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Two-Step—
4 beats/measure, 40 measures/minute
The Two Step grew out of the nineteenth century galop, a social dance characterized by a variety of skipping and hopping steps, and became popular in the U.S. toward the end of the 1800s and in the early 1900s, pretty well pushing aside for a time the quadrilles, waltzes, and polkas that had been so popular. The patriotic music of John Phillip Sousa provided some of the stimulus for its development. At one point, he said that his Washington Post March "should make a man with a wooden leg step out."
In its simplest form, the Two Step is an easy, country dance in which you take two skipping steps with the left foot and then two skipping steps with the right: quick, quick, slow; quick, quick, slow; You might say, wait a minute, that's three steps; why is it called a "Two Step?" I'm not sure. I think you're supposed to ignore the little closing step. You step forward, close, and step forward; that's two forward steps. Anyway, take small steps, keeping your feet under your body. There is no rise and fall, as in Waltz. The Two Step is closely related to the One Step and the Five Count, and many dances contain figures from all three rhythms.
Figure Name, Phase Level, & Timing
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Steps and Actions That Make Up the Figure
These descriptions are primarily based on Roundalab's Standards For Round Dancing and on cue sheets written by many choreographers (see Links page). |
Here are some sequences to help you visualize the figure in context.
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NOTE: There are many technical terms and abbreviations that are widely used in round dancing. For instance, if you encounter non-standard punctuation, I am probably trying to indicate the musical timing of a figure, where a comma separates two beats of music, a semi-colon marks the end of a measure, and a slash (/) indicates a split beat, two things occuring in a single beat. Elsewhere, you can find descriptions of dance positions; basic dance steps, actions, and directions; and other dance abbreviations. WOMAN'S FOOTWORK — I try to describe what the man does and then in parenthesis what the woman does. In this way, you can read in one sentence what each partner is doing during that beat of music, rather than read about the man in one place and maybe the woman in another paragraph. I don't want to encourage the man to read only about his part and the woman only about hers.
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| Forward Two Step or Triple
phase I
qqs;
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In closed position, step forward (W back), close, fwd. In semi-closed position, both dance fwd, cl, fwd, -;
May be done in any position, with either foot.
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Do it again with the trail foot ("two forward two-steps"). |
| Back Two Step
phase I
qqs;
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In any position and with either foot, step back, close, back, -; |
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| Side Two Step
phase I
qqs;
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In any position and with either foot, step side, close, side, -; |
In open position, you might do a side two step apart; and then a side two step back together again; |
| Together Step Step
phase II
qqs;
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Step forward toward partner and then take two steps in place; |
Do an apart, -, point, -; together step step to semi; two forward two-steps;; |
| Two Turning Two Steps phase II
qqs; qqs;
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In closed position, step side, close, and step between partner's feet to pivot 1/2 RF to face center. Repeat to face wall again: sd, cl, trn, -; |
A common pattern is two forward two steps and then two turning two steps. You can repeat this for as long as you have the patience. |
| Left Turning Two Step
phase III
qqs; qqs;
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In closed position, step side, close, side pivoting 1/2 LF, -; Repeat: sd, cl, trn, -; |
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| Quick Two Step
phase II
q&q
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Usually in semi, step fwd/cl, fwd, May be done backward. |
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| Forward
phase I
q or s
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Step toward line of progression and take weight. |
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| Check
phase II
q or s
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Any step followed by progression in a different direction. |
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| Walk Two
phase I
ss;
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In any position beginning with either foot: fwd, -, fwd, -;
The cue can specify any number of steps.
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You can walk two and a triple and then repeat with trail foot. |
| Cross Walk Two
phase I
ss;
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Step forward and slightly across the weighted leg, toe/heel, and with a bit of a swagger, -, again forward and across, -;
The cuer may ask for any number of steps.
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In the Collings' My Song, there are two forward two-steps in semi;; hitch six;; cross walk four;; slow basketball turn in four;; |
| Thru
phase I
q or s
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Step forward between partners with a reaching action. |
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| Face
phase I
q or s
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Step and turn to face partner. One weight change. |
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| Side
phase I
q or s
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Step to the side and take weight. |
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| Cross
phase I
q or s
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With either foot, step forward, in front of, and slightly beyond the weighted foot. Take weight.
One can also cross behind. The cue can be more specific: e.g., cross left in front of right.
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| Unwind
phase II
s
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In a position in which the legs are crossed and leaving the feet in place, rotate the body to uncross the legs. For instance, if the left is crossed in front of the right, you will rotate almost a full turn right face or clockwise.
A little trick is to cross the one foot in front of the other and place its heel on the floor. Release the heel of the foot that is now behind. If you unwind, pivoting on the heel of the front foot and toe of the back foot, your feet will end up reasonably parallel and side by side, ready for the next step.
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In semi-closed position, do one forward two step; cross the trail foot in front of the lead and unwind to face; box;; |
| Skate
phase II
s&s&;
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In open position or perhaps facing but somewhat apart, swivel to the left (woman right) and step forward on the lead foot, swinging the arms to the left (W right). Swivel to the right (W left) and step forward on the trail foot, swing the arms to the right (W left). Mimic the pushing and the arm and body movements of ice- or roller-skating. |
One way to begin a dance is to start a few feet apart from one another and then skate together four to semi;; into two forward two steps;;
In Oren's The Things You Do, part C begins in facing position with a skate left & right; left side two-step; skate right & left; right side two-step; back apart 3 & clap; together 3 to butterfly; susie Q;;
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| Hop
phase II
& or q
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Rise slightly from the floor and return to the same supporting foot or feet.
Usually, only one foot is weighted, and a good technique is to use the free foot to cause the hop. Simply raise the free knee sharply, and that action will create a gentle hop on the other foot.
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| Skip
phase II
q or s
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Progress with a small step/hop on one foot and then the other. |
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| Run Four
phase I
qqqq;
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In any position beginning with either foot fwd, fwd, fwd, fwd;
Any number of run steps can be cued.
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Or, you could begin in open facing and skate two away from each other; and then run four back together; into a basketball turn; and two turning two-steps;; |
| Step Swivel
phase II
s&
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A solo action: step forward on the ball of the foot, and then turn or pivot a little on that point of contact. |
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| Back Step
phase I
q or s
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Step backwards and take weight.
You can do this in almost any position (maybe not in a tight back-to-back position) and with either foot.
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| Behind
phase I
q or s
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Cross the free foot in back of the supporting foot and take weight.
You can do this in almost any position and with either foot.
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| Dip
phase II
s or q
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Step back or to the side, relax knee, and leave the free leg extended and toe pointed. |
Dip back slowly with a little twist to the left, -, recover to closed, -; box;; |
| Recover
phase I
s or q
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Shift weight back to the free foot. Normally, that free foot has not moved during the previous step. |
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| Chug
phase I
q or s
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Usually in a facing position, bend the knees and straighten them quickly so that the feet slid a short distance backwards. |
The very last cues in a dance might be two forward two steps to face;; and chug apart; |
| Lunge
phase II
s
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Step forward or to the side, flexing that knee and checking your movement. |
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| Close
phase I
q or s
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Bring the free foot next to and parallel to the supporting foot and take weight. |
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| Stomp
phase I
q or s
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Step in place with a definite sound. |
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| Strut
phase I
s
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Step forward with upper-body sway.
Also called Stroll or Swagger.
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In Goody Goody I by Watanabe, part A begins with 2 forward two steps;; strut 4;; rock fwd rec; bk two step; rock bk rec; fwd two step; |
| Rock Steps
phase II
timing varies: e.g., qqs; or qqqq;
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In any position, step in the direction indicated, recover, and repeat so that you take the number of steps indicated. For instance, a forward rock three would be: fwd, rec, fwd, -; A side rock four would be: sd, rec, sd, rec; |
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| Charleston
phase II
ss; ss;
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In open position, step forward, -, point forward, -; step back, -, point back, -;
May be done in closed or butterfly, in which case the woman's first step would be back.
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| Away Step Step
phase II
qqs;
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Step diagonally away from partner, step in place, step in place, -; |
Do an away step step; together step step; basketball turn;; |
| Away and Together
phase I
qqs; qqs;
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From closed or an open facing position, step forward and turn away, man left face and woman right face. Step side to a slight back to back position, and close. In the second measure, turn back to face: fwd trn, sd, cl, -; |
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| Change Sides
phase II
qqs;
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In semi-closed position, step fwd L (woman fwd R, close, fwd, -; the man turning to the right and passing behind the woman and the woman turning to the left and passing in front of the man under his lead hand. The man moves from the inside of the circle to the outside.
From other positions, you will "change sides" in other ways. For instance, you might vine 3 and touch; wrap; unwrap; and change sides to face; Here, you would begin the figure with the trail foot, she would pass under his trail hand, and he would pass in front (down line) of her. It would be something like a square dance California twirl. Change Sides is an ambiguous term, and often you will just have to move to the other side of your partner in one measure as gracefully as you can. We hope the cuer will cue the ending position.
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| Lady Under
phase I
qqs;
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Both stepping fwd, cl, fwd, -; the lady moves under the man and woman's joined hands. The cuer will tell you which way to go and what position to end in. |
For instance, you might do two forward two steps;; lady under and around to face;; In this case, she would step fwd R, close L, fwd R, -; in a clockwise circle under lead hands and then continue the circle fwd L, close R, fwd L, -; until she is facing partner. |
| Lace
phase II
qqs;
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With lead hands joined, step fwd, cl, fwd, -; the man turning to the right and passing on a diagonal path behind the woman and the woman turning to the left and passing in front of the man, under his lead arm. The man moves from the inside of the circle to the outside.
Note that this is one type of "lady under."
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Cunningham's Paint the Town, part A, is choreographed: two forward two steps;; lace across and two step to butterfly facing center of hall;; box;; lace back and two step to face wall;; box to open position facing line;; strut four;; |
| Lace Up
qqs; qqs; qqs; qqs;
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This is a combination figure that consists of a lace across (Lace); a forward two-step with trail feet and man on the outside of the circle; lace back with trail hands joined; and a forward two-step with trail feet and man on the inside of the circle; |
In the Hiltons' Just A Little Talk With Jesus, there is a face to face; back to back; basketball turn to butterfly;; lace up to semi-closed;;;; to two forward two-steps;; |
| Man Under
phase I
qqs;
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Both stepping fwd, cl, fwd, -; the man moves under the man and woman's joined hands. The cuer will tell you which way to go and what position to end in. |
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| Breakaway
phase II
qqs;
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In a facing position, step to the side, turning away from partner. Beginning with the lead foot, the turn would be right face for the man and LF for the woman to left open position. Beginning with the trail foot, the turn would be LF for the man and RF for the woman to open position. On the second quick, step back, then recover to face. |
breakaway in the other direction; |
| Balance Forward or Back or Side
phase I
qqs; qqs;
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In closed position, step forward, close, step, -; back, close, step, -; Or reverse measures: back, close, step, -; forward, close, step, -; Or step to the side, close, step in place, -;
A "balance" can also be a one step figure: step in the direction indicated, and then touch the free foot to the weighted foot, According to the book, if the cuer says "balance forward" you will take three steps: fwd, cl, step, -; If the cuer wants a one-step balance, the cue will be, e.g., fwd, tch.
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| Scissors
phase II
qqs;
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In closed position facing line of dance, step sd L (W sd R) turning RF, cl, XLIF of R (W XIB) to end in sidecar position; |
In the Smiths' Houston, part A begins with two forward two-steps;; box;; scissors to sidecar; scissors to banjo; forward lock forward twice;; hitch 3; hitch scissors to semi; and two turning two-steps;; |
| Thru Scissors
phase II
qqs;
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In closed position, step sd turning RF, woman LF, close, xif, -; Both cross in front. |
The Fialkos' Baby O' Mine contains a scissors thru to left open reverse; walk two; scissors thru to open position line; walk two; vine apart 3 and touch; vine together 3 and touch; side close twice; walk and face; repeat;;;;;;;; |
| Progressive Scissors
phase II
qqs;
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In closed position facing line of dance, step side, turning a little right face, close, and cross in front (woman in back) to sidecar, -; |
Repeat with trail foot to end in banjo.
In Scherrers' You Never Can Tell, part A begins with two forward two-steps;; point fwd & bk twice;; progressive scissors;; fishtail; walk & face;
In the Wolcotts' Games That Lovers Play, there is a forward hitch in closed position line; back hitch; fwd, -, maneuver, -; pivot 2; progressive scissors;; to a fwd, lk, fwd, lk;
Notice that each of these examples uses a two-measure progressive scissors.
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| Traveling Scissors
qqs; ss; qqs; ss;
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In brief, this is a scissors to sidecar; walk out two; scissors to banjo; walk in two;
In closed position facing line of dance, step side L (W sd R) turning a little right face, close, cross in front (woman in back) to sidecar position, -; step fwd R (W bk L) moving DLW, -, fwd L, -; step sd R (W sd L) turning 1/4 LF, close, XRIF of L (W XLIB), -; step fwd L (W bk R) moving DLC, -, fwd R, -;
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In Goody Goody by the Rumbles, there are 2 fwd two steps beginning with the trail feet;; rock fwd recover; back hitch 3; traveling scissors;;;; 2 turning two steps;; |
| Hitch Forward and Back
phase II
qqs; qqs;
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In closed position, fwd, cl, bk, -; bk, cl, fwd, -; (woman mirrors man) May be done in any other position; in open, the woman's first step would be fwd, too.
Either half may be danced alone.
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In the Gloodts' A Naughty Lady, part A has a hitch 6;; scoot 4; walk & pickup; to two progressive scissors;; fishtail; walk & face; |
| Hitch Four
phase II
qqqq;
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fwd, cl, bk, cl; |
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| Hitch Scissors
phase II
qqs;
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Starting in semi, the man does a hitch: fwd, cl, bk, -; while the woman does a scissors: fwd trn 1/4 LF, cl, xif, -; ending in banjo. |
In the Scotts' A Little Bit of Two Step, part A goes like this: broken box;;;; two side closes; sd thru to semi; hitch 6;; lace up;;;; two turning two-steps;; vine 4; walk pick up; two two-steps;; progressive scissors;; fwd lock fwd twice;; hitch; hitch scissors to butterfly; and hitch scissors to semi; |
| Scissors Hitch
phase II
qqs;
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Starting in semi, the man does a scissors: forward L turning 1/4 RF, close R, cross L in front of R, -; while the woman does a hitch: forward R, close L, back R, -; ending in sidecar |
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| Roll
phase II
timing varies, eg qqs; or qqqq;
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Progress in a designated direction, turning individually or solo, using a designated number of steps. For instance, a roll three down line might involve a forward L turning LF, back R continuing the turn, and forward L facing line again, -; Starting with the trail foot, you would roll in, man RF and woman LF. A roll four would be a full turn in four steps. A roll six would probably be a 1/2 turn qqs to face reverse; and then the other 1/2 turn qqs back to line; |
In the Eddins' Fireman Two Step, there is a hitch 6 in open position;; step, -, swing, -; face, -, close to butterfly, -; knee swivel 4; side, -, close, -; slow solo roll 4 to face;; half box fwd; scissors thru; to a slow rock the boat;; |
| Circle Four With Snaps
ss; ss;
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In any position step away from partner with the lead foot and continue walking forward in a complete circle in four steps, man to center trng lf and woman toward wall trng rf. (step on beat 1, snap fingers on 2, and so on) |
If to semi, walk two and a strolling vine; if to closed, traveling door and two truning two-steps |
| Circle Away and Together
phase I
qqs; qqs;
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In any position, turn away from partner, man LF and woman RF, and step fwd, fwd, fwd, -; turning 1/2. Return to partner: fwd, fwd, fwd, -; making a complete circle.
We often separate the two halves of the circle, maybe circling away and then strutting back together or visa versa.
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The Wilders' Little White Moon has two forward two-steps;; hitch six;; circle away and together;; hitch apart; and scissors thru to open; |
| Circle Chase
phase II
qqs; qqs; qqs; qqs;
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Release partner, man turns left face and steps away: fwd, cl, fwd, -; woman follows. Continue forward two-steps in a counter-clockwise circle. During measure three, turn back toward wall so that man is chasing woman. End in designated position. |
In the Wolffs' Holly Jolly Xmas, part C begins with two forward two-steps;; double hitch;; circle chase to butterfly;;;; to two forward two-steps;; and a progressive box;; |
| Merengue
ss;
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In closed position or butterfly, step side with inside edge of foot then flat causing little hip roll. Then close and roll hip back. |
Do it some more and get some sway going |
| Rock the Boat
ss;
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In semi, step forward on lead with knee straight and body bent forward, -, relax knee, close trail foot and straighten body, -; |
American Bandstand, phase II by the Easterdays, part B: circle box;; slow rock the boat twice;; to two turning two-steps;; |
| Side Close to Sidecar
ss;
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In closed position, line of dance, step side with the lead foot turning RF, -, close in sidecar, -; |
triple diag wall; sd, cl to bjo, triple diag cntr; |
| Sand Step
phase II
qqs;
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In butterfly position, touch the toe of the left foot to the floor and swivel RF (woman R toe swiveling LF), touch the L heel to the floor and swivel LF, and cross the left in front of right taking weight, -; |
usually you will repeat the figure with the trail foot |
| Pivot Right Face or Pivot Two
phase II
ss;
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Usually in closed position, step back on the lead foot. The woman steps forward between the man's feet. Turn in place 1/2. Then step forward between her feet turning 1/2 again. |
In the Brownyards' Moon Over Naples, there is a two step in closed position; maneuver; pivot two to face wall; lunge down line and recover; |
| Spot Spin
phase II
qqs;
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A solo full turn in place in three steps. Turn in the direction of the free foot: swivel/step, swivel/step, swivel/step, -; |
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| Maneuver
phase II
s
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In closed, banjo, or semi, the man steps forward with his right foot and turns 1/2 RF to face reverse in closed position. |
The classic dance, Butterfly, begins with a walk, -, maneuver, -; pivot two to face wall; to a twisty vine; |
| Pickup
phase I
s
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In one step, the man leads the woman from semi-closed position to closed position facing line. The man takes a small step forward with his right, and the woman steps forward and turns left face 1/2. |
In semi, lead feet free, try a walk, -, pickup, -; side, touch, side, touch; run four; walk, -, face wall in closed position, -; rock fwd, -, recover, -; rock side, -, recover to open position, -; strut four;; |
| Circle Pickup
phase II
qqs;
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From open position, lead feet free, man steps forward, close, back, -; and leads woman to step fwd, fwd, fwd, -; in a left face half circle to pickup position. |
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| Fishtail
phase III
qqqq;
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In banjo position facing line and center, lead feet free, swivel a bit LF with R shoulder lead and cross left in back of right (woman XR in front) such that you progress a little toward line and wall. Begin to turn RF and step side and forward, again toward line and wall. Step forward L (woman back R) turning, and lock behind (woman in front) progressing a little toward line and center. The body movement might suggest the side-to-side and the progressive movement of a fish's tail as it swims or of a car as it skids on an icy road.
There has long been discussion about how this figure should progress on each of its four steps, but we are often sloppy about that. If there was such a thing as a phase II fishtail, it might begin with a simple check forward R (woman back L) and then cross behind, side, forward, lock, such that only the third step progresses. But if you use the diagonals and good upper-body rotation, you can get progression on all steps and a nice "fishtail" swing to the lower body.
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Start in closed position, line of dance. Walk two to banjo; fishtail; walk, -, pick up, -; hitch four; |
| Whaletail
phase III
qqqq; qqqq;
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In banjo, an extended fishtail: XIB progressing, sd, fwd, lk; fwd and sd, cl, XIB, sd; |
In the Heinys' Let's Rock and Roll, there are two forward two-steps;; progressive scissors checking;; whaletail;;two forward locks (lady turns); walk pickup; |
| Lock
phase II
q or s
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Cross free foot in front of supporting foot and take weight a bit behind that foot so that the newly free foot has to move back. Performed as the second step in a measure. |
In Patricia, by Walkinshaw & Goss, there is a fwd, lock, fwd, lock; run 3 down line twice;; run 3 and swing; bk 2 and a quick two-step; dip, -, recover, -; |
| Cut
phase II
q or s
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Cross free foot in front of supporting foot and take weight a bit behind that foot so that the newly free foot has to move back. Performed as the first step in a measure.
Notice that the step is simply "cut," not "cutback." Usually we cut with the lead foot and then step back with the trail foot for a "cut back," but that is two distinct steps.
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A common pattern is cut, bk, cut, bk; rock back, -, recover, -; |
| Cut Back
phase II
qq
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Cross free foot in front of supporting foot and take weight a bit behind that foot, step back, |
In Goody Goody III by Watanabe, part B begins with 2 fwd two steps;; cut back cut back; dip back recover; scoot; walk pickup; |
| Forward Lock
phase II
qqs;
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Step forward, cross the free foot behind the supporting foot and take weight, |
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| Forward Lock Forward
phase II
qqs;
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Step forward, cross the free foot behind the supporting foot and take weight, step forward again, -; |
In Ants On A Log by Lewis, there is a face to face; back to back; basketball turn to open position LOD;; forward lock forward; again; to a hitch 3; |
| Back Lock
phase II
qq
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Step back, cross free foot in front of weighted foot and take weight, |
Often repeated to fill a measure. |
| Back Lock Back
phase II
qqs;
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Step back, cross free foot in front of weighted foot and take weight, step back again, -; |
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| Box
phase I
qqs; qqs;
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In closed position, step sd, cl, fwd, -; sd, cl, bk, -; |
In the Maisch's Not Enough Indians, part A starts with two forward two-steps to facing position;; a slow open vine 4 to closed position wall;; box;; limp 4 to semi; walk & pick up; |
| Reverse Box
phase I
qqs; qqs;
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In closed position step sd, cl, bk, -; sd, cl, fwd, -; |
In Cooper's New York, New York, there is a box;; and then reverse the box;; vine four; walk two; vine four; walk, -, pick up, -; |
| Progressive Box
phase II
qqs; qqs;
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In closed position step sd, cl, fwd, -; sd, cl, fwd, -; |
In the Kerns' Maple Leaf Rag, there is a progressive box that is interrupted by a scissors: In part A, we do a half box toward the wall; scissors thru; another half box forward; scissors thru; side, draw, close twice;; limp four; walk two to semi; and two forward two-steps;; |
| Open Box
phase II
qqs; qqs;
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Begin in open or in left open position. Both step sd, cl, fwd, -; sd, cl, bk, -; |
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| Open Reverse Box
phase II
qqs; qqs;
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Begin in open or in left open position. Both step sd, cl, bk, -; sd, cl, fwd, -; |
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| Broken Box
phase II
qqs; ss; qqs; ss;
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In closed sd, cl, fwd, -; rock fwd, -, rec, --; sd, cl, bk, -; rock bk, -, rec, -; |
In Juke Box Baby by the Gloodts, the dance begins with a broken box;;;; hitch 4; side draw close; and then goes into a little quickstep section with a quarter turn & progressive chasse;;;; to a forward lock forward; maneuver side close; pivot 3; dip & recover; |
| Traveling Box
phase II
qqs; ss; qqs; ss;
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in closed sd, cl, fwd,_; walk two to reverse in reverse semi; turn to face sd, cl, bk,_; walk two to line in semi; |
In the Baldwins' Swingin' Gently, there is a basketball turn;; traveling box;;;; fwd lk fwd twice;; hitch fwd; walk bk 2; hitch bk; walk fwd 2; hitch 4; |
| Circle Box
phase II
qqs; qqs;
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The man does a box: sd, cl, fwd, -; sd, cl, bk, -; and leads the woman to circle under his lead hand a full RF turn: fwd, fwd, fwd, -; fwd, fwd, fwd, -; |
In Goody Goody II by Watanabe, part A begins with 2 fwd two steps;; circle box to open LOD;; charleston;; scoot; |
| Left Turning Box
phase II
qqs; qqs; qqs; qqs;
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In closed position, step side, close, forward turning 1/4 LF, -; side, close, back turning 1/4 LF, -; side, close, forward turning 1/4 LF, -; side, close, back turning 1/4 LF, -; If you start facing line, you will do half a box to face center, then to face reverse, then wall, then line again. |
In Buckmaster's Renegades Rebels and Rogues, part B has a travelling door twice to closed position wall;;;; left turning box;;;; side draw close; slow hover in 4;; two forward two-steps;; |
| Right Turning Box
phase II
qqs; qqs; qqs; qqs;
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In closed position, step side, close, forward turning 1/4 RF, -; side, close, back turning 1/4 RF, -; side, close, forward turning 1/4 RF, -; side, close, back turning 1/4 RF, -; If you start facing line, you will do half a box to face wall, then to face reverse, then center, then line again. |
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| Solo Left Turning Box
phase II
qqs; qqs; qqs; qqs;
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In a facing position, the man steps side L, close R, forward L turning 1/4 LF, -; and the woman steps side R, close L, back R turning 1/4 LF, -; Partners are right shoulder to right shoulder, man facing line and woman reverse. In the second measure, he steps sd, cl, bk turning 1/4 LF, and she steps sd, cl, fwd turning 1/4 LF, putting partners back to back, man facing center and woman facing wall. In the third measure, the man steps side L, close R, forward L turning 1/4 LF, -; and the woman steps side R, close L, back R turning 1/4 LF, -; Partners are left shoulder to left shoulder, man facing reverse and woman line. Finally, he steps sd, cl, bk turning 1/4 LF, and she steps sd, cl, fwd turning 1/4 LF, putting partners facing each other again. |
|
| Slow Hover
ss; ss;
|
In closed position facing wall, step fwd L (woman bk R), -, rock side, -; recover, -, step thru with trail feet to semi-closed position; |
In the Eddins' Good Ol' Girls, part A begins with a slow hover to semi line;; two fwd two-step;; to a slow open vine;; two turning two-step;; |
| Circle Away Two and a Two-Step Together Two and a Two-Step
ss; qqs; ss; qqs;
|
In semi-closed position, turn away from each other and step fwd L (woman fwd R), -, fwd, -; fwd, cl, fwd, -; lunge on trail feet turn LF (woman RF), -, fwd toward partner, -; fwd, cl, fwd to closed position, -; |
|
| Circle Away Two Triples Strut Together Four
qqs; qqs; ss; ss;
|
from semi turn away from each other fwd, cl, fwd,_; fwd,_cl, fwd,_; lunge on trail feet turn lf woman rf,_, fwd back toward partner body erect shoulders back,_; fwd sway upper body,_, fwd to closed,_; |
In the Woolcocks' All My Ex's Live In Texas, part A begins with two forward two steps;; circle away two two steps;; strut together 4;; twirl two; walk & pick up; |
| Face To Face and Back To Back
phase II
qqs; qqs;
|
In butterfly position facing wall, step sd, cl, sd turn away 1/2, -; sd, cl, sd turn to face, -; |
In Speranzo's Cadillac Tears, part B has a face to face; back to back; basketball turn to semi line;; two fwd two-steps;; and hitch four twice;; |
| Wheel
phase II
qqs; qqs;
|
In banjo position, turn right face, full turn, about a point between partners. Both step: fwd, cl, fwd, -; fwd, cl, fwd, -; |
In Bliss' Roses For Elizabeth, part A begins with two fwd two-steps;; vine 4 to line; scissors to sidecar facing DRW; twisty vine to reverse; scissors to banjo DLW; wheel to SCAR LOD;; |
| Vine or Vine Four
phase II
qqqq;
|
In a facing position: sd, both XIB, sd, both XIF; |
vine again for a vine 8;; turn and walk away four;; turn and run back together four;
The Cantrells' This 2 Can't Be Love begins with a side touch L & R; vine 4; walk & pickup; to two forward two-steps;;
|
| Vine Eight
phase II
qqqq; qqqq;
|
In a facing position, step side, both XIB, sd, both XIF; step side, both XIB, sd, both XIF; |
In Rag Mop by the Prows, there is a basketball turn;; vine 8;; to a strolling vine. |
| Vine Three
phase II
qqs;
|
In a facing position: sd, both XIB, sd, -; |
You can continue the movement with a XIF, sd, XIB, -; (which would be a front vine three)
Or in open position, lead feet free, vine apart 3; vine back together and face; sd close sd close; sd, -, thru, - to butterfly;
|
| Open Vine
phase II
ss; ss;
|
in bfly wall sd,_, xib turning to l open rev,_; sd to line turning to face,_, xif turning to open position line,_; |
In the Highburgers' Hot Lips, the dance starts in semi with two forward two-steps;; open vine four to semi;; repeat to butterfly;;;; |
| Twisty Vine
phase II
qqqq; or
ss; ss;
|
In bfly wall sd turning RF, XIB woman XIF, sd turning LF, XIF woman XIB; |
In the Rayes' Pop Goes the Movies, there are two fwd two-steps;; slow twist vine four to banjo;; whaletale; fwd, lk, fwd, lk; |
| Strolling Vine
phase III
ss; qqs; ss; qqs;
|
In closed position, line of dance, step side L turning RF to sidecar diag wall, -, XRIB (woman XLIF) turning LF back to line, -; sd L turning LF, cl, sd to diag cntr, -; sd, -, XIB, -; sd, cl, sd turning back to diag wall, -; |
In Howland's Remember When, part B begins with a strolling vine;;;; hitch 4; walk and face; slow basketball turn;;
In Rag Mop by the Prows, there is a vine 8;; strolling vine 1/2;; lunge side and recover to banjo reverse; strolling vine 1/2;; lunge side and recover to banjo;; fwd two step; twirl vine 2; walk 2; vine 8;;
|
| Vine Apart and Together
phase II
qqs; qqs;
|
In open position, lead feet free, release trail hands and step: sd away from partner, XIB, sd, -; sd toward partner, XIB, xd, -; No progression. |
In the Kincaids' Rhythm 'N Blues, part A begins with two forward two-steps;; hitch 6;; vine apart 3 and touch; vine together 3 and touch; and circle strut with snaps;; |
| Scoot
phase II
qqqq;
|
In semi, step fwd, cl, fwd, cl; |
In Sanders' Makin' Eyes, part B begins in semi with two fwd two-steps;; hitch 6;; scoot 4; walk & pickup; box;; |
| Limp
phase II
qqqq;
|
In semi, step side, XIB, sd, XIB; (same as scoot except trail foot crosses behind instead of closing). In a Front Limp, the trail foot crosses in front. |
In the Matthews' More Than You'll Ever Know, part B begins with a face to face & back to back to open position;; basketball turn to butterfly;; limp; walk two; and two turning two-steps to face line;; |
| Basketball Turn
phase II
ss; ss;
|
Usually begins in open position with lead feet free. We lunge fwd on lead foot turning to face partner pat lead hands, -, recover on trail foot turning to reverse, -; lunge to reverse turning out, -, recover to open line, -; (does not travel; trail foot stays in one spot). May begin in a facing position.
May be danced with trail feet free in which case, the first turn would be away from partner.
|
In the Baldwins' Ain't Got Nothin, part a begins with two forward two-steps;; vine apart & together;; hitch 6;; basketball turn;; to a left turning box;;;; |
| Door
phase II
qqs;
|
In butterfly, wall, rock side, recover, cross left in front of right, -; |
In the Clarks' Istanbul (Not Constantinople), there is a box;; sd two-step sleft & right;; door twice;; and circle snap 4 to butterfly;; |
| Sliding Door
phase II
ss; qqs;
|
In open position, rock apart on the lead foot, recover on the trail, and release trail hands. Both then cross in front, side, corss in front; changing sides so that the man is on the outside of the circle. End in left open position, trail feet free. No progression. |
|
| Traveling Door
phase II
ss; qqs;
|
This is really a cha figure, but it is often used in two-step. The second measure certainly has a two-step feel.
In butterfly position, both rock side on the lead foot, recover, XIF/sd, XIF remain facing;
|
In Dancin' Party by the Francises, we begin in butterfly facing wall with a traveling door twice;;;; to a basketball turn to semi;; and scoot twice; walk 2; |
| Stair Forward
phase III
qqqq;
|
in closed line fwd, sd, fwd, sd; |
repeat |
| Stair Side
phase III
qqqq;
|
in closed line sd, fwd, sd, fwd; |
|
| Twirl
phase II
qqs;
|
In a facing position with lead hands joined, turn to semi-closed and step fwd, cl, fwd, -; The woman steps fwd and turns RF under lead hands, back L continuing to turn, and sd to face, -; Notice that the man is doing a Forward Two-Step down line, and the woman is doing a Roll-Three under joined lead hands, also down line. Some awkwardness to watch out for is veering away from your partner. Especially during the "roll" the woman can lose track of direction and veer toward the wall or even into her man. It is also helpful if the man will keep his lead hand open so than the woman's fingers can turn in his palm. If he grips her hand, it can hurt.
Some teachers will present the woman's twirl as a forward step, a closing step with a spin, and then the side step. This pattern is something like the Riff Turn in bolero and looks sharp and elegant, but it is more advanced than the standard Twirl.
|
In Goody Goody by the Rumbles, there are 2 turning two steps;; twirl two; walk pickup; 2 fwd two steps;; |
| Reverse Twirl
phase II
qqs;
|
In facing position, lead hands joined, trail feet free, step side R, close, side, -; The woman steps side and forward, turning 1/2 left face, side and back, continuing the turn, and side to face again, -; |
|
| Twirl Vine
phase II
qqs;
|
Like a twirl (just above) but the man steps sd, XIB, sd, -; She turns under RF while he keeps up with her by doing a vine down line. |
In the Kropfs' Down in the Boondocks, the ending is two forward two-steps;; fwd lock fwd twice to face;; box;; twirl vine 2; apt pt; |
| Reverse Twirl Vine
phase II
qqs;
|
Like a reverse twirl (just above) but the man steps sd, XIB, sd, -; She turns under LF while he keeps up with her by doing a vine reverse line. |
|
| Twirl Two
ss;
|
In butterfly, walk two down line, raise lead arms, and she turns a full turn RF. |
Try a twirl two; walk two; walk three and face;; side close; side through to semi; |
| Susie Q
phase III
qqs; qqs;
|
In butterfly position, with strong swiveling movements back and forth, cross lead in front onto heel while swiveling on trail foot (man CW, woman CCW). Step side on trail foot, swiveling back on heel of lead foot. Cross in front again, swiveling on ball of trail foot, and flare trail foot in an arc (man CCW, woman CW). During second measure, progress in the opposite direction: XIF/swivel, sd/swivel, XIF/swivel, flare; |
The Woodruffs have made wonderful use of the Susie Q in The Ouah Ouah Song. Part A goes like this (I loved it): in butterfly, step side draw close down line; 2 side closes; side draw close; side two-step; susie Q twice;;;; side draw close toward reverse; 2 side closes; side draw close; side two-step; susie Q twice;;;;
In the Molitoris' Hawaiian Twostep, part B begins with a face to face; rock side recover; back to back; rock side recover to butterfly; limp 4; side close; butterfly box;; one traveling door;; susie Q;; one traveling door;; and two turning two-steps to semi;;
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