Another source of information is Raper's Dance Dictionary or the Dance Terminology Notebook which can be purchased from Skippy Blair, 10804 Woodruff, Ave. Downey, CA 90241. Telephone (562)869-8949.

Elements of Music

Connecting with the music

Listen to the music and learn how to hear the beats of music.

Beat of Music

Heartbeat of the music - much like the heartbeat of an animal.

Tempo

Speed of the music - much like the heart rate of an animal. Dancers normally express Tempo in "Beats Per Minute" (BPM).

Pitch

Is the frequency of the musical sounds - the number of vibrations per second of some sound producing element. A pitch could be high, low, medium, etc. This definition is included only for general information. It is not of general interest for the dancer except for understanding the concept of an Accent.

Rhythm Units

Are 2 beats in 4/4 Time or 3 beats in 3/4 Time

Even Rhythm Unit
(1) Leaves the same foot free
(2) Even number of weight changes (steps) within the Rhythm Unit(0,2,4,etc.)
Odd Rhythm Unit
(1) Leaves the opposite foot free
(2) Odd number of weight changes (steps) within the Rhythm Unit (1,3,etc.)

Down Beat vs Up Beat

Down Beat: Is the 1st beat of every Rhythm Unit.
Up Beat: Is the 2nd beat in 4/4 Time. Is the 2nd & 3rd beats of every Rhythm Unit in 3/4 Time.

Accent

An Accent is an Emphasis placed on one or more elements of music and/or dance. There are many ways an Accent may be expressed in music: Some particular beat, beats or tones may stand out more than others. The Accent may stand out as the element being louder, higher in pitch, or held for a longer time. An Accent may also stand out because the element is softer, lower in pitch, or shorter than the other elements. There are also many other ways of expressing an Accent in music. The following are just a few of the simple regular recurring Accents people hear and feel in the types of music indicated:

2 Step (4/4 Time): Accents the "Down Beat"
Swing (4/4 Time): Accents the "Up Beat"
Waltz (3/4 Time): Accents the "Down Beat"

Dancers can also interpret the music and Emphasize (Accent) their performance in any way they see fit. They do not have to respond to every Accent they hear in the music.

Patterns

Rhythm Pattern: Is 2 or more Rhythm Units.
Step Pattern: A Rhythm Pattern with direction included.

Phrasing

All music phrases to some "Musical Skeleton". That is, the notes or sounds of a Phrase sound like they belong together. To see the importance of Phrasing, consider the analogy of reading a poem. Without proper phrasing in its presentation, the poem would become just a series of words with no spark and very little feeling. Phrasing and Accent bring life to music and dance.

Mini Phrase:
4/4 Time = 8 beats of music
3/4 Time = 6 beats of music
Minor Phrase:
4/4 Time = 16 or 24 beats of music.
Major Phrase:
A Major Phrase is a series of Mini Phrases. The number of Mini Phrases will be that which will expresses a complete musical thought such as in a Chorus, Bridge, Verse, etc. In 4/4 Time the number of beats per Major Phrase would be completely dependent on the music and could be 32,40,48 or more beats of music (increasing in Mini Phrase increments).

Elements of Dance

Shorthand Terms:

M: Man
W: Woman
Lh: Left Hand
Rh: Right Hand
Lt: Left
Rt: Right
Bk: Back
Fwd: Forward
B or b: Back (lower case means small step)
F or f: Forward (lower case means small step)
P: In Place
S or s: Side (lower case means small step)
T: Together
Xf: Cross in Front
Xb: Cross in Back
Hk: Hook in the Back
CW: Clockwise
CC: Counterclockwise

Other Dance Terms

Absolute Pattern

Is a Step Pattern that is danced by yourself - without a partner.

Accent

Adjusted Pattern

Is a Step Pattern you dance with a partner.

Anchor

The final Rhythm Unit of any Step Pattern.

Beat

Break

A break refers to a "change of direction". The Break can be executed as a simple Break or a Break Turn. For a Break, the CPB only travels about 1/2 way between the feet then returns back to its original position where it was prior to executing the Break - this holds true for a Break or Break Turn. First you step to the ball of the Receiving Foot. The ball of the Receiving foot now becomes the Sending Foot which sends the CPB back to the original Sending Foot (which has now become the new Receiving Foot).

CPB (Center Point Of Balance)

Solar Plexus.

Down Beat vs Up Beat

Etiquette

Be considerate and be aware of your dance space.

Extension

Extended Rhythm Units

Rhythm Units can be extended by adding an even number of weight changes to any Rhythm Unit.

Extended Step Patterns

Step Patterns can be extended by adding 1 or more Even Rhythm Units to the Step Pattern. They can also be extended by adding an even number (2,4,etc.) of Odd Rhythm Units to the Step Pattern.

FFF (Feet Follow Frame)

Move your CPB first and your feet will follow.

Flashlight

Protruding forward from your CPB.

Foot Leads

Heel Lead: Places the forward part of the heel on the floor first and then transferes the weight onto the rest of the foot.
Toe Lead: The ball of the foot lands first and lowers to the rest of the foot.
Press: Press the ball of the foot down into the floor in order to move the CPB in the desired direction.
Sending Foot, Receiving Foot: The Sending Foot sends the CPB to the Receiving Foot.

Foot Positions

1st : Feet together
2nd: Feet about a shoulder's width apart
3rd : Heel to instep
4th : Walking with one foot in front of the other.
5th : Toe to heel
Cross: A foot position that places the free foot in front of, and over the weighted foot
Hook: A foot position where the "hooking foot" (free foot) goes behind the weighted foot and positions itself next to the outside arch of the weighted foot.

Frame
Is the connection between dancers that allows information from the CPB of the Leader to be transferred to the CPB of the Follower.

Posture

Erect, Eyes Level, Buttox tucked in - Pull muscles into CPB.

Closed Position (Waltz, 2 Step)

Body Positions: Facing each other
Arms (M Lt & W Rt): Bowed out - not hanging straight down
M Lh & W Rh: Palm to Palm at about the chin level of the shorter person
M Rh: Flat on woman's back just below her shoulder blade with his finger tips just about touching her spine
W Lh: There are current two popular choices. (1) on top of man's right shoulder, or (2) on man's upper right arm

Closed Position (Swing)

Body Positions: Mans Rt hip close to woman's Lt hip with body positions opened in the form of a "V"
Arms (M Lt & W Rt): Bowed out - not hanging straight down
M Lh & W Rh: Palm to Palm at about the chin level of the shorter person
M Rh: Flat on woman's back just below her shoulder blade with his finger tips just about touching her spine
W Lh: (1) on top of man's right shoulder, or (2) on man's upper right arm.

Open Position (Two Hand Lead)

Body Positions: Facing each other about one arms length apart.
Arms: Upper Arms down with Lower Arms extended forward
Elbows: Just forward of center of rib cage
M Hands: cupped inward
M-Thumbs: Rest on top of W: Hands, but don't press hard
W Hands: over top of Mans.

Lead & Follow:
There must always be some form of resistance between partners which will be either Active or Passive. Arms can not be allowed to just hang there lifeless. When the man moves the woman's arms, the woman's CPB must respond in the direction of the movement. Caution: Stiff Arms or a Stiff Body are not proper Resistance techniques.

Lead (Action): Active during Lead, Passive thereafter. Do not use force
Follow (Reaction): No "Spaghetti Arms". The leader forces nothing. The follower executes material under their own power.
CPB: All movement comes from the CPB. Drive the CPB wherever you want it to go. Attitude: Stand tall. Move like you are somebody of importance.

LOD: Line of Dance

Counterclockwise around outside of the dance floor.

Movement

Movement starts with the CPB. The rest of your body will follow.

Patterns

Absolute Pattern: A Step Pattern danced alone
Adjusted Pattern: A Step Pattern danced with a partner
Rhythm Pattern: 2 or more Rhythm Units
Step Pattern: A Rhythm Pattern with direction included

Phrasing

Pitch

Problem Areas

Count: You must count or repeat the instructors Verbal
Don't stand on both feet: Keep the unweighted heel off the floor
Don't watch your feet
Turns: Men, don't crank turns. Women, do turns under your own power - without help
Monitor something: Don't just kick your brain out of gear

Resistance

An Active (Notable Compression or Tension), or Passive (Slight Compression or Tension) connection that allows information to be transferred from the CPB of one partner to the CPB of the other partner.

Rhythm Units

Rock Step

The CPB does not go all the way back. Rock to the ball of the foot, not to a flat foot.

Slot & Rails

In slotted dances, the slot can be thought of as a narrow path between two imaginary rails.
Slot: The woman's path of travel is in the Slot. Her direction is directly through the man
Rails: The man moves to the rails on either side of the slot to allow the woman to pass

Spotting

The head stays facing one direction while the flashlight turns. When the head can no longer maintain its position, then it moves instantaneously in the direction of the turn coming around to the original spot, or to a new spot - depending on whether it is a full turn (360 degrees) or a pivot (½ turn - 180 degrees).

Syncopation

Is stepping before the beat on the "&" or "a" Count then stepping again or doing something else on the beat. There is one exception which is that a basic Triple Rhythm Unit is not considered to be a Syncopation.

Tempo

Tracking (ankles almost brushing)

Single Tracking: Walking with both feet stepping on a the same line.
Double Tracking: Walking with a small space between the feet - similar to walking on 2 separate boards.

Turns & Turn Technique

FFF (Feet Follow Frame): Turn your CPB first and your feet will follow.
Forward Foot: Most turns occur in the direction of the forward foot.

Swing Turns (Stationary):

Unit Foot (Odd Rhythm Units): You place your CPB over the Unit Foot.

Left Unit

Center your CPB over your Left Foot.

Right Unit

Center your CPB over your Right Foot.