Assessment
Basic Closed Position Behaviors
Frame
Arms horizontally firm, vertically relaxed
Extended arm/hand in proper position.
Non extended arm/hand in proper position
Lead/follow: hand, shoulder, back
Juxtapose feet
Step
Torso leads
Feet take turns
Forward, Backward, Side
Step with music
Tap (pseudo step)
Start: man left, woman right
Slow step - 2 beats
Quick step - 1 beat
Syncopation 4-count - SQQ
Syncopation 6-count - SSQQ
Style
Waltz - QQQ, fall/rise, smooth weight shift, progressive
Foxtrot - SQQ, smooth weight shift, progressive
Rumba - SQQ, "Latin" weight shift and arm position, non progressive
Whole to parts. The traditional approach imposes sensory and cognitive overload well beyond the capacity of short term memory. It is unrealistic to expect beginners to dance as partners in one session without substandard mastery of key elements. This causes frustration during the lesson and requires extensive repetition in subsequent lessons.
Parts to whole. The hierarchical sequencing of behaviors leads to efficient mastery without cognitive overload. With greater mastery, there is less need for repetition. |
Hierarchical Sequencing
Overview. This series forms a foundation for all ballroom dances. It provides variety and confidence for dancing to almost any music encountered in our culture, and it prepares one to learn other dance styles efficiently and easily.
Lesson 1: Stepping to the music.
Torso leads
Feet take turns
Step with music
Tap (pseudo step)
Men left, woman right
Lesson 2 - Principles of partner dancing.
Extended hand position
Non extended hand position
Lead/follow pressure points
Juxtapose feet
Line of dance
Lesson 3 - Navigating the dance floor.
Keeping the line of dance
Turning corners
Avoiding collisions
Simple variations
Lesson 4 - Styling and variations
Foxtrot Styling
Side break
Open break
Twinkles
Lesson 5 - Underarm turns
Underarm turns
Progressive dance
Non-progressive dance
Lesson 6 - Sequencing and styling.
Waltz, Foxtrot, and Rumba styling
Sequencing variations
You may wish to claim to have learned 30 different dance steps; in truth, you will have learned 30 ways to do one "step." If you practice regularly, you will not be overwhelmed by the number of variations if you have mastered the prerequisites; rather, the variations will be natural consequences of applying what you already know to what you learn about dancing.
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Accelerated Approach*
Overview. This series forms a foundation for all ballroom dances. It provides variety and confidence for dancing to almost any music encountered in our culture, and it prepares one to learn other dance styles efficiently and easily.
Lesson 1: Stepping to the music.
Torso leads
Feet take turns
Step with music
Tap (pseudo step)
Men left, woman right
Lesson 2 - Principles of partner dancing.
Extended hand position
Non extended hand position
Lead/follow pressure points
Juxtapose feet
Line of dance
Lesson 3 - Variations
Side break
Open break
Underarm turns
Weave
Twinkles
Lesson 4 - Sequencing and styling
Waltz, Foxtrot, and Rumba styling
Sequencing variations
You may wish to claim to have learned 30 different dance steps; in truth, you will have learned 30 ways to do one "step." If you practice diligently each day, you will not be overwhelmed by the number of variations if you have mastered the prerequisites; rather, the variations will be natural consequences of applying what you already know to what you learn about dancing.
*This approach is recommended for private lessons for couples and small groups only. Though more economical, the Accelerated Approach requires diligent, daily practice. Most students prefer the relaxed approach, covering the same material in 6 lessons. |
