Rock n Roll

[jennyisdancing]

Sigh I may feel 16 in my head but that extra 40 years is taking it's toll.

We dance to stuff like Runaround Sue and that's plenty fast enough for me

No actually it's not the speed I have trouble with, I just can't seem to relate to those 2 slow steps. I always feel like I should be doing something else with my feet.

if this helps, just remember the "slow" = 2 beats of music. Very often dance teachers will say "quick" or "slow" without explaining that each of those words refers to a specific number of beats. "Slow" typically refers to 2 beats, "quick" usually means 1 beat. Verbally, you could substitute "uh-oh" or "oh no" for "slow" to remind yourself of the two beats.

If you feel like you should be doing something more with your feet, I agree with the above suggestions to substitute a shuffle (triple step) for each slow. Runaround Sue is a pretty slow song for single step swing IMO, but teachers tend to use slower songs for classes. The single step swing is better suited to much faster songs. Dance to a fast song like "Rock This Town" and you will see how it works. Good luck and have fun.

 

[kayak]

Swing dances are awesome for social dancing outside of studios. Most places you will get to dance don't have a big floor or enough space for even a reasonable Foxtrot. Think about most banquets and weddings and their entire dance space is about the size of the corners your class keeps getting stuck in

A swing dance gets a lot of people on a small floor all having fun. If you will be out dancing for a whole evening, single time swing is super handy for not wearing out.

I find tango to complete opposite. Except at a ballroom dance or studio, I never find a chance to dance a tango.

 

[Chris Stratton]

Except at a ballroom dance or studio, I never find a chance to dance a tango.

But tango is the one where backing out of the corner you ended up in is actually a named figure.

Not that this helps without tango music.

 

[gclarke]

You can always replace that Single step with a triple step if you're too bored. Think of the triple step as a chasse.

If you consider that song too fast, I suggest you put off Jive for now.

Not bored just not getting it. I'm not sure whether it's the speed or what. I think the speed comes into it only because I'm having to concentrate really hard to keep time and then I forget the steps. Crazy!

Putting off the Jive is not really an option. When he decides to do it in class I either do it or sit down and sulk I never let anything beat me so I'll go with the flow if the Rock and Roll is a stepping stone to the Jive.

Dance to a fast song like "Rock This Town" and you will see how it works.

Lol I tried that and that WAS too fast, but only on the QQ. The SS was good.

I could try the triple step/shuffle but that probably means I need my brain in gear more and then there's Dave to consider.

I suppose I will just keep at it. I must have a Jive DVD somewhere. Maybe I will have a sneak preview and see how that feels

Thanks for your input everyone.

 

[bjp22tango]

A lot of beginners have a problem with the QQ in single time swing at speed, because they think they have to throw their entire body weight back and forth on each quick. "Rock Step" really is misnamed. There is no rock involved. You put enough weight on the back step to take your forward foot off the floor and then you replace the front foot, either in the same place, or somewhere else if the leader is leading you to move into a turn of some sort.

So you are only putting partial weight on the back foot and then pushing out of it for the next quick.

 

[gclarke]

Thanks BJP. I will try and get time to play with that today, when I've sorted out my waltz