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So You Think You Can Dance?
by Dr. Warren Lieuallen, Two
Left Feet Dance Academy – Chapel Hill, NC
As round dancers, we are all understandably eager to progress to the
next level. Dancing the higher phase dances gives you quite a sense of
accomplishment. Higher level dances are more challenging (because they
have more moves, so there’s more to remember), more interesting
(because they have more moves, so they are not so repetitive),
and often just more fun (because they have more moves, so they can fit
the music better). But we are often in too much of a hurry. We progress
to the next level too quickly, before we are really ready.
To dance well at in any phase, you must not only learn the new moves at
that phase, but you must have mastered the moves and techniques at the
lower levels. If you are not a very good phase IV dancer, you will
never be a good phase V dancer. Many folks learn this the hard way, by
having their dancing become so uncomfortable and difficult that they
must finally admit that they need to go back a phase or two and start
over. Don’t let this happen to you!
When you are at a dance and they cue something that you can easily do
(probably something a phase or two lower than you usually dance), don’t
sit down! Instead, dance the best dance you’ve ever danced. Really
focus on your dancing technique, and really try to dance flawlessly.
It’s an interesting challenge, and harder than you might think! Every
time you dance, focus on your frame. Make sure those phase III and IV
moves are graceful, smooth, and easy. Use every trick and technique
you’ve ever learned.
To help you begin your journey towards better dancing, see if you can
dance these moves comfortably:
| Starting Position: |
Move to do: |
Ending Position: |
Comments (for the man): |
| CP DLW |
Three Step |
CP DLW |
Make sure you are using
proper heel lead technique, and not just “walking” forward; do NOT lean
forward. |
| CP DLW |
Hover |
SCP LOD |
A Hover is Fwd, Side,
Brush and small Side to SCP (man turning 1/8 right); do NOT “open” your
lead hips. |
| CP DLW |
Hover Telemark |
SCP DLW |
A Hover Telemark is Fwd,
Fwd, Small side to SCP (man turning 1/4 right). |
| CP DLW |
Half Natural |
CP RLOD |
Man will be facing RLOD;
feet closed in Waltz, open in Foxtrot. |
| CP DLW |
Open Natural |
BJO RLOD |
Man will be facing DRC
(“sliced” to produce BJO), with his right foot directly behind his left. |
| CP RLOD |
Spin Turn |
CP DLW |
A spin turn is a 5/8 right
turn; the overturned version is a 7/8 right turn. There is no Spin Turn
which turns only 3/8 |
| CP DLW |
Box Finish |
CP DLC |
A Box Finish is a 1/4 left
turn; only a Back Box has no turn. If you do
a Box Finish with no turn, you’re either facing the wrong way, or you
didn’t turn the previous figure correctly. |
That’s just a few to whet your appetite. The point is, you need to be
able to dance these basic phase III and IV figures flawlessly and
effortlessly. Hear the cue; do the move. No thinking required. Just
dance!
Another major issue that needs to be addressed before you progress up
the round dancing ladder is Semi-Closed Position. A good Semi Position
should be as much like Closed Position as possible (with just a little
right side stretch to open the woman’s head). The man needs to rotate
on the last step to his RIGHT, placing the woman in Semi Position. Both
partners will swivel their feet to point diagonally towards LOD (Men:
Yes, that means you are turning your body to your right, and swiveling
your feet 1/4 to your left!). If your SCP is more like Half-Open
Position, you’ve got problems (unless you’re dancing Two-Step or Jive).
You need to keep your lead hips connected to your partner. I didn’t say
it was easy!
Be sure to focus on your frame. Your goal should be to have a nearly
perfect frame for the entire dance. Ladies – head to the left, hips
“velcro’d” to his. Men – shoulders slightly back, and don’t move your
arms. Keep your hips connected to your partner at all times; feel your
partner’s leg as you step (that way, you’ll know where their foot is,
and you’ll never step on it!).
A Simple Practice Routine (put on your favorite Foxtrot tune): CP DLW
lead feet free: 3-Step (CP DLW); ½ Nat (CP RLOD); Spin Turn (CP DLW);
Box Fin (CP DLC); 2 Left Trns (CP DLW);; Hvr (SCP DLC); Thru, P/U, Cl
(CP DLC); Telemark SCP (SCP DLW); Op Nat (BJO RLOD); Hes Chg (CP DLC);
Hvr Telemark (SCP DLC); Prom Weave (BJO DLW);; 3-Step (CP DLW); Fthr
(BJO DLW);
Do it again, and maybe once or twice more!
Hvr; Prom Weave; to a Prom Sway; Slow Chg Sway
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