Question from a newbie

[pinkcaddy]

I'm new to the forum but been around the ballroom scene since 1995.

Here's my question (with some added commentary of course :)):

I used to teach at an independent studio. I was trained mostly by Fred Astaire instructors, to give some background. Anyway, 5 years ago I got married and then we had 3 kids, so dancing fell by the wayside. I am now at the point where I want to get back into it, so I organized a group class for beginners that I'm teaching, to get my bearings again.

The problem is that while I can remember the lead and follow to most of the bronze stuff, I cannot remember the NAMES of the patterns. I've been hunting all over the internet for info on step patterns that match the names in my head.

For instance, in Foxtrot there is a basic step that I call the "cornerstep", which is where the man rocks forward on the slow slow, and turns to left. What is the right name for that??

And also: can somebody here tell me how to start the lead for the twinkle pattern? because for some reason I can't remember how to get into it.

I can't ask anyone here since I just moved to San Antonio and I know no one, plus chain studios wouldn't be interested in helping a competitor anyway.
Thanks in advance for any help, advice, or dance pattern names!!
-Katy

[waltzgirl]

You can check the Learning Center on ballroomdancers.com and/or buy the DVIDA syllabus books (or videos/DVDs) at dancevision.com.

Depending on how rusty you are and how far you plan to take your teaching, you might want to take some lessons from a pro at an independent studio.

Welcome to DF! Hope you stick around and put your $0.02 in now and then!

[pinkcaddy]

thanks Waltzgirl!

I was trying to avoid putting a lot of money into "remembering", because I know it's all in my head --just having trouble sorting it out.
But I may have to go ahead and buy a book on it - thanks for the links. I just don't need/want to buy instructional DVDs, etc.

I'm not going to take lessons again until I've got my husband through the bronze level with the rest of the beginners, because I can't invest in lots of lessons for him when I could teach him the bronze myself. It's when I get into silver that I don't know the leads as well...

but yes I'll stick around. I do miss dancing, and all things dance-related!:mrgreen:

[pinkcaddy]

oh wow - i checked out the ballroomdancers.com - it has the whole syllabus with the names and notes !
I don't know why I couldn't find that with a google search. Musta been using the wrong terms.. thank you!!

[reb]

waltzgirl - Nice going!

pinkcaddy - hope to hear about your adventures as you re-enter the dance biz.

[pinkcaddy]

oh LOL

the "cornerstep" would be the hesitation left turn. Yikes, I need to do some reviewing.

[fascination]

welcome to DF

[waltzguy]

welcome pinkcaddy, once a dancer, always a dancer

[tangotime]

Corner step-- Ad Lib--

Twinkle ( Bronze ) Man --left ft fwd,-- Right foot fwd and slightly side--close left foot to right,--- Lady- natural opposite. The turn to prom ( lady only ) is commenced on the second step for lady .

You may want to consider teaching a basic Promenade( f/t ) before introducing the Twinkle

Many people now teach the silver version ( even to beginners ) much easier to negotiate .

PS-- the man does NOT rock fwd s,s. on the ad lib--he rocks fwd, left ( brush right to left, no weight change --slow ) and back right -- slow

NB,-- the man retains d.w. alignment thruout the sequence-

Rhythm --s.q.q. --

Waltz Ad Lib , same, except rhythm--1,2,3 .using hesitation on 2 and 3 of the first bar ,

[pinkcaddy]

thank you !

sorry - I know we don't do a rock step on the corner step, I was just in a hurry and have trouble describing steps in written form - you did it beautifully, though! :)

Thank you for the *******er on the twinkle...I don't remember how the man leads the twinkle in silver. I was only ever certified to teach bronze level. I'm going to have to call one of my old friends who taught silver. :D I can follow silver, but that isn't much help when you're the teacher LOL

Since I posted last I taught another class, and I'm slowly remembering all the technique I'd forgotten. I'm gonna be hanging around here a lot I'm sure. :)

[tangotime]

In silver, the foot positions are all " open "--i.e.-- Fwd. left, on 1-- side and slightly fwd on 2,--- left foot to side on 3 ( sqq or 123 ). remember , ONLY the lady turns to prom. There is also techn. to consider, so the above description is just the " blueprint " .