-R, ready:
BOX;; CHANGE PLACES;; BOX;; CHANGE PLACES;;
SIDE TWO-STEP;; CHANGE PLACES;;
SIDE TWO-STEP;; CHANGE PLACES;;
REVERSE BOX;; CHANGE PLACES;;
REVERSE BOX;; CHANGE PLACES;;
APART THREE & TOGETHER THREE;; CHANGE PLACES;;
APART THREE & TOGETHER THREE;; CHANGE PLACES;;
Re-walk to smooth out blending from one position to
the next. When ready dance to music.
Repeat with MUSIC. Remember: Dance in time with
the music, do not rush to change places, there is
plenty of time. Space and time movements to use all
six steps to reach target positions. There should be
no dancing in place at the target position. Thou
shall not rush and wait. Thou shall time movement
and steps to fit the music. Mind the music and the
step. Practice this
exercise with music until danced high, wide and
handsome in a graceful and timely fashion. Then
proceed to the next lesson.
ACKNOWLEDGE is a one-measure one-step pattern.
The step is a slow step, taken on beats 1 & 2 of the
4 beat measure. FACING POSITION Man face wall on-R.
Start about eight inches apart. Man's R-hand joined
with Girl's L-hand. Acknowledge partner, both take
one small step backward or APART, away from partner
on the first beat with toe aimed toward dance-line.
Leave freed foot in place to mark it's starting spot.
Man is now on-L and Girl on-R with free feet marking
the starting places. On beat three raise free R-heel
(Girl's-L) foot tilted with little toe of free foot
touching floor at starting spot, this free foot
action is called a POINT. HOLD the position on beat
four, Man standing on-L with R-pointed, Girl
opposite. Stand tall and look partner in the eyes.
Extend free arms and joined hands at Girl's shoulder
level. Keep heads up, this action is to ACKNOWLEDGE
partner. Never look down at pointing feet. Look at
partner, smile, and anticipate a romantic musical
interlude. Most dances begin and end by
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of partner. ACKNOWLEDGE partner in a
graceful manner. Again FACING POSITION Man face wall
on-R. Stand tall, ready: STEP APART, POINT, HOLD;.
|
Most dances begin with the ACKNOWLEDGE followed by
RECOVER TOUCH. RECOVER TOUCH is a one-measure one-
step pattern to return dancers to STARTING POSITION.
Take FACING POSITION Man face wall on-R, ready:
ACKNOWLEDGE: Step apart, - , point, hold; freeze in
this position. The next action is a single step
together blending to BUTTERFLY position. The pointed
foot, Man's-R & Girl's-L, marks the starting place.
On step together, RECOVER or return to spot marked by
POINTING FOOT. Ready: Step together on Man's-R &
Girl's-L, TOUCH free foot beside weighted foot
blending to butterfly, hold;. TOUCH means bring the
free foot next to the weighted foot and touch the
ball of the free foot to the floor without taking
weight. The ACKNOWLEDGE followed by RECOVER TOUCH
form the INTRODUCTION.
Repeat the INTRODUCTION. Facing Position Man face
wall on-R, ready:
STEP APART, - , POINT, -; STEP TOGETHER, - , TOUCH,
- ;. The together step is called RECOVER, because
dancers recover or return to the starting spot.
i.e.:
STEP APART, -, POINT, - ; RECOVER, -, TOUCH, - ;.
The INTRODUCTION is step-cued as APART, - , POINT,
- ; RECOVER, - , TOUCH, - ;. Face partner and wall
Man on-R, ready:
APART, POINT; RECOVER FACING POSITION, TOUCH;
APART, POINT; RECOVER BUTTERFLY, TOUCH;
APART, POINT; RECOVER CLOSED POSITION, TOUCH;
APART, POINT;
RECOVER OPEN POSITION FACING DANCE-LINE, TOUCH;
Stop the tape and practice the INTRODUCTION several
times. Then go to the next lesson.
Take closed position Man facing wall on-R. Stand
HIGH, WIDE & HANDSOME. Ready? Now look at your
feet. What happened? You backed away from partner
to look at your feet, breaking closed position. Head
and body tilted forward and down. The body bent at
the hips and waist. Fanny protruded to the rear.
Knees and ankles bent. Head, body and leg posture
are destroyed. This demonstrates that dancers who
look at feet do not dance High, Wide & Handsome.
Bent knee, hip and ankle joints produce spring like
action and cause dancers to bounce as they step.
Bouncing is undesirable. Bouncing prevents smooth
body movement and is tiring.
Foot watching is confusing, the brain should send
signals to the feet, not receive signals from them.
Foot watching reverses the signal directions, i.e.
from the feet thru the eyes to the brain. Foot
watchers attempt to send and receive messages in two
directions at once. Once started a step must be
completed. Dancers must think of the next step while
completing the on-going step. There is not enough
time to complete a step before thinking of the next
step. Foot watching confuses the mind with what is
and what has happened, not what comes next. Take a
good long look at your feet and say "I shall never
watch my feet while dancing". Good, now I will never
catch you looking at your feet again. Think about
your feet as you dance High, Wide and Handsome.
Rewind the tape and repeat the last dance exercise.
Review any lessons to resolve problems. Go to the
next lesson when you can dance the last exercise
without problems.
A six-step two-measure pattern. The SCISSORS THRU
has some things in common with the BOX, SIDE TWO-STEP
and REVERSE BOX. All patterns use the same rhythm:
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;.
The first two steps of each measure are 1. a quick
side & 2. a close step. Step three of each measure
is a slow step. The first step of each measure is a
side step. The second step of each measure is a
close step.
Take facing position Man face wall on-R, ready:
Side-L, close-R, cross-L in front of-R stepping on-L
toward reverse, - ; blend to closed position man
facing wall on-L.
Now in the reverse direction: Side-R, close-L,
cross-R in front of-L stepping on-R toward
dance-line, - ; blend to closed position man facing
wall on-R.
Note: on the cross steps both dancers step thru the
space between the Man & Girl. When both dancers step
thru the space between partners, it is called a
"THRU" step. The SCISSORS THRU is named for the THRU
step. The step cues for the SCISSORS THRU pattern
are:
Side, close, thru, - ; Side, close, thru, - ;.
Face partner and wall on-R, ready:
SCISSORS THRU:
Side-L, close-R, thru-L, - ;
other way Side-R, close-L, thru-R, - ;
blend to closed position man on-R. The THRU step is
awkward if partners stand too close together. Stand
about 12 inches from partner to step thru. Learn to
leave space for the thru step. Turn to face reverse
on the side-L and close-R steps, this lets dancers
step thru with a smooth straight forward step. Turn
to face dance-line on the side-R and close-L steps,
to make the thru step easy with a smooth straight
forward step. Let bodies turn to face the direction
of the thru steps and blend to face partner on thru
steps.
Face partner and wall man on-R, ready:
SCISSORS THRU:
Side, close, thru, - ; Side, close, thru, - ;
SCISSORS THRU:
Step, close, step, - ; Step, close, step, - ;
SCISSORS THRU:
Quick, quick, slow, - ; Quick, quick, slow, - ;
SCISSORS THRU:
Ball, change, thru, - ; Ball, change, thru, - ;
SCISSORS THRU:
Side, close, thru, - ; Side, close, thru, - ;
Re-walk the SCISSORS THRU until ready then dance it
for smoothness before going to the summary exercise.
Walk-thru for familiarity.
Face partner and wall on-R, ready:
Apart, - , Point, - ;
Recover closed position, - , touch, - ;
SIDE TWO-STEP;; SCISSORS THRU;;
BOX;; SCISSORS THRU;;
REVERSE BOX;; SCISSORS THRU;;
APART-3 & TOGETHER-3;; SCISSORS THRU;;
SIDE TWO-STEP;; CHANGE PLACES;;
BOX;; CHANGE PLACES;;
SCISSORS THRU;; CHANGE PLACES;;
SCISSORS THRU;; CHANGE PLACES;;
Re-walk as needed, then dance and re-dance to MUSIC
till ready for the next lesson.
Take closed position Man face wall, ready: Retain
lead hand contact, both partners open the lead side
and face dance-line, adjust other hand positions for
comfort. Man's R-side and Girl's L-side are adjacent,
both facing dance-line, lead hands joined and
extended at Girl's shoulder level. Never lower lead
hands unless told to do so. SEMI CLOSED POSITION is
referred to as SEMI which is short for SEMI CLOSED
and means HALF CLOSED POSITION. Partners shoulders
form a "V" when viewed from above.