Hi Onlooker,

I thought it best to break this off the 'Stride and Leg Division' topic because that thread already has quite a lot going on in it.

You ask:

" Rha. Question for our panel. Modern Waltz Take the first three of a Natural. From the man's steps. Do we walk away from the back foot leaving it where it is going right to the tip of the toe. Do we after arriving on the suporting foot have a very slight movement of the hips in the opposite direction giving more swing to our next step. A bit like Tai Chi where there is a move in the opposite to the next move, which stops that stone wall then lets start look."

The 1st question:
"Do we walk away from the back foot leaving it where it is going right to the tip of the toe?"

I would'nt say yes or no because dancing is a artform open to different interpretations. I like to think that my dancing is fundamentally driven from 'intent' or 'purpose' rather than outward form. Of course there are those, especially some modern dance choreographers who would argue that form can be a fundamental intent in itself and they would not be wrong either. Anyway what I'm getting at is that if I was using my supporting leg very strongly to create a big power drive then that would reflect reactively in a well articulated leg line. If I was taking a less powerful, smaller step for whatever reason then I'm not going to contrive a leg line because I 'think' it may look pretty.

Question 2:

"Do we after arriving on the suporting foot have a very slight movement of the hips in the opposite direction giving more swing to our next step. A bit like Tai Chi where there is a move in the opposite to the next move, which stops that stone wall then lets start look?"

Would a deliberate movement of the hips backwards against the movement before the upswing (a kind of 'wind-up') contribute to the smoothness, momentum and choreographic intent of twhat I like to think a ballroom swing dance should be? I experimented with this idea some time ago and I did not like the overall impact. Anyway I concluded that if two people are already moving with a fair amount of momentum in a particular direction then deliberately taking the hips back is going to work against the overall quality of that movement. What works better is to be very slightly 'inclined' to the movement from the floor on the downswing of a long, powerful swing movement. This means that your hips will be slightly 'back'. Additionally, the weight collection on a very soft knee just before the commencement of the gradual rise will also take the hips back slightly. In these cases the smoothness, continuity and togetherness of the movement is preserved while the hips are prepared for a big upswing.

The amount to which these actions can be performed is quite important, since
it is possible to overdo or contrive these movements. The important thing for me is to allow them to develop as reactions from a clear movement intent.

Rha

Rha. This is intersting. On a backward walk as in Foxtrot. We flex , or bend the knee towards our partner. We are already extended. Then we flex the knee again to push onto the step. So there we have two flexing of the knees. So does the technique hold up when we go to the side. Note I did not say back but a slight movement with the hip to the side which should send the knee forward then swing onto step two. Doesn't this produce a better swing and a sway. One way to find out is to try it. The questions that will be asked here is the extension of the foot behind in the Foxtrot . In other words an early start for the lady, before taking the rest of the step.

Hi Onlooker,

I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly and appologies if I'm not. If you're suggesting something to me then I will certainly try it.

Generally, I been leaving my hips 'alone' in the ballroom swing dances (when I get it right, that is). I like the feeling of initiating most actions from the floor using the feet, ankles and knees, producing a reaction in the rest of the body. I produce the reaction of the hip movement to the side you mention by initiating the movement from much lower down, from the ankles and knees. Are you perhaps suggesting the same?

Rha