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Sequence Dancing?
It Looks Too Complicated!

How many times have you been at a dance watching the sequence dancers going through their paces, and thought to yourself, “Hmmm, I'd like to give it a try, but it looks too complicated for me?” Well I've got news for you; it's not that complicated at all. You learn routines for your dances, don't you, whether it's for a ballroom dance or a latin American dance? Sequence dances are the same. They're all scripted. So it doesn't matter whether you live in London , Johannesburg , or Adelaide , - the dance will be danced exactly the same way, at the same tempo. Not only that, you don't have the bother of having to use floor craft to get out of sticky situations, because in sequence dancing you always have your own space on the floor, and sticky situations never crop up.

Only basic steps

So, for beginners to ballroom and latin American, sequence dancing can be a boon. All you have to know to dance a modern sequence dance are basic steps. That's all they are; basic steps – nothing more.

Here is a list of the steps (though not necessarily the order of), a male dancer will need to know to execute The Engagement Waltz : reverse turn; whisk; chasse; first three steps of the weave; back lock; open impetus turn; left whisk; twist turn; travelling contracheck; fall away; slip pivot; half natural turn; hover; hesitation change;

The list of male steps (again, not necessarily of), for The Quando Quickstep : reverse lock; chasse; forward lock step; half natural turn; back lock step with running finish; spin turn; back half of basic quickstep; fishtail; half natural turn; hesitation change.

Nothing scary about those steps for those two sequence dances. Though I admit that beginners may never have come across the “hesitation change”, - it is nonetheless a good basic move to have in your armoury .

Latin lover?

Here is the script for one latin American sequence dance which you may have heard of, and is danced socially up and down the country. It's called:

The Rumba 1

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.

As in all latin American dances, all steps in The Rumba 1 are toe-flat; NEVER heel steps.

Please note that whereas the first step of a move in basic latin American is on beat 2, - for what ever reason, in Rumba and Cha Cha sequence dances danced socially , - all basic moves commence on beat 1. Yet in all competition latin American sequence dances, all basic moves commence on beat 2. Why this is the case, it is not known.

Abbreviations : LOD = Line of dance; L = Left; R = Right.

Commence facing diagonally to wall against LOD, in basic closed hold, feet together.

After 4 bars of introduction:

1. (on beat 1) Forward basic.

2. Alemana turn.

3. (into) Shoulder-to-shoulder, diagonally to wall, against LOD.

4. Shoulder-to-shoulder, diagonally to wall, down LOD.

5. Shoulder-to-shoulder, diagonally to wall, against LOD.

6. Fencing, down LOD.

7. Spot turn to R, ending facing wall.

8. (taking Handshake hold with partner) 3 Back walks: R, L, R, curving to end facing diagonally to wall against LOD.

9. 3 Rocks: Forward, Back, Forward.

10. 3 Forward walks to wall, along the same curve used in the 3 Back walks: R, L, R, ending facing wall.

11. (still in handshake hold) Left Cucaracha, finish with feet together.

12. Right Cucaracha, finish with feet together.

13. Side-close-side: L, R, L, (ending with L Foot pointing up LOD).

14. (lady bringing left hand through onto man's left hand, taking open Shadow hold) 3 Forward walks: R, L, R, along LOD.

15. 3 more Forward walks: L, R, L, along LOD.

16. Spot turn to L, finishing in basic closed hold, feet apart, with weight on R foot, facing diagonally to wall, against LOD.

And that's where you came in, 16 Bars earlier, ready to start again.

…………………………………………………………………

A point to consider: Many sequence dances are “picked up” on the dance floor by couples trying to follow the moves of the couple ahead. This can lead to inaccuracies. So you may find that some dancers in the execution of this dance may do the 3 back walks, and the 3 forward walks in a straight line directly to the centre of the floor. Although that's incorrect, there's no use you being correct if it entails bumping into others on the dance floor. A bit of give and take is all that's necessary.

Get those hips into gear!

You've noticed that I've given no timing for any of the moves quoted for The Rumba 1. That's because there are 16 moves over16 bars of music (one move per bar), and all are rumba moves to rumba timing (Quick, Quick, Slow). (But as I explained earlier, each commenced on beat one, not beat two.) Don't forget that it is a rumba, and as such, all the movements, Rocks included, are danced rumba style : The second beat of the “Slow” timing will be used for the rumba action of transferring all your weight into the hip.

Come on now; you didn't think that because it's a sequence rumba that you were going to let off lightly, did you? Use those hips. (Yes, we all know it's difficult. But use this sequence dance to improve your rumba actions and timing.)

If there are enough of you at a social dance to want to do this sequence rumba, then don't be afraid to approach the MC to ask. And if he's worth his salt, then he'll make sure it's a 16 bar CD track for you.

Want some more latin sequence?

If you find that the Rumba 1 is for you, then you may wish to consider learning others, including The Queen of Hearts Rumba, and The Rumba Deargo, - both of which are very popular, and contain nothing but basic rumba moves. As in any dance, basic moves have to be practiced time and time again. Use any of these dances to not just to practice the sequence dance, but also practice the basic moves. Sequence dancing done correctly means that you should never find yourself out of time.

Ok, so you're practicing using sequence dancing to dance all your basic latin American moves, but they're on beat one and not beat two. You may find this a little hard to get used to at first. But if it bothers you that much, then there is another option for you:

Single Dance competitions

Ballroom and latin American dancing have ‘single' dance competitions such as Basic Foxtrot, and Basic Rumba. Sequence dancing is no different; there are competitions which involve single dances, - The Rumba 1 being one of them. And as I said, all competition latin American sequence dances are danced with all moves commencing on beat 2, and each with their own latin action relevant to which type of latin American dance it may be. Consider giving this a go. After all, you've nothing to lose, and you'll see for yourself what the standard of latin American dancing is like among sequence dancers.

If you've ever seen latin sequence dances performed at competition level, you may already know that there's just as much choreography involved in the interpretation of the predefined script of each sequence dance as in any other latin American dance. That's why my partner and I use specifically taught head movements (and arm movements if space between other couples allows such) in all classical, modern, and latin sequence dances; - the Rumba 1 included. If you have been to a sequence dance competition, and have never noticed this, or are just curious of this, then I can recommend that you attend one. It will also blow out of the water the mistaken general everyday belief and resistance to sequence dancing that it's purely for those who can't really dance, and those shall we say, are “retired persons”.

It will enhance your dancing

So that's it. I hope that I've taken away some of the apprehensions, imaginary or otherwise, about not being able to do any of the sequence dances, just because you're a beginner who knows just the basic steps; or a dancer who thinks that it all looks a little to complicated to try; or you're not ready for it yet, as you don't come under the category: “retired person” Learning sequence dancing from a qualified teacher will not lead to the detriment of your ballroom and latin American dancing, - it will enhance them.

And that's for certain!

Addendum
( In reference to ALL sequence dances)

The beginning of the script for the Rumba 1, I stated: “After 4 bars of introduction”.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I forgot that I have been addressing those of you who are ballroom or latin American dancers, and can begin your routines whenever you wish after the commencement of the music.

ALL sequence dances: modern, classical, or latin American, begin after the first 4 bars of introduction. So it doesn't matter if you're stood on the dance floor waiting for the start of the Rumba 1, Square Tango, or Cindy Swing: they all begin their sequences after the first 4 bars of introduction. That is why the MC will announce the dance, then give plenty of time for everyone wishing to take part to take a position on the dance floor.

No Apaches please

When you're going through your paces on the dance floor, try to make the full use of the floor: try to make it as large as possible by dancing evenly spread out with other couples, and as close to the edges and corners of the floor as possible (without knocking the drinks out of the hands of those sat down). You may have noticed that at times, some dancers make an “inner ring” on the floor to make use of all available space. If you're on the “outer ring”, and start closing down the dance space on the floor (dancing away from the edges and corners), it will give the appearance that you're a bunch of Apaches circling a wagon train. So no Apaches please.

Just ask

Putting that to one side, if you don't know a particular dance, and would like to join in, then do so. After watching a couple who in your opinion are giving the best display, get quickly behind them and ask if you can follow them. (No-one ever refuses, they will always say: “Yes.” It's just courtesy, that's all. I've already told you that sequence dancers are a friendly lot.)

I think that's everything covered. I apologise for the oversight on the introductory bars of music. (Slapped wrist, Dennis. Don't do it again.)

See you over at DanceTalk

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