Both Hilton and Hillier's first step is longer than their second. Hillier's left heal rises just as much between two and three as it does between one and two. So much for Theory?

Phil. For what its worth i have been told that the seams of my trousers should not be straight but have a very slight waver in them on the third beat when I am at my highest. Also if your counting is 1& 2.& 3.& that's six half beats. If that fits into what you are doing you won't be far wrong. How does Andrew Sinkinson count it?. Locked knees are for Latin.

Yes, really. The fastest body speed occurs at the lowest point of the fall, when the legs are at their greatest division just as step 1 is placed. By the time step one concludes (when the other foot draws exactly next to it) the speed of the body across the floor is already slowing as it begins to project in a somewhat upwards direction as it passes over the new standing foot (and the standing heel will be just lifting off the floor.) It's worth mentioning that at full development of the technique, the body will already be slightly past the foot by the time the feet pass.

Suomynona, the point I was making is that many teachers say the first step is short and the second is long others say that we swing up onto a high heal neather of which I see being done by past top performers.

suomynona,

To put it nicely, have you considered that you may be mistaken on a number of things? Do not be so fast to put down another view because you might learn from it.

Firstly, body speed is what you make it, when and where you make it. Regardless of whether you're on the top or the bottom of the movement, rise or fall and so on. Thus, it is a choice that one makes depending on the interpretation of the music based on the phrasing of the dance.

Secondly, foot action has less to do with body speed than leg action and the shifting of weight does.

Thirdly, on the point of fastest body speed, you are right that it occurs at the lowest point of the fall. On a curving or centrifugal trajectory velocity is fastest at its terminus or peak, allowing for gravity, friction, blah blah blah. BUT applied to rise and fall, that puts the fastest body speed right after 4, into 5, or 1 into 2 of a Waltz Natural Turn. NOT 3 into 1 as you pointed out above.


Understanding the mechanics of foot action is one thing, but dancing is another level altogether.


One should not be so technique-bound that one becomes a closed-minded prisoner incapable of considering other methods that clearly work.

"Thirdly, on the point of fastest body speed, you are right that it occurs at the lowest point of the fall."

Agreed... although to clarify with another discussion, it's actually the lowest altitude. Fall is a slightly different concept.

"On a curving or centrifugal trajectory velocity is fastest at its terminus or peak, allowing for gravity, friction, blah blah blah."

This doesn't make any sense. Velocity tends to be slowest at the peak or rise, regardless if there is rotation or not. Many posters here seem to be confusing total energy with the component of total energy represented by horizontal velocity. Generally, total energy is near constant, but changes between potential (rise) and velocity (flight) during the swing cycle.



You need to review the formal definition of the boundaries between steps. At the formal end of step one, rise is under way so the body is already slowing. Wheras at the end of step three

"One should not be so technique-bound that one becomes a closed-minded prisoner incapable of considering other methods that clearly work."

But one should not mistake moderate success of oneself or ones teacher with a situation not in need of further improvement with regard to efficiency. Analysis is a reliable tool for guiding improvement, feeling is not.

Suomynona. There is little point in answering your questions since only you are correct. I would rather listen to Rha,s explanation anyway at least she puts it in a language that every one can understand and learn by. BY the way I don't need you to teach me to dance.

Sorry Suomynona the messages did not come in the correct order . I take back my previous remarks. We must be carefull to by polite to one another so that we can all learn from this great website. Sometimes our pride gets in the way of learning. Dave.

It would be unatural not to use every foot for some degree of power when dancing. We must use both the first and second step for control. Can you imagine when walking pushing of so storngly with the let foot that we don't have to use the right for the next step.

Kris
Your points are very true, and very well put