Patterns
Here are some patterns which have been covered in
past classes.
REMEMBER TO COMMIT TO YOUR WEIGHT CHANGE AND YOU WILL
BECOME MORE PRESENT TO YOUR PARTNER
- Dance Patterns for the
Beginner Class (7 - 8 ) :
With a few adjustments, the Salsa patterns can
be danced in Merengue and the Merengue patterns, in Salsa.
The SALSA
patterns which may be covered in the beginner class are: Cross over and under
arm spot turn, also with a solo spot turn; Double back rock basic with a 'patty
cake' lead to a solo spot turn; progressive basic; cross body lead to the
left.
Added patterns are: Merengue two hand underarm turns to the left and
right (Open and closed wraps), Escape from the closed wrap, two hand U/A turn
to the right (open wrap) in Salsa, U/A cross body lead from open wrap.
1.)
Cross overs turn left and right as both partners hold hands on the same side
(left to right or right to left hand hold). It is lead from the two hand hold
and the leader lets go of the hand that is on the same side as the foot on
which he and his partner are standing. He then turns in that same direction.
(Standing on left, let go with the left hand and rotate to the left. etc.)
After the turn, rock step forward and then turn back to face your partner. It
is a good idea to always get back to a two hand hold. The follower and leader
should not drop the free hand because it will come back into play when you turn
to face each other.
2.) Double back rocks use the same theory as the cross
overs except that the leader turns in the OPPOSITE direction as the foot on
which he is standing (Stand on left, turn right etc.) This is what makes the
back rock happen. Again, start from a two hand hold and get both hands and face
each other after the rock step.
3.) Progressive basic uses a rock step
forward with the left foot and a rock step back with the right. You then step
in the direction of your next rock step. (rock back then step forward; rock
forward then step back).
4.) The 'patty cake' lead come from the leader's
back rock on the left foot. The hand must be presented to his partner BEFORE
the side step. The spot turn goes to the leader's left and the follower's
right. You step forward like a rock step but you start to turn and keep your
feet on the floor in the same spot as you turn. Don't move your feet until you
step to the side.
5.) The under arm turn is a lifting of the leader's left
hand before the side step to the left and can be blended from the 'patty cake'
lead. The follower dances the spot turn as the leaders dances a back rock on
the right foot. Keep the hands loose so no one gets their fingers hurt.
6.)
The Cross body lead is described in number 1.) of the advanced class.
7.)
Merengue two hand underarm turn to the right (Open wrap.) Use the lady's turn
to the right as she, holding both hands turns her left arm to go behind her
back during the turn. She tries to end facing parallel to her partner.
The
lead is to lift the left hand straight up and drop the right hand slightly,
turning her thumb to drop down. This will help her to see that she needs to
turn her left hand and put it behind her back. turn slightly to the left as she
comes around so you may both be facing parallel. Drop the left hand down to a
normal level in front and on your left side. The lead out is to left the left
hand and let her unwind. To help the turn may cause injury to her elbow.
8.) the closed wrap is lead by moving both hands, at waist level, to the right
as you step a little to the left. As she starts to roll in to her left arm,
lift your left arm for her to pass under. when she has passed under, lower your
left arm. she is now wrapped up and on your right side. Give her as much room
to feel comfortable as possible. Lead her out by lifting your left arm and
letting her leave on her own or by giving a slight press on her back with you
right forearm.
9.) the escape is lead by pressing your right forearm toward
her shoulder blades as you gently press her right arm toward her tummy. She
will bend at the waist and drop back behind you as you lift your right elbow
high and follow her by turning to the right. Your arms will be twisted up at
the end of this so lift then slightly and toward her and then let her unwind
the arms.
10.) #7 in Salsa timing. Use the timing 1,2,3 (hold), 4,5,6
(hold) and lead the first turn from step 3. The follow is on 4 and dances a
spot underarm turn (pattern 5) with 2 hand hold. the second half of this
pattern uses the froward and back basic and the underarm turn cross body lead
to send the follower to unwind the open wrap. If the follower stays true to the
cross body pattern, things work great. The leader steps to the left side and
then turns right to let the follower unwind the open wrap.
- Dance
Patterns for the Advanced Class (8 - 9 pm) :
The SALSA
patterns which may be covered in the advanced class are: Cross body leads to
the left and right, also using under arm turns to lead the cross body; cross
over and double back rocks which can be lead right after the cross body. These
patterns are essential for developing good lead and follow habits.
* * * *
* More advanced patterns are: Lady freezes from x body lead. Double turns
forward and back, Pas de Burre turns (solo Back spot turns in place)
Arm
drape for man or lady - best when following an underarm turn. 1/2, 1 and 1 1/2
turns.
ALL PATTERNS SHOULD BE DANCED IN AS MANY TYPES OF HAND HOLDS AS
POSSIBLE.
1.) Cross body lead left is when the leader rotates to the left
after a forward rock step and steps to the side. This will require the follower
to step forward and dance through by making a turning rock step to the left.
Remember to use the full two measures to dance this pattern. (1,2,3 -, 1,2,3 -)
2.) Cross body to the right is when the leader steps side to the left of
the dance line (no turn) after a forward rock step and leads the follower to
step forward as he rotates to his right. The follower will then run forward
instead of rock step (1,2) and turn a sharp right into the side step (3-)
facing the leader.
3.) The under arm turn for a cross body uses the left
cross when the leader has stepped to the left side while lifting his arm for
the turn and rotating to the right. The follower then dances the left rock
turn. All Cross body leads are two measures long.
4.) Back Spot turn is a
walking turn that is danced in close dance position. The lead starts with a
left rock step forward or back (Back is a stronger lead) and a step to the left
side as you turn slightly to the right. This invites your partner to walk
forward and between your feet. You then keep turning to the right and step
(cross) back, side, together. the back step ends up crossing behind your left
foot because of the sharp turning of your body. The follower dances a series of
swiveling steps to the right as she walks left, right, left. The left foot
steps where the leader's right foot should be and the follower's right foot
steps between the leader's feet.
The end of this pattern allows the leader
to rock and give a regular or advanced cross body lead with free spin or
release the lady to end in open facing position.
5.) Forward spot turn is
an over turned cross body lead danced from closed dance position. the lead is
to invite the cross body lead and then shift her slightly to your left side
after she passes you and swivel leftward as you dance forward on the end of the
rock step and the last step of a cross body. Leaders should use small
steps.
6.) Pas de Burre turns are overturned rock steps which keep the
balls of the feet in the same spot while turning left on a left rock and right
on a right rock. the second step of the turn will have your feet apart and your
back to your partner. The last step will have you feet crossed the other way
from the start and facing your partner again. Finish with a rock step in place
and a side step to be ready to start the next measure.
The cross over and
double back rock will be described in the beginner class list.
7.)
Overturned Cross body lead to end the follower back where she started. (one
full turn around) Follow up with a delayed right turn cross body lead.
8.)
New Salsa on TWO timing stays with 1,2,3 (hold) but inverts the two elements of
the forward and back basic. Instead of starting with the rock step and ending
with the 'walk', you start with the 'walk' and end with the rock step and then
hold the 4 beat in rock step position. This timing can be applied to any
pattern but it makes things feel different. Practice makes it work. Nothing but
practice.
- Dance Patterns for the
Argentine Tango Class. (9 - 10 pm)
My TANGO life has been changed
forever because of the time I spent working the Tango Master, Metin Yazir.
I have therefore changed my whole teaching style to reflect this man's
influence and inspiration. You will find a link to the PDF that has all the
notes and insights based on my lesson time with this
great teacher.
Read and learn. I will base my classes on helping you
understand the basic and advanced applications of his teachings.
*Walking to
the pulse of the beat is the primary step. All other steps can stem from this
walk. Let your trailing leg stay put so that you do not end on one foot so
quickly.
*The Box: The box can also be called the '6 point basic', and can
be used to practice moving (for the first time dancer.) Walk, side, close feet.
It can be started both forward or backward and with either foot starting. It
should be practiced starting from any place in the box. Even changing your feet
on the 'together' step. The traditional start is with the Leader's right foot
back.
The variation of this would be to step outside partner (more forward
or back than at a diagonal) instead of a close step.
The '8 point basic'
involves adding one more part to the box. The leader steps back on the right
foot, then side and forward (outside of his partners' feet.) with another walk
forward, he allows his partner to step back and; as he shifts his frame and
body to the left, she twists from a back-foot-on-right, left-foot-in-front
position to end with her left foot crossing in front of her right, ending with
a weight change to the left foot. Her ankles are touching. The pattern
continues as a 'box'. You may end with feet together or across as the follower
steps outside the leaders' feet (outside partner), or feet together, as
well.
*Grapevine: this pattern can be danced either side right or left. It
can start side, front, or back. The front and back steps are across the other
leg, after stepping to the side. 'Brush tap' your feet as much as possible and
rotate (swivel) your feet to make the across step easier and more
attractive.
Be sure to turn your feet so you don't just step across with
feet pointed straight to your partner. The lady's's feet should point in the
direction of the walk.
If the leader dances the vine with his partner, she
can be relate to her partner in an opposite or parallel manner (front to front
or front to back step.)
*The Ocho: This pattern can be danced by the leader
or follower in either direction (front or back) and starting with either
foot.
Remember to turn your feet like grapevine. The difference is that Ocho
does not step side after a cross, it steps forward or back.
It is possible
to reverse direction and go from a front to a back ocho. This must be lead as a
rock-step type movement. It is good for the follower to dance herself, in any
ocho, with a readiness for this type of reverse lead.
*Under Arm Turn: This
pattern involves standing in place and letting your feet twist or untwist to
move around to the left or right.
This should be done in slow motion and
without leaving equal balance of feet. This is a fluff pattern and therefore is
not necessary to basic tango.
*Cross body Lead: this pattern allows the
leader to let the follower to move one side (north) to the other side (south)
of the leader's starting position.
Usually danced from closed position to
promenade to crossed legs for the follower as the leader keeps closed feet
while turning to the left.
the follower also turns left, on her left foot,
as she passes her partner. It is best that she closes back to her partner and
try not to step in any direction after she does so.
Dance this pattern from
a forward ocho by leading the partner slightly more across to the left side of
the leader, or as the leader steps back in the '6 point' basic'.
*The hook:
The hook is a movement where the leader or follower can bend their leg back and
'hook' the back of their knee behind the back of their partner's knee [It can
also be a small touch of the ankle. You must be standing still when doing the
hook or you may lose your balance] They then retract the leg and replace it
back in place with their other foot (without weight.)
The leg closest to the
partner's outside leg does the 'hooking'.
This is usually done quickly and
only when it is safe to attempt.
Remember that many of these patterns can be
linked to each other in a variety of ways.
The objective of each dancer is
to make it possible to combine the patterns with a minimum of stress and
imbalance.
WHEN IN DOUBT, WAIT.
Practice your patterns. Alone or with a partner.
Don't be afraid to practice it 'wrong'.
The only thing 'wrong' would be not
to practice anything. (or injuring your partner, yourself, or the furniture
around you) |
