Handbook of Ballroom Dancing (Topspin)

8/4/2019 Handbook of Ballroom Dancing (Topspin)

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HANDBOOK OF BALL-R OOMDANCING

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W lLLIAK OLOW ESAND SONS , LIMIT BD, LONDON AND BBCOLESt BNGLAND

Scanned by a friendly personCompiled by -Topspin-


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INTRODUCTIONo one having the instinct for. andlove of dancing, but lacking the '.

:: opportunities of watching and ..: . .'.learning the modern steps and styles, lean. . .... ... ..'imagine no simpler self-instructor than Com- .. ': ...

. .. .mander Cree's handbook. '... ... If it be possible to learn a dance byprinted ..

. description, then here is the possibility open. to all. . .For all ball-room purposes a. beginner

,:should be content to perfect him or herselfin .the main steps of each dance. There is only ..one actual step in the" Waltz," one in the.. .

:' " Polka," in the " One-Step,"the" Fox-Trot,"and, mark you, in the "Tango." '., .. 7 2' :B.. -...,

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HANDBOOK OF BALL-ROOM DANCING

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There is some excuse for CommanderCree's statement re the latter dance, that it isuneuitable as a drawing ..room dance.

When the "Tango" was first introducedto bhe English public, it was shown as anexotic stage dance, bristling with 356variations. " Tango" melodies flooded themusic shops, the back covers containing:

. .nebulous diagrams and descriptions of .the various" movements quite impossible of:understanding. At the fashionable thes dansants of Parisand at most of the plaqee, the "Tango" is almost exclusively danced, and a very beautiful .dance it is. But there the dancers content .:

. ~themselves by sticking almost exclusively to ..:.: .~the " Corte." ' . ' , . ~ :. . ". .. . ..: : .. " _ . I . . . . .: . . " ' : : . :.~.. that- are fashionable at this moment -and-- _::- .- - '__-.. . ... . .. . ... ..' . '. :", - .:likely to remain so for sometime, .and - 8 0 _ ' _ - - - . . :~- ' shouldbe learnt by the dancerwhodeaire8::- . ~ - : ( / ! -

-to be up-to-date. All '-o t h e r i n n o v a t i o n $ : o ~ _ . : : : : : - : ' : ~ - : : i : _-this season m t h e - 0 Spanish .One-Step, - P ~ a ( } e : _ - - - - : : : ; - - : P~Walk, Tangle, etc., eto., are alreadj-dead j _ : : _ : \ - : - i - :

r~ and the attempt to re-introduce-the Tango _'-. _ " : u . . . - . - : . : - .~ : _ . : . . ... . .. .... .- ..~;has also failed. The aotual Tango is a :most - __..:-:.:-;: . - '. '...~ -unsuitab le dance for a ball-room,complicated_---:-:-,I .,

! : . , : and halting ...blookingthe tr aflic, and never- ..: _ - ;. . ..:: .. - ".. . . .''. w ill be danced by the mass of dancers, - .. ... . ..._:':~" _ - '. . . . . .I _ .. . . .' ' .. ~. . .. .-. . .

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27 ., . - .. . : . . . . - . . . : : < . . " : " - . : : ; . . . . . . - . .: : . . : : ~ : . : : : - _ " : . ~ < ." :. . ". ... ... ..:. .. . .: -, .: ...... ." ..: . . . . .-. . . . . . :.. . .. . :. . .. . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . - , r ; ' -= : - ' -: : , : ; - : - - . .. ... .. _.. . _ . . . : : . : . . ' . .< . . ~ - . - : > ~ .::. .. - . : : .

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. .HE first point to remember . i . a .11~ . , : . : : : . , \ . . : ' : ; ' :round dances is tha t . the man .is:,;-;:u.~::>.:

. - . .. . . _.. . . -', ~.. - . ... ...... .the leader, and sets thevmove- ..":~.':':

. . .. . . . . . . . - . . .: .ments, which his partner must fo llow jhe ::~:-must not try to adapt himselft()her..Ths..:: .... .lady, on the o ther hand , must1lever lead in, ....;:::: - .. . . .. . ... ~...: any way; she must give herself up, body and ...:; . .. . . ', ... ., .soul ( temporari ly I), to her partner andbeable , :.'to adapt herself tow ha tev erh ism ove m ~n t8~ ' .: .: ;: .: : . :: ;: .: ',

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... ... . . -.. . . . .." .:: .. .~. . :. . ~.. ... ;~ .. ". : . . . .. . : . : . ... : :~..': ~ . :.IIINT S AND N O T1D S .......::-~ ::; :~ . ' : / ' : : . / ~ S ( : ~ :

.. . .. .. . '. . .: . -':' . ' ' " ' ' .. . ~ :. - . ' : : - ' . : ' .: : . ": ' : : ' . : ~ :-'... '- : ' \ ' : . . : : . : _ - : . _ : . p . ~ ; .. - - . . - .. .. . .. .. . .... ~. .: ...-.:.... . .r:,

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.. - -. . . ... ~... _ .: ... : " -: . +" ."_. .:

.. . .. . : . . .~ . .: '. : .~ '.' . ! .~ :_are :.. -. . . . .... ..: .. ." . .. .. . "." : -~:. . .. . . ( ' .. - . .. .. . .... ; .' . -.- . . . . . .. .: . .. .. . ...- .. - .. .. . .. .: .. . .. . . .. : ~. .. . .. -.:.... . . . . - : : !. .The following hints and .notes .apply.to =:'. ' : : : . , ' ? :. ... . . . - . . . " . .. : - ~.:. : . . . . . . .: . ." / ..a l l round dances described inhis book. ,:: ' :; . " . . '. '::'

. . . . . . _....... -. . _. - ..._ ...;... . . . . .. :. . . ." J _. . .- .. . . . . . .-- . -... .- . .. . .. .. . . ..I Hold . .: .,.:: .. ' i > : ' " ' :I ... ........,:..:ihis left hand and places his righirha,nd.~behind.:::',.:~:~::i ; " . . : : , ' . ' _ ; ! : ' - : : ~ ' , ' i ' ~ \ ; : ) ;! ~ ' - : ~ . ' : . ' . : . ' . : ~ : - . . " " : i: :.:"..-~.~..:..~;.'~.~.'-'.."~:..'::.': ' > '. ' . ' ' . ' " . " . : : . .. '. . . : ' : .' . . : . . .. . ' i . : : '. ' '. ' . : : . :~ . ' ' : .' : " ; ' < : : " . ; . . > : :: . " ' ~ .: ':- . . . . . . ' . . . . " . : . , - , ~ " . : . . .~ : : ' . ' : . " . : : : : . . . . ' - : ' ~ : , , :. ~ : ~ : : : . ': ' :: : . : ;' : > ~ ' . . ' : : : : " . > ~ - < ~ . ' ~ ~ ' ~ : : . : . / : :. : : >1'. .;: . '

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23/77

' . . . . ." ', :'.. ." ". ',.:.". '. :'.'-~:. '.:: .. " '. - ... ...'~..:' -:". . - : . . : > ~ . , . .>. -::.":..:-::::.:.:.'-;~.:.::':,~.:.~,~~: . .. . . '. ... '... .: ",: .. '~:" ': ..:' '. '.~.', ' _ , - - - . ' :'.-

. : . ,.' .' .' . '1':: .:.- . .: ,.:., :~'. '..: .:..~::_.', ,':.:,:,:~:.-.:.::.:-'~':'-.:-~-;'.:: . .' . ' ' .> ' ' /> . ' : . : ~~ ' ' , ,

. ': .:.... - :' . .':.,'.: . " : : . .: .:'-:.: .~;.~. : '. " . . . . .. ; : : . ~ : : : : . < . :.: ,- < .: . . : . ., I ' _ " '-, - :" I:~ . - " :"HINTS AND NOTES .. . :.:.:.> ; . .. : > . : - . > . . : . -.>.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : : . . . . .: . - . . . ~ . . : . . . : . < . . . . . . ~ .. . - . ' . . :> . .' .. . : ~ : . ~; ; .~ . :. . .' .' . . ... . " . : . . . . ". .. . ..',. . I..' - ',. - . ':.. . . . . . . , : . < . ~ . . ; . : : . < ~

'. .:. .. . . .. ..:. . .. '.:. :.- ..."~.. . . . .. .. . -. - .: "a chair, but-..-well, they were not.good.


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HANDBOOK OF BALL-ROOM DANCINGdifficult to alter afterwards. Although one'a~'::

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appearance may not add to, nor detract f r o m J i t ! ~~':-:~~~/one's own enjoyment of dancing, yet. it w i l i ~ : j: :~ - - _ . ,certainly affect the "class of partner Y O q ' ~ ! / / j

obtain, and so, indirectly, it will affect youf'/;;~:;enjoyment. Imust confess mysel f that 1 E j " ) : ,

.:. - : ~ .-:prefer a partner who feels nice and looks".'.. ...,nice to a partner who feels nice only: vanity,~.j

. . .o f C O U I - s e , but human! ."_-_.. .Firstly" hold your body upright " a n d Y - t " , '

I ~ '

straight, which does not mean hold' it a s n ~ > ~ ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . , .stiff as a poker I 'The stiff dancer is , v e r y , i ~ ? : : ~ :. . - .',: .. ', .. . . . .'ugly, and the essential part of d a n o i n g i s " , ~ ~ . ;

I " - I " _to be supple and look supple. " Some ladies ; i ; { , ' ~ ' ;

'} ' : : ' " : ' : :- .. "lean back, some men lean forward, somev : l.::.~:_, .'-~partners flop allover each other : avoid these " x . ~ : tr ,very ugly and ungainly habits. I remember,:~:t;

dancing with a girl , a very good dancer too .:~~--who always hungh"er head over my' 'left]~:shoulder, sometimes resting her chin upon it, }'band spent her time apparently examining the z : ~ - ; t i

. ~"'~':. . . . . ',:. . . . . ',."cut of my coat behind ! ~":i::; '~:Talking of heads, If you a l e " a lady pleaseitBt

I - ', . ~ .r . . .32 . .. . : :\ I ~ : : .. : - .


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. - .. .... . .. -:: .'. .' ., .~.~}.o not move YOUl- head about o r l o o k o v : e r " - ' - < ' ; ' - : , ' : ; - ' : :.. ' . . ... ' _. . '. . :.--

' ; ~ ~ : ' _ y o n r shoulder to see when t h . e : b u m p i a ' ; : - ; / , : _ - ' :~.-.:'~'ooming If the bump is coming, letit.:Yo;~ .:n ' .. u ' ~ .: ~ - m u 8 tt rus t yourself- absolutelyto .-~he.s t e e r ~ g : ~ - : : > ; : : : . : _ \ . - ; _....f the man, and nothing annoys . t h e , : r h a a l - : : : : : - - ( . ~ . < : - . - :

' , r . r ~ , , " .more than to see you do not, or . a p p a ~ e n . t l ~ : : : : - : - ; ~ ; - : ~, ., ' ..' . : - .... .. .... . .' .- . '. ..do not. .

.. .. . . .~ .' . ... .., . Lastly we come to the essentia ls , the:". ...:. . .. ' -. . ..~ .legs, and let us hope ' Nature has given. us ...._: .:

- . . . . .'. . .._ .springy, ela stio and supple', ones 'wherewith .':."-:: >,.:[fully to enjoy the delights o f dancing." A l l . : : : . : . : . . . .... :' . . :':... .. the various kinds of rOuild.danoes:should-:::be-.,::. -.. .' ",:, -'. '. -., . '. ... . . . .. . . - .- ? 'danced the'wholetime ontheballof thefo .o t., ....< - ~ . . _ r.. .with the heel - well -raised ofl. t h e ; : g x o u n d . _ . o _ .: . -.~ : - j ;

And Ijoin issue at once With, a n y o n e . w h o . - ' _ . _ ; " . - \ ' ' . ' . p " :, _ : s a y s that the Valse, One-Step, :orFox~'l'l:ot; .. : : ~ . : , ; ; ,

," . . . '. . . .' _ I: "";should be danced at any time on the f la t~ f().oD .:.. . : . :: ', S o many men do dance with f latfeet . ;_~J'nd- . - '.: :'

. . . . ' '. . . . .nothing l ooks more ugly : it .looks d e a d . : > . .G e t - . u : ~ .. . '.. :..... . . ..

{~=~~!ri9htp on your feet, and _yollrspirits_sn4.':_::~~::-lightnesswill rise with you .. ~ .. . ...: .....;.....,.::.-- : : - :.- :':.~ '. . '. . .' . . :'" . .... .. . -. .

" : : : M I ~ . ; ' . The legs .themselves8hould:be.~~p$ .. -.-):::stra ight . exc~ptnaturally ..whenbendiag . ~ b . e - : , : - , . : : : : ; : ; t ~ - : - /--~~ , . . . ....: . . .: -: - :. . .. :.... .; : ~ .

~t; ',.,' .. ,', '.:,.-: :.. ' : , 8 . 3 . . . . . - . . ' . . - ; . . ~ . , -. _ -. . . ..... ' .. : ' I.', ',:. :' .::." .. . ., .' .'. .. .. .. . .. . . .. .' _. '. .: . .: ". . ... ' - - . ': .. ':' . .: ' . : . .- ',.. :. , ... ::.: ' : ," ' .':: ..... .,. ... .. '.' . .', . _ .. ' '.' ',-,..: .. ' .. ' ~ .". " '. :: ... :.. . : . . .~. . ' .' - ." .'.::.. ." . " ' . . . - . ' : ' . ' ' . . ' . ' ' I : : _ .. . : . : : . ' ' , : ' : , _ _ . ' _ . . " ' - : '. .. '. '.. '. ". ., -:." - - ',:' .. -':. " .. . : .' .: . '. . .: ._'. .. -, , ' :" . .. ..' .. . . ' . .: :> : : . : : : . < .: . : . . : . :. ~ : . : : : . < : . . ~ . . ~ : . : _ " :~. .:..-, . . -. :_ - " . . . . - - '.. . . . . . .: . . . . . : . , ,:.~. ~... .. : .: _ . : . :- - :.. .: ." ~.:

. . ' . . . . . ~ . ' . . ' - , ' - " ' - . : ' . . . . . : . . : , ' : . i _ , ; : . . : : . . . . : - . . . : . . . . : . . . . . . . _- : : . - :. .. ~ : . : . . :. :; :: : . - . . . ... \ I .~ ~ : : :: . : . ;. . ~. . ~ . .. ;,

., . .'.. - " . . . . ...:" .:' i - :. . ... . - .... ... . .' ..

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. . .. ... -. . . . . . . . I . . . . . ... . .. ... . ... .. .. .~. .. .- - .. . :. . .:~... . . . . : ..:.

= novice, but it only wants practioeandstiok- < . .. . .. ... . . . .;:;:ng to, -and pel~haps a kindly hand once . o . r . : u u . :. . .'. twice to urge you round. To reverse is, of::: .. . . . . .. . -r course, merely to do with .your lef t;f .oot .

" .... . .. - .. ..: exactly what you wonldotherwise .dowith ....'.. : : :. . .. .. ..- .:,:yourright foot, and vice versa. ". . .,

- . .: In your search for variety taboo absolutely ...'.. a ll exaggerated movem ents or movements that ..... '.,: ' will make you conspicuous. One must ra- ...,':

. . . .. "member that the ball-room is not. the stage,I . . .. : ..~;',:nd anything in the nature of " show ing off.". '.'.,...

. . .. .:.is vulgar and bad taste. Dance with vim . ". . ..._ . .. . ... . . .and spirit, but do not .approximate to the . '.::~\." Whirling Dervishes" of Oonstantinoplel '. ..........:

.. . ... ,..,,,~-.. .... :.

_.-....... The perfect dancer must have, of oourse.. ........ -.':a perfect sense of rhythm i Y O U ,must.not:

:_~.. .. .. .~~ . . . . ..::merely followthemusio, youmust. 'be:":.>.~..... . - . . ..absolutely with it. And .apoint to ~notehere,. .':'

. _ . . . .. .. ."~:'in passing, istha,tthe full enjoymentof:a : . .... . . .. . .. . . ... .

~:.dance is spoiltby talking tOYOlll ..partner.. ' . > . :~&~~... .... .. .Ati';Do not think that it is incumbent on yo.uto:~""tr".~ " make oonversation" whilst dancing: reserve .:......~.

.. .. ....h t e th " bai IJ f If . . r t ; t < 1 1 ~ : : .~. a ~or . e .s aIrs . '.. . your' p . a " .ner: ' . t t , ;n :8 .: ':~ ~ . .. . .... . . - 3 ~ 5 . . ~ ... .- - ..

-, .. .:. . .. .. . . . .. ... . . .. .. ... ... .. ... . .... .... .". . :. .. .. .. . :.. . . .. ... . .. .. .. .. . - ... . - ...... . . . :. : .. .... . ..... ... - ....... . :... :.

.. . - : :.. ... .. .. .. .... .. ._ . :.. ;. . _ .- .. . . .


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.~~~~.~ .~. . . . . . ./ . 1 ~ _ ~ : f ~ .I \ l . : ~ . - . . : : . : : , ; . . . : .: - . : I '~ S : ... - - " - ,p t J ' , toi.: - : - - " ' I = - - . . .- * : ' ' ' ' - ~ : : i. . 1 - : ; > ; : :. . / : ~ . ;. '!::'':::->r~_''_: :.:/:.- ....

. . " , . - L _. .. . . . .. . . .to you itig a sure sign that he (or she) is not~,(

really enjoying the dance, or he (or she) is - a ~ ' : ~ : ,I '.person not gifted with the -true spirit _ q : ~ ; - . ~. ' : :. .. .dancing. Anyone, can dance and talk, b l l t : i j - ' ~ - -

. . . . . '. .. :". ".you are talking your brain cannot be con~~,u. . '.. ." " .oentrated on the dance, and your lessened'.

. .emotions lose the real enjoyment. If you are-. . .

Iso fortunate as _to be dancing with - " the.. .. . .pel-feet dancer" you will instinctively feel.. .that he (or she) does not want to talk, .and..

.

you will spoil everything if you do.:/;It is always good to analyse in detail thft


29/77

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~ . . .

'. ., ". ~ - . . . . . . '.:'. . . . . . . .'. .. .. .and 'they will merely make. you a rough-and-: ........:.:- . '. .

t : r e a d y dancer too.', If you' want to test .the "..'.::'.. .' . .. ~. .' - - - " " - J t b l l i t y of a dancer ask .h im to, do the. steps- .... ./'.:ay,.of a valse -in dead slow time ;:,allthe.~.--

.:. " - . . . .... . . . ". . . . . . ~ .... .:'deta ,il can then be seen, and bhedancer who '. :~.slurs the detail when danoingto'ordinary,. . .::time, will-be shown in his true colours.' .' ... ... . .. . . . .'. ;:....In the above remarks I have analysed. . .'. '.

"

~-~ r;,-". ancing in general and given suchhints as. I .. '. . . . . .. ., ...~ink may be useful to the would-be perfec t - '

: . . . . .. '

': .sneer. Perhaps it' will be useful if Inow.:, . . ...:urn up in concise form the essentials, so" .,",'.i'hat.they will be the more impressed on .the '. ',._,

. .~ ~ ~ " f W I e a d e r- - ' " " . ' ,. ..

. .. ..,.

~ . ; " 1 - . Perfed. s e n s e oj rhythm. This is Uborn, not made JJ .' '.' '. . ..:;.:-..-.:-'. unfortunately. . . . . . .' .. .._.~'.2~ Lightness. This, involves lightness on the eet,light ... '.~..:.ness in the touch, perfectbalancing, and .perfeot . - ..........

. . ., . . . ~ . .,timing with one another, '. '. '.' ., .. .'3. Adaptao1ttity. 'This applies' to' the lady only : she ,must respond absolutely to the slightest. movement .. . '.:,.''of the man. .. ". . .... .-.~ . ..~ . .. :.

. . .. . . . .,4 . LeadlJTskip. This applies to the lllan onlyr.he must " .'.always' move with decision; .. if his mind hesitates,.. '..-'.~':. . . .' . . -. . . ...-. ..: .' . :. ..37 ' '. . D - '. ' . . . ' . - ~ .

. :- .'. . '.': . ,': ...' .' '.. . .. .. .. . ..._ ,". .. '. .... .'.

. '. . .. .. ...... .. . . . .. . . .. .. ' . ., . ... .. . ., .,

. '. . . _.... .. . .. ... .. .


30/77


31/77

... . .,

.' '. '. , ,: ..~.'... , . ..' .~ : . ." _. : :' ., - I :

: ' :., - ,I"


32/77

'" ,__., .. --.------_ : ; . : . . : . : ~: . ;: < _ .. : . ~ .: - .1 t:~~. . . : _ " _ . : . ~ ~ . : ;. . ' . - = : T r:...... : .. .~., . , " ' : : pj\ l. . _ " r d HANDBOOK OF, BAL,L-ROOM DANCING " ' ! ~. . . . . ._ _ : ; .0. :.r

_ ..~.:--:. .:.~ . : :.._ - . .The chief point to note about the valse is:'that itmust be perfectly smooth and unjolting.;~1The slightest jump 01 jerk at any period of j

. .. .the movement spoils everything. It must '..,all be one long continuous glide, rising eoer :. .

80 8lightly to the swell of the music and". .perhaps, with an infinitesimal swaying o f , ,

the body.. If a cup of tea were fastened QU :your head the tea should be unspilt,

40

_ .. .


33/77

. ..: . .. .>, . . :. : .: : ... : ... -:.:- ' .: :.:: .:- .~. .~.....:::.~::.: : .: > ~ ~ .. ., :... . - ... '. . . - ..... -,".. ... .... -'. . -" :. . - ~ -:'. .' :. ,'.. '.. . . :. .. . .: - : ..' :..' . :. ~ -." ':'::~.. . . '. . . .: .' .: ...', .:'" ~ ,- . . . . . , _': .: _' - . .: : ." ' : , : " .:> _ :

. ' .- .. " . .. : . . ". ., ". . '.. . . . -' .. .. .. - " ..., .'. . ...... .. .., ., .I _

." I, .. .. . .- '. .,. '. ., .. ... . .. . . .. . .. . .. ... . ... '. '., . ..... .' .. .-.' . . I . .'....

.- . ... -. .' .... .. .. ... . . y , .::

. .. . ., .. . . '. :.... . . . . -. . ..' . .. . .. .' .'.. '.: -: . ..'. '... '"". - '. . .' . . . -' .. . .: ' ... . . .'~. ... ...' . . . '.:" .: .' . ' .. :. ' ,, " : .' .. ., . . . .....:. ,, ... '. . .

. .. ... . . .

., . -" - '. .,,,. '. . .. '. . '.~ -' ..:. '.. . .. '" ~". ..., _. ' '. ':'. ..... ...' . '. .. ..... . . .- . . . ... -." . .". . :. . . -: . .. :.:;;. . .... : : . : : :.~. . . . ... . . . . . ...

~.. .} .., '. -~ . : : . . . : :w _:-.:~ - : : . .~:;.. .~... : .. ;..... .'~~ " _ : " : ' - ' < - ' : : ;. . . . .:. .. : .": .:. ~ ::.::- . '~:..:'..


34/77

. . ~ : : - . : .-r- .-" " . ' .- . - . '. r: .. . .. ' : :. -: -;". . .

. . . .. : .' .

, . .HANDBOOK OF BALLROOM DANCING ... ".Variety I.

. .. .. . . .:- ..For Men . .Take one step forward with theleft foot (to the whole beat "1 ..2.3" of the.

. .music), thana similar .step forward with.. . . . . .. .the right foot (" 1-2.3 "), rook backwards.. . :

(" 1-23 "),' rock forwards (" 1-2.3), then :. :continue val sing. ";'.. ~~

. : ' : " .... . -:: .... . :.. " .... . : ... .. - .~ . - . .. :. . . . . . . : ... - .............,:_.1-2.3" of the. valse. with the' right '.'foot; .......".:.then commence the second " lw2.3" with t h e : ' - . -. . .. .. .. . . ..:_left foot, but,- in 8tead of doing the "2,.3" j inish =: ' .

.... . . . _. . .\~_ith the right- foot, remain halted on the left . .':_.:. . . ... .3foot with the right foot suspended in the air, " . ' : ' u. .. . . .. . . .. ....:.. . ... . . . .

_:At the end of this second "1~2 .B " carry on .......': .. .. . . . ...with the right .foot again (stepping with .it .'._ '.-_ . . . . . . ..~;.ither forward or backward according. as to .f whether yon wish to advance, back or turn) .e_~ and repeat the same movement again, i.e., ..alse (" 1-2.3 "), step (" 1") and' hesitate'...... ..~."2.3 "), It will be seen that the first step .. .. . . .':',eading. to the hesitation is always performed ... '

. ..; in this variety with the right foot; and that . ." I - . .

'~:its the r ight foot a/ways that is suspended In ..' '.'. -~~,he air during the. hesitation.c, _ .'. . . .. .For Ladies. T.ake the preliminary step. . ..':

. I. ..: ... .....:.baokward with the right foot; then the first- ." . . . . _..':." 1-2.3 " of the valse with the left foot; then. . .....

. . .. -. . .. .;-commence the seoond 'c 12.3" with the right ......... . . .~. .."foot, but instead of doing the " 2.3 u'finishwith ..'. .. .. ... ..I ..~.the .left foot, remain halted on the 'right~foot .' ........-

... . . . . .: with the left foot. suspended in the air. At the '.':.,.'.. .. .. - . . ... 43' . . '. . ... . . : . '~ .: < .

. .. .- . .. .. -. . . .:. . .. . . ... : .. .",. .. . .. . .. . . ... . .: - ... .. . , .. ... .... . . . . .. ... .. .. ...... .... - - . .. _.. ..


36/77

. - . , .. :,~~.... :~., " " : ~ ~ : -.' . - . . ~.',:: '_,...~::.:...,.:..... . ..: . ...:.,. '. '.

HANDBOOK OF BALL -ROOM .DANCING-,:::::/.end of this second ~'1-2.3 " carry on w i t h t h e . : " : .

. ..' . .

.left foot again (stepping with it either forw~d: ',I 7 '.or .backward according as. to whether' Y ( ) ~ r .partner wishes to advance, back or turn) ~d~ ':,

. '. '.:. . . . -. . : : . : . :repeat the 'same movement agaan, e.e., v a l s e . . . '. . . -'. .(" 1-2.3 ~'),step (" 1 ") ..,and hesitate (" 2.3'~~).

. . -: '.: '.. "~ IIt will beseen that the first step leading to t h e : : ... ...hesitation is always performed in this varie~..

. -iJ.with the' left foot; and that it is' the Z e f t j o a t ' . :, . ". -. '. . :".always that is suspended in the air duringth~''

hesitation. . '. -. .... . .. ,... I .. .-.' ..

.. .~_. ' .. . .


37/77

.,~.:'_ :, .~';.'... .,-.}: :. ..r) .. -." :, ' .: r : ' .~:":~A--". : : -~~..:.: = " :: '~I:',/.:: . "

. ' I I ' _ . I" ~I : r .. '. : ." . . .. .- .. . .. I.. _ '.:" .... _.. 1. '... '.. ... _. ':-"1 . . -. ". .. . ',. - ' ... . " '. .....: .:':. : . - ._" :" : - .: : . .. .. .' ' : _ - ' ..: :. . - .~. : . ..:. ..: .' -: : . -.:. - " ' ." _ . ' " : .~ _" I J _ : ' .

" ' - . 'I" - " . ': . . . - . . . . . . . ' '. . '1 . . - . ' . - - . ' ' . ' ' ... . . . '. . - . . . ..' - . . ..,... .. . . . . :.' ," ... . - - _ ', -._, 'I,r . . ' . ' . . . . . : = r ' ': . ._ . . . . - i":-- _~ -: . : , . .. .. .- .. . .. . .. :" . . -' . -. . ... : ', :',':"'~. . - , ' : " : :. - - . . . '. .' . '.' '.'. '. r ' .: .' ... : - - ... ." : : ~ .: . _. - .. I . : ."j

_ "T : . : . " .1 ." . ' . " . : ~ . ' . . ' . ' . . , : ' ~ . ' " . ' . ; ' . " . ~~ .: < . ' : . . . . . . . . . ~ ' : ' . '. ' : . : ; - . ' . ' ". < . < : . ~ . ' ~> ' : . . : : : : :. ~. : ' : :. ..... _.... . .. _. . .. _. - " _.. .. .. . . .. . .: .. : ; - ; " .:. .. - - . .. . . 1 . : . . .... -. .... . - - ." . _. ... ... .... .. . .. : .. . 1 . . : . . . .

. . . . .." .'/"


38/77

- . . ~ : . :. .. . ~~ . - -. . -,,, ,..: - , - _ .'1 'r" ~ .......... . ' ." _~. ;~~J: ;j.' .. . . . . . . . . :._. . " . ~

" . . . . . . . - ~.," : . -"". .' ::: : - v . - " '. .. : ..:.~. : . - : .~: ; . .~.. : ',.. ;.::. . '. ..... :

HANDBOOK OF BALL-ROOM DANCING ... "'::..

. I .

absolutely smooth and gliding, rising .and ". . .falling to the swell of the musio just like in a ." !.. .true valse'. .

. ' . . ' ," i,',- .In America the. " Lame-Duck" is largely J I" ~. ~danced in preference to the true valse. I waa]

A. . .~in American waters for two years lately a D : d . . . ..;:~hardly danced a true valse once in fact, few]

. . . 1of the ladies were capable of dancing it. Thi~;.1is a great pity, as the Americans, menund"]

. .women, are, I think, the best ball-room. ! . :dancers in the world, and if. they neglect the ... .' ... . ....valse, their dancing will deteriorate.

. . . .The "Lame-Duck" is best danced, and.most suitable, when the music is over-quick-,

. . ' ' ..

for the true valse. It is also an admirable.". ' . . I _~ :i:

. .. ..: .'.

..

substitute at the end of an evening when one"is getting tired, as the exertion expended is'hjust about 50 per cent. less than the true valse " ' - ~ ' i

' . : . r ,entails .\The dance must be performed on the balls ',.'of the feet all thetime, neither foot ever q n i t e ~ . : : ;

leaving the floor, but no weight being p l a c e . 4 2 . : ~ on either foot whilst it is in motion. . :',.i.

,, " '."- . ..~. -

4 6 ......:, : :" ~.:'_ ~. .' "::


39/77

; . : . .- : _ . . ' ...~:~... ,......:' .' I : .

;. is very popular in these days, probably because .........u there are so many people who cannot valse ..._:' .I. _ .:. ' . but who do fancy they can .one-B~ep.l.Of. ';:: .

. .. . . .. '.L . . . . - ' . . , ":' c ou rse, anyone c an one-step after about fiv~ :_~\ . '. . .. . ..' . : .' . .'.:minutes' tuition, but there is a '.v e ry .g re a t , - .< : . . :_ difference in. this dance between the bad and '.. - .:.~ .. '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _.. '. .' .

;~,he good. ' ..' . ..' ". ....... . . . . . .. . .,': ' Cultivate R ' smooth .'.movement, and. avoid. '".'.....'. . . .-r.:: . .. - . . . . . '. . . . ~. . .' . . .' ..:: bent knees; a n d dance with plenty o f _ " gQ~"_......~:.

. . .

I The music is; "maroh time" andismeantto-.: ': : : . .. . . . .. . . . .. :. .. .. .. . .. '

::..be spirited and bright. . . . .' '. . .....> . . . ' . ' . . . . . . . ' _ :.. ' ..' .... . :. .., .'. ',..... . '. ., T h e r e a r e three different styles of ..d ~ n c i l l g : : . ' : ; _ : , _ :~ . . .. :.. ....:.. . . _ . :. .

' - . : ' .. - .. ...:. a One- Step, .i.e._.'.~, . . .." _ .. ' ' .. _.'.:,_" :', :: ..... / ' . u . _ " . } .. '. . ::... ., . I: .:.. . . .. ..,",. .. . - ..4 - .. '" :1 7' .': t, . -.' :.: -.-.: I:::. . .. .:... - .. .:. .. . .... . ..: . . . :.- ... . - . .. . _... . ... ... . .:...: ..:... .. . . . . . . _. . : ' 1 I "~ . : . .. . ". .. _ . ~.

. : .. ..- .. . .. . : . . .... - .: . .: .. .. .. :.. ..:..... . .. . . . . .. . . .L' L~" 'II:' . .:I...I ~' :". . . . .I..~...:.,...'.:-;..

.. .. . . . . - .. :.. : .. _..:. .. . . : .... . .... .. ... -.. . .. .. : .. .. .. . : .~ : . .. r:... : . _ . : . ~ . : ;~ ~ : .. . . . ..-... . .. . ...... -. ... r, .. . ..: . - . _. .. _ . . ... ... . . . . - . .. .- . . . . -. _. ) ,.. . .... ... -. . . ,.. _. _ . . . . .. - _.. .. . . .. . . . ." - . : . _.. ...~ .. ... . . .-. . . .. ,.,. ... .... ..... . .. . ..:... .. . . .. .. _. . .. . ... . . . .. .. ,.

. .. ... .... ... ', .- .. : : . _ '. :. : :) : .. : . : ... :~.:' _ ; . : . - : . " : ;. . .. ... ... .. ..

. . ... .. .... . '.. :... . _.: . . . - .:. :. . . .. .. . ... " .. ..

. .. ... .

: .... . . .... _.... . . _... . .... .:... .. ... .. .. . . . . - " . .. .. - . . :.. , . . . _ . :. _. .. . - _. _.. .. ,. ..'. .. .. .. . ... . ... -: :. .. . . ."..... . ..... .... . ..... .. . .. . .. .. . - .-. .

. ... . - . . ..... -.:: .. - ..


40/77

. .. . ...... . ... . . . : . -.:_.. . . , , ,.. . . . . .

HANDBOOK OF BALLROOM DANCING ..1. With a stiff knee and a slight up-jerk each step. ,. , !

...... :-.

2. Both feet on the ground the whole time, each step .\ .being a glide on the floor. ..-....3 . _Foot just off the f loor at each step, the steps being::-

in the nature of a miniature leap from ball of the rfoot to ball of the foot. .. :j. .... _~.:: : : . ;.~

. ~The first cannot he recommended to the '). . . . . ... -,ordinary amateur; he is apt to make it look J1too stilted. j,The second is the style usually seen in.

. . .

England; it is quite orthodox but rather; , twanting in c go." :The third is the usual American style, and.

is the one I personally give the preference to..,.A judicious mixture of all three styles is

. ~.. .perhaps the ideal; it is really a question of. ; , ; :what sort of " mood" you are feeling in ; ' i f _ -

yo~ are feeling awfully well and gay you will :.. .. . .. ..automatically adopt Style 3! - '-:Avoid dipping the shoulders, rolling the'body, and pump-handle action with the arms; ..

such negroid actions are very unseemly. Do,, .:not turn the toes outward. or inward- -keep,48:;- 1

- . . . . : :. . ~


41/77

~. .: ; ; ' I ~ : ~ '. , , -" .-':~_" . ..:~,; _ i : . .ii~; > .:~~....i - f~~~: . . . . . -' ... '

~:,'partner; dancing at the side Js ont~of-date:,'."".,,:~ -. . .. .... . . :- .:~-'except for certain variety movements .whioh. . ~ : : . . : : , L , : ~: should 'b e only occasionally p e r f o r m e d a n d . f o f : : : : ~ : ' : . ; : : : ~ . : .1 : ' short periods. .. .'. ...... .': .':"::'::~ . . . .~. ..,~ . . . ... . .. :. . . : ~ ..

, . . . . .. ' .: : : . . : ~ : ; . : : " ' r , { : , ~ , , : : . ; : ; t : : } : : : , : ~ , ~ ' , " f. . . . . . : . . . : . . . : : . . . . . ~ . " : ~ . : > . _ . _ . . : : . : . : - . . . _ . . : .~ : . . . ~ : ; ~ ~ ~ . : ~ . \ ' - . . ~ : ~ . ; : . ' . 'THE ONE-STEP' .'.' '.'..'. "...'.'~;_.r " , , ~ . : , L : ; : ~ : ' , , ; : . : ~ : r

. " - . . . _ . . . . '~ - - _ . ' ." -r ' :": : .: "

,, I . ... . . _.: '. . . ," ' ..

. : .. .. ..

. .... .

... ..

. .. .. .. .. . .'. . :.'. . ..

. : : ; , " . : . '. - . .

. . . - ? : . . . I~ , : ' ,. .., .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. .- - .. - " ... ', . . . . . , . . '.. : ~ .. ::. . . :. : < . . . t:-~". .:. ~ .o{ , 1 : ',. . . . . . - ' ~ j ~ ~ . - . . . : . . . : . . . : . . - . ,-~7~. - " . , > _ . . >. ...... .'..'.\ ?~~ ;::.

. . - ' . ' . ~ .. - t : - ; " 0 ; : ~ , , " : : . - s -. . : :: . . :. .' - . - ,". _.-~:l:: . . ".. . . . . . ' . ' . . .. . . ' :- ' ,< ~

.. . .. -: ~~:... .. . . ...~ " .". . : . . . . . . ' . , . : . J - : . _ . . : .. . .. .. . .. . .: :. .. . .... , ... ... . . .. T,".." .... .. .. ....... . .. . :... : .. ~..

. ... . .. .: . .. . ..... . . .." .. . . .. . . . ., . - : : .. .:.. .. . .. . . : ... ... . . .... . .. . ... . . . . . : .. , . . ~. ... . . . .. : ... . " " : .. ... . .... .. . ....:..... ... .. . .. : . ... . . . .

. .. .~ .. . ..\ ._.... ." .. :. .. .. .. ... . .~: . . ......:: , , :.

. .' .. ... . . : . " , ..... :.. . . " :. . . . .::~... .. . .... . . .. . . ... . .. . ... :. . ..: . .... :~... . ... ... . .. . . . .. . .. .. . . . . ..... .. .. - .. .. ... . "... .. : .... : . .... ..... ...

. . .. . .~ .. .. . ... . . . { ... ... ....

... . .. .. .. :.:.. .. . . ... . .. ., .. . .. . . . " : - ,

-. ... ...... . . . . .:. .. . .. .. .. .." .;. .... . .. .. . ." ... . '. . . ... ...

.... . ".

. .. ...

. .. ... ,... : 'I - ..

. .. . . . . ... .. . . .. -:: . :. .. . ~::.'. .. . .:.. .:..... ... ...:.. . " : . ~.. .. ... . .. ...: . .': .. .. . .. : .....: .: . . .~ .".. . .. . ...... . . .. .. :. .. . . . .. ... . ... . .. :. . . . :. :... . .. . .. ." . .... . .. -: .".: .. .

4 9.. " . . . ... ... . . .. . . . . . .. . . . .: . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .,. . :.:. .. : .... :.

... . . : ~ .. ~. .. ~ . " : :.~:~~.:.. -. .. . .. . . . . . . ... .. " . . . " . . . . . . : . ' _ ' : . . ~ . , : , : . , : : . : : X ' : . , , ' .- ..... .

. , .. .- . . .- . . ... .. .. . .. . . .. ... .. . .... . . . ... .. . .. - . ..... .....:.. .. . . _ : . : . ' . : ' . ' , : ~ d ~: : : , ~ ( ~ , ~ ; " .; . . ? : ' \ ~: ' : r : i / / , ; } : : : , : : : ; t : :

. . . . . > . . . . . :- : . : : . : . : : .< . :) : : . '. : . . : . - :. . . : : .- . . . . . ... : :~ :- - :: . ~. .. .: :.. ..:......". .,.. . .. . . . .


42/77

. . : . : _ - > - , . : . : : - , . ~ . ~ . > : :.. .. ..- . . " . , . ' : : _ : :. : : ~ . .; : . ; . i : _ : ~ . : . : : ... . .. . ' , . . . : . . . . . : . = . : : . _ : : : , , ; : : : . -. .' . . :. '. " : . .:-'" ...... ...' '. - . - . ' ...'. ," - , .-,". ':,' ', -

. . . - . '. . '. '. . '. . . . . . - ": ., .., : ' : : ,' .. . .. . -. . - . . . . .:'... ',.',.'. . ..'... '.:. . . ... .. '. . - ":'. - . . . . "

: ',.. - . . -.. . . .. ".. ..' '.... ' .': :',. .. . I

'. . ......'...: '. " .. .., .. .. . ~.

. . ,"

. .. '. . .... . . .. . _. . .-. .. '. . .- .... - .... .

: .. .. .. .

. .. " . .. .. '. .. .. .. . . .' . ., -" .... '. .. . . . .' ~- . .. :. .. . '. . . . . . ... .. . '. .. . .THE FOX TR O T : . .>.. ..: .. . . - .. . ....: : . . . :: .. : _. . . . ... .' . . .' .'.. :

.. . . . . .'. . '.... '. .. .

.. .. ... - .. . . '. .. .. . .' ". . .. .. . . . - '. ..(See Diagrams, pages69. and 71.) ..... -: : .

. '.. . ..

. . . .... . .. . . '.' : . . .... . ... '. ....

.. .. . . .'. .

HE Fox-Trot is an American im- .. ... . .... . .. ... .portation that, I think,.has come :........ . ..to stay. It is an admirable ~dance~,

. .and has become very popular in England in .... . . . .the last few years, the movements + being

. . . . . .simple and suitable for a fast-moving a n d . :... .. . . . . .'full ball-room, and the beat of. the ...music." .....

.. ... .. ._ :'being "catohy" and' full of spirit. ... .. ., ..". ... .. . ... . .. .The music is very. similar. to ..that .of.a .........:..:

.... ... . . . . .. ... ...... .. .One-Step, but slower, the beat being best ,.:.~::thought of as "1-2" (one foot), '~3-4 "(otheti, ".. . / : \ : >. . .. . ... .. .. . .. . . _ . _ .foot). It will be seen fromth.ediagramthat:.:, ..

. .. .. .. .. . . . . .the dance is really a combination ofmove- ~. ..".ments .walking,. running, gliding, .andtw(,)- ..... : . . > . .

. . . .. .. ."stepping. -andnot a distinct set ofmovements,." ..~:.:,.'The various movements should ....eperformed . . . ~ . : . : : . ' uat will, .not in any..given order .an~'not.any:::.~:::~::~:

.. _ .. .. r . = : ' : . . . . . . : . . . _ . . . _ I_

. . . : .: : :::_.' _: :...... _~..... ... ". . _. .. . .". :~.. :::.~ :.... .. ...: . .. .. . . . . . . . . . : . . ~ . _ : - : : < . . . .: : . : . . , . . : . . . . :..... .". .. : . ."." .. :. . _ .." . . . . :: : .. .". . -,".. . _. . .. . _. . . .

. ,

.. .... .. ..... .:_.. _ ::.:::>. :.:.: .< : : : :: .:.. .. . . : . .. . .. .. : . _ _ .

_ _~ . _ . . . . . :. . . . . .. . ... ." " ... : _ - .:.. ." " ..~. . '., :.. .. . . .. .. .. .: . .. .. i_.__.." . ... :.:..... . ... . ... " ... . ... ... ._ . ." .. .. . . _ . ..: .. :... ."_ . .. . . ..


43/77

. .,

.HANDBOOK OF BALL-ROOM "DANCING .. ':given number of times. The diagram merely.gives specimens of the best-known movements,.and are placed in 'haphazard order.

Dance with a straight leg, keep on the.ball of the foot the whole time, and movo:with vim and spirit.

., ".-' . .

, " ~:~.... ', :'., _

" ' / " 1 '. ..., ' ,, '.

. 5 2


44/77

. . ..... -. . " ' . -. . . . '.: .",': : . '.. . . .. . ..- .. . .. .. ". . . - .. . . " '.". : , ' : . . . . ~..-:. '. , .' . . - '.. . . .. . ..' ., ., ..... :'.. -' -.' ". . .".. - '. , ..... . .. : . " . '. ." '-" ". .-. '. . . . . .. ' '.. ' . _ . " - ' : ',".. . . ., . . ' '. - e , " . . .. . .... .' ... . '. .. .

. .. .. ... ' . - . .'. - .. _, ... . .. .. . ... . .' . ... ... . -.. .. .. . . .. . .

. . . ... .. . . - .. . .. .. .. .. . '. , '. ..... .... .. ... .. ... . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . - : '. . .' : . '. '. . . . : . :.... . ..... _.. .... '. . . '.. . .. . .. . ...DIAGRA - , :: -:::. .' M S ". < . - ' < C . _ . -

.. ... ..HE .following diagrams are.Infhe .'.:'-:'

.. .nature of an A.B.C., to illustrate' .' '. '..:to the absolute novice in' .. the '. .

. ... . . . ... . . .. . .. .

.. .'~{-implest possible manner the actual .placing '. '.- ...'.' . . ..:;:~~f the. feet at each beat of the .music. . '. ....~.: . . .. . .-;~... . . . . .

~>They make no pretence. to be thenniahed .:'. .....:' : ' . ' . . : " : .'

: t article; you must learn to write theletters ..~f .... ~.. ~ . .. .{ the alphabet separately before you can string'.' ... .... .. -- . .. -~.them together and make words. Stringing ...........

r : . . . . . . . ' . . . . . . .

~ r . : together, leaving. out .'non-esaentiala, . and' ...: ' - d ". -" , F . .. .. . ' . . ' .:

< : - ~ . adding "finish" is . merely .the r e ~ t 1 1 t o f . - - . < : .I~ractice. Learn the steps first-andleave t h e : , . : . - : > u : >~:. . .. .... -,..~' . . . .~"smoothing down and polishing totheend ..._..... '.I ' ~As an example of what I mean, itwill -:e . _ : : :1 ' : - observed that the diagram of the valse-shows .: .:~ . . . . . . . . .. . .t;... . .. .. ... .. ...,~.the feet as on and o f f the ..ground' : this h a s ~ : _ : ' . : :lbeen 'done .for simplicity of -Illuatratkm. ..n ~ l : ; : ' : O : i : . -~.. . .~~. . . .I : simplicity in following where the ..beatofbhe .. - T ) , ; ~ ~r '.' .. -. '--.. . '.. '....''" .-r r . . 5 3 : - . E ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . :. : . : ~. . .~ . :. . .. : . . . .. :< . . .. . . :. . ~ - : - . ' . ' - . : . . ' . . . ' . : : ' . : . ' , ' . , . ' . : - . : . ' . :; . / - . . . .. . . .. .. ~. . . . . . . :.. ..'j-j. . .., .. . . . .. . ....::.....E ' : . . ~ . . . .. :> .. . . .": . ' : . : ., :~ . _ '; .: .... :; : .. .~ : . . . , . . .. . . . . .' _.. . . ". . ..~ : . . ' . . . ' . ' . . . . . : : : : _ : . . < 0 . : "~

". '. .: ..... '.. ' :. '-. ....~.' . . . ." .. . . . .' . . '.' ..-. . ..". - _. '.. .: .: :' . -.., . -1:: . . :. -, . . :: :. .. ...:- :. : r: ' .. . . .... ..' .. . .. . ,. . -'~ .. ..... . .. .: . . :~. .. .. :.. :.~.. . ..... . '..-i(. . . . '. ' .. ' - '.' - '.. ' .

~ . ,. . "~'. . . . .- . . . . .. _. . -. . ..:. .. .. . . ... - . _. . .....~A~. . . .... . . ." ., ." ." -'. . ... . ... ... .. .. .. . -r > . . . - . . . . . . . . :. . : - - . : . . _& ::. . . . . . . . , . . -. - .: .- t . . : . . - . . . . . . - . . ' . . . - ' , ' . . ' . ' - . ' . : . . '~ . : . . . . . .. . .:. . ..: : - : . - :: - :


45/77

. . . ~ .: ~ ; ; :. ..J. . . ' ; " ~ i : ' ~ : 1HANDBOOK OF BALL-ROOM DANCING..::;'J... .. . -.J

:~~music is. When you have grasped the step' ..,. , .. : . - :feet all the time on the ground. ( S e e descrip ..;,:

. .tion of valse.) .:.. - -If you will now stand up with the book in:... .

.. .your hand, facing the top of the page, and. ,,~start off with your feet as per diagram, you.

. ,will, after perhaps a few false starts, find t h e : : "movements easy to follow.

Having once mastered what the steps are.'.. ',.. I

you must then seal them in your memoryand..' ..perform them without the book. My only'advice here is "Festina lente ": do not try:u;:

. _ . . . .to learn more than one dance at a time, and']. ..: .. :-get that dance fixed in your mind and feet,',

" "before yon tackle the next. one. . .So far you should have had no music to .\

","bother yon. It is much easier to learn any.;., ..dance-steps at first without the music. But ):/~:...~~now you must complete your self-teaching. :.., .Get hold of a gramophone and turn on a iune,:,; l:

of the danae you are learning ..- and fit in your .'.~steps thereto. This is, of course, the essenttal."

54,. . .:.

.. .... . - : ;:" . ' ~ : : '

. .. . " . __ ' ..:


46/77

.. - . _ . ..,. .. .. . .

.. .. .. .. . . .... .. . .. . . .. . ." . ... . . ...

. . . ... .. .. . ... . .. . . ..: .. .. ...:. ~..: .:.: :. .. :: .'. .: . : . ." . : " . . :. : ~::. .:.... :-.. . . ~... ... . .. -. .. _ . _ . ., - v , -';;:.finishing of the self- lesson, bu t the:' eaeiest .. :.: ....~:pa,rt of all. You willfind yourse l f f a l l i n g . i n t o _ ; - . . : : - i : : :ijt quite natural ly . My .advice here is..use,::.-i- i iIa g ram ophone in preference to .eome kind ,.'-.:'_.::... - - . .. . ... ... . . . . . . . . ..friend who m ay volunteer to play .the pianoi".. ..for yon . A piani s t willprobablyno~ he:in-:

. .. ,'_.xact t ime , may go to o fa st or too s low to su it ' . . ' .. .. . . . .'your standa rd o f ability, and 'will probab ly .. : :

.. ". . . . ..end by f lurrying and ~'confnsing you. .A . " . . . .. . ... ...gramophone, on the other: hand, isyonr. -.'. ..:humb le serva nt, will' play anyspee.dyou . ....

. . .. ... : ike . .~andwill no t - get t ired o r losevita ..'.:"-. ... ..temper r " . ..:. ..... . - .

, . . . ... .. . .. . ... . -.: .... . .. .. - .. . .. . . ..: .. . .1 . . ... . - .. ... .. .

. . .. .

. .. - ..- ... .:.. _. . . . . - . . ... .. . . ~ . .. .. . . .. .. . . . . . ........ .. .

i . . . . . . .. : _.. .. .- . ... ..:.. . . . . .. ..

.. .. . .: .. ... . . . .

. .. . ..

. . .. - .. .. ... ..

: r t e : , .rememberthat -_-.--..

. . ..

the movement should be in a straight line, no - ... . .. .. . .side-step being contained in.it. -A ''''-R ock '' - ... - . .. ....- -forwards and bac kwa rd s.pnce,.-~ cansuitably

. follow the Corte at any time .... - . '".-_'.. - .-.'.-': ... . ... . . .We will now proceed to ..the aotualmove- . ....

.. .. . ... .. - . .ments. I will describe- them as for a M an ... ...... ., .If a Lady is reading .these .pag-ss - please ..

substitute " left" for "right," ";right"_:Jol - .. . ..... .. .. - . ... .. .85 -. G -

. . .. .. . .

... .. . . : .

.: .. .

. . . .


75/77

.

HANDBOOK OF BALLROOM DANCING"left," C( backward " for" forward," "forward"for " backward "., ..and the details are then asfor a lady.START with left foot, one very short step forward.

than right " " " " " "" left H "long... , t "" right " " very short" "" left " " " " " "u right" "long..." "

Repeat, ad. lib.At Oorners (i.e., to turn) close right foot to left, and stepback long with left, following with the two short steps.

Occasionally, -Pivot.Occasionally, --Side-S tap.Occasionally, Corte.The It Pivot It is performed as follows: .Close right foot to left. Then step out with left foot

rather round your partner's feet towards right,pivoting (left to right) a half-circle on the ball of thefoot as it touches the floor, and finishing the pivotby landing flat on the right foot.

The Corte is performed as follows :...Step with right foot one step forward. Then bringleft foot just in front of right foot, place it on ground(weight of body still on right foot) and give slighttWist to body towards right. and back again. Thenswing left foot back a step behind tight, comingdown fla.t with it and then slightly rising on it, ~the

86

s

::......;.

,.

,

:-.

..,

.!

.

.i

f :


76/77

. -. ... . .. .. . .. . .. :.-... . . " ... . .. . . ..... ...... . ..... ." :.. .LATEs'r VARIETY STEPS . .... .. . I . : _ :. ' ~ : : . -... . ..~. ..~ .:. . . -:. .:. .. . . . . ... . . . . . .. . .

. . ... .-.. ..right leg meanwhile being held forward,heel jus,toff,' " ,', ......the ground. ' .. ' '., .' ..'.

9:'he Side-Step is performed as fo llows :....Left foot step to left side.Bring right foot to it.Left foot step to left side.Bright right foot to it, .clicking left heel.-Then, samemovement to right. Io rLeft foot step forward.Bring right foot toit,Left foot step forward.Bring right foot to it, clicking left heel.;Right foot back a step_Bring left foot back to it, clicking right heel. _.- Then, repeat.

. ".Faoing ' ..partner.

,I You andpartnerboth.facingdownroom ..

"Tango Valse" .The only other new variety movement of

. .any consequence at the present moment is the"Tango Valse." The movements arenotsocommonly seen as those - of the "'Three-'

. . . ... ..

Step ;'" but the dance must b~ included in the' .. ,. .present-day Iashiona and must. be known by. the would-be "up-to-dat~s." '. .....

. .. '.87 .

.,~..... :"~ . . . .

. .. .. .-- .

. .. .


77/77

HANDBOOK OF BALLROOM .DANCING-The dance is performed to valse music.

The movements are as follows :......"......,..For Man:Start with left foot, one long step forward.

then right ' J " " "11" left " u short JJ "" right J 'left" "" right"Proceed with" "..then left "" right"" left "" right"" left "Proceed with )' "then right t 'then right "

J , J' ,, """ " If" short side-step to right." long step forward .." " ""short " """ " " , ," - " " "" short side-step to left." long step forward.forward, and perform half Hesitation .Valse turn to right .. backward, and perform half Hesi-tation Valse turn to left.

Then perform full Valse turn (two movements).'I'hen- .'Corte.

For Lady:In the above description substitute " right"

Documents

Handbook of Ballroom Dancing (Topspin)