Tango Technique

Tango Silver practice routine:

1. Walk  (S) starting Man DW
2. Walk  (S)
3. Progressive Link  (QQ) ending traveling DC
4. Promenade Link  (SQQ)
5. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside  (QQS QQS) Open Finish
6. Four Step  (QQQQ) ending traveling DC in PP on new LOD
7. Open Promenade  (SQQS)
8. Outside Swivel  (SQQ)
9. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn  (QQSS QQS QQS)
10. Progressive Link  (QQ)
11. Natural Promenade Turn  (S QQS)
12. Rock Turn  (QQS QQS) 2-7 Closed Finish
13. Progressive Link  (QQ)
14. Natural Twist Turn  (S QQS QQ) underturned, ending traveling on new LOD
15. Promenade Link  (SQQ)
16. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside  (QQS QQS)
17. Progressive Link  (QQ) toward corner
18. Back Open Promenade  (SQQS)

A couple of technique points on Tango:

• On Progressive link: Man: step diagonally forward with left foot, pushing follower's right leg out of the way. step 1 is very strong CBMP. Man should turn his frame when his weight is on his left foot, then put down right foot under shoulder, in promenade position.
• On Promenade link: when in PP, lady has to stay behind Man. on second step, when Lady steps LF forward and across in CBMP, it needs to stay behind Man, so after turning to face Man, the left leg can be in the right position.
• On Four Step: The first part is like Open Reverse Turn, it ends with Lady's LF closes to RF, but slightly back to give room for Man), in PP. This is different from the ending position in Progressive Link (where LF steps to the side.)
• On Open promenade, when this is followed by Outside Swivel, as Lady is quickly back into closed position, the Lady can keep her head position in Open Promenade all the way through Outside Swivel.
• Both Man and Lay should pay close attention to correct footwork and alignment.

Quickstep Silver Practice Routine

1. Running Right Turn  (SQQ S SSS SQQ) start on the short wall, ending new LOD
2. Natural Turn With Hesitation  (SQQ SS hold S)
3. Chasse Reverse Turn  (SQQ)
4. Reverse Pivot  (S)
5. Double Reverse Spin  (SSQQ)
6. Chasse Reverse Turn  (SQQ)
7. Reverse Pivot  (S)
8. Closed Telemark  (SSS)
9. Fish Tail  (SQQQQS)
10. Natural Turn And Back Lock  (SQQ SQQS) cut across corner along short wall
11. Running Finish  (SQQ)
12. Forward Lock  (SQQS) to corner
13. Natural Spin Turn  (SQQ underturned to BDC, then SSS ending BDC on new LOD)
14. Progressive Chasse  (SQQS S) overturned to LOD, moving DC
15. Quick Open Reverse  (SQQ)
16. Four Quick Run  (SQQQQS)
17. Natural Turn  (SQQ) half natural
18. Tipple Chasse To Right  (SQQ SQQS) corner

CONTINUE WITH #1

Quickstep Silver Choreography

Starting the routine on short side of wall:

1. Running Right Turn (SQQ S SSS SQQ) start on the short wall, ending new LOD
2. Natural Turn With Hesitation (SQQ SS hold S)
3. Chasse Reverse Turn (SQQ)
4. Reverse Pivot (S)
5. Double Reverse Spin (SSQQ)
6. Chasse Reverse Turn (SQQ)
7. Reverse Pivot (S)
8. Closed Telemark (SSS)

More Newcomer and Bronze routines at http://www.dancecentral.info/ballroom/international-style/quickstep/quickstep-choreography

Rumba Technique Practice Routine

Practice the Rumba routine below with a piece of paper under both feet. A couple of technique points to remember:

• Try to keep paper moving with feet at all times. It's difficult to do, but it trains the feet to be 'sticky' (have pressure) on the floor.
• Keep upper body 'lifted' at the same time.
• Use inside edge of feet, "break the ankle inward"

Practice Routine:

1. Start with LF in front, weight on RF.
2. '2': rotate left hip forward
3. '3': rotate right hip back
4. '4': point LF back, left toe behind right heel, hold position
5. '1' (half beat): hold position
6. '&' (half beat): put weight on LF
7. '2': move RF back, settle
8. '3': replace weight on LF,
9. '41: RF forward, settle
10. '2': Cucaracha, LF to left side
11. '3' (half beat): replace weight to RF
12. '&' (half beat): LF closes to RF
13. '41': RF to side, settle
14. '2341 (half beat)': Alemana
15. '&' (half beat): spiral to R (lift up, tighten inside muscle)
16. '2341': RF forward Rumba walk
17. '2': Rumba walk LF fwd
18. '3' (half beat): RF fwd, slightly cross LF
19. '&;': 1/2/ turn to L, ending LF in front
20. '41': LF back, settle
21. '2': RF closes to LF (like starting Hockey Stick step 4)
22. '3': LF forward
23. '41': RF forward
24. '2': LF forward walk
25. '3' (half beat): RF forward
26. '&' (half beat): full turn to R
27. '41(half beat)': LF forward (traveling same direction as before the full turn)
28. '&': 1/2 turn to R

Waltz Bronze Practice Routine

Waltz Bronze Practice Routine:

Start (Man) DW:

1. Natural Spin Turn  (123 123)  
2. Reverse Turn  (4-6)  
3. Double Reverse Spin  (1 2& 3)  
4. Whisk  (123)  
5. Chasse From Promenade Position  (1 2& 3)  
6. Hesitation Change  (123 123)  
7. Reverse Turn  (123 check)  
8. Basic Weave  (123 123)  ending PP
9. Chasse From Promenade Position  (1 2& 3)

More Waltz Bronze choreography on the web site.

Standard Ballroom Practice Exercises

Exercise to improve the use of legs and feet. This is the basic movement for Waltz, slowed down and detailed.

1. Start with feet together.
2. Extend the right foot forward, pushing the heel along the ground, by bending the left knee, keeping body straight.
3. Push off left leg to transfer weight to a bent right leg.
4. Press up through the right knee to bring the feet together.
5. Repeat 2-4, switching right and left feet.
6. With feet together, after pressing up through the knee, continue pressing up through the feet, getting the heels as high up over the balls of the feet as possible.
7. Step forward with the right foot, landing on the ball of the foot, keeping the heel off the ground.
8. Bring the left foot to the right foot, and do not let the heel of the right foot touch the ground until the left foot is even with it.
9. Repeat steps 1-8, switching right and left.

The same exercise going back.

1. Start with feet together
2. Bend the left knee forward over the foot. Imagine that the knee is trying to touch a spot on the floor a couple of body lengths in front of you. As you do so, extend the right foot backward.
3. Transfer partial weight to the right foot, keeping the body poised forward, and pull back the left foot, dragging the heel along the ground, keeping the heel of the right foot and the toe of the left foot off the ground until the feet are together. The forward poise of the body is required to keep the heel of the right foot off the ground.
4. Repeat 2-3 switching right and left.
5. Rise up as high as you can on the toes, and step back with the right foot. 
6. Bring the feet together, pulling the left foot back, keeping the right heel off the floor until the feet are together.
7. Repeat 2-6, switching right and left.

Daily exercises that will improve your dance

Dance exercises: 

1. [Practice, Standard] The 13-step position and shaping practice is a good warmup routine.
2. [Practice, Standard] CBM: Step toward mirror with CBM, soft knees, shoulders and hips flat. Do not turn foot.
3. [Practice] Using WF: Step back with tip toe, slip weight, roll down onto ball of back foot till two feet are even, lower heel.
4. [Practice] Using WF: Step forward, slide heel fwd, split weight, roll fwd onto front foot, bring back foot fwd, settle, repeat.
5. [Practice] Lead and follow with only body contact, shoulders parallel. Move around room and change body orientation.
6. [Practice, Lady] Lie face down on floor, lift head and bend back.
7. [Practice] Stand in front of wall with some space, then try to fill the space, make contact with wall, while keeping head and foot position.
8. [Latin, Practice] Do rib cage exercise everyday.
9. [Latin, Practice] Practice by stepping on paper and moving paper under foot.
10. [Latin, Practice] Squat on toes, keeping upper leg parrallel to floor.

More tips at DanceCentral.info

Standard Waltz: Bronze Level Practice Routine

Bronze level practice routine:

1. Natural Spin Turn  (123 123)  
2. Reverse Turn  4-6 (123)  
3. Double Reverse Spin  (1 2& 3 )  
4. Whisk  (123)  
5. Chasse From Promenade Position  (1 2& 3)  
6. Natural Turn  1-3 (123)  

Newcomer Samba and Foxtrot

Some points of Foxtrot technique:

• We've become accustomed to trying to fix our frame into position. Actually, the frame has to be flexible. The most important thing is that the body contact is good, so if the man moves his arm out of good frame, for example, it doesn't cause the lady to lose contact, and thus the lead. There are some ladies who get into a beautiful frame at the start, wide elbows, shaping left. But then, as the dance progresses, they can't make adjustments as needed during the dance, so that when things start to go wrong, they just keep getting worse. On the other side, there are ladies who are able to adjust, sometimes the feet are not doing the right thing at times, such as passing the feet when she should be locking, but it doesn't matter, it could still feed very good to dance with the lady, because the connection is always there and is always good. If the frame and the connection look good, the audience could hardly tell what's wrong.
• When the lady steps out of a heel turn, the rise and fall should be gradual. She rises as she steps forward, and lowers as she completes the step.
• When a man makes a heel turn, he does not rise until the end of the second step, in contrast to most figures in waltz and foxtrot where the rise begins at the end of the first step.

Samba practice routine:
It includes an "alternative side basic" step: start on the right foot, step in place on right foot on 1, step side left with partial weight on 'a', replace weight on RF on 2.

Natural phrasing of Samba is 8 beats, indicated with (8) below.

1. 2 complete reverse basics (8)
2. Side basic to left and to right
3. Whisk to left and right (8)
4. Whisk to left
5. Lady's left turn to PP
6. Two samba walks in PP (8)
7. Forward Samba Walk in PP
8. Side Samba Walk
9. Turn to face partner for Two Stationary Samba Walks (8)
10. 2 Alternate Side Basics
11. 2 Boto Fogos, hand to hand (8)
12. Boto Fogo, man stepping with left foot first
13. Five Voltas to mans' left, with Boto Fogo ending. (8)
14. Two complete natural basics, a quarter turn on each, to complete a half turn. (8)
15. Alternate Side Basic
16. One Boto Fogo
17. Five Volta's to man's right, with Boto Fogo Ending. (8)
18. Alternate Side Basic
19. One full reverse basic, turning 1/4
20. Forward Half of reverse basic, turning 1/8 (8)
21. Back Half of reverse basic, turn 1/8
22. Samba bounce in place to complete count of (8)

Interestingly, both of coaches talked about Phyllis Haylor, who apparently had a large part in creating modern ballroom dance. As a little bit of history, our coach mentioned that all turns were to the right, and the standard dances were all fairly linear down the floor. Phyllis Haylor introduced the idea of dancing diagonally across the floor in the 1920's, and introduced turns to the left, or reverse turns. Other patterns, such as the Telemark and Telespin, were introduced when Haylor's partner made a mistake, such as overturning. The resulting mistake was attractive, and so was done intentionally after that. Our instructor says that she and her partner are one of the few couples that do the Telespin as originally done by mistake, and it has become one of their trademarks.

Newcomer lesson on Tango

Nothing new in terms of technique that hasn't been seen here before, but sometimes it's worth repeating till it gets down into the body.

• Man's body is turned 1/8 to left relative to hips and feet in closed position.
• Lady positions head so that she is looking out over her left elbow.
• Man positions head so he is looking at his left hand.
• Walks should be distinct from side steps. In a progressive side step, man's right foot is placed directly to side of left foot, relative to foot's orientation. Instructor said that directions in The Ballroom Technique, (RF to side and slightly back) refer to feeling more than to foot placement.
• When stepping backwards, step is initiated by standing knee moving forward (bending) and hips moving back. Body moves before feet.

Practice Routine:

1. Two walks (SS)
   
2. Progressive side step (QQS)
3. Rock Turn (SQQSQQS)
   

Bronze Tango Practice Routine

Tango Practice Routine:

1. Walk  (S) start DC
2. Walk  (S)
3. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside  (QQS QQS)
4. LF Rock  (QQS)
5. Open Finish  (QQS) ending BDC
6. Back Corte  (S QQS) ending DW
7. Walk  (S)
8. Walk  (S)
9. Progressive Link  (QQ)

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

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.

Lesson on Foxtrot

A Foxtrot practice routine:

1. Preparation step, facing DC
2. Feather Step  (SQQS)  
3. Reverse Turn  (SQQ SQQS)  
4. Three Step  (QQS)  
5. Natural Turn  (SQQ SSS)  
6. Repeat

The way we maintain connection is that our bodies never stop moving, at most they change speed and direction. If I carry through smoothly without stopping my body, it is easier for my partner to stay with me. From the followers side, the followers body should be moving out beyond her feet before she steps forward on her heel turns.

Regarding Foxtrot, waltz, and American versus International Styles: In International style foxtrot, the feet always pass each other, at least at the newcomer and bronze level, whereas waltz is characterized by the feet coming together and the weight settling. Because of that, foxtrot is characterized by a metronomic swing, and waltz by a pendulum swing. In other words, waltz has sway, while foxtrot emphasizes more leg swing. Contrasting American and International, our coach characterized American Slow Foxtrot as American Slow Waltz with Foxtrot timing. She also talked about a fundamental difference being that American Foxtrot allows for open holds. This came up in the context of Wrong Side Outside Partner Position, where my left foot is to the right of the lady's left foot. In American Foxtrot, in two-hand hold, it is possible to go directly from Outside Partner Position to Wrong Side Outside Partner Position. In closed hold, some intermediate positions are required.

The three step was described as feeling like tango in the first two steps. The footwork the coach gave me on the three step is H, HT, TH. This is different from the official syllabus, which says HT, TH, H. We stay flat through the beginning of the second step. The reason for this is that we need a right side lead to bring the lady back in line after a feather finish, which in turn prevents the leg swing that would naturally result in a rise. As we come out of that second step, with CBM for the third step. This understanding will probably have to evolve a bit. But needing to stay flat to bring the lady in line seems to make sense. My instructor says she hasn't yet gotten a satisfactory explanation from her coaches, but will keep asking.

Natural turn: the heel turn and the heel pull - just like on the heel turn, Man needs to turn on his left heel, and then step side with his right foot and settle weight on that foot.

Cha Cha Bronze Level Practice Routine

Bronze Level International Cha Cha practice choreography:

1. Basic Movement In Place (234&1 23)
2. Open Basic Movement (4&1 234&1) lock step
3. Closed Basic Movement (234&1) quarter turn to L
4. New York LSP (234&1)
5. Underarm Turn To R (234&1)
6. Fan (234&1 234&1)
7. Hockey Stick (234&1 23)
8. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (4&1 2&3 4&1)
9. Open Basic Movement (234&1)
10. Natural Top (234&1 234&1 234&1)
11. Natural Opening Out Movement (234&1)
12. Closed Basic Movement (234&1 234&1)
13. New York LSP (234&1)
14. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (2&3 4&1)
15. New York RSP (234&1)
16. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (2&3 4&1)
17. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L) (234&1) Lady timestep
18. Spot or Switch Turn To L (Lady to R) (234&1) Man does time step
19. There And Back (234&1 234&1)
20. Closed Basic Movement (234&1)
21. Underarm Turn To R (234&1)
22. Side Step To Right commenced with LF (234&1)
23. Fan (234&1)
24. Alemana (234&1 234&1)
25. Closed Hip Twist (234&1 234&1) end in open position
26. Open Basic Movement (234&1)

It uses ISTD Cha Cha Newcomer and Bronze Syllabus steps.

Cha Cha Newcomer Practice Routine

Newcomer Level International Cha Cha practice routine:

1. Basic Movement In Place (234&1 234&1)
2. Open Basic Movement (23)
3. Three Cha Cha Chas Back (4&1 2&3 4&1)
4. Closed Basic Movement (234&1) w/ quarter turn
5. New York LSP (234&1)
6. New York RSP (234&1)
7. Spot Turn To R (Lady to L) (234&1)
8. Hand To Hand LSP (234&1)
9. Hand To Hand RSP (234&1)
10. Underarm Turn To R (234&1)
11. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side (234&1)
12. Shoulder To Shoulder Right Side (234&1)
13. Spot Turn To R (234&1) Lady: does time step.
14. Spot Turn To L (Lady to R) (234&1) Man: does time step
15. There And Back (234&1 234&1)
16. Closed Basic Movement (234&1 234&1) last measure do quarter turn.
17. Open Basic Movement (234&1 23)
18. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (4&1 2&3 4&1)

It uses all the ISTD Cha Cha Newcomer Syllabus steps.