Monday, October 27, 2008

Oct 26 Pre-Silver Lesson

Waltz. Lesson amalgamation: Double Reverse Spin, Open Telemark, Chasse from Promenade Position, 1-3 Natural Turn, Open Impetus, Weave from Promenade Position.

Not much new information. Due to the small class size we reinforced concepts similar to private lessons with a lot of one on one interaction.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Oct 19 Pre-Silver Lesson

Cha Cha and Waltz/Quickstep.

Cuban Break Exercise - 2 split cuban breaks, cuban break, rinse & repeat.
Do this exercise solo with no rotation facing the mirrors.
Do this exercise in partnership with the normal rotations.
Practice this A LOT.

Double Reverse Spin. A heel turn is led by performing premature rise. The basic timing is 1 2&3 for Waltz. The basic timing is SSQQ for Quickstep. Lady takes 4 steps but man only takes 2 steps. Stay left, keep the energy coming from your left elbow, and don't forget... stay left.

Oct 17 Silver Lesson

Standard Waltz and Tango.

Timing Timing Timing. Go back to your pre-bronze choreography is practice and MAKE SURE you can dance to the music. Then advance in practice to Bronze and then Silver. If you can't use the room sound system, buy an earphone splitter and dance with your partner using music from your mp3 player.

Waltz foot closures. Accomplish this by pushing INTO the floor with the standing leg of beat 2 with only slight squeezing of the upper thighs. DO NOT "pull" yourself up by squeezing your legs together and lifting your head. Lower SLOWLY on beat 3, finishing the lowering around the 'and' of beat 3.

Connect to your partner through your right side. Dance through your left side.

In your body, make closed position closed position, outside partner "closed position", and promenade promenade position.

Don't make the Silver Tango figures more than they are. The promenade fallaway is just taking promenade position and walking it forward then backwards down the floor.

Oct 17 Bronze Lesson

Jive is about energy. The reason it is typically danced as the last dance in a round of competition is to test your endurance. Remember to show the audience (and judges) that you have energy to spare. If that's hard for you, work on your technique. Dancing with the proper footwork, body sway, and leg action actually makes this dance easier than it looks.

Standard. Remember to create a clear distinction between Closed Position and Promenade Position. In closed position, your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders are all facing the same direction. Keep your left side turned toward your partner, keep your knees forward, and connect all the way through your right side from the bottom of the rib cage all the way down to the knee. Since the connection is through the right side, the most effective way to move your body while dancing in a partnership is by channeling the energy you provide to the partnership through your left side (all the way through your left elbow would be the most effective).

In closed position the center of the connection is between the front of the man's right hip and the front of the lady's right hip. In contrast, the connection in promenade position is between the centerline of the lady and the side of the man's right hip.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

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