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:: Go to Part 2 :: Go to Part 3 :: An Introduction to Sequence Dancing
Anyone can learn sequence dancing. You are never too young, and never too old. Like all other forms of dance, it is to be enjoyed. That means enjoy learning the various sequence dances, and having fun doing them once they have been learned. It doesn't usually take long to pick up a sequence dance; 10 to 15 minutes is about average. From then on, it's just a matter of practice until you have the routine, called a “sequence” safely set in your mind. The Music All sequence dances are danced over 16 bars of music. In other words, the “sequence” is started at the first bar of music after those of the introduction, and is completed at the end of the 16 th bar. Sequence dances such as quicksteps, cha-chas, and jive are danced at the same tempo as ballroom dances, and are therefore the sequence is completed in relatively short time. You may find because of that, these dances may be easier to carry out, - even though there are a lot of steps to remember during those 16 bars. Remember that not all ballroom and Latin American dance music is played over a 16 bar sequence, so special CD's, with music specially designed for sequence dancing are available for purchase from music stores and through the Internet. If you are not already familiar with a 16 bar sequence of music, you will be surprised how quickly your brain not only recognises music played over a 16 bar sequence, but will also tell you how far into a particular sequence the dance has progressed, and where the restart is; - as any 7 or 70 year old sequence dancer will tell you! Patterns of the Dances The first thing to get set in your mind with any sequence dance that you are learning from scratch is the pattern of the dance during the 16 bars. In other words: all the different directions and angles that the dance takes. For example, it may start facing line of dance, then turn diagonally to centre of the floor, then diagonally to wall, and so on. I will now give an example of a sequence dance that is quite easy to learn by dancers of any standard: The Square Tango Although it is danced in ballroom hold throughout, which normally means that the dance is a modern sequence dance, this is classed as a “Classical Sequence” dance. (The modern term for what used to be known as ‘Old Time'.) All the steps quoted are for the man; the lady's steps are the opposite of the man's. I.e. if a man steps forward on his left foot, the lady steps back on her right foot. Abbreviations : LF = left foot; RF = right foot; S = slow; Q = quick; LOD = Line of dance; Start with man facing down LOD, feet together. Timing
Repeat 1 – 10, then Starting with LF: 9 walks down LOD finishing on LF. Timing : S S Q Q S; Q Q S S. Next : Forward RF, turning Right to face wall LF to side, along LOD Step back on RF, still facing wall; release Left toe. (Timing for each step is: Slow) Finally : Whilst making a total of three-quarters of a right turn over the following 6 steps, Forward LF, turning to Right; Forward RF, turning to Right; LF to side, turning to Right; Forward RF, turning to Right; LF to side, turning to Right; Balance back on RF down LOD, releasing Left toe, ready to start again. (Timing for each step is: Slow) On each of those last 6 steps, the turning to the right with the body is continuous and even. That's “The Square Tango”. It's just about the simplest of sequence dances, and anyone from beginner upwards can master this dance in no time at all. It's just one of many of hundreds of sequence dances (all have exotic or weird names) that are danced every week up and down the UK and other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and continental Europe. Attending Sequence Dances There are plenty of Tea dances held during the week and at weekends. To try to find where these are, your teacher may be able to give you information, or the local Council, or just by word of mouth. In the UK , most social dances include some sequence dancing in the programme . Even if you know very little about sequence dancing, don't be afraid to join in. You will find that sequence dancers are a sociable lot, and will help you to pick up the dances as you go along. Attending Sequence Dances On Your Own One good thing about sequence dancing is that a man just has to know his steps for each dance, and a lady hers. So if you attend a dance where sequence dancing is involved, all that has to be done is for the man, knowing his steps, to ask a lady if she would like to do the dance announced. For example, if the Square Tango is announced, as long as she knows her steps to that particular dance (and she accepts his invitation), then they can dance the Square Tango. It does not matter whether they speak the same language or not, as long as each knows their own steps, then there's no problem. Competing If you feel that you enjoy this discipline, and wish to take it further with a view to competing, then don't be slow to ask your teacher for advice on how to do so. Just remember that a number of successful competition ballroom dancers had previously competed in sequence dancing. I was a ballroom dancer, but until I went more deeply into sequence dancing, and had private lessons, I didn't know how much hard work was involved in it. Even if you find that you cannot adapt to the strictness (timing is top of the list) of competitive sequence dancing, your ballroom dancing will have improved in timing and technique. So you have nothing to lose. Give it a go! Use the Internet Don't be afraid of using the Internet for more information. Use any search engine, and key in “sequence dancing”. It will provide a lot of links to sequence dancing, schools where it is taught, new sequence dances, competitions, and the results of previous competitions. Best of luck! See you over at DanceTalk Courtesy of Dennis Eylott |
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