Most of quickstep is really not a big deal, once you break it down to its component pieces and spend a week practicing them.

The complexity comes in only in that the tempo means there is so much of it, the momentum requires care to control, and of course it is not just you alone on the floor.

But it responds well to practice.

Ju,
I've asked a number of people about the pepperpot, and I've always gotten different answers.

The versions I've heard:


Ver 1.
From promenade, step forward in a light hop/spring from the floor with the RF (slow) allowing the LF to close to the right foot without weight.
Then do two chasses in Q&Q timing.

Ver 2.
Do a tipsy forward in PP.
In the ISTD Grey book :"The Ballroom Technique" the "Tipsy to the Right" is listed as going backwards on the Man's LF first, doing a chasse, then a lock (if memory serves).
Simply reverse the figure and go forward but in PP.

Ver 3.
(The one I subscribe to) Do a hop on the RF lightly closing the foot (S), next do a chasse (LRL) but without closing the feet (Q&Q) sort of like a TIPSY chasse (again, see the grey book), then do a lock (QQ with RF then LF), then exit (S) with RF.


I'm sure there are others with other definitions out there.



m

In all my years as a Standard student and teacher, the only time I've heard the term "Pepperpot" used was once by Geoffery Hearn on a Quickstep variations video, leading me to believe that it's primarily an English term. So if you're taking lessons in the U.S., you're not likely to hear it used very often, if at all. Nonetheless...

Judging from the context of the tape I saw, the term Pepperpot seems to refer not so much to a specific step as it does to a rhythm: "Q&Q, QQ". By itself it doesn't mean much until you add context, eg Pepperpot Chasse, Pepperpot Lock, etc. The 5 steps that comprise the pattern can be almost anything, within a certain limited framework (ie steps 1,3, and 5 are apart, while 2 and 4 are either closed or locked). Here are some examples of Pepperpot patterns as I understand the term:

• Pepperpot Chasse to L
  Dance a double-chasse to left, LRLRL. Follow forward O.P. on RF with any figure that would normally follow a Progressive Chasse (eg Natural Turn, Fish Tail).
• Pepperpot Chasse to R
  Dance a double-chasse to right, RLRLR. Follow back on LF with partner outside, with any figure that would normally follow a Progressive Chasse to R (eg Outside Change, Running Finish)
• Pepperpot Lock
  Dance a double Forward Lock, LRLRL (or double Back Lock, RLRLR). Follows same as normal Forward or Back Lock.
• Pepperpot Chasse in PP
  Dance a double chasse in PP, then follow with any promenade figure easily ported to Quickstep from another dance (eg Chasse from PP, Open Natural Turn, etc)

In addition to the "Q&Q, QQ" rhythm, the one other notable common thread throughout all of these Pepperpot patterns is the "rise & fall" (If you want to call it that -- It's really more of a springing action than a traditional softened rise & lowering). In a nutshell, steps 1 and 3 are taken on a compressed leg, while 2 and 4 spring up to toes... so much so that the body weight may momentarily release from both feet. Step 5 is more of a traditional lowering action, which transitions you back to normal floor-connected swinging actions.

(If you're going to get really nitpicky, step 4 may actually have less release than 2 to smooth the transition between springy and non-springy movement).

A variation of the movement known as "Kick-Out" is used when you want to continue the jumpy/springy style of movement after the Pepperpot. It is often followed by more step-hop actions, runs, etc. The Kick-Out is a little more difficult to explain in words, but imagine a Pendulum Point action that travels (not exactly, but a pretty close representation). This action is danced in lieu of steps 5-6 of the Pepperpot (ie the second Chasse/Lock). Ultimately it's the same number of steps as the standard Pepperpot action, but it keeps you "airborne" as it were, to allow for continued action of the same type.

Here is one example of a combination which includes the kick-out:

• Start with a Natural Turn & Open Impetus to end in PP with RF free (as man). SQQ, SQQ.
• Step-hop on RF. QQ.
• Pepperpot Chasse with kick-out. Q&Q, QQ. (Kick-Out is the last QQ).
• 4 or 8 runs forward in PP, starting with RF forward (as man). All toes, all Q's. Lower on the last run toe-heel to transition back to normal swinging action.
• Open Natural from PP. SQQ.
• Natural Hesitation. SSS.

We used to have this or a similar variation as one of our Variations of the Week. Now that we're only airing the newest set of variations, which all happen to be American style, I no longer have it available to show as an example. Perhaps when we film our next DVD, Standard Variations, I'll include this or a similar pattern. I will certainly try to incorporate at least one example each of standard and kick-out style Pepperpot actions.

Regards,
Jonathan

I learnt Pepper port on Marcus DVD.
It contained a step hop,a scatter chasse ( or called open chasse ) a lok step. dance in semi-closed position. (diagnally moving so couple can dance freely.)
When I practiced it , I feel the difficult part was the lock step following the accelarated scatter chasse ( inertia.) I tried to decelerate at the q prior the lock step and let the lock step look lilting or just let the speed go on...
It is my own opinion only, I have not start my quickstep lesson yet. I believe my teacher will answer my question about the speed control.
The rhythm is slow & ( or step hop ) q & q ( scatter chasse ) qq ( one lock step ).