I'm so confused! I can't seem to get the rhythm of the corta jaca. Any help on which foot should go where and when would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Carol

My goodness! I thought I asked a simple question! The more I learn about dancing, though, the more I realize how much I don't know!!

Since I asked the question, I've been back to class and also had some private lessons. So I've taken your replies and melded them with what my teachers said to figure it out. I am taking International style. I didn't realize there was an American version. What's the difference?

I agree totally on refering to the technical manuals. They help allot in recalling the steps learned in class. I just got the new ISTD Rumba manual and it is very helpful. I guess the new Samba manual is not out yet (hence my questions...). Does anyone know when it will be available?

Thanks again for all your input!
Carol

Hi Everyone,
I just read this thread, very interesting! A few of my own comments:
A technique book is a good thing in the right hands. It is not written in stone, and different technique books can say different things. Also, it's open to interpretation.
I took vcalvin's comment of being a competitor but not having done a corta jaca as a humble statement, and 'dance boy' probably did too.
Should we talk about the difference between American style and International style Samba? I didn't see mentioned which version the original question was about.
Either way, Samba sure is a fun dance, isn't it? I watched people dancing it in Montreal last weekend, I was breathless at the end!

You're welcome for the reply, Fred! I don't think there was anything wrong with your questions. This is, after all, a discussion forum, and the whole point is to share our views, opinions, experiences, etc. (for whatever those respective experiences are worth!) It would be nice if we could create new sections when threads go off-topic (as I am right now), but I don't see a way of doing that.

Dance boy, I hope you won't take offense when I say that it doesn't mean much to me that my being a competitor doesn't mean much to you I didn't mention my competitor status in order to impress anyone or to make myself out to be an "expert" of any kind -- I mentioned it to give context to my comments. And of course, you're free to take or leave those comments as you see fit, which is another great thing about discussion forums!

Thank you both for the reply. I didn't know that there was a differents between the "1&2" and "1a2" notation. I think the "1e&a2e&a" method is perfect to describe the rhythm of the Samba. With this method you have info on the beat values and the start of the figure. We dance the Traveling Voltas like "Dance boy" describe (1a2a3a4). For the Corta Jaca we use the rhythm (a1a2). I believe that "Dance boy" is right that the figure I learn is not the original Corta Jaca, but just a variation. I agree with him that you should have a technical book. I have a book, but for the Corta Jaca I can only find SQQQQ. Is "12&3&" a good notation? Can you start the original figure with the Slow step on count 1? I agree that if everybody post this kind of questions, the forum could be messy, but I think in this case it's different. The Corta Jaca is a special figure of the Samba with a "strange" rhythm. In my opinion it's very interesting to talk about it. I have learned a lot from your answers. It is not always possible to ask your teacher. That why I think this forum is great. Perhaps the topics should split in more sections.

Thanks,

Fred

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