2010/2011 Fall/Winter Quickstep Routine 

0 Intro - A hop leaves the floor. Quickstep does not hop.During the entrance the two dancers move towards each other and meet. They then do a side chasse followed by zig zag walking. The man's first movement is diagonal center until he hops and changes direction to diagonal wall until he hops and again changes direction to diagonal wall until the two dancers meet.

one two three quick quick slow          During the beginning of the Intro the count is - slow slow slow quick quick slow      The side chasse is quick quick

You do not have time to say all the slows in the actual dance since it's too fast. Use numbers instead of slow. Change slow slow slow quick quick slow to one two three quick quick slow.

one two three knee
one two three knee
one two three knee
step knee
step knee
forward chasse
half a box

chasse step knee

step hop, step hop, step together, step, half a box

There's two hops. The left foot goes first in the forward chasse then the right foot turns to close the box

The dancers must use the same exact wording and terminology

1 (First Segment)

Spin Turn to Promenade then:

1. right foot - step forward
2. left foot forward until it reaches the side of the right - lift (hop)
left foot continues forward   (chasse)
3. right foot closes to left - step together
4. left foot forward
5. right foot - close to left
6. jete' [lunge (pepper pot)] you do not go off the ground, left foot forward and right foot kicks back
repeat once

Left foot goes forward hop then the right starts the sequence again. Left foot forward and then kick right leg back
On the jete you keep right foot toe on floor to reduce lifting too high

A gentleman does push on the woman slightly to guide the woman and let the woman know what he wants her to do. The man's right hand is placed on the woman's shoulder blade immediately under the arm pit. The man has more control on turning and guiding with his hand placement on the woman's shoulder blade

Pepper Pot

Scatters/Polka Chasses: The person who is inside partner takes smaller steps to allow the other partner to go around. The lead's (man's) connection helps determine the variance of step sizes between the woman and the man

Do not look at the floor, it's too quick. Look at Linda. Step up, Step up back polka chasse. Do a complete half turn on the end of the step. It's a quarter step quarter turn.
Turn tap, turn tap, Polka chasse. Step tap, the same foot moves to the next step
Step, tap, step together closed touch
Do one Polka chasse to the right, one Polka chasse to the left and finish with one Polka chasse to the right. At the start of the chasse the man looks to the right while the woman looks to the left
There's no lift at the end of the last Polka chasse. You do a slide at the end of the last Scatter/Polka Chasse.

Mini-Woodpecker

The left foot moves to the left and the right foot taps behind the left and then you repeat to the other side. This is a Recovery Step. The timing is fast fast fast fast and it's called a Woodpecker which is done at the end of the chasse. The couple keeps the same position while doing the Woodpecker

2 (Second Segment)

Double Reverse: You do a double reverse at the end of the Woodpecker. You can not be square on the Double Reverse because you are turning to the left. You then pause for a moment at the end of the Double Reverse.

Sunday 08/01/2010

Stay to the woman's right in the intro movements.     one two three quick quick go: one two three up: step up - chasse step: four lift and that's it with the lifts
Eight is for the left foot and one is for the right. Prep step to the right begins on 5. You need either back movement or side movement

The Outside Partner position is strictly for the Locking Step. Otherwise you stay closed partner in Quickstep.

The man has to let the woman go so they can stay closed partner. If the man overturns, it is harder for the woman to get back into closed position. Take a small side step when changing angle of the chasse. At the change of direction, you go backwards not sideways. The change of direction is sideways. The other is back forward directed, backing diagonal center. It's a zig zag inside partner

Dancing into the man's hand is not back, it's to the side. It's really a spiraling movement not a side movement. The pair of dancers open on the opposite side. She opens not the man. The upper arm is stretched to the side and the forearm closes. In the frame you rotate the pelvis and keep the upper line steady. You can NOT be square.

You always look at your line of dance. Look forward to next year? except in Tango. Stop cocking the head. The knees must be bent. In the woman's chasse you move down down up down.

Pivot left foot, the heel goes up and the there's a change of direction. Step again on the heel then turn and close. Hover and then step out to the side. On the chasse you do not have to turn towards the woman. Watch the woman (Linda). You are dancing with a woman and you must focus on her. Always do a prep step to get swing and sway correct.
Foxtrot Zig Zag is outside partner

Sunday August 8, 2010

Count numbers to yourself. On the Pepper Pot you only do two (2) sets before doing the Hop Scatters. Left prep on 8 move on 7 and the hop then hop side to side hop side to side hop side to side. side tap - side tap to the back - don't think of it to the side

The first movement is like a natural turn. The second hop movement aligns down the floor.
Stop and collect for small time at the end of the scatters. You do a change of direction doing the taps. It's one step but two movements at the same time (kind of like a jump) then to the opposite side.

Mini Woodpecker - slow - quick - quick. You shift the woman's body to outside partner
Right Chasse
Back Lock
Tipple chasse

A Chasse to the Right turns to the right. The Chasse to the right is a really right turn. You make two movements back before locking.

Back Chasse - Right Forward Lock with your right foot behind

The right foot is behind the left. Look always to the left. Half a box to a hesitation

With a Step Point you move the same foot after pointing. There is no change of leg/foot.

Cross Swivel - Fishtail

Step tap - right lock with left behind - step left lock with right behind
The Quickstep song that we will be using is Liza Minnelli, "The Singer"

You start diagonal center with the Quickstep Fishtail. We will be doing a Running Finish later
There's a one quarter turn to the Progressive Chasse to the Left ending in a Forward Lock.

Closed Natural Spin Turn

Two Lilting Locks to a step lift to Pendulum Points to Scissor Breaks
When you think of hops, you think of jumping up but it's really going out, not jumping so we call it a lift. Half a box to a Heel Turn (spin turn). In the Natural Spin Turn you move the right foot back, rise up rise up and the partners fall together

Sunday 08/15/2010

In the Intro of the routine the man's left foot moves forward while his right hand swings forward with it. When doing the Pepper Pot, look at Linda to stay in synchronization. Use the word "finish" at the end of the Pepper Pot and always begin a new Pepper Pot figure with the right foot.
At the end of the scatters, you do a mini-Woodpecker where you hop side ways.

Double Reverse Notes

The Double Reverse starts with dramatic shaping with the right elbow and rib cage stretching upward. The left knee is bent forcing the left hip forward while the upper quarter shapes to the left. This dramatic shaping signals to the woman that you are about to do a Double Reverse rather than just a Left Turn.

The first left step is sharply to the left and forward while the man prepares to swivel out of the way of the woman. The man's upper quarter turns 90 degrees. The man continually watches his left thumb. The man's right foot is then placed forward and to the side far enough to create a forward slot for the woman to walk through. The man's left foot then swings behind the right foot forcing the man to create a torqued figure that unwinds during the next few movements of the woman. Using his right hand, the man then gently guides the woman around him as he unwinds.
Both dance partners then lower at the end. The lowering is a recovery before the next step.

Quick Step timing Slow Slow Quick Quick

Head Position for Smooth

The man looks over the thumb on his left hand. Imagine a ticket being held in the left hand. In the Forward Progressive Waltz figure, the man looks at the ticket in his hand. The man shifts and shapes his body to put the ticket in front of him. If you are looking correctly you are NOT looking at the woman. She may feel ignored.

In the mini-Woodpecker you do break from this rule and stop looking at your thumb since you move your head to the opposite side once in this figure. It's not just looking at your thumb that you are doing. You must twist and rotate to create the correct torque of both partners. Always keep the side and arm that's pointing away upward.

In the Develope, shift into her with the left shoulder and bring the left hand towards her. Prior to the Develope you both are twisted and after the forward step you twist into the Develope.
The man shifts his left shoulder back so the woman can move her foot and leg. When you are are Stepping Out just before the woman's leg movement in the Develope the man looks forward then shift his head to look at his thumb while she is moving her leg. Twisting while keeping your site on your thumb and going in the right direction give you the correct forward posture.

Sunday August 22, 2010

In the Intro you move your arms like you walk. Move itty bitty then big on the side chasse. Lean to left as you chasse. This is found in the International standard variations. Don't look down at the end of the chasse. Look at the woman on the Intro movements.
Spin turn 3/8 turn face to face parallel to the wall in the studio to diagonal center
Left two three up : right two three up : chasse forward : half a box - the half a box begins with the right foot and you then end with natural turn with appropriate shaping to a promenade with the left foot going forward to next figure. Twist left foot to the side and back to get out of the way of the woman. You must be closed close to start the turn. Shape upward at the end of the box. It's a continual movement shaping up

Hop Scatters: You do a natural turn to start with the first hop. Always look at her. Practice scatters

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Lindy timing with east coast flat back or tunnel. 12 beats. Triple to hammer lock woman then goes around and under on the left side going back. Keep the right arm down on the flat back.

Hop Scatters In Quickstep you count in fours since that represents on bar. All hops are on the fours. Counting as in DIVIDA waltz but with the Quickstep four bar: (1) 2 3 4 (2) 2 3 4 (3) 2 3 (4) 2 3 4 . End the basic with a right turn half a box to a spin turn.
one slow two slow three slows four slows forward to start the hop scatters
The third slow is a settle.
fourth left foot forward in promenade
timing (slow down@!)
Slow quick quick timing for half a box. four slows for next Spin Turn.
You are outside partner (OP) going into the half a box then you are closed partner. The double reverse ends line of dance to chasse to the right to Tipple Chasse. Do not tip to the right. Stay vertical before going to the left. I have to learn to recover since the music is overwhelming me and causing me to move too fast without prepping. This recovery also signals the woman about what is coming next.
Tipple back chasse
end tipple and all locks
slide left foot forward then an upward movement
slide scoop (up) step
slide scoop up on lock as with basic
SLIDE THE FOOT DO NOT PLACE IT Close the legs in the lock. You close the legs then go up on the toe. That's the scoop.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Practice the "High Hover" on Quick Step and Waltz.
Do a samba cross on back side of the double reverse. Do hop scatters.
You break the "broom rule" whenever you have sway. The right elbow and arm break the straight line rule. Sway is the lifting of one side of the body and not the lowering of the other. The inclination not lifting per se. Do not pull the arm up. Stretch the side of the torso. When you inspire you pull that side up. Step hip, lift inspire to stretch

Sunday, September 12, 2010

East Coast: (flat back or tunnel figure) Do not lift right hand up when woman goes trough the right side. Vacate a space for the woman to come through your left side through to the back and the same when she goes across your back and then forward on the right side after coming forward. In east coast swing you release the right hip to go forward and don't bend at the waist. Change hips with a change of direction.

High Hover - do two double reverses and then step, sway, shift, sway, shift shape. Normally the left leg goes back at end of double reverse. Stay to the right with the left foot. Swing around the front and then her left leg come up in high hover as you shape. Look forward then look at her. Torque her to promenade looking forward then shape the opposite way and look at her. The weight is on the right leg since left steps out forward. Step forward, then shape.

Tipple Chasse is chasse to the right ending in a back lock step. In the Cross Swivel to the Right you end up Diagonal Center (DC). Step tap with no weight on the right tapping foot

diagonal wall   --> Fishtail
step point
step lock step left locks behind then step to the right
second is forward (diagnonal wall pathway) step lock step lock with the right foot on the second

On the first step Forward Lock you step lower and twist or you will have pain. (Remember Josh twisting hip for go forward). Forward knee down then rise up
diagonal wall on swivel
diagonal center on first forward step
diagonal wall on lock (twisted and lower knee and body down)
tipple chasse to half a box to hesitation to swivel to fishtail
on the first lock the weight changes from the right foot to the left
left forward behind right forward
natural turn to a spin turn
upward back movements are lilting locks
man does not scoop too much
you can do high hover to ronde ending with woman walking around your back
no promenade in the end of the spin turn
closed impetus stay closed
then left leg moves back
at the end of the spin turn she is to the right
stay outside partner for back locks
half a box right turn left forward lead
CBMP is foot position. CBM is body movement. Always us CBM to initiate a turn.

September 19, 2010       Segment 3

prep step four beats to bar left then right two forward two? Left steps on 4 since right is always first step

natural turn with hesitation
right foot forward - slow
left foot to side - quick
right foot closes to left foot - quick
left foot back - slow
right foot to the side a small step with heel pull - slow
left foot closes to right foot without weight - slow

cross swivel during the tap you move the woman around you

Fishtail

right foot forward outside partner - slow
left foot crosses behind your right foot - quick
right foot moves sideways and uncrosses - quick
left foot forward - quick
right foot crosses behind your left foot - quick
left foot forward - slow

quarter turn - progressive chasse - forward lock - half a box (natural turn) refer to Waltz and be attentive to weight changes. Lock steps are outside partner and the fish tail is a series of locks refer to

Sunday, September 26, 2010

The turn is continuous in the beginning of the Fishtail. Keep a left shoulder lead. The woman is outside partner (OP).

Lilting Locks up and down scoop scoop. Left side CBM is different from right CBM.

In the Progressive Chasse the man's head is in a forward position and stretched. With left shoulder CBM you do NOT over turn. The head leads the body and if the head is incorrect the body position will also be incorrect. Look forward all the time with the fishtail, progressive chasse and forward lock. The head is back weighted.

Sunday, October 3, 2010
Step Hops (two) to Scatters. The Hop is one count and the knee is a second separate count. The two Step Hops are one bar with four beats and are NOT syncopated so it's one two one two or one two three four. Don't confuse the timing. The timing for the scatters is one and two and three four. The scatter knee is always four. Touch down with the foot that previously shaped with the bent knee on one but the last one is a tap on the end of the third series (third bar). It's a knee and turn on every four but not on the last one. The last one is a left foot tap.

Spin Turn to
(intermediate connection steps)
quick quick slow
back side forward
to outside partner preparing for the Hop Scotch
Hop Scotch figure
first one right foot forward with heel
close together
third is open second position
(repeat first) first one right foot forward with heel
close together
End Hop Scotch
Tipsy to the Left

Just dance with excellent form and don't worry about the music and timing for now. It is better to be off beat and look really good than on beat and rushed.

East Coast

side basic to back rock
side basic with NO ROCK to sailor shuffle

Hand changes on back rocks
Right side back turn with right arm
Turn the woman counterclockwise at the end of the back figure

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