International Paso Doble Introduction to International Paso Doble General Paso Doble is one of the most exciting of the Latin rhythms. It has the electric excitement of a bull fight with the man assuming the strong, powerful role of the matador and the lady, most often, portraying the cape, although she may act either role, depending upon the figure being danced. Paso Doble is different from other International Latin dances because there are separate techniques for each figure or family of figures and fewer general techniques. The most important general technique is the shaping of the man's body. The man's use of body sway emphasizes the character of the dance. The man uses body sway, in any Paso Doble step, where he feels a slight tendency to sway. By accentuating this sway the man enhances the flavor of the dance. Tempo The timing used for Paso Doble is normally 2/4 time with the first beat of each bar slightly accentuated. However, for round dance choreography, we write the cue sheets in 4/4 time. This will make the recommended speed approximately 30 measures per minute, instead of the 60 measures per minute for 2/4 timing. Phrasing Normally we count Paso Doble figures in multiples of 4 steps e.g. 4, 8, 12, 16, etc., and the man's first step normally begins with the right foot. Due to phrasing, there could be an occasional count of 2 steps. Stance The Paso Doble depicts the bullfight with the man as the matador and the lady as the cape. Carriage of the body in Paso Doble is higher than in the other Latin dances since there is no hip action. Hold the hips well forward and the chest should be high and proud! The arching of the back, at times, is proper in the execution of some figures. There are three levels that the dancers maintain while dancing the Paso Doble, up, neutral, and down. Down - This level is achieved by lowering into your knees, slightly, while maintaining a strong erect upper body. The Appel and Down Elevation use this level. Neutral - This level is used most of the time and particularly for figures that travel or turn, the standard level for dancing the Paso Doble. The Sur Place and the majority of the other figures danced in the Paso Doble are danced at this level. Up - This level is achieved by lifting the body through the ankles. The Up Elevation is danced at this level. There are a few figures that require the dancers to use all three levels. PD - Intro - 1 S#7 2003 Introduction (continued) International Paso Doble Hold and Arm Positions In Closed Position (CP) stand facing your partner with the head erect and the body upright. There can be light body contact but bodies may also be up to 6 inches apart. The man places his right hand on the lady's left shoulder blade. The lady rests her left arm lightly on the man's right arm following the curve of his arm to the shoulder. The lady should place the fingers of her right hand between the man's thumb and first finger and clasp the hands lightly. Raise the joined hands, (man's left and lady's right), to eye level with a gentle curve in the arms. In Semi-Closed Position (Promenade Position), you may extend the hold so that the dancers are about 9 to 12 inches apart. If the man cannot retain his hold on the lady's shoulder blade, he can allow his right hand to slip to the top of her left arm. Usually we lower the joined hands, (man's left and lady's right), to chest height with a gentle curve to the arms. In Reverse Semi-Closed Position (Counter Promenade Position), usually we raise the joined hands, (man's left and lady's right), to a level just above the head with a gentle curve in the arms. Footwork The two most common steps taken in Paso Doble are the heel marching step and the step taken high on the ball of the foot . We take the heel marching step by pushing from the back foot onto the heel of the front foot keeping the front leg straight. When we dance the forward action, high on the ball of the foot, we will initiate the step from the ankle (not the knee), digging the toes into the floor. When we use this technique, we take the last step as a ball flat, enabling us to move smoothly into the next movement. PD - Intro - 2 S#7 2003 International Paso Doble Table of Contents Introduction ……………………………………………..… PD-Int-1 Appel ……………………………………………..… PD-01 Appel to Semi-Closed Position ……………………………………………..… PD-02 Appel, Slip ……………………………………………..… PD-03 Attack, The (Deplacement) ……………………………………………..… PD-12 Basic, Backward ……………………………………………..… PD-06 Chassé to the Left (with Appel) ……………………………………………..… PD-08 Chassé to the Left (without Appel) ……………………………………………..… PD-07 Chassé to the Right ……………………………………………..… PD-09 Coup de Pique (Left to Right) ……………………………………………..… PD-21 Coup de Pique (Right to Left) ……………………………………………..… PD-20 Coup de Pique (Syncopated) ……………………………………………..… PD-22 Deplacement ……………………………………………..… PD-12 Ecart (Fallaway Whisk) ……………………………………………..… PD-19 Elevation ……………………………………………..… PD-10 Fallaway Ending to Separation ……………………………………………..… PD-13 Fallaway Whisk (Ecart) ……………………………………………..… PD-19 Farol, The ……………………………………………..… PD-16 Forward Basic ……………………………………………..… PD-05 Fregolina ……………………………………………..… PD-16 Grand Circle ……………………………………………..… PD-24 Huit (Cape) ……………………………………………..… PD-15 Left foot Variation ……………………………………………..… PD-18 Promenade Close ……………………………………………..… PD-23 Promenade Link ……………………………………………..… PD-11 Separation ……………………………………………..… PD-17 Sixteen ……………………………………………..… PD-14 Slip Appel ……………………………………………..… PD-03 Sur Place ……………………………………………..… PD-04 PD - TOC -1 S#8 2004 International Paso Doble Table of Contents PD - TOC - 2 S#8 2004 International Paso Doble Appel to CP 1 beat - 1 Level of Difficulty 1 MAN CP fcng ptnr and wall - In place R, LADY CP fcng ptnr and COH - In place L, MAN Step Timing Facing Step & Amount Footwork Action Used Lead/Technique # Alignment Direction of Turn 1 1 CP In place nil Flat A strong R lowering action LADY Step Timing Facing Step & Amount Footwork Action Used Lead/Technique # Alignment Direction of Turn 1 1 CP In place nil Flat A strong L lowering action NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION MAN Start in Closed Position facing partner and the wall. [Step 1.] Keeping the body very erect, lower sharply onto the right foot, flat. LADY Start in Closed Position facing partner and center of the hall. [Step 1.] Keeping the body very erect, lower sharply onto the left foot, flat. GENERAL NOTES This is a step danced with a strong lowering action and the foot flat. It is a firm step and used to start a number of figures. After starting high on the balls of both feet, some styling used are: a) Lowering action taking weight without a stomp. b) Lowering action taking weight with a stomp. c) Back flick before lowering as in (a) and (b) above. PD - Fig 1 - 1 Appel to CP (continued) International Paso Doble Intentionally Left Blank PD - Fig 1 - 2 International Paso Doble Appel to PP 1 beat - 1 Level of Difficulty 1 MAN CP fcng ptnr and wall - In place R, LADY CP fcng ptnr and COH - In place L, MAN Step Timing Facing Step & Amount Footwork Action Used Lead/Technique # Alignment Direction of Turn 1 1 CP In place 1/8 Flat A strong Slight toe-in action of & sltly LF to lowering the Right foot as placed sd R SCP action on the floor. LADY Step Timing Facing Step & Amount Footwork Action Used Lead/Technique # Alignment Direction of Turn 1 1 CP In place 1/8 Flat A strong Slight toe-in action of & sltly RF to lowering the Left foot as placed sd L SCP action on the floor. NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION MAN Start in Closed Position facing partner and the wall. [Step 1.] Keeping the body very erect, lower sharply onto the right foot, flat, and turn the head to look toward LOD. At the same time, circle lead joined hands clockwise and prepare to extend them, toward LOD, on the next step to end Semi-Closed Position facing LOD. LADY Start in Closed Position facing partner and COH. [Step 1.] Keeping the body very erect, lower sharply onto the left foot, flat, and turn the head to look toward LOD. At the same time, circle lead joined hands counterclockwise and prepare to extend them, toward LOD, on the next step. End in Semi-Closed Position facing LOD. GENERAL NOTES This is a step danced with a strong lowering action and the foot flat. It is a firm step and used to start a number of figures. When started in CP, as a preparation to step to SCP, take the step slightly back. A slight body turn to the left for the man, and to the right for the lady can be used on the Appel preceding the SCP. PD - Fig 2 - 5 Appel to PP (continued) International Paso Doble Some styling used are: a) Lowering action taking weight without a stomp. b) Lowering action taking weight with a stomp. c) Back flick before lowering as in (a) and (b) above. PD - Fig 2 - 6 International Paso Doble Backward Basic 1 measure - 1234 Level of Difficulty 2 MAN CP fcng LOD - Bk R, bk L, bk R, bk L; LADY CP fcng RLOD - Fwd L, fwd R, fwd L, fwd R; MAN Step Timing Facing Step & Amount Footwork Action Lead/Technique # Alignment Direction of Turn Used 1 1 CP bk R *nil **ball Very Strong pressure into small the floor. steps on * Up to 1/4 LF or RF balls of curve can be executed.