Lindy Hop

Traveling Jig Walks
(AKA: 16 Beat Traveling Kicks)

This Step Pattern is an excellent place to increase our understanding of the definition of a Step Pattern.  The definition of a Step Pattern is that it is a Rhythm Pattern that includes notation of Weight Changes, Direction of Movement, Foot Positions and it also begins and ends with the Same Foot Free.  In any Step Pattern you can have any number of Even Rhythm Units.  However, if there are Odd Rhythm Units in the Pattern, there must be an Even number of Odd Rhythm Units.  In this Step Pattern, you will notice there are 2 Even Rhythm Units and 6 Odd Rhythm Units.  You may ask, "why didn't we just call this two different Step Patterns."  If we did, each would contain 1 Even Rhythm Unit and 3 Odd Rhythm Units and would leave us with the Opposite Foot Free at the end of the each 8 Beat Step Pattern.  That fails the definition of a Step Pattern which says, "a Step Pattern must have an even number of Odd Rhythm Units and begin and end with the Same Foot Free."

You may say, "but I see dancers ending some fancy Step Patterns with their Opposite Foot Free and then do a compensating step (usually a syncopation) to start their next Step Pattern."  You can think of Patterns segmented this way if it helps you remember what has happened, but don't let it confuse your understanding of a complete Step Pattern which begins and ends with the Same Foot Free.  For lengthy and highly stylized Step Patterns we may need to generate a new definition such as Step Pattern Segment which would adhere to the other definitions of a Step Pattern, but would leave the Opposite Foot Free.

HELP

DEMONSTRATE

16 Beat Rhythm Patterns
Introduce 16 beat Rhythm Pattern using Rhythm Unit Cards. 

Pattern (Cards): 
Double, Delayed Single, Delayed Single, Delayed Single, 
Double, Delayed Single, Delayed Single, Delayed Single

Step Pattern: Demonstrate the step pattern.

E X E R C I S E - Absolute Pattern

Have the students exercise their Absolute Patterns. Please be aware that the most critical part of this Step Pattern are turn-arounds between counts "6" and "7" and between counts "14" and "15" and the Rock Step on counts "9 10"

PATTERN: Even, Odd, Odd, Odd, Even, Odd, Odd, Odd

Count:       1     2       3     4       5     6       7     8	
         [   X     X]  [   /     X]  [   /     X]  [   /     X]
L:Foot       L     R       L     L       R     R       L     L
L:Dir        B     P       Kf    f       Kf    f       Kb    T  
L:F-Pos      4     4       4     4       4     4       4     1
L:Turn                                          ..1/2Rt>


F:Foot       R     L       R     R       L     L       R     R
F:Dir        B     P       Kf    f       Kf    f       Kb    T
F:F-Pos      4     4       4     4       4     4       4     1
F:Turn                                          ..1/2LT>

 

Count:       9    10      11    12      13    14      15    16	
         [   X     X]  [   /     X]  [   /     X]  [   /     X]
L:Foot       R     L       R     R       L     L       R     R
L:Dir        B     P       Kf    f       Kf    f       Kb    T  
L:F-Pos      4     4       4     4       4     4       4     1
L:Turn                                          ..1/2LT>


F:Foot       L     R       L     L       R     R       L     L
F:Dir        B     P       Kf    f       Kf    f       Kb    T
F:F-Pos      4     4       4     4       4     4       4     1
F:Turn                                          ..1/2RT>



Verbal: 
[1 2] [3 4] [5 6] [7 8] 
[1 2] [3 4] [5 6] [7 8] or 
[Rock Step] [Kick Step] [Kick Step] [Kick Step] 
[Rock Step] [Kick Step] [Kick Step] [Kick Step]

 

E X E R C I S E - Adjusted Pattern

If necessary, the Dancers can completely stop on certain counts to make sure their Adjusted Pattern reflects what they learned in their Absolute Pattern.

SETUP

Frame: Closed Position

PATTERN: Even, Odd, Odd, Odd, Even, Odd, Odd, Odd

Practice to the previously defined pattern, but with a partner.

IMPORTANT POINTS

General
This Step Pattern starts with a Rock Step on counts "1 2".  It then travels in the slot on counts "3" thru "6", turns around between counts "6" and "7", with another Rock Step on counts "9 10," then travels in the slot on counts "11" thru "14," turning around again between counts "14" and "15" and ending on counts "15 16."  This leaves the dancers in the same position  they were when they started the Step Pattern.
Counts "1 2"
Is a standard Rock Step
Counts "3 4" and  "5 6"
Each Unit is a Kick Forward, Step Forward.
Between Counts "6 & 7"
Both Dancers make a 1/2 Turn - Leader 1/2RT (CW) and Follower 1/2LT (CC).  This leaves them facing the opposite direction in the slot - in the direction from whence they came.
Counts "7 8"
Is a Kick Back, Step Together
Between Counts "9 10"
This is another Rock Step, but on the opposite foot than the standard Rock Step.   That is, the Leader rocks back on their Right Foot and the Follower rocks back onto their Left Foot.  This will probably be a problem area until the dancers understand they are supposed to execute a Rock Step on a different foot than they normally do.
Counts "11 12" and "13 14"
Each Unit is a Kick Forward, Step Forward.
Between Counts "14 & 15"
Both Dancers make a 1/2 Turn - Leader 1/2LT (CC) and Follower 1/2RT (CW).  This leaves them facing in the same direction they were at the beginning of the step pattern.
Counts "15 & 16"
Is a Kick Back, Step Together