ROUND DANCE TEACHER TRAINING should include
writing a round dance to an unfamiliar
record. An old round
dance record may be
used if the student choreographer has not
seen the old cue sheet.
Student should
identify the musical structure by listening
to and analyzing the music, phrases, parts,
sequence and ending.
For first effort use
a record with a: 4-measure introduction; 32
measure melody with two 16 measure parts; 64
measure body (32 measure melody repeated);
and a 2- or 4-measure ending.
PRE-REQUISITES. The student
should be
familiar with 4/4 time rhythm and round
dance punctuation symbols.
RECORD SELECTION. Select a readily
available record with above average music
that is comfortable for free style dancing.
One with a catchy tune
and lingering melody,
that is easy to recognize and recall well
enough to hum or sing.
Choose a strong beat
rhythm with a suitable constant tempo. 38
mpm is good two-step dance tempo. 30
mpm is
slow, but some have been hits. Pop labels
provide well-known music by famous artists
to currently popular tunes.
MUSIC ANALYSIS. Play the
record and listen
to the melody.
Count the number of measures
in the introduction, each part, the body and
ending. Count 4/4
time measures in groups
of 4-beats, and phrases
in groups of 4-
measures. Group beats
into measures and
phrases by counting as follows: "1", 2, 3,
4; "2", 2, 3, 4; "3", 2, 3, 4; "4", 2, 3,
4;. Mark each measure and phrase counted on
a pad.
Typical dance count sheet:
INTRO: 1234 INTRO: 1
DANCE: DANCE:
PART A: 1234 2234 3234
4234 PART A: 1234
PART B: 1234 2234 3234
4234 PART B: 1234
PART A: 1234 2234 3234
4234 PART A: 1234
PART B: 1234 2234 3234
4234 PART B: 1234
ENDING: 12 END: «PHRASE
Verify count and identify musical phrase
repeats. Repeat dance
pattern phrases where
musical phrases repeat.
WORK-SHEET. The work-sheet is a blank cue
card. Make a
work-sheet on a lined tablet
or ruled 5" x 8" index card.
Enter semi-colons in red to represent each measure of
the introduction, dance and ending. Leave
blank spaces between semi-colons for cue
notations. Leave blank
lines to provide
space for notes or alternate cues.
TITLE: INTRO: ;
; ; ;
------------------------------------------
PART A:
;
; ; ;
; ; ; ;
------------------------------------------
PART B:
; ; ; ;
; ; ; ;
------------------------------------------
SEQUENCE: INTRO AA
BB AA BB
ENDING
END: ; ;.
Enter cues and/or steps between semi-colons
in pencil. List
positions and directions
above semi-colons or cues.
Enter position
&
direction only where changes occur. Use
standard cue words and include 4-measure
figures per phrase.
Avoid splitting 2-
measure patterns or 4-measure figures
between phrases.
Limit gimmick figures to
1-phrase
per dance. Dance and re-dance to
insure smooth flow.
Eliminate footwork with
quick body torque reversal and tangle-foot
steps.
Test the girl's part. Don't subject
her to tangle-foot steps or awkward body
mechanics. Observe
rules of turns. Use
proper footwork for maneuvers, pickups and
pivots. Limit closed
position body rotation
to ¬turn per step.
Correlate music & dance.
Choreographic excellence does not require
international ballroom patterns and terms or
advanced basics. Use
compatible pattern
variety without repeating Part A phrases in
Part B. Use different beginning and ending
patterns for Part A and B.
Don't start part
A and B with TWO FORWARD
TWO STEPS and/or
end both parts with TWIRL TWO AND WALK TWO.
Identical part A and B
beginning and ending
patterns create sequence recall problems.
Avoid consecutive patterns combinations
such as pivot, two turning, twirl and other
turns. Some dancers
dislike sequences
containing serial turns.
Avoid use of similar patterns such as
FORWARD, LOCK, FORWARD, -
;
and FORWARD, LOCK,
FORWARD,LOCK; in
the same dance.
Complete work-sheet in your shorthand/
abbreviations, as a cue card and guide for
the cue sheet.
COMPLETED WORK-SHEET OR
CUE CARD:
fp wall
semi dl
DANCE FANTASTIC. INTRO: ;
; SI;;
---------------------------------------------------
A: semi dl cp wall
2F ; ; SLO V 4 ; ;
1
semi dl. 2 bfl wall.
BOX ; ; TWL 3; REV TWL 3;
---------------------------------------------------
B:bfl wall op dl
lop rev
FC TO FC ; BK TO
BK ;
lop
rev op dl
RK, TURN IN; THRU RK, TURN AWAY;
bfl wall
1 bfl wall.
2 semi dl.
DBL H ; ; SASHAY 4 ; W2 ;
---------------------------------------------------
fc wall
SEQUENCE: INTRO AA
BB AA BB
TWL 2; ACK;
CUE SHEET: Prepare cue sheet in standard
format, terms and descriptions. Beginning
choreographers should use basic/easy level
terms, patterns and figures to simplify
writing and reading.
Dancers dislike
deciphering hieroglyphics to review a cue
sheets. Use proven
descriptions. To help
understand and appreciate descriptions:
write a clear, concise, and complete pattern
and position description, without reference
to accepted descriptions. Evaluate for
clarity one week later, then compare with a
standard descriptions.
HEADING: Include:
DANCE TITLE: Record/tune-title or synonym.
COMPOSERS: Name, address
& telephone number.
RECORD: Title, artist
& label name & number.
FOOTWORK: Opposite, directions for man.
SEQUENCE: Order of intro, parts and ending.
HEADING:
TITLE: DANCE
FANTASTIC.
CHOREOGRAPHERS: Fred & Kay Haury,
8810
PH (505) 298-5050.
FOOTWORK: Opposite,
directions for man.
SEQUENCE: INTRO AA BB AA BB END
INTRODUCTION: Use the STANDARD INTRO
(Wait; Wait; Apart, -,
point, -; Together,
-, Touch, -;) for a 4-measure musical intro
on the cue sheet.
A familiar intro helps
dancers concentrate on the dance.
Odd intros may distract
concentration, and cause
dancers to lose confidence and blow a dance.
Reserve unique pattern
finish positions to
figures where required for smooth flow into
the first measure of part A.
BODY: Write phrase lines in capitol
case
letters, 4-measures per line. Write each
phrase line so knowledgeable dancers can
dance the patterns without reference to
measure description lines.
Example:
INTRODUCTION
1 - 4 [OP]
WAIT;; APART, - , POINT, - ;
RECOVER, - , TOUCH, - ; [SCP LOD]
PART A
1 - 4 TWO FORWARD TWO-STEPS;; SLOW VINE
4;;[CP WALL]
5 - 8 BOX;; TWIRL 3;
REVERSE TWIRL 3; [SCP LOD]
9 -16 REPEAT PART A;;;; ;;;; [BFLY WALL]
PART B
1 - 4 FACE TO FACE; BACK TO BACK;
ROCK, -, TURN THRU, -;
THRU ROCK, - , TURN AWAY, - ; [OP LOD]
5 - 8 DOUBLE HITCH;; SASHAY 4; WALK, - ,
FACE, - ;
[BFLY WALL]
9 16 REPEAT PART B;;;; ;;;; [SCP LOD]
ENDING
1 - 2 TWIRL, - , 2, - ; APART, - , POINT, - ;
provide detailed step description
of each pattern
contained on
phrase lines.
Underline capital case phrase
lines to separate from measure description
lines for easy location.
Use standard
terms, abbreviations, patterns, positions
and descriptions.
Refer to other cue sheets
for examples.
Write a draft cue sheet.
Measure descriptions
provide additional data
for readers not familiar with cues listed on
phrase lines. List
each step, position and
direction change.
Example:
INTRODUCTION
1 - 4 [OP] WAIT;; APART, - , POINT, - ; RECOVER, - ,
TOUCH, - ; [SCP LOD]
1-2 Open position man face wall on-R:
Wait two
measures;;
3-4 Apt-L, -, pnt-R,
-; Rec-R, -, touch, - ;
Semi-closed face dance-line
PART A
1 - 4 TWO FWD
TWO-STEPS;; SLOW
VINE 4;; [CP WALL]
1-2
Fwd-L, -R, -L, - ;
Forward-R, -L, -R, - ;
Closed position man face wall
3-4 Sd-L, - , beh-R, - ; Sd-L, - , thru-R, - ;
Closed position man face wall
5 - 8 BOX;; TWIRL 3;
REVERSE TWIRL 3; [SCP LOD]
5-6 Box: Side-L, close-R, forward-L, - ;
Side-R, close-L, back-R, - ;
7
Side-L, beh-R, side-L, - (Girl full R-turn
roll-R, L,
R, - under arched lead hands);
8
Side-R, beh-L, side-R, - (Girl full L-turn
roll-L, R,
L, - under arched lead hands);
9 -16 REPEAT PART A;;;;
;;;; [BFLY WALL]
PART B
1 - 4 FACE TO FACE; BK
TO BK; SIDE ROCK, - , TURN THRU,
- ; THRU ROCK, - , TURN AWAY,
- ; [OP LOD]
1 Sd-L, cls-R, sd-L turn away from partner,-;
Back position man face wall
2 Sd-R, cls-L, sd-R turn to face partner,
- ;
butterfly
position man face wall
3 Side rock-L, - , recover-R ¬R-turn, - ;
Left open position both face reverse
4 Thru rock-L ¬R-turn man face center
back to back
position, - , rec-R ¬R-turn, - ; Open position
facing
dance-line
5 - 8 DOUBLE HITCH;; SASHAY 4; WALK, -, FACE, -; [BFLY
1-2 Fwd-L, cls-R,
bk-L, -; Bk-R, cls-L, fwd-R, -;
face partner
closed position LOD WALL]
3 Side-L, close-R, side-L, close-R;
4 Sd-L ¬L-turn
to semi dance-line, -, thru-R
¬R-turn face partner, -; butterfly wall
9 -16 REPEAT PART B;;;; ;;;; [SCP LOD]
ENDING
1 - 2 TWIRL, - , 2, - ; APART, - , POINT, -
;
1 Side-L, - , behind-R, - (Girl full
R-turn
roll-2 R, - ,
L, - under arched lead hands); open
position man
facing wall
2 Apart-L, - , point-R, - ;.
Walk-thru completed draft and check for
errors. Have a
knowledgeable dancer walk-
thru the cue sheet, without any assistance
or having seen the dance. Watch to see if
they perform the dance properly or encounter
trouble. Correct
problems, then type the
cue sheet in final form.
Proof read and
test the final cue sheet carefully.
_