And another hustle question

[pygmalion]

Tonight, I danced two hustles before giving up in absolute desperation. Why? The leads both only did four-count hustle, which, to me, isn't hustle at all.

Question. What can an intermediate dancer (like yours truly :wink: ) do, if anything, if the lead only does four count, rather than three-count (like the rest of the known universe LOL?) Any way to keep things interesting?

 

[tacad]

If he's good looking, flirt! :raisebro: I work like the devil to maintain a 3 count. It just drives me up the wall. When I do dance hustle it is because there are way too many follows and they would rather dance hustle with me than sit. A real sign of desperation!

 

[jdavidb]

It's funny how awkward doing this as a 4-count thing can be. 4 counts forces you to remain with the music phrases, or else it feels way off. The 3 count is awesome because it already breaks you out into a sloshing weave, so ya never feel like you're off. 4-count is just a bad idea. Even if the song is too fast for 3-count hustle, they should just do wcs instead of doing 4-count hustle.

3-count makes it to where the leader can put both of ya right back into moving when something lags for an extra beat or two. It makes it to where the leader can wait then instantly resume right when the follower has finished catching up. 4-counts programs a leader to where he could have to force a pause for 2 or 3 whole beats before he can get it started again.

 

[mamboqueen]

Hmm...this is interesting to me because I do a lot of hustle (and love it), but I count it as "and 1, 2, 3" not 1,2,3. The first two steps are syncopated. I watched my teacher instruct newbies on hustle and I get where the 1,2,3,4 comes from, but I've never seen anyone actually do that on the dance floor, but on the other hand, I'm not sure I'm understanding your "3 count" you're talking about. Splain!

 

[DancePoet]

I'm with Mamboqueen on this. I get the "and 1, 2, 3" and I understand why a beginner might thing this is a four count, but I'm not sure I'd call it a 3 count, yet I'm willing to be open to this. :?

 

[pygmalion]

Not sure why, but the syncopated and 1,2,3 is called three count hustle, even though yes, it does have four steps. I pulled a reference on that a while back. wonder if I can find it again. :? Four count hustle is a straight 1,2,3,4 step, step, rock, step, with no syncopation.

 

[pygmalion]

This isn't the same reference I found before, but what the hey. I have to log off soon, and this was the first description of three count hustle I could find. :wink: :lol:

http://www.lovemusiclovedance.com/hustle.htm

If I remember correctly, the difference between New York and LA style is that New York is counted &1,2,3 but LA is counted 1,2,&3. Both have the syncopation.