When we dance a Three Step after Feather in forxtrot, is it correct to do the rise and fall as follows?

Feather (1-3), followed by Three Step (4-6) (man):
1. RF fwd, rise end of 1
2. LF ..., up
3. RF ..., up lower end of 3
4. LF ..., no rise and fall
5. RF ..., rise end of 5
6. LF ..., up lower end of 6

Thanks in advance for any advice and comments. Have a nice time!

This for some terribly hard to understand, because the Feather Step's last step is what would appear the first of the Three Step. But it isn't.
The Three Step begins on the man's RF and is rise at the end of 1 Body Rise. LF foreward up (toe heel) on step 2. The next step becomes the first of your Natural Movement which is down. So if you are just as confused as I am writting this, this is from the Technique book. 1 HT. 2 TH. 3 H. Which is RF Forward Q. LF, Forward Q. RF Forward S. As far as I can make out, when the steps were still being formulated in the 20's, there were some steps that are no longer used, for instance the Feather Step was a lock, and the link up between those steps was needed at that time and is still with us in theory today. If you want to put your teacher on the spot hit him with this lot.

Even though the Feather Step is now considered to be three steps, - Guy Howard technique- it would be incorrect to finish on the toes of the right foot and then lower to the heel with the left foot still behind the right foot. So in a professional examination the extra walk is still used because this shows the correct lowering action.
Posted by ILuv2Dance

Yes that rise and fall is quite correct and the interpretation you are using is the simple and logical one preferred by the IDTA who use Guy Howard's technique book.

The ISTD use a different book, based on Alex Moore's, and this is the one mentioned by Don. This complicates the foxtrot considerably by 'usually' adding an overlap step to each figure. Thus they tend to use four steps in a feather. Normally this last step would overlap and become the first step of the next figure but for some reason this rule was not applied here (presumably because it would give the three step four steps). This effectively shifts the whole pattern forward by one step so the the ISTD three step is R-L-R for man whereas the IDTA version is L-R-L.

Note that the ISTD book is not intended as a dance instruction manual. It is a technical description against which a dance teacher can be examined. As such an extra step is often added to a figure so that the teacher can demonstrate a knowledge of what action must follow that figure.

Hope that helps!

Can i add more confusion (possibly) by asking on which beats of the bar these steps would occur? I use beats in the bar a lot, and treat my foot placements like playing written notes in music (this may have some limitations, but it works briliant when learning new material). I depart a little when i know the steps well.
OK - feather step followed by three-step - i would dance this as follows:
Forward R (beats 1 and 2, landing right foot on beat 1, rising during beat 2)
Forward L (on toe up on beat 3)
Forward R (on toe, lowering at end of beat 4)
This is the feather step completed. Continuing with the 3-step:
Forward L (beats 5 and 6 on a heel, landing beat 5, no rise)
Forward R on beat 7 (on a heel, rising on ball at end of 7)
Forward L on beat 8 (on toe, lowering at end of beat 8)

In practice, i try to steal half a beat on the slows, landing on beat 2& instead of 3, for example.

There has been huge discussion about foxtrot timing in all sorts of places. It's fascinating, and all part of the pleasure of dancing

To add more to the confusion I would like to quote Len Scrivener. Those old enough would know this gentleman, who ufortunately is no longer with us.In his book he wrote the Feather Step according to the technique book is wrong. He believed that we start to decend at the end of the first quick, and are not up for the second. I believe he meant by this that to be up on the second quick would require a verticle lowering, this is not Waltz. Foxtrot moves. To add a bit more. John Woods on his video tells us that we can split the first two beats, man's RF, into 4 half beats. We step for 3 half beats and as the moving foot passes the standing foot we use the remaining 1/2 beat. This should happen naturally unless you hold onto the moving foot too long. Then you are chasing the beat. And it goes on. The body moves at a different timing to the feet. Interesting isn't it. I'll leave it there. There is more though.