Step to turn on during pass

[enuf42nyt]

Hi! I'm an "absolute beginner" learning West Coast Swing (WCS). I missed the first lesson during which the class learned a basic eight-step pattern that includes right and left passes. The lead starts by stepping back with his left foot. The lead's pattern is:

1-2 then 3-4-5 then 6-7-8

The last three steps (6-7-8) are in place.

As I missed the first class, I need to practice and catch up. Problem is, I can't recall on which step the lead turns when making the pass. I'm guessing he starts to turn on "3" but I'm not sure.

Any suggestions?

[Steve Pastor]

Hi enuf42nyt. Welcome to DF.

I think you are going to find more than one answer to your question (Hopefully no one told you West Coast was simple! But then, that's one of the reason we like it. It's not simple!)

This is from Skippy Blair's West Coast 101. She's been teaching the dance since about 1954. I've edited her instructions to include only what you asked.


2. LEFT SIDE PASS:

Leader: steps Back on count "1"
(rotates Left on left foot on "&a" -
steps Back on Right foot on Count "2"
-"Forward & Together Forward" on Counts "3&a4" -Right Anchor Triple on "5&a6".
3 & Drive (back) 4

Part B for the Man (This is a variation.)
1 Back 2 forward followed by rotation on the &a

or B f turn & 3


3. UNDERARM TURN:

Leader: steps back Left on count "1" -Forward Right on "2" rotating RIGHT on "2&a" -steps Back on Left foot on "3"

You may well find out that your instructor taught something else, but Skippy is my "go to" authority on West Coast Swing.

[Dancelf]

As I missed the first class, I need to practice and catch up. Problem is, I can't recall on which step the lead turns when making the pass. I'm guessing he starts to turn on "3" but I'm not sure.

Any suggestions?

If you turn to watch the girl go by, it will happen at the right time.

Just make sure that step two takes you out of the way.

[enuf42nyt]

Thanks Steve Pastor and Dancelf,

I emailed my instructor (who is at the Masters in Houston right now!) for clarification. I had described things incorrectly the first time and her fresh explanation more closely matches that of Skippy.

She wrote that "We’re actually doing six-count patterns, meaning they take six counts of music to complete: 1,2, 3&4, 5&6. We are actually doing eight “weight changes”: L, R, LRL, RLR.

She then breaks it down thus:

Back AND out of the way on 1
Together on 2
Together, together 3&
Into the slot with left foot on 4
5&6 in place (anchor)

Are there diagrams of this anywhere on this website?

[Spitfire]

Hi! I'm an "absolute beginner" learning West Coast Swing (WCS). I missed the first lesson during which the class learned a basic eight-step pattern that includes right and left passes. The lead starts by stepping back with his left foot. The lead's pattern is:

1-2 then 3-4-5 then 6-7-8

The last three steps (6-7-8) are in place.

As I missed the first class, I need to practice and catch up. Problem is, I can't recall on which step the lead turns when making the pass. I'm guessing he starts to turn on "3" but I'm not sure.

Any suggestions?

This is correct as SP describes it and as stated other instructors may differ in their approach, but this is generally the way it is taught.

There are some good videos that demonstrate this and other moves on YouTube.

[Steve Pastor]

One further thought here would be that you think of "counts" rather than the number of steps in West Coast. So your a basic eight-step pattern would be a six count pattern.

Nothing wrong with what you're saying, but when you learn "8 count" patterns, you'll be used to thinking about how many "counts" there are in a pattern.

[enuf42nyt]

Yes, I get the "counts" versus "steps" idea now. I found a sequence of video clips on YouTube that are really good in this regard; Trudi-Olsen Curtis and Derrick Curtis put it all together, and there are several versions by this same couple where they demonstrate each aspect (basic steps, passes, sugar push).

On YouTube search on "Swing Dancing : Demonstration of West Coast Swing Dance Steps"

(I can't post the direct URL yet as I'm new to these boards.)

[megeliz]

Erik and Anna Novoa out of Stamford, CT have a great series of "WCS 101" youtube videos on their website. I found it invaluable when I was learning to lead, and needed reminders at home!

http://swingshoes.net/photos-videos/videos/wcs-101