Meredith & Harold

ROUND DANCING — CHOREOGRAPHED BALLROOM

EDUCATIONAL ARTICLES

MAJOR SECTIONS: Figures | Articles | Links | Alph. Index | Search | Home

BROWSE
Figures in the Smooth Rhythms
Foxtrot
Quickstep
Waltz
Viennese Waltz
International Tango
American Tango
Two Step
Five Count
One Step
Polka
Rhythm
Figures in the Latin Rhythms
Cha Cha
Rumba
Jive
Single Swing
West Coast Swing
Lindy
Hustle
Bolero
Slow Two Step
Mambo
Salsa
Samba
Argentine Tango
Merengue
Paso Doble
Dance Articles
Articles Home

Dance Figures

Dance Rhythms
Lead and Follow
Dance Styling
Fred Astaire Album
Other Sections
Dance Links
Music Clips For Each Rhythm
Search Site/Web
Sources
Contact Me

Dancing Your Foxtrot As Smooth As A Feather

by Kristine & Bruce Nelson


Let's think about techniques to help smooth out your (ruffled) feathers, untangle your weaves, and give flight to your FOXTROT!


FEATHER? What’s that?

It’s simple! A feather is a figure that ends in Banjo position. The figure may be started from closed or semi-closed position and may begin forward or backward. When moving forward the man dances heel, toe, toe. When moving backward there may be rotation involved and the man dances toe, toe, toe. The lady follows the man’s lead (of course) and will usually be making a left-face body turn to banjo position. To easily get into the correct position both dancers will use a left or right side lead of the body. Good practice sequences are [3-Step, Feather, 3-Step, Feather] or [Hover, Feather] or [Telemark to Semi-Closed, Feather] or [Closed Hover, Feather Finish].


WEAVE? Help! There are SO many and I am SO confused!

Here is the key - all the weaves in foxtrot follow a few simple rules:

  1. Weave timing is always 1 slow and 6 quick steps = 2 measures of music (only 1 exception)

  2. Each weave ends the same, with a back and feather finish = 4 quicks

  3. The beginning figure of each weave gives the weave its name (e.g. Promenade weave, Natural weave, Check and weave)

So if you know the beginning figure and you know the “weave” ending, the figures become easy to understand.


Weave Ending? Can it really be that simple?

Of course - it takes only 4 quick steps - and it’s always the same. Starting in a banjo position man steps back L in banjo (BJO), back R to closed position (CP), side and forward L to BJO diagonal line of dance and wall (DLW), forward R in BJO DLW (Woman steps forward R in BJO, forward L to CP, side and back R to BJO DLW, back L in BJO DLW.)


Promenade Weave starts in Promenade or Semi-Closed Position (SCP): Man steps forward R (S), forward L leading the lady to Closed Position (CP), and side R preparing to go to Banjo (BJO).The lady dances from SCP to CP between steps 1 and 2, side L preparing to go to BJO. And then you both dance the weave ending that you already know!


Natural Weave starts in either CP or SCP. We dance a half (1/2) Natural turn: Man steps forward R turning RF (naturally!), side L to CP, back R preparing to go to BJO. The lady dances back L turning RF, heel turn on L closing the R foot to the left and transferring weight, forward L preparing to go to BJO. And then you both dance the weave ending that you already know!


Check and Weave starts in CP M facing diagonal reverse line of dance & center of hall (DRC): M checks back R with slight contra check action, -, forward & side L, side & back R preparing to go to BJO. The lady checks forward L with slight contra check action, -, back R, side & forward L preparing to go to BJO. And then you both dance the weave ending that you already know!


See it’s simple! It only takes a little bit of fun practicing. And YOU can do it easily and comfortably!


From clinic notes prepared for the NSRDC, 2009, and reprinted in the Dixie Round Dance Council (DRDC) Newsletter, August 2015.



dingbat




Alphabetical Index to
Figures
and Technique
Dance
Figures
Dance
Articles
Dance
Search
Dance
Links
Dance
Home
Online since 2001 İHarold and Meredith Sears, Boulder, CO, harold@rounddancing.net. All rights reserved.