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INTRODUCTORY
Motown (all R&B) Dance combines close partnering (Blues style) and close body leads, with the overall feel of D.C. Hand
Dance, and style of passes and turns (West Coast Swing Style) . Basic patterns
time out with 4 steps and a 2-beat pause (anchor). The pause
has a feeling of sitting away from each other ("extension").
Additional 2-beat groups can be improvised at the anchor, and during
a pass. The follower is ready to be lead forward on "1."
There are also patterns that naturally have 8 beats. Specific footwork
other than walk and pause is optional. The style of the pass and the
anchor are at the liberty of the follower (and the leader) to improvise
as well - hopefully they will be aware of each other and adapt, or even
play off each other.
STARTER (Jockey Step: groups of
8 beats)
Close position, wide stance, center low
Offset: L's R foot between F's feet
Hand connection side is down
L's R hand far around follower
F's L hand on L's back
Leader starts LEFT
Follower starts RIGHT
RHYTHM: Step touch Step touch 1234 (Slow Slow)
VAR: Slow Slow Quick Quick Slow,
Slow Slow Quick Quick
Slow (2x8)
TRANSITION
L swings F out 1/4 circle CCW, 4 walking steps into the end of the slot,
where there will be a pause of 2 or more beats.
BASIC PATTERNS
elbows bent in front of torso, hooked
fingers,
L and F sit away from each other a bit: "extension."
L gets out of F's way to lead
her straight forward (the "slot")
Left Side Pass: F is led
past the leader's open side.
Right Side Pass: F is led
past the leader's closed side, and then goes under the hand connection
with a CCW turn.
Right Side Pass with Leader's
Turn: L brings F past open side, and then brings the hand connection
near his head for a 1/2 turn.
Right Side Pass w/o Turn:
F is led past the leader's closed side, but does not go under the hand
connection.
Push Break: from 1 or 2 hands,
L brings F forward towards him, stops her, and pushes her back as she
pushes herself back.
L pushes with his knuckles into F's palm. F: keep elbows in front of
your torso. Both partner: keep hands at waist level - don' t hold your
hands near your chest.
MIXER
1
Jockey (8) - Turn out - R pass - L pass - R pass
L's turn pass 2x - Push break 2x - 8 count rotate to F's Right
INTERMEDIATE
PATTERNS: OPEN
Rope Turns: bring F into basket,
slide to 2 hands, the L goes into basket, and F slides to 2 hands.
Accordian Turns: 2 handed
whip
Swing Out (aka Whip): open to "outside partner" to open
Basket: 2 hands, L brings F foward, goes around her, stops her from
behind, brings her back, L continues to 1st position.
Same Side Whip: with 2 hand
conneciton, bring F forward and return her on same side.
Push Turn: bring F forward,
stop with L's Lead hand and push knuckles into her palm for F's CW turn.
INTERMEDIATE PATTERNS: CLOSED
F's Outside Turn: bring F foward, then offer the CW turn
F's Inside Turn: bring F foward, then offer the CCW turn
Behind The Back Turns (Apache):
bring F foward, then offer the CW turn by putting F"s lead
hand behind her back, changeing hands, and pushing on F's hip.
Closed Push Break: same as
Push Break, but in close position
Closed Whip: same techinque
as Right Couples Pivot, with right legs close and holding F tight.
IN-PLACE GESTURES: BODYWORK
(2-beat groups)
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Bounce
and shift weight
Circles: hip, rib, knee
FIgure 8's: hip, rib, knee
Finger Snaps (even beats!)
Shimmy (shoulder shakes)
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Free
Arm: up, out, wave
Head bobs
Middle Schooler
Betty Boops (prelude to fwd)
Lunges
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IN-PLACE
& PASSING GESTURES: FOOT WORK (2-beat groups)
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Anchor
Step (rocking triple)
Sailor Step (hook triple)
Kick-Ball-Change (front, side)
Lunges
In-out
Up-back
Apple Jacks (squeeze thighs)
Ronde (leg circles)
Scoot Turns
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Hop
Cross
Scissors Step (kick-cross-step)
Step and Slide
Crossed (Hook) Rock
Hook step
Skip side to side
Triple Step (Chassé)
Skip
Camel Walks
Overturn (and return)
Inch Worm
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SPINS
& TURNS
Windup - Tighten - Turn
Pivot foot points in direction of turn: knee, thigh, foot aligned.
Look in direction of spin, not down. (Spotting: torso, then head)
Drag other foot slightly behind for balance and braking.
DIPS
Sit Dip (F weight on R leg, L foot in arch of R foot)
LEANS
L's hip is opposite F's body, L's
chest is towards F's body,
L's feet wide, feet turned out, hold F tightly. Slower is better.
Side to Side Lean
Front to Side Lean
Back to Front Lean
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