Staying connected with the music is a very common problem in the beginning. However, with practice you can stay connected. Some people have the ability to completely tune out everything except the one thing on which they are concentrating. You must develop the ability to "listen to the music" and concentrate on what you are trying to learn.
Is a complete system of dance notation and education whose basis lies in the discovery by Skippy Blair of the "Rhythm Unit" which is comprised of 2 beats of music in 4/4 time and 3 beats of music in 3/4 time. Also see Universal Unit System (TM) in Raper's Dance Dictionary and refer to Skippy Blair's Dance Terminology Notebook.
Refers to the "heartbeat of the music." This is analogous to the heartbeat of an animal. The hearts of different types of animals beat a different speed (tempo), just as different types of music have different rates of speed (tempo). Also see Beat of Music in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Musicians Count
Musicians use 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a, etc. Musicians need to know what happens on the beat and after the beat. Advanced musicians also are very familiar with the "Rolling Count" also known as the "Dancers Count" which follows: Also see Musicians Count in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Dancers Count
Dancers use &a1 &a2 &a3, etc. Dancers need to know what to do before the beat.
Time Signature
All dancers hear is either 3/4 Time or 4/4 Time. It doesn't make any difference what time signature the music is written in.
Also see Musician's Count in Raper's Dance Dictionary
4/4 Time vs 3/4 Time
4/4 Time: A Rhythm Measure/Unit contains 2 beats of Music
3/4 Time: A Rhythm Measure/Unit contains 3 beats of Music
Even vs Odd Rhythm Measures/Units
Please note that in the following descriptions the "X" indicates a weight change (Step) and the "/" indicates a beat of music (no weight change). Also see Even Rhythm and Odd Rhythm in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Even Rhythm Measures/Units
(1) Leaves the same foot free
(2) Even number of weight changes (steps) within the Unit (0,2,4,etc.) - [/ /] or [X X], etc.
Odd Rhythm Measures/Units
(1) Leaves the opposite foot free
(2) Odd number of weight changes (steps) within the Unit (1,3,etc.) - [X /] or [ / X] or [X x X], etc.
In 4/4 Time a Rhythm Unit = 2 beats of music
DEMONSTRATE (Unit Cards) - 4/4 Time
"X" or "x" Indicates Weight Change (Step)
"/" Indicates a Beat of Music during which nothing or something else is happening - not a weight change.
Even Rhythm Measures/Units - 4/4 Time
Double Rhythm Measure/Unit(Even): 2 steps in 2 beats of music, stepping on the beats - [X X].
Blank Rhythm Measure/Unit (Even): No weight changes within the Rhythm Unit (0) - [/ /].
Odd Rhythm Measures/Units - 4/4 Time
Single Rhythm Measure/Unit (Odd): - 1 step in 2 beats of music, stepping on 1st beat - [X /].
Delayed Single Rhythm Measure/Unit (Odd): - 1 step in 2 beats of music, stepping on 2nd beat - [/ X]
Triple Rhythm Unit (Odd): - 3 steps in 2 beats of music, stepping on the beats and the "&" between the beats - [X x X].
In 3/4 Time (Waltz Time) a Rhythm Measure/Unit = 3 beats of music
DEMONSTRATE (Unit Cards) - 3/4 Time
[&a1 &a2 &a3] [&a4 &a5 &a6].
Dots: Weight Change (Step).
Slashes: A Beat of Music during which nothing or something else is happening - not a weight change.
Triple Rhythm Measure/Unit (Odd)
(1) Odd Rhythm Measure/Unit.
(2) 3 steps to 3 beats of music, stepping on the beats.
Single Rhythm Measure/Unit (Odd)
(1) Odd Rhythm Measure/Unit.
(2) 1 step to 3 beats of music, stepping only on the first beat.
Down Beat v. Up Beat
Also see Down Beat and Up Beat in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Down Beat
The "1st beat" of every Rhythm Measure/Unit.
Up Beat
4/4 Time: The "2nd beat" of every Rhythm Measure/Unit.
3/4 Time: The "2nd & 3rd beats" of every Rhythm Measure/Unit.
P A T T E R N S
Rhythm Pattern
Is composed 2 or more Rhythm Measures/Units. Also see Rhythm Pattern in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Step Pattern
Is A Rhythm Pattern with direction. Also see Step Pattern in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Absolute Pattern: Is done alone. Also see Absolute Pattern in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Adjusted Pattern: Is done with a partner. Also see Adjusted Pattern in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
P H R A S I N G
All music phrases to some specific "Musical Skeleton". Discovering how to hear the phrasing in a piece of music allows the dancer to be more creative. Also see Phrasing in Raper's Dance Dictionary.
Mini Phrase
3/4 Time = 6 beats of music
4/4 Time = 8 beats of music
*** REVIEW ***
- Connecting with the music
- You must develop the ability to "listen to the music" and concentrate on what you are trying to learn.
- Beat of Music
- Heartbeat of the music.
- Tempo
- Speed of the music.
- Rhythm Measure/Unit
- 2 beats in 4/4 Time, 3 beats in 3/4 Time.
- Even Rhythm Measure/Unit
- Even number of weight changes (steps) within the Rhythm Measure/Unit (0,2,4,etc.)
- Odd Rhythm Measure/Unit
- Odd number of weight changes (steps) within the Rhythm Measure/Unit (1,3,etc.)
- Down Beat
- 1st beat of every Rhythm Measure/Unit.
- Up Beat
- 2nd beat in 4/4 Time, 2nd & 3rd beats in 3/4 Time.
- Pulse
- A regularly recurring "accent" within each Rhythm Measure/Unit.
- Rhythm Pattern
- 2 or more Rhythm Measure/Units.
- Step Pattern
- A Rhythm Pattern with direction.
- Mini Phrase
- 4/4 Time = 8 beats of music - 4 Rhythm Measures/Units.
3/4 Time = 6 beats of music - 2 Rhythm Measures/Units.
*** Q U E S T I O N S ***
- 1. In 4/4 Time - How many Beats per Rhythm Measure/Unit?
- 2. In 3/4 Time - How many Beats per Rhythm Measure/Unit?
- 3. Where is the Down Beat?
- 4. Where is the Up Beat?
- 5. What is the difference between a "Rhythm Pattern" and a "Step Pattern"?