That also depends on individual dancers in the couple (length of the arms, depth of the trunk, height difference ...) and of course, frame is slightly "breathing" through the dance (depending also OP, PP ...) - talking about int. standard. Checked that JnJ pro ballroom competition that I posted in other threads. On average, men had both elbows slightly in front of plane of the back with almost no asymetry, while ladies had left elbow slightly more in front of that plane than the right (tango especially due to different hold). Ok, here and there some elbows slipped behind that plane for a moment ... Those couples did quite a lot of shaping which wouldn't be possible with men having elbows in the back plane like it was in Hillier's time about 40 years ago ...
How are your practices going?
- Thread starter latingal
- Start date
That also depends on individual dancers in the couple (length of the arms, depth of the trunk, height difference ...) and of course, frame is slightly "breathing" through the dance (depending also OP, PP ...) - talking about int. standard. Checked that JnJ pro ballroom competition that I posted in other threads. On average, men had both elbows slightly in front of plane of the back with almost no asymetry, while ladies had left elbow slightly more in front of that plane than the right (tango especially due to different hold). Ok, here and there some elbows slipped behind that plane for a moment ... Those couples did quite a lot of shaping which wouldn't be possible with men having elbows in the back plane like it was in Hillier's time about 40 years ago ...
Reach
Well-Known Member
Practicing 4 new Standard competition routines. Three of the dances, Tango, FT & QS, have 4 "walls/lines", all different. Previous Standard routines all had 2 "walls/lines", repeat as needed. Dances beautiful, but twice as long, therefore taking twice as long to learn. Music may end before we finish the routine.
What is considered appropriate number of "walls/lines" for Standard competition routine?
What had been your experience?
What is considered appropriate number of "walls/lines" for Standard competition routine?
What had been your experience?
In my experience, the amount of material per routine generally increases through the levels.
As a Newcomer, I had a basic and 1-2 embellishments--a bit more than half a long side when strung together.
In Bronze, this solidified into one long + short side.
In Silver, we expanded to four walls for each dance.
In Gold, one of two things happened. Either we added another long + short pair (6 walls), or upgraded the Silver to include Gold elements of interest.
In Open, we keep four walls in each routine... except Quickstep, which has eight. With all the running and jumping, we often manage to get more than two laps! Also, though we still just do right and left turns for Viennese Waltz, our higher-level colleagues use more embellishments, and they have eight walls for their Viennese as well.
(They also have 12 walls of Quickstep, which is absolutely insane)
Last edited:
Warren J. Dew
Forum Master
When I have used routines, I have generally had two long sides and two short sides.
However there is an argument for an odd number, so you can show both sides of each wall if you have enough time.
Reach
Well-Known Member
Thank you. Yes, 2 long and 2 short walls. Consistent with Proficiency test routines, but longer than previous comp routines.
Will just have to accept it will take longer, but will probably learn more from it.
Warren J. Dew
Forum Master
No Standard practice for 13 year old on Sunday as the studio has been rented out to a large group.
However, our Monday schedule has us arriving early to Latin practice, so we used the extra time to do walking exercises, and then to apply the (“English style”) walking action to the waltz weave from promenade. It may only be a few inches per step, but it adds up - seems like a yard or two over the four bars covering the natural impetus and weave.
I feel like 13 year old is on track to catch up by the end of the year to where 16 year old was when he started his break a month or two ago.
However, our Monday schedule has us arriving early to Latin practice, so we used the extra time to do walking exercises, and then to apply the (“English style”) walking action to the waltz weave from promenade. It may only be a few inches per step, but it adds up - seems like a yard or two over the four bars covering the natural impetus and weave.
I feel like 13 year old is on track to catch up by the end of the year to where 16 year old was when he started his break a month or two ago.
Jim and I practiced Saturday: 2 hours. Sunday 2 hours. Monday 1 hour. Did I tell you I've nicked-named him "the practice machine"? No practice today though. . .
We are doing a sort of showcase Friday. Several of us couples told the organizer we'd participate if there were "heats". So we are doing CRSMB, WTF, and Country 2, country nightclub 2, and WCS.
I did have to explain that country (UCWDC) nightclub 2 is NOT NDCA night club 2. I mean.. they are "the same" in the way "Bolero" music is "the same" as Rhumba music. Jim now called the "not-country" night club 2, the "cumbia night club 2" to contrast the foot work. If the music is faster than the country tempo, you have to do the "cumbia" foot work.
I mean.. other than that they are "the same"... I told the organizer: "We'll dance Nightclub 2 on the condition it is at country night club tempo."
(Some one actually discussed the difference here Differing Versions of Nite Club 2Step Has Me Frustrated - Thanks UCWDC!
He's grumpy at the UCWDC trained dancers who do the UCWDC footwork which he considers "a corruption". But... look.. just accept *there are now two different dances*. They are not AS different as Bolero and Rhumba. But the country version is not "a corruption". It is a different version. And the appropriate version is tempo dependent. )
I should add: Organizer around here are now having separate entries for "country night club 2" and "club night club 2". And the DJ's are grasping the difference.
We are doing a sort of showcase Friday. Several of us couples told the organizer we'd participate if there were "heats". So we are doing CRSMB, WTF, and Country 2, country nightclub 2, and WCS.
I did have to explain that country (UCWDC) nightclub 2 is NOT NDCA night club 2. I mean.. they are "the same" in the way "Bolero" music is "the same" as Rhumba music. Jim now called the "not-country" night club 2, the "cumbia night club 2" to contrast the foot work. If the music is faster than the country tempo, you have to do the "cumbia" foot work.
I mean.. other than that they are "the same"... I told the organizer: "We'll dance Nightclub 2 on the condition it is at country night club tempo."
(Some one actually discussed the difference here Differing Versions of Nite Club 2Step Has Me Frustrated - Thanks UCWDC!
He's grumpy at the UCWDC trained dancers who do the UCWDC footwork which he considers "a corruption". But... look.. just accept *there are now two different dances*. They are not AS different as Bolero and Rhumba. But the country version is not "a corruption". It is a different version. And the appropriate version is tempo dependent. )
I should add: Organizer around here are now having separate entries for "country night club 2" and "club night club 2". And the DJ's are grasping the difference.
Reach
Well-Known Member
Our next Showcase is mid June. This is the 1st time the Studio is adding "mini-match" style heats for the adult Showcase. We will receive critique on the heats, similar to proficiency testing, to my understanding.
The Studio has been doing this for a few years with the kids 2x year Showcases. And it has been well received.
Already planned on the Showcase, International Latin Cha-Cha. Fun routine to "Hard Rock Cafe".
Now added all 5 International Ballroom dances for the "mini-match". We have been working on "upping" my Ballroom. Time to test it!
Well, practice now increased, more intense, and more focused.
Another cup (or 2) of coffee please.
The Studio has been doing this for a few years with the kids 2x year Showcases. And it has been well received.
Already planned on the Showcase, International Latin Cha-Cha. Fun routine to "Hard Rock Cafe".
Now added all 5 International Ballroom dances for the "mini-match". We have been working on "upping" my Ballroom. Time to test it!
Well, practice now increased, more intense, and more focused.
Another cup (or 2) of coffee please.
Warren J. Dew
Forum Master
In Latin practice last night, 13 year old’s footwork in the spotlight seemed sharper. Maybe his pubescent foot strength exercises are starting to pay off.
One of the girls was chatting with him after the practice. As an introverted geek myself, I am continually amazed when girls actually initiate a conversation with one of my also introverted sons. Granted 13 year old still has some of his toddler style cuteness, plus doing ballroom no doubt helps.
One of the girls was chatting with him after the practice. As an introverted geek myself, I am continually amazed when girls actually initiate a conversation with one of my also introverted sons. Granted 13 year old still has some of his toddler style cuteness, plus doing ballroom no doubt helps.
"pubescent foot strength"
The mental images are hilarious
The mental images are hilarious
Warren J. Dew
Forum Master
I had intended “pubescent” to modify “exercises” - if you want to see beautiful results from the foot strength, you have to wait for the end of puberty.
I have a video in the secrets thread providing a perfect before and after contrast on this.