simple quickstep

[sanityhaven]

While not my favorite combination, a natural turn with a hesitation followed by a chasse reverse turn isn't to difficult.

 

[Chris Stratton]

While not my favorite combination, a natural turn with a hesitation followed by a chasse reverse turn isn't to difficult.

Yes, though in a crowded event it's important to only do the hesitation really in the corner - otherwise you're likely end up in a collision with all the couples who thought they were one figure behind you, who as a result of the hesitation end up zero figures behind as you commence the chasse reverse across their path.

It is possible to do it in the middle of a side, but the grouping needs to be kept very narrow, so it flows down a single lane rather than cutting across several.

 

[DancePoet]

my friend who is a beginner bronze dancer needs a quickstep routine.

what is not too complex for a fresh out of newcomer person?
the only thing he knows right now is quater turns and chasse basic combination...

I was thinking spin turn, double reverse spins and so on... but thats too difficult. He needs to learn to dance different steps and alignments, but something not too difficult.

any ideas? for a newcomer/ beginner bronze routine?


back or forward lock would be great
maybe a tipple? or a running finish? what else?

When I did newcomer, we just did the basic progressive chasse, followed by the front lock step, and used the natural turn on the corners. Simple enough to be able to work on basic technique and out do the other newcomers.

 

[DancePoet]

tried that
spin turn was too hard for him...
think newcomer...

I need to learn how to do the spin turn better, too. My problem is I've lost the partner I was taking lessons with after a long hiatus with her on temporary leave while helping an ailing family memeber heal. I look forward to returning to lessons soon, yet would prefer finding a new partner first. Perhaps it doesn't matter since I'm so new to International anyway, and being a leader, taking some extra lessons couldn't hurt. Besides, learning some additional patterns would be nice for improving my social dancing of Quickstep, too. :idea: 8)

 

[DancePoet]

cause he can do them pretty well

this team always starts newcomers on very plain quater turn-chasse combo and natural and reverse turns in waltz. he's gone through that. He needs to learn to combine different figures.

I've actually used the natural turn socially in repetition at the ends of the room, and it has created a fun way to add alittle something different that I haven't seen anyone else do. Although I'm not sure I'd recommend this for competition.

 

[DancePoet]

While the most obvious purpose in learning quickstep is of course to dance it, a side benefit that might be worth looking into is the degree to which the syllabus quickstep as danced today constitutes a study in outside partner position.

It doesn't take long to learn to accomplish outside partner by some means, but learning to do it right is a habit that can take some time to develop, so might as well start working on it early.

The specific thing to stress would be the stretched CBMP/side lead body position, sort of what would result from putting your left arm behind your neck and your right index finger through your right side belt loop and pulling those two points apart, while softening into the legs. That's exactly the position to go for when your partner is stepping outside you, and when you are stepping outside your partner the body position is the same but the body brings the right leg forward and across the left one (the feet will be on the same line rather than crossed, but the legs will cross at the top of the thighs). These positions have the hips rotated or featherd toward the partner so that you can step outside them, without ending up the dreaded "four hips wide".

While the men will struggle with the forward action, If the lady can really master the backwards partner outside action - moving back with the right hip under the shoulder or even projecting a bit in an almost sitting movement, this can give a degree of ease to the movement and fix the all to common look of falling backwards in an attempt to stay out of her partner's way. In effect, she needs to keep her body in the way, but make space with the stretched position of the right hip.

Also watch out for the dreaded lowering heel lead (in place of the proper TH) out of the progressive chasse. It may not be there now, but it's likely to sneak in at some point.

My previous partner and I had just started working on this. When I return to taking lessons, I'm going to try to remember to read this post.

Thanks Chris!

 

[DancePoet]

While not my favorite combination, a natural turn with a hesitation followed by a chasse reverse turn isn't to difficult.

Yes, though in a crowded event it's important to only do the hesitation really in the corner - otherwise you're likely end up in a collision with all the couples who thought they were one figure behind you, who as a result of the hesitation end up zero figures behind as you commence the chasse reverse across their path.

It is possible to do it in the middle of a side, but the grouping needs to be kept very narrow, so it flows down a single lane rather than cutting across several.

I got to remember this one, too! :idea:

This kind of information is wonderful to find here on DF!