Cuddle, Cradle, and Sweetheart

[tangotime]

I heard that the theory behind the Astaires method of stepping side first stems from them wanting to help differentiate between rumba boxes and waltz/ fox trot boxes. But I'm with the Murrays method on this one because the "one" beat is easier to find than the "three" beat.

Actually they commenced side, QQ as in 1 2..However, if we look at Square Rumbas origin, it is essentially a Danzon, which does commence forward.. 1 2 (slow ) .

 

[MaggieMoves]

Although Latin motion is quite different from smooth, beginners may not have been taught this distinction yet. As an early beginner, I was only concerned about where to step. I had not been taught Latin or smooth motion yet. The closest thing to "Latin motion" at that stage of the game was toe leads versus heel leads. To me, a box was just a box step for many different dances. Latin motion came later under the curriculum "advanced beginner." By then, it didn't matter to me how I started a rumba box after having been taught each way by different teachers. (I later decided that starting forward on the one beat was better for me.)

SOME teachers do teach Latin motion from the get go to their credit. But some teachers wait until later.

Even then with a toe lead and no body action, your body will be forced over your foot rather than behind it with a smooth dance. I see your point though... I did a brief time at a AM and remember from their social dancing that not many of their students did the same as far as Rhythm vs Smooth dances. I still think starting on 3 is silly. The only benefit I can see of that is when learning Latin, that moving on the 4/1 becomes much easier as a result... maybe.

 

[RiseNFall]

Actually they commenced side, QQ as in 1 2...

Phew... I was wondering if I had completely lost my mind... not unheard of, mind you.

 

[Partner Dancer]

I used to a dance with a guy from FADS, and it bugged me out that he'd start his American Rumba on the 3 beat. I kind of wanted to hit him every time.

No wonder men are afraid to dance...
for fear of being smacked just doing
what they were taught. In this case the
FA leader must be starting forward on 3.

In addition to FA teaching q-q-s on 1-2-34
and AM teaching s-q-q on 12-3-4, there's
the issue of what count is best for starting.
I'm of the opinion that starting on a side
step (1 for FA and 3 for AM) is physically
better because the leader gets the follower
going in a much smoother manner. The
figure 8 at the hip gets better prep, and
there isn't that awful forward "attack." Somewhat similar to preps in Standard
or even WCS (before backward step in
this case).

Then there's the music issue where
some Rumba tunes just align well with
q-q-s and others s-q-q (on 1234), but
most work decently/well either way.

Similar to Salsa on 1 verses Mambo on
2.

 

[tangotime]

.

Similar to Salsa on 1 verses Mambo on
2.

It's all about the " Clave " ( and Tumbao )..

 

[rels77]

I heard that the theory behind the Astaires method of stepping side first stems from them wanting to help differentiate between rumba boxes and waltz/ fox trot boxes. But I'm with the Murrays method on this one because the "one" beat is easier to find than the "three" beat.

I heard the reason they still do it is because at competition you can immediately tell who's a FA couple- and FA judges want to know this....

But that could just be people being cynical- maybe.

 

[Newdancer81]

Cradle is more like a straight jacket hold whereas sweetheart is is where both hands are up and feels more comfortable.