3
Picture Yourself Slow Dancing
icture yourself and your dance partner Pwalking out to the center of the dance floor. It might be your 30th anniversary, a romantic evening, or a quiet moment at home with good music. On the more formal end of the spectrum, it might be your wedding day, and now that the vows have been exchanged and the rings are on the fingers, it is time to celebrate with that memorable first dance. Your new bride is on your arm, smiling, looking more beautiful than you have ever seen her. You are feeling very sharp yourself in your tuxedo—who knew you were that tall when you stood up straight? As you reach the center of the floor, the moment arrives. You gently take your wife’s hand from your arm, lift it, and spin her out away from you, only to draw her back in and begin your dance. You confidently lead her through your first dance, moving around the floor, spinning her, and finishing the moment with a picture-perfect dip, all captured by your videogra- pher and photographer. Your wife is beaming as you two return to your table and continue the festivities as the cheers from your friends and family members slowly subside. 62 Picture Yourself Dancing
The Six Ws of Slow Dance
s you’ll recall from Chapter 1, there follower’s arms draped around the leader’s neck are six Ws of dance: who, what, where, and the leader’s arms either clasped conservatively A around the follower’s waist or, if he is feeling a bit when, why, and wear. The following sections will walk you through the six Ws of slow dance. fresh, they might reach down to her derriere. As intimate as this form of dancing is for the partici- pants, it is downright boring to watch. Who Popularized Slow Dance? Slow dancing is a distinctly American tradition that This is where the Slow Dance for Romance comes has been adopted by some other cultures along into play. The Slow Dance for Romance taught in with the music it accompanies. No particular indi- this text and on the accompanying DVD, and in vidual can be credited with the popularization of Shawn Trautman’s Learn to Dance series, specifically contemporary slow dancing; rather, it was popular- on the Couples Ultimate Dance Sampler, takes ized by a generation and a type of music. The “cling and sway” to a whole new level, making youth of every era redefine slow dancing for their graceful and deliberate lead-and-follow dancing contemporaries as they shape their musical tastes. attainable for every beginner. This combination of leadable moves and simple footwork makes a mundane slow dance into a romantic event to remember both for the dancers and for anyone who has the pleasure of being an audience.
Where Did Slow Dance Originate and Where Is It Typically Done? As mentioned previously, slow dancing is an American tradition that has subsequently spread to other cultures, accompanying the music to which it is danced. There is no specific geographic region within the United States that can be credited with What Is Slow Dance? the creation of the slow dance. Slow dancing is meant to be an impromptu roman- tic escape from the mundane for two people. In its Slow dancing is done in myriad settings. The slow most basic form, the slow dance you frequently see dance being taught in this chapter is appropriate in is the standard “cling and sway.” Occasionally, an the nightclub setting; at a dance; at a formal event, adventurous leader will heat it up by wobbling such as a reunion or a wedding; or even in the privacy around in a circle while he and his partner cling of your own living room. The slow dance taught in to each other. This basic form is typified by the this text is as enjoyable to dance as it is to watch. Picture Yourself Slow Dancing 63
Slow dancing is appropriate on innumerable occa- sions. Because of the simplicity of the dance taught in this text, it is extremely versatile and can be used in any genre of romantic music, be it soft rock, country, Latin, Top 40, or any one of many others. If you are a beginner social dancer, the appropriate time to learn to slow dance is now. You will be learning the basics of lead-and-follow dancing as well as moves that you will use in more intricate dances to the slower tempo and simple When Did Slow Dance Become footwork of the slow dance. Popular and When Is the Right Time to Slow Dance? Why Is the Slow Dance Danced? The slow dance is danced as an intimate and The slow dance as we know it today emerged in romantic interlude between the two dancers. It is the 1960s, when dancing to popular upbeat music a dance of romance (versus slow and romantic ballads) shifted from rather than passion couples dancing to solo dancing where men and or desire, like the women danced together, but touching was rhumba or tango. discouraged and individuality was encouraged. It is more intimate There was a shift in emphasis from rhythm to lyrics than the waltz and is when appreciating contemporary Top 40 music. more appropriate on The ’60s also marked the advent of rock concerts, occasions when the where dancing became nothing more than swaying waltz is too stylized back and forth. This is the root of today’s slow or formal. It is also dance. The slow dance taught in this text takes the a romantic dance simplicity of created to accompany the root slow the 4/4 timing of dance just contemporary music. described, adds additional ©istockphoto.com/Justin Horrocks movement through sim- ple footwork, and incorpo- What Kind of Attire rates leads and Should Be Worn? moves from a There is no dress code or standard apparel for the variety of slow dance. Whatever you happen to be wearing dances to add when you are with your dance partner and the interest and right song starts playing is perfectly appropriate. zest to a simple and romantic slow dance. 64 Picture Yourself Dancing
Visualize the Slow Dance
ometimes conceptually it’s hard to Also, write down any questions that you might get a good feel for what you’re attempting to have at this point. There’s a good chance you will S find the answer later on in this chapter, and if it’s learn until after you see someone else doing it. Once you’ve seen it, you allow your mind to something you’re already pondering, you’re sure to start processing ideas about how to get your body remember the answer for the long-term. to do the same thing. Before we get into the nuts and bolts of how to slow dance, take a few minutes You’ll find that by time you get ready to stand up to turn on your DVD player and view the section and try the DVD, the dancing won’t be nearly as entitled “Slow Dancing.” overwhelming. Writing down the key concepts will allow you to get a jumpstart on the rest of the chapter. You’ll also find that after you get up and try it, you’ll probably have more questions. As this chapter goes on, the steps will be broken up with screenshots from the DVD, pointers will be given on where you should be during different parts of the dance, and frequently asked questions will be addressed that should satisfy most (if not all) of your questions, and then some.
The third time you view the DVD, go ahead and dance along with it. See how far you can make it just by watching and trying. You’ll probably find It’s best if you watch the section one time through that one of the two of you is able to pick up and without trying to do any of it. Just give your mind understand the material quicker than the other. a chance to absorb the material so it’s somewhat familiar to you when you replay the section. Watch how the dancers move, think about the words that are used, and picture yourself doing the slow dance. Just remember, everyone learns at a different pace. Be cognizant of this as The second time you go through it, take notes. you’re learning with your partner. One of Begin to jot down the important parts of the dance you might pick up certain aspects of the so you can engage other parts of the kinesthetic dance quicker than the other, and that’s learning prior to getting up and dancing along. okay. Try to be patient and wait for the Write down what the connection points are, what other person to grasp the material, and the basic steps are called, how many counts are in then move on. a basic, how to align with your partner, and so on. Picture Yourself Slow Dancing 65
Now, take a look at the rest of these pictures. All of them are taken of couples slow dancing. Some are formal and some are very informal, but the couples are all doing the same steps. See whether you can visualize yourself slow dancing (the dance you just watched over and over) in all these different set- tings. Then, picture yourself slow dancing at events you have coming up or at local venues where you and your partner can go. If you can see it, you can do it. 66 Picture Yourself Dancing
Slow Dance Basics
efore we get too far down the road But first, let’s not forget the two most important Bhere, let’s make one thing perfectly clear: rules: All slow songs can include a nice, elegant, 1. Ladies are always right! Ladies, put your and romantic slow dance. (In other words, there’s weight on your left foot so you can be ready no song too slow to dance a slow dance to.) There to start with your right. (This is what’s called might be songs that feel better to dance to and your ready position.) might even be easier to dance to, so let’s just say that all songs qualify. For practice purposes for this 2. Guys always get what’s left. Guys, put your dance, you can turn the radio on to whatever your weight on your right foot so you can be favorite station is and “assume the position.” Dance ready to start with your left. (This is your to anything and everything up front until you get ready position.) familiar with the basics and feel good about the leading and following portions. Having said all that, let’s get into the dance. The Four-Count Basic The four-count basic of slow dancing is made up of two sets of steps and touches, or step-touches. In layman’s terms, it’s said out loud like this:
Step, touch, step, touch
If you’re more mathematically inclined and like to use numbers, it’s counted like this:
One, two, three, four
In the four-count slow dance basic, each step or touch consists of only one count— nothing more, nothing less. It’s very even and smooth, which helps people who have very little rhythm. Picture Yourself Slow Dancing 67
To try the slow-dance basics in place, assume foot position 1 and be in your ready position.
1. First step down with your free foot. Make sure you change weight on this one.
2. Using just the toe of the foot that is now free, touch down beside the other foot. Make sure you do not change weight to the toe you’re touching with.
3. Lift that toe off the ground momentarily after Step 2, and then step back down onto it with a definite change of weight.
4. Just like in Step 2, use just the toe of the foot that is now free and touch down beside the other foot. Again, make sure you do not change weight to the toe you’re touching with on this one.
Now that you’re able to do these steps in place, let’s go ahead and move a little bit with them. 68 Picture Yourself Dancing
Try it moving back and forth over and over, doing Leaders, go ahead and take a step with your left step-touches. Steps 1 and 3 both use foot position foot. This is not an exercise in trying to trick your two (FP2), and Steps 2 and 4 use foot position one partner by moving at the last second; rather, it is (FP1). Leaders, your first step is to the left, about one where trust is starting to be built. Do the shoulder-width or so apart, and followers, your first slow-dance basic footwork, and this exercise step is to the right. Try not to be stiff-legged in this should not be a problem. Each time it is started, one as you start to move. Relax and enjoy. the leader should start with his left foot and the follower should start with her right. Mirroring Go ahead and face each other, giving yourselves anywhere from about two to five feet of space in between. You should now be in open dance position. The very first thing we’ll go through will require the leader to move off to each of the eight directional possibilities, and the follower will attempt to mirror him. As you are probably envi- sioning right now, this means that as the leader takes a single step to his left while still facing the follower, the follower then takes the same-sized step to her right. The “identical” movement that the follower creates is called mirroring, and it’s part of the “visual” aspect of following.
Leaders, feel free to test any one of the eight direc- tional possibilities with your first step. Naturally, the second foot or step for the leader should be in the exact opposite direction to take him back to center. For example, if the leader steps forward on the first step, then he should step backward on the second; if the leader steps front-left on the first step, he should step back-right on the second. Picture Yourself Slow Dancing 69
The Four-Count If either partner gets on the “wrong foot” Basic as a Couple or goofs up during the exercise, just stop, Now that you’re both experts on doing the basics laugh, and start back up again after the on your own and in all the different directions, it’s leader counts it off… 5-6-7-8, and you’re time to try them together. Hopefully you completed back dancing again. the exercise on the previous page and didn’t just skip right to the dancing. If you skipped right to the dancing and didn’t practice it on your own, you might have a tough time figuring out where Next, try to do this exercise to music. Almost any any problems are if they arise. Practicing before song will work, so go ahead and pick your favorite. coming together is critical to building the confi- It’ll be the last thing you try before putting it all dence of each partner and, especially if this is your together and dancing for the first time. Leaders, first dance, you want to come in with high expecta- you might want to count out loud to give the tions. Social ballroom dancing is probably close to follower a chance to match you step for step when 25-percent skill and 75-percent attitude, so we you start. This means the leader will say “5-6-7-8” hope you’re in good spirits moving forward here. and then step with his left foot. Another option is to say “Ready, and” or “Ready, set,” which effectively takes the place of numbers 7 and 8. Leaders, try a Your toolkit for the slow-dance basics includes: few of these starting points and see which one you’re comfortable with. Foot position 1 (ready position and counts 2 and 4 of the basic) Foot position 2 (counts 1 and 3 of the basic) Connection points 1–4 (all will be used here in the basic) Four-count basic (essential for the slow dance to work) 70 Picture Yourself Dancing
Okay, let’s get into position and get this show started. Regardless, now that she’s here, you have to get The first thing you want to do is get into your back to the other side where you started. This time, dance position with your partner (use all four leaders, instead of using your left hand and the connection points) and be in your ready position. palm of your right hand, you want to use your left Leaders, go ahead and give your countdown (5-6-7-8) hand and the fingers of your right hand. The left and move off to your left and then back to your hand remains steady, yet it moves to the right and right, and then repeat it over and over. Okay, you’re the fingers, together (not digging into her skin), doing the basics now. . .step, touch, step, touch, will gently pull (guide) her back to the right if step, touch, step, touch. . . . Great job! you’re cupping her shoulder blade appropriately. Now, as she moves off to the right heading back Now, let’s juice it up a bit. This time when you go to toward the starting point, where her weight would try it, let’s have the leaders actually lead it. By lead- change to her left foot, you, as the leader, want to ing, we’re not talking about verbal leads; we’re talk- slow her momentum down by using the palm of ing about through the body. Leaders, when you’re your right hand—sort of a nice cushiony landing, ready, let’s see whether we can put this together and just to start back up again. make it work. You have four connection points that you will use here to help you out. The two most important ones to start the dance will be connection points 1 and 2. Leaders, your left and right hands must be in sync on this one because both of them are necessary to provide guidance for the follower. A simultaneous movement of both of hands in equal force to your left at the same time that you step will get your partner moving. Give it a shot.
Did it work? If so, you did each of the following things. (You should aim for at least two of the three.)