Rumba question

[precious12]

Hi, guys i have a question about the rumba, i have been working on a showcase and the rumba is one of my dances, but we are doing this one move, and one instructor told me to do it one way, and another told me to do it another way, so i going to try and describe the two moves, and maybe you guys can tell me which one is right. Okay here it goes: in the routine we do this spin and it is like and underarm turn but you spin around in a circle until the guys pulls you in and you walk toward him, but while doing the turn i have been told to do my feet two different ways, one is to just with every step i take the back foot spins out and so forth for every step the other way is when i take and step and then swivel inward and passed my other foot, and i can do both, but i just keep wondering which one of them is correct, and which is instructor is teaching me the right way to do this move. I hope i described it good enough, so you will know what i am talking about.

 

[waltzgirl]

American or International?

I'm not too clear on what you're describing. I don't know what spin around in a circle means. To me, a spin is a rotation in one spot (no travelling). What you're describing sounds kind of like an Am. rumba step where you walk in a big circle around the lead until he leads you to turn and face him and walk toward him. If that's the pattern you mean, it sounds to me like both options are different styling choices (though I'm not sure what spinning out the back foot is--maybe a ronde). As I've been taught this step, the basic way to do it is to do rumba walks as you move in the circle.

If it is a styling choice, then both are "correct."

But maybe I'm totally off here --I'm not a latin/rhythm specialist and I'm not sure what you're describing.

 

[fascination]

easy...do it the way the dude who you are doing the routine with says

 

[precious12]

HI, waltzgirl, it is how you described it, where the lead stays in place where i do a circle and then he pulls me toward him and i do the walk, and i do American, but my instructor was formerly International and i should do what he says.

 

[precious12]

Yea, the rumba walks is what i do in the circle, so is this correct if i do it this way, or is there another way?

 

[waltzgirl]

Well, I suppose there are all sorts of styling options you could use, but I agree with fasc, do it how the pro you are dancing with wants you to. The fact that another instructor taught you another way to style your feet shouldn't been an issue. As you get more dance experience, you'll discover that "correctness" has more to do with "how" you are using your feet, for example, than where you are placing them. (Unless your concern about this is a symptom of some doubts you're having overall about your instructor, then that's another question.)

 

[danceronice]

I've taken Rhythm from two different pros, and sometimes they teach the same steps different ways. Both ways are correct, it's just a style thing. What I do is what fasc and waltzgirl said--what the pro I'm dancing with at the time wants. I'm not sure what you're describing, but it does sound like just a matter of style. In any case, the correct way is the way your leader at the time wants it.

 

[contracheck]

Hi, guys i have a question about the rumba, i have been working on a showcase and the rumba is one of my dances, but we are doing this one move, and one instructor told me to do it one way, and another told me to do it another way, so i going to try and describe the two moves, and maybe you guys can tell me which one is right. Okay here it goes: in the routine we do this spin and it is like and underarm turn but you spin around in a circle until the guys pulls you in and you walk toward him, but while doing the turn i have been told to do my feet two different ways, one is to just with every step i take the back foot spins out and so forth for every step the other way is when i take and step and then swivel inward and passed my other foot, and i can do both, but i just keep wondering which one of them is correct, and which is instructor is teaching me the right way to do this move. I hope i described it good enough, so you will know what i am talking about.

It seems to me that both men are correct in Rumba Walk. Please allow me disect the Rumba Walk, assuming that we take the first Quick Step with the LF. Presently, your left foot is your back foot.

In the first first half of the LQ (i.e., "&" Step), you bend your L knee and bring LF next to the RF; at this time, your left knee is bent high and your left big toe touches the floor (i.e., LF is vertical to the floor).

In the initial brief moment in the above movement, you hips are horizontal and square (perpendicular) to the LOD, but you quickly twist your left hip (don't involve shoulders in this twist) clockwise and sink your right hip, so your left hip is higher than the right hip. This move makes LF look swiveling clockwise.

In the second half of the the first Q Step, you slide the left big toe forward on the floor, maintaining the verticality of the LF as much as possible, then slap the whole left foot on the floor without putting any weight and without using muscle, just slap the whole LF on the floor using only the bones. You gradually transfer your weight on the LF, while you rotate your back foot (i.e., the RF) outward (i.e., clockwise) (spins out??). This move generates the important characteristic hip rotation. This completes the first Quick Step. The Second Quick Step (RQ) and the following Slow (LS) are done in the same manner.

 

[tangotime]

Like the others , I am not sure exactly what you are dancing, but it sounds somewhat like travelling reverse ( left ) spins, danced in a circle ?

 

[cornutt]

I thought maybe the OP was describing a Cuban walk. But I've never heard of starting a Cuban walk with an underarm turn.

 

[Josh]

one is to just with every step i take the back foot spins out and so forth for every step the other way is when i take and step and then swivel inward and passed my other foot, and i can do both, but i just keep wondering which one of them is correct, and which is instructor is teaching me the right way to do this move. I hope i described it good enough, so you will know what i am talking about.

Sounds like you're a beginner rumba student, doing American rumba, and the figure (though it's for a show I realize, and probably done a bit differently) is some variation on Open Rumba Walks. Do I get the prize?? ;-)

I think I understand the first way you describe, but the second way is a little ambiguous.. "take and step and then swivel inward and passed my other foot"...? I don't understand.

At any rate, especially with a description that has others here confused as well, you would be best to listen to your teachers first and foremost, since none of us here really know what you mean, and can't see you dance. You'll have to trust them And like others have said, go with the coach who will be dancing with you in the routine. And most importantly, HAVE FUN!

 

[Adwiz]

Not sure if you're describing American-style Open Rumba Walks or International-style Alemanas, but I suspect the Alemana is what you mean.

There are two very different approaches to the Alemana, both taught by competent teachers. They sound like the distinctions you describe.

As a rule of thumb, it is more feminine and beautiful to collect your foot underneath by brushing one ankle past the other and then swivel your body to the side as you walk in a circle. The other way that is taught is to turn in the circle without the ankle brushing action, with your foot leading the turn. I don't think this looks nearly as pretty. The technique book doesn't give specifics, so this is open to interpretation but the latter is considered old fashioned and the former is much more up-to-date and stylish.

The same issue affects other steps where the technique books don't go into detail. For example, Giamperro and other teachers will insist that on a Double Reverse Spin you should begin by turning the foot slightly, while other teachers abhor that approach and insist there should never be even a hint of turn of the foot. It's one of those frustrating things about dance lessons when teaching is inconsistent due to personal preference.

 

[etp777]

I thought maybe the OP was describing a Cuban walk. But I've never heard of starting a Cuban walk with an underarm turn.

FA has three Cuban walks in their syllabus (one in social foundation, one as a bronze element, one as bronze 3). SF one at least has an underarm turn, bronze 3 doesn't, and I can't remember on bronze element. I kinda refused to really learn and remember bronze element one (was learning it after bronze 3). I decided two steps called cuban walks were enough, three was just ridiculous.

SF one uses an uat, where both dancers go under the arm actually, then into the cuban walk. Bronze 3 does a side press into the cuban walks (after some other stuff to start).

Not saying that's what she's talking about, just that at least one place teaches a cuban walk that starts with an UAT.

 

[tangotime]

. For example, Giamperro and other teachers will insist that on a Double Reverse Spin you should begin by turning the foot slightly, while other teachers abhor that approach and insist there should never be even a hint of turn of the foot. It's one of those frustrating things about dance lessons when teaching is inconsistent due to personal preference.

As Scrivener noted -- There can never be an exact technique .

All books detailed as technique books, are essentially guides , Yes, there are certain hard line facts,that should not be ignored, but variations on a "theme ", can and do, exist . I also believe, that if you modify a standard technique, it should be backed with sound theory .

 

[fascination]

that is consoling