Definitions & Descriptions Flashcards
(25 cards)
Positions of feet/foot positions
The position of one foot in relation to the other foot at the end of the step
Alignment (including Direction in the Tango)
- The position that the foot or feet are pointing in relation to the room
- The tracking of the foot in relation to the other foot or the partner’s foot
- Use facing or backing when the feet and body are in line and pointing when the foot is in a different alignment to the body
- TANGO. Most forward and backward steps are directional. All other steps are alignments. Some are both
Amount of turn
The amount of turn measured between the feet.
Rise and fall
The upward lift and lowering which is felt through the body, legs and feet
Footwork
- The part or parts of the foot that make contact with the floor whilst dancing
CBM
Contra body movement.
This is a body action. The turning of the opposite side of the body towards the moving foot (moving forwards or backwards) generally to initiate turn
CBMP
Contra body movement position
This is a foot position where the foot is placed on or across the line of the supporting foot (either in front or behind) to maintain a body line
Sway
Sway is the inclination of the body away from the moving foot and towards the inside of a turn. For example, step 2 of the Waltz natural turn
Sway can also be towards the moving foot (step 1 of the hover feather)
Broken sway is from the waist upwards
Time signature - Waltz?
3/4
Time signature - Foxtrot?
4/4
Time signature - Quickstep?
4/4
Time signature - Tango?
2/4
Tempo - Waltz?
30 bars per minute
Tempo - Foxtrot?
29 - 31 bars per minute
Tempo - Quickstep?
50-52 bars per minute
Tempo - Tango?
33 bars per minute
Natural pivot
A turn to the right on the ball of the supporting foot, the non supporting foot is held in front or behind the supporting leg in CBMP
Pivoting action
A turn on the ball of the supporting foot. The non-supporting leg is not held in CBMP
Heel turn
A turn that is first commenced on the ball of the stepping foot and then continued on the heel, the closing foot being kept parallel throughout. The weight is transferred to the foot that has closed once the turn is completed
Heel pull (pull step)
A type of heel turn. The turn to the right is made on the heel of the supporting foot and the moving foot is pulled back and to the side of the supporting foot (slightly apart). Heel first, inside edge of foot, then flat
Brush step
When the stepping foot moves from one open position to another, it first closes to or towards the supporting foot without weight
Hold (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot)
The couple face one another with the Follower slightly to the Leader’s right side
The couple make 5 points of contact:
1. The right fronts together
2. The joined hands approx at eye level
3. Leader’s right hand on Follower’s shoulder blade
4. The Follower’s left hand and wrist on the Leader’s right upper arm
5. The Leader’s right forearm in contact underneath the Follower’s left upper arm
Hold - Tango
Similar to hold in the other ballroom dances but more compact
1. Follower slightly further on the Leader’s right side
2. The Leader’s right hand is slightly further around the Follower’s back - fingers beyond the spine and the line of the forearm sloping slightly down wards
3. The Follower’s L hand will be placed on the Leader’s back just under the Leader’s armpit, palm facing down
Forward walk
- Stand in an upright position with the heels together and the weight slightly forwards towards the balls of the feet
- Swinging from the hip, begin to move the foot forward with the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, then with the heel lightly skimming the floor and the toe slightly raised.
- As soon as the front heel passes the back toe, the back heel will be released so that at the extent of the stride the weight will be equally distributed between the heel of the front foot and the ball of the back foot with the front knee straight and the back knee slightly flexed.
- The front toe will then immediately lower as the weight of the body moves forward. The back foot commences to move forward with first the toe, then the ball of the foot skimming the floor until the feet are level.