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Tele What?
by Wayne
& Barbara Blackford
Wow! “TELE” is a prefix that is used in 10 described figures in our
Manual in 2 different rhythms, starting at Phase IV. But there are
several other “tele” figures just lurking around in choreography that
are not described as such.
Let's first consider the proper “technique” needed to be able to
execute a tele-figure. The first concept we must address is the “heel
turn” for the woman. No matter what rhythm we are dancing (usually
foxtrot) they are danced with “swing” and “early rise” for the man.
This action should “block” the woman’s rise and forces her to commence
the turn on the heel of the back stepping foot. As the man completes
his “swing”(turning 1⁄2) he clears the way for her to rise. One of the
most important concepts it to retain “counterbalance”.
“Counterbalance” is maintained by keeping your head weight in the
proper place. This is done by keeping heads well to the left. The
mistake we make is where we place the head weight. Most dancers will
use “face weight” and just turn their heads left. When we all should be
using “back head weight”. Most men will turn their heads to look at
their partner in turns and this will destroy “counterbalance”. Woman
can also destroy the “counterbalance” by allowing their heads to “turn”
and come forward, especially in semi-closed position. To help maintain
“counterbalance” we include sway (the inclination of the body from the
ankle upward and away from the moving foot). If you will think of
swinging the hip (opposite of the turn) upward you will achieve sway
and maintain “counterbalance”.
“Rotation” -- Once you start the turning action, you must maintain the
same speed (rate of turn) until it is completed. Many times the turn
starts fast, pauses, and then turns fast again. To help maintain the
same rate of speed & rotation, try using the tips of the elbows
turning at the same rate until all the turn is complete.
Exiting the turn will also cause a loss of “counterbalance”. The
tendency is to fall our of the turn especially when exiting to
semi-closed position. An easy way to think of the exit is to slow down
the upper body (stop rotation and keep with the woman) and allow the
lower body (hips) to continue the turn a little bit more so that the
couple stays in closed position and retains their connection and
“counterbalance”.
Remember, all turns should start with a commencement of turn in the
body while on the standing foot. In Left turns the first step is taken
FORWARD in the direction of the supporting foot which will create a
slight contra position between the body & foot. Right turns the
first step is taken at an angle to the supporting foot is alignment
with the body. Consequently Left turns are late (turn happens after the
weight is on the foot) and Right turns are early (turn is made before
weight is on the foot).
Most of us think that “tele” can only turn left, but in actuality it
may turn right. The list is long (and we are sure there are some we
haven’t heard about yet);
Left turning “tele” figures:
- Telemark to SCP (open telemark)
- Telemark to BJO (closed telemark)
- Telemark ending
- Telespin to CP
- Telespin to SCP
- Double Telemark
- Mini Telespin
- Teleronde
- Telespin ending Double Reverse
Right turning “tele” figures:
- Natural Telemark
- Natural Hover Cross
- Continuous Hover Cross
- Dbl Natural Telemark
- Traveling Hover Cross
From
clinic notes prepared for the RAL Convention, 2015,
and
reprinted
in the Dixie Round Dance Council (DRDC)
Newsletter, March 2019.
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