Counting Volta's. I am not an expert on this-- just trying to read the manual and write what I've been taught.

The count on each volta is 1 a 2
The Beat value for 1 = 3/4 beat
The Beat value for a = 1/4 beat
The Beat value for 2 = 1 beat
The Alternative way to count voltas is
S a S with the same beat value as
the 1 a 2 count.

The teaching count is 1 a 2 a 3 a 4
The volta may be extended for an additional 1 or 2 bars of music, repeating steps 2 and 3 two or four times. This is directly from the manual.

Not sure how to add an a at the end of 4? I usually do my voltos following 4 criss cross bota fogos and do 4 voltas on each side. It is a routine I got off of a dvd. I do the maypole with 4 volta's on each side just like in the dvd. They don't count with an a at the end of 4. I have been playing it safe with my counts and trasistions. I follow a sequence off of a dvd and look at the precedes and follow section in the manual. But, I usually just use a dvd amalgamation. This way I hope to get the connecting figures and the phrasing correct.

I just watched the current Slavik and Karina dvd criss cross bota fogo with criss cross figure. They don't end any of their volta's with an a count.

If we just stick to the Voltas for the minute.. As you pointed out from your Slavic DVD there is no (a) at the end of the Voltas. Neither is there at the beginning. Its easier to understand if we go to a Botofogo To count 1 a 2 will leave you with a 1/2 a beat to get rid of. If you count 3/4 1/4 1 you have used one bar of music, there are no beats left over, one Botofogo = one bar two beats .Apply the same Logic to a Volta, two bars of music, four Voltas. the last one must finish on a whole beat nothing left over.. Eight beats of music , seven steps. When putting together a group one must be aware of the music. The steps must fit the music, not the other way around. Didn't you wonder why on your Slavic DVD at the end of the Voltas there was no (a ) count, which is correct according to my book by Wally Laird and the teachers I go to. Interesting isn't

Just to be sure its understood. If you are told a thing incorrectly and do it enough times. Does one really listen, or do they switch off, thinking I know this one. Get your book out Samba Reverse Basic The whole of the two beats are taken up on the front Basic. The whole of the two beats are taken up on the back Basic. There is nothing in between. So we have 3/4 1/4 1,followed by 3/4 1/4 1. No count inbetween. If you have been taught 1 a 2 (a) 1 a 2, better to get the book out. That Basic movement is carried into Botofogos and so on. Don't go putting 1/2 beats in where they don't belong.

Another thing that's difficult when doing Samba is the speed. You don't have time to think much and you need to really have your routines or figures down. Plus the technique that goes with the dance is different than all others.

Quick step and V. Waltz are similiar with speed and not much time to think about figures. I just do some type of fixed routine in all 3 dances.

Anonymous. I find it easier if I learn a group, then another. and so on. This way I can if I like, do the last group first and the first group last. I've never been in a position where I have to start at A and go through to Z. This means I can start on the short end of the floor, or in the middle of side one if I please. This applies to Latin or Standard. I've seen couples that if they get stopped they have to restart at the beginning. Another guy told me he can go around six sides of a ballroom and not repeat once. Which I believe is stupid.