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First Stop — Foxtrot
The "heart" of this dance site is the figure descriptions. In the navigation bar at the left of each page are listed 24 dance rhythms. Maybe our favorite of the Smooth or International rhythms is the Foxtrot. For each rhythm, we give a little discussion of the history of that dance and its character and then a table listing the figures used in the rhythm. For each dance figure, we give the timing and describe the individual steps. Often, we provide a bit of dance choreography, too, so you can visualize the figure as it is used within a dance.
Look at these features below. The full Foxtrot page has over a hundred figure descriptions.
Note also the "master index" link at the top of the navigation bar. If you know the name of the figure you want to look at, this is the quickest way to find it.
In the early days of the Twentieth Century, during the Ragtime Era, a whole flock of "animal dances" were briefly popular, formed out of the earlier two-step. There was the Squirrel, Duck Waddle, Turkey Trot, and the Grizzly Bear. The Fox Trot might not actually have started as an "animal dance." One story tells of Harry Fox, a burlesque comic, who worked on a stage scattered with scantily clad women in static poses. His act involved a fast, comical dance to 4/4 ragtime music from one woman to the next where he would deliver his jokes. The act was popular, the music was widely marketed, and Fox's "Trot" became popular in dance halls and dance studios.
The slow, elegant, gliding Foxtrot is a rich and sophisticated rhythm and is one of the most popular dances ever. It seems more sustainable, less intense, than the Waltz, for instance. Maybe it is the slow count that gives us a little rest in each measure. Certainly, the "slow, quick, quick" rhythm and the more subtle downbeats on 1 and 3 provide more variety and interest than the steady "1, 2, 3" and strong, regular downbeat on 1 that we find in Waltz. Maybe it is the soaring glide of Foxtrot that feels so good, compared to Waltz's more dramatic rise and fall.
Regardless of your personal reaction, the Foxtrot has developed and matured over the last hundred years into a wonderful and engaging rhythm, and if we occasionally think back to the silly and slightly bawdy beginnings with Harry Fox, we may have even more fun.
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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| Three Step (also: Forward, Run Two) sqq;
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In closed position, facing line of dance, step forward on lead foot for a slow count, forward quick, forward quick (woman back, back, back). Repeat: fwd, -, fwd, fwd; |
The Scotts' Steppin Out with My Baby, has a diamond turn;; three step to closed position; half natural turn; closed impetus; and box finish; |
| Box
sqq; sqq;
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In closed position with lead feet free, step forward, -, side, close; back, -, side, close; |
Follow with a hover to semi; through, -, face, close back to closed position; |
| Left Turning Box
sqq; sqq; sqq; sqq;
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In closed position, line of dance, step forward & turn 1/4 left, -, side, close; back & turn left, -, side, close; forward & turn left, -, side, close; back & turn left, -, side, close; (face each wall of the room in turn) |
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| Diamond Turn
phase IV
sqq; sqq; sqq; sqq;
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Step forward and turn left to diagonal center, -, side continue left, back to banjo position (turn 1/4 left each measure, facing each corner of room in turn); back, -, side, forward; for, -, side, back; back, -, side, for; |
Follow with a open telemark; open natural;
In Valenta's Bye Bye Baby, there is a quarter diamond turn to a feather finish;; and again;;
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| Slow Side Lock
phase IV
sqq;
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This is the proper foxtrot pickup. In semi-closed position, step thru with the trail foot. Step side and forward to closed position, and then cross right in back of left, turning slightly LF (woman crosses L in front of R). |
In the Hartungs' White Lilacs, there is an open reverse turn; outside check; open impetus; slow side lock; to a diamond turn;;;; |
| Impetus to Semi
phase III
sqq;
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In closed reverse, step back L and she steps forward R between the man's feet. The man brings his R to L and touches and leads her to step L thru his right hip, turning him in a heel turn 1/2. The effect will be much as though she pushed through a turnstyle. Don't close on the right too early, or you will lock that turnstyle. Close at the end of beat three. Then open her head with a little right side stretch and step forward L to semi-closed position, diagonal line and center. |
In the Rumbles' This Is the Life, there is an impetus to semi; promenade weave;; three step; natural turn; closed impetus; to a back feather finish; |
| Chair
phase III
s
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In semi-closed position, lunge thru with trail feet, heel-toe, and lower. Angle your foot out toward partner for balance. Be sure to maintain your semi-closed position, rather than easing into some kind of half-open position. That means your inside thighs should be touching, and your shoulders should be turned toward your partner in good toned, contra frame. But as always, keep your upper bodies up and even arched back a bit: hips together, upper bodies apart. Arms up. May be done with lead feet to reverse. |
The Slotsves' September Foxtrot has a simple but really nice sequence in part A: hover; chair, -, recover, -; promenade weave;; three-step; natural turn; closed impetus; and feather finish;
I love the feel of that slow chair and recover.
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