2. MOVEMENT—DIRECTION—RHYTHM

TO LEARN EACH STEP—WE MUST KNOW:

1. Which direction the foot moves in relation to the other foot.
   
   
2. Which foot takes the action.
   
   
3. Does the toe turn in or out.
   
   
4. How does the movement fit the rhythm of the music.

We describe the movement in one key word which is explained in the Glossary.

We show the designated foot by following each key word with the letters R or L to indicate right or left.

We fit this movement to rhythm by identifying space with time.

The first three are self-explanatory, but to understand the fourth you must first consider the relationship between time, motion, and space.

Time has no meaning to us except in relation to motion. The hands of a clock move a certain distance in one hour's time. The earth revolves on its axis in the time we call one day. Our only understanding of time, therefore, is in relation to motion, and our only understanding of motion is in relation to space or distance.

For instance, a car moves one mile in a certain length of time. At the same rhythm, or speed, it moves two miles in twice the time.

In our instructions, the space between each number represents a certain amount of time—the exact time, of course, depending upon the tempo of the music. The time between number counts is always constant in any given tempo.

To apply this principle to the printed page, we show an equal space between each number count. The space between counts 1 and 2 is always the same as the space between 2 and 3 and 3 and 4.

There are two basic counts in Ballroom Dancing: odd and even. The Waltz has an odd count: three counts to each measure. All other counts used in Ballroom Dancing are even—usually having a count of four beats to each measure. Each line, therefore, shows a count of either three or four.

This system may be new to you, but we have used it with thousands of students, and we know that it works like magic. With a little practice you can see at a glance a complete step or combination of steps.

In the following line, you will note that there is an equal space between each number. Practice counting these numbers in a smooth, even, rhythmical manner:

12                                   3                                  4

Each step is either a slow step or a quick step. The slow steps come on the number counts, the quick steps come on the AND counts that fall halfway between the number counts. When a number count precedes the AND count, the number preceding the AND count is quick because there is a short space between the number and the follow­ing AND count. This, in the rythm of SLOW SLOW QUICK QUICK, would be written

one                               two                                three and

In dancing the body moves about the floor in a fairly constant tempo regardless of whether the steps are quick or slow. This is because the quick steps are about half the length of the slow steps. You should regard a step primarily as a shift of weight from one foot to the other. Thus a quick step does not cause the foot to move any faster than does a slow step. It merely holds the body weight for a shorter duration of time.

To truly understand and feel the rhythm of each step the dance student should practice reading orally, out loud, not only the exercises in this chapter but also the numerical rhythm of each and every step. Sustain each sound of each number until the next number is due.

Thus:

ONEnnnnnnTWOooooooooTHREEeeeeeeeeeFOURrrrrrr
ONEeanNNdTWOoANDdddTHREEeeANDddFOURrrrrrr

Instead of

In the Fox Trot and in the Tango, our rhythm is primarily a combination of slow steps and quick steps. The following line represents a rhythmic count frequently used:

1                         2                        3              and              4

This rhythm should be easy for you because you probably learned it in childhood when you said:

Before we apply movement to this rhythm, let's vary it slightly by placing the "and" count in a different place. Practice reading the following lines, allowing the number count in each line to fall in a corresponding space of time to the line pre­ceding it:

There are actually five steps represented in each line using the word "and" between the numbered counts, but the time it takes to make the five steps is always exactly the time it takes to make the four steps as indicated by the first line. As soon as you can read these four lines in an even, rhythmical manner, you are ready to repeat key words in rhythm. So now, in place of the numbers, substitute the descriptive words (key words) that indicate the various steps, and say them in rhythm. (When there is more than one word over each number, use only the word that is capitalized) :

After you have learned to say these key words in rhythm, you are ready to practice dancing steps. All you need to know now is the particular foot to use for each move­ment. We will use the letter L immediately following the key word to indicate left foot, and R to indicate the right foot.

Practice this a few times. Note here that the "follow-through" must be applied after the second count, as explained in the Glossary. You should not take a short cut but you should allow the foot to circle close by the other foot before changing directions.

Since there is no turning in this step, there is no need for the line which is used to indicate the direction the toe turns in relation to the other foot. This direction (when needed) is indicated by "Toe In," meaning turned toward the body, or the other foot and "Toe Out," meaning turned away from the body, or pointing away from the other foot.

Now that you have practiced this, we will extend this step and carry it on through to the other side. Thus, we have two lines, and since these two lines represent one step, the following line will carry through to the count of eight, instead of repeating the count of four:

The second line starts with the count of five instead of one, meaning that you should always start your movement on count one—the second line should never be practiced by itself because it violates a fundamental rule in all Ballroom Dancing, and that is ALWAYS START FORWARD ON YOUR LEFT FOOT. To start on your right foot is unnatural when your right arm is placed around your partner's waist. You start a step from a standing-still position. The mere act of placing your right arm around your partner's waist automatically tends to shift your weight to your right foot. Of course, once the body is in motion you can easily dance from one foot to the other.

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