Lesson on Quickstep Technique, Practice Routine

Quickstep practice routine:

Starting DC, middle of long wall (alignment is from Man's perspective)

Steps in this color can be skipped when dancing on a shorter wall.

1. Chasse Reverse Turn (SQQ) (start on 1, not 8) -> BLOD
2. Progressive Chasse (SQQS) -> DW
3. Forward Lock (SQQS) -> DW
4. Natural Turn with Back Lock (SQQS QQS) -> BLOD
5. Running Finish (SQQ) -> DW New LOD
6. 123 Natural Turn (SQQ) -> BLOD
7. Closed Impetus (SSS) -> either DW (moving BDW) or facing Wall (moving center)
8. Reverse Pivot (S) -> DC
9. Double Reverse Spin (SSQQ) -> LOD
10. Progressive Chasse to the Right (SQQS) -> BDW
11. Back Lock (SQQS) -> BDW
12. Tipple Chasse to the Right (SQQS QQS) -> DW New LOD
13. Natural Pivot Turn (SQQS) -> LOD
14. Natural Spin Turn (SQQ SSS) -> BDC
15. Progressive Chasse (SQQS) -> DW
16. Natural Spin Turn (SQQ SSS) -> BDC
17. Heel Pivot - Quarter Turn to Left (SQQ) -> DW
18. Cross Chasse (SQQ) -> DW
19. Natural Turn (SQQ SSS) -> underturn ending LOD on New LOD
20. Zig Zag, Back Lock & Running Finish (SS QQS SQQ) -> last "S" in previous Natural Turn is first "S" in Zig Zag, Running Finish ending DW New LOD
21. Natural Turn with Hesitation (SQQ SSS) -> DC about in middle of long wall, start over from #1.

Some technique points:


Reverse Pivot

The man lowers down to his heel for the pivot, but keeps a straight leg, delaying the compression of the knee for collection until the pivot is complete. When the man steps, and begins to turn, he has the lady step with her left foot inside his right foot. It is because of this that he needs to keep his right knee straight, so that her left foot can switch between being inside and outside of his right foot without the partners bumping knees.

Double Reverse Spin

The man needs to rise at the end of 1, so that the lady can rise at the end of her heel turn. He also needs to take a big side step, and use some swing to get there. He uses the image of trying to spiral his head up to the ceiling.

Tipple Chassé to Right

Distinguish the shaping on the Running Finish and Tipple Chassé: On the Tipple Chassé, the man shape right at the end of the first step. On the fourth step step, S, the knee compresses for a change of direction, but the heel stays off the ground. Be careful to keep his head and center left through the second half of the Tipple Chassé.

Zig-Zag

This was characterized to be nearly identical to the Foxtrot Reverse Turn, but all slows, rise at the end of 3.

Rumba Bronze Practice Routine

Rumba practice choreography:

1. Cucarachas: LF  (2341)  
2. Cucarachas: RF  (2341)  
3. Basic Movements: Closed  (2341 2341)  Turning basic 1/4 to L
4. New York LSP  (2341)  
5. Hand To Hand LSP  (2341)  
6. Hand To Hand RSP  (2341)  
7. Progressive Walks Forward in RSP  (2341 2341)  
8. Cuban Rocks RF  (2341)  
9. Spot Turn To R (Lady to L)  (2341)  
10. Underarm Turn To R  (2341) 
11. Closed Hip Twist  (2341 2341)  
12. Hockey Stick  (2341 2341)  
13. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side  (2341)  
14. Shoulder To Shoulder Right Side  (2341)  
15. Side Step To Right commenced with LF  (2341)  
16. Side Step To Right commenced with RF  (2341)  
17. Side Step To Right commenced with LF  (2341)  
18. Cucarachas: RF  (2341)  
19. Fan  (2341 2341)  
20. Alemana  (2341 2341)  
21. Opening Out To Right And Left  (2341 2341)  
22. Closed Hip Twist  (2341 2341)  
23. Basic Movements: Open  (2341)
24. Progressive Walks Back  (2341 2341)  
25. Natural Top  (2341 2341 2341)  
26. Natural Opening Out Movement  (2341)  
27. Basic Movements: Closed  (2341)  Turning basic, back to starting position

Class on Bronze Quickstep

Some points on technique:

• Lady needs to maintain "a strong elbow", referring to her left elbow, otherwise she will be difficult for the man to lead.
• Lady makes contact with the man below the rib cage, but not above, otherwise she is leaning against him, and cannot respond to his lead.
• On the Tipple Chassé, on the first slow step, the man begins shaping, bending his spine to the right. After the check step, he returns his spine to the left. The degree to which the direction of movement changes determines how much checking is done on the check step. To continue in a line down the floor, there is hardly any check at all.
• Keeping both feet in contact with the ground at all times is required for balance in the swing dances. Without this contact, there is a tendency, particularly when coming out of a rise, to come down abruptly and not smoothly.
• One way that the lady may determine whether a figure requires a lock or a chassé: if the timing is QQ, the step is elevated, and moving forward or back, it is a lock, and if it moves to the side, it is a chassé.

Lesson on Quickstep Technique

It's good to have a ritual to get into frame. On social dance floor, this could be brief, but the elements are still there.  In competitions, the ritual is dramatized. The 10-point system is described in details on Standard Technique page.

Natural Turn: first step, step straight.

On the natural pivot, the man needs to leave enough space between his legs for the woman to be able to step between, and that space needs to be maintained through the pivot.

The importance of the woman driving through on her forward steps was emphasized. Without that drive, she is not able to get around the man on the second half of the natural turn.

Class on Bronze Quickstep

Quickstep practice routine:

1. Natural Pivot Turn   
2. Quarter Turn to Right   
3. Progressive Chasse   
4. Forward Lock   
5. Natural Turn And Back Lock   
6. Tipple Chasse To Right   
7. Natural Spin Turn   
8. Heel Pivot (Quarter Turn To Left)   
9. Cross Chasse  

Three phases of movement in the swing dances. lower, move, and swing. We lower to gain speed, move on the slow step, and slow down as we rise and swing. The movement of the quickstep is like a roller coaster. We go down on the slow and pick up speed, and then go up on the quicks and slow down. The rise and swing is less than in waltz, as there isn't time for the full swing and rise of waltz.

There was a question about how the lady knows that a lock step is being led. The amount of rise on the quicks is what leads the difference between a lock step and passing the feet.

Bronze class on Rumba

Figures covered at Rumba Bronze Level:

1. Fan: The man step slightly forward on step 6, rather that straight to side, to put him a little closer to the lady.
2. Alemana
3. Hockey Stick
4. Natural Top
5. Opening Out to Right and Left
6. Natural Opening Out Movement
7. Closed Hip Twist

How Pointe Shoes are Made

The Beeb has a 2 minute video on the making of pointe shoes.