International Latin Technique
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
This is (going to be) a wikibook detailing hopefully generally accepted latin dance technique. A resource for newcomers to the dance style, who can in theory learn it from the book, and as a reference guide for the more experienced dancer who just needs to look up footwork or placement on a certain figure, this book will serve as a nice, free accompaniment to a good hobby.
Contents |
[edit] Choosing a dance school
There is a few phrases that you will hear quite often especially if you start dancing and you probably need decide quite early on what type or styl of latin dancing you will be doing.
So here is a quick rundown.
Social - This basically means that you just intend to learn the steps. There is many social schools and most follow their own syllabus and let you move up and do the steps at your own pace. They generally do not concentrate on styling and there is a huge variation on the quality of teachers and subject matter.
American Rythm - This is the American version of Latin American dancing with the styling is very similar to Internation Latin but the dances and steps differ.
Internation Latin - This is what this book is all about. The international stye laatin dances with the dances we concentrating on being cha-cha-cha, Samba, Rumba, paso doble and Jive.
[edit] Competition dancing
It is important to note that most competitions are divided into a syllabus section and an open section. The syllabus and open sections are then subdivided into levels as well and in each level it is further subdivided into age groups. Therefore a beginner (less than one year of dancing) have chance to compete and gain experience before engaging the big boys. So I encourage you to find a good studio and start competing.
We will divide the standard variations into difficulty levels. There is a slight variation in different dancing organization but most of the steps are similar.
[edit] Age groups
As competitive dance is considered a sport these are the age categories you will be competing in:
- Juvenile I: reach 9th birthday or less in the calendar year
- Juvenile II: reach 10th and 11th birthday in the calendar year
- Junior I: reach 12th and 13th birthday in the calendar year
- Junior II: reach 14th and 15th birthday in the calendar year
- Youth: reach 16th , 17th and 18th birthday in the calendar year
- Adult: reach 19th birthday or more in the calendar year
- Senior I: reach 35th birthday or more in the calendar year
- Senior II: reach 45th birthday or more in the calendar year
[edit] Syllabus Sections
To order the variations presented in the dance sections of this book I have ordered them into sections called. Beginner, Bronze, Silver and Gold. This is the designation I am used to but is somewhat arbitrary as every dance organization differs in what they place in each category. Also some organization use a different level structure.
Although the variations are relatively easy to learn. The technique is not and it takes time to get used to the way of doing them with confidence, poise, style. I suggest not trying to move up a level to fast. Most organization actually limit the amount of exams you are allowed to take at the same time. Allowing you to ingrain the variations and the technique before attempting more difficult work.
As such I will try to introduce techniques in a the Beginner, Bronze, Silver, Gold as they are needed. So for example in a cha-cha-cha the inside foot is moved and placed in the cha-cha part of the basic allowing the hips to make an 8 movement. This is not strictly necessary in the beginner level but a Silver dancer should know this and put it into practice.
- Beginner - This is the level that we all started from. Advanced dancers will be well advised to join beginner group classes. It is not only a great way to practice but you will pick up small nuances and statements from you're teacher that you missed the first time around.
- Bronze - This is about the level you should be at if you have been receiving continues instructions for a year.
- Silver - Continues instruction for two years.
- Gold - Instruction for three years.
Although each person learns at their own pace and you will probably master the variations faster than this most organizations will not allow you to advance faster than this. This is mostly based on learning all five latin dances at 1 hour private lesson per week with at least 1 hour practice per week with you're partner. Anything less than this will have you advancing slower than what was indicated above.
If you are interested in competing you will probably have to put more hours in as you advance depending on you're talent.
[edit] Competition points vs exams
Again depending on you're organization the exact method of promotion might differ but in general there are two systems that are used, either independently or together.
[edit] EXAM promotion system
The exam promotion system is basically an exam that is take that states that you have mastered the technique and variations on a certain competency level. In general this means that you have to dance certain variation and have certain techniques. The steps are normally not limited but you are expected to demonstrate certain variations and techniques.
[edit] Competition promotion system
This is basically a points system allowing you to advance into a different level as you're competency increases. Unlike the exam you will receive points at each competition that will accumulate until you have enough points to move to the next level of competition. Also unlike with the exam you are limited in the variations and techniques you are allowed to use.
[edit] Open Sections
After you have completed the syllabus work mentioned in this book and in the previous sections you will advance to the dress sections or the open sections. Here what you dance is open to you. There is no variation that is out of bounds and you can start wearing extravagant outfit. Like the syllabus section you accumulate points to move up each level. But unlike the syllabus section you fall under the same rules does not matter in which of open levels you are dancing. The open sections are:
- Novice
- Pre-championship
- Championship
This section describes hints and techniques that is applicable to all dancing. They will be explained as it relates to latin dancing though.
[edit] The Dances
Every latin dance have a story and history attached to it. Therefore the style and interpretation of the dance is important in competitions and it is the dancers responsibility to bring this air and feeling out for each dance.
The core of all five Latin dances are made up of a series of approved basic steps (variations), which either socially or at the higher competitive grades may be varied or with completely new choreography added into routines.
- Cha Cha Cha
- Cha Cha is often the first dance a beginner will learn when they take up latin dancing. The "two-three-cha-cha-cha" rhythm and 'chasse' (often called by instructors as side-close-side, though technically, the second step is only a partial close) characterise this dance. It is danced in 4/4 time, usually at a 30-32 bars per minute tempo. The tempo, coupled with the character of the music leads to a dance that is often characterised as "cheeky" with the woman adopting a flirtatious manner, teasing the man.
- The current approved basic steps are:
- Basic Movements (Closed, Open and In Place)
- New York (Left and Right Side)
- Spot Turns Left and Right (Including Switch and Underarm Turns)
- Shoulder to Shoulder (Left Side & Right side)
- Hand to Hand (Right and Left side position)
- Three Cha Chas (Forward and Backward)
- Side Steps (to Left and Right)
- There and Back
- Time Steps
- Compact Chasse
- Alternative Compact Chasse
- Cuban Cross Chasse
- Fan
- Alemana
- Hockey Stick
- Natural Top
- Natural Opening Out Movement
- Closed Hip Twist
- Open Hip Twist
- Reverse Top
- Opening Out from Reverse Top
- Aida
- Spiral Turns (Spiral, Curl and Rope Spinning)
- Cross Basic
- Cuban Breaks (including Split CubanBreaks)
- Chase
- Ronde Chasse
- Twist Chasse
- Slip Chasse
- Advanced Hip Twist
- Hip Twist Spiral
- Turkish Towel
- Sweetheart
- Follow My Leader
- Foot Changes
- Lady's Runaway Chasse
- The following figures may be used in a short amalgamation when using same foot as partner:
- Closed Basic Movement (no turn)
- Ronde Chasse
- Twist Chasse
- Open Basic Movement
- Spot or Switch Turns
- Three Cha Chas Forward and Backward
- Forward & Backward Runs
- Time Steps (with or without Guapacha Timing)
- Cuban Breaks
- Split Cuban Breaks
- Rumba
- Rumba is often danced as a "cha cha without the cha chas", and whilst this may appear correct, there are major differences, largely in the presentation of the dance. It is known as the dance of love, danced to sexy, sultry 4/4 music at a tempo of 26/27 measures per minute (105 bpm).
- Samba
- Originally a carnival dance from Rio di Janeiro, Samba is one of only two travelling dances in this genre. Like most traveling dances the dancers travel counter-clockwise around the floor.
- Jive
- Fastest of all the latin dances and the least latin as well. Jive and swing are similar in patterns but the Jive basic starts with a back rock instead of a triple step. Jive is know for the quick, pulsating leg action with a calm, steady upper-body. As with most all latin dances, the upper body remains at a fairly steady level.
- -Kick Ball Change-
- -Triple Steps-
- -Spanish Arm
- -Windmill
- -Rolling of the Arm
- -The Walk
- Paso Doble
- A dance based on the Spanish bullfights but actually originating in French nightclubs. Not at all like the "Two Step" American country dance, Paso focuses on pagentry and flamboyance.
[edit] Etiquette
Dance etiquette can largely be summarized by the word "politeness". Partners must keep a good connection and counter-balance one another in fast-moving partner dancing such as the Latin dances; yet still grant the other dancer his or her personal space where appropriate within the choreography.
[edit] Social Etiquette
There are certain etiquette rules off and on the dance floor. Here are some of the general rules for both ladies and men that will make your evening more enjoyable.
[edit] For Ladies
1. Do not refuse a gentleman when he asks you to dance. - It is impolite and can cause you to sit the whole evening without dancing. There is certain situations where it is acceptable to refuse. Most notably when the person asking you to dance with him is drunk you can politely refuse. If you are refusing because you are tired do not dance with another gentlemen on the same dance. Please remember ladies that when a man asks you to dance with him it took some courage and that he will certainly spread the word if he enjoyed dancing with you. The same goes for when you refused. If a lady refused to dance with a gentlemen without providing a valid reason she can be assured of not being asked to dance again by that gentlemen for the rest of the evening.
2. Close body contact is not required - Although certain latin dances lends itself to dancing very closely you are definitely not required to dance closely with a partner that you do not know. It is acceptable to move away from you're partner to a more comfortable distance in the hold or to politely ask to excused if the gentlemen are insistant.
3. Follow the lead - Follow your partners lead. If you are unsure of the what to do, do what you feel is the right movement. It is important to realize that when leading a lady a man will interpret not only the music and choreograph the dance as you go along but also constant scan you're environment and decide which steps will work here. It is the mans responsibility to read the ladies ability and choreograph the dance appropriately. Don't be discouraged if you cannot feel a gentleman's lead immediatelly there is some differences in the ability of the gentleman to lead. If a gentlemen have been dancing with a partner for a long time the lead becomes very soft and subtle and it takes some time to get used to leading a bit stronger for a new partner.
4. Leave the dance floor at the end of the dance - It is impolite to leave the dance floor before the song is complete. It is general practice to ask a lady to dance about halfway through a song and then continue onto the new dance. If for some reason the lady does not enjoy the dance she can politely thank the gentlemen while the music is changing. It is generally considered and indication that a lady do not want to dance with you if she only dances one song.
5. Do not teach - Do not try to teach you're partner on the social dance floor. It is considered impolite.
[edit] For the gentlemen
1. Ask politely - Say please and thank you when asking a lady to dance. It not only makes a good impression but makes the lady feel more comfortable that she is in good hands when dancing with you.
2. Strong lead - Please gentlemen like asking a lady with confidence you also have to lead with confidence. Do not guess what need to be done lead the lady strongly and early so she can react appropriately.
3. Do not force yourself on a lady - Most ladies will dictate the dance position when you offer you're arm do not pull her closer than she is comfortable and the same rule applies you are allowed to make more distance to make it more comfortable for you.
4. Floor craft - Try and steer clear of trouble where ever possible. In terms of floor craft it is important to remember that the least experienced the other dancers on the floor the more space you need to leave. There are dance floors that is filled with couples and I would not have one incident the whole evening and others where three couples would keep crashing into each other purely because of inexperience. If you do crash into another couple ask there forgiveness and continue to dance. I've met some interesting people with mad skills this way.
[edit] Dress
As with the non-dancing world, dress in Latin dancing is subject to fashion and changes gradually over time, but can be split into three categories:
Practice Wear
Lounge Dress
Competition Wear.
