| What figures do you like to use prior to dancing Aida and what fiqures to follow after? Currently I dance half of New Yorker to the right(2 3 4-1) then follow by dancing Aida for just one measure (2 3 4-1). After that I dance Hand-to-hand for 2 measures and back to New Yorker, then lead a Hip Twist. I am quite bored with this same combinations and feel that there is limitation of Aida as far as usage is concerned. Can anyone point out some interest combinations? Thanks much, Keh  |
| Well, I think I've only been taught the Aida in one combination in the classes I've taken so far, so I always do it that way. I'll try to explain it as best I can. Start with either a Hand to Hand moving towards the leader's right side (leader turning to left, follower turns right to open out) or an Opening Out to R and L also from the one to the leader's right side. Count 2,3,4-1 as normal, but you're going to lead a spiral turn for the lady on the 4-1. So as you close up again, put your left hand up as you would for a Hockey Stick (she's turning that direction) and when she gives you her hand, lead her to spiral turn on the 4-1. Release the hold with your right hand after the lady spirals, probably on count 1. Now you can do the Aida, but there's a little adaptation because of the position you're now in. For the leader it's pretty much the same, walk backwards for 2,3,4-1. For the lady, it's a little different. She'll step forward on 2, forward on 3 then swivel 1/2 turn so she's facing as the man, then go back on 4-1. You lead the lady to make her swivel by bringing your left hand and arm inside, sort of between your bodies. If you get into the spiral position before the Aida, you'll probably be able to figure out what I mean here. Your arm is across her body because she's facing the opposite way you are after the spiral, so you have to take your arm towards your own body and then between the two of you to get her to swivel to face the same way you are. Anyway, after you've finished the Aida you can end it however you like. For Rumba I normally do the rock and spot turn (man turning L) combination, whatever it's exactly called now. For cha cha there's a bit more to the ending I use. I do something like a cucaracha action to my left, LR (2,3), followed by a split Cuban Break like a New York, LRL (4&1). The lady mirrors it with a cucaracha action RL (2,3), and the split Cuban Break as for a New York RLR (4&1). My usual ending from there is to lead the lady into an Alemana turn then whatever. I hope this makes some sense. If you have trouble with it, perhaps someone else can give a better description or you can try asking someone you know how to precede an Aida with a spiral turn for the lady. I hope this helps. --
James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall |
| Thanks, James !! I really need some time to digest some of the steps in your post. Is rock and spot turn to the left also known as "Natural Top" ? Can you further explain the swivels in your last post? Both man's steps and lady's? Thank you very much. Keh Gough  |
| I'd have to look at the new latin technique books to check on that Rumba ending to the Aida and exactly what they call it now, but it's not a Natural Top. Once you get in the Aida position, the rock is basically a Cuban Rock, shifting weight forward, backward, forward. After that third weight change you turn to face your partner (leader would turn about 1/4 turn to the left, follower about 1/4 turn to the right). No change of weight though, more like a swivel I guess. Then you do a regular old Spot Turn, leader turning left, follower turning right. BTW, a Natural Top turns to the right, so a turn to the left couldn't be that. As for swivels, the only place I think I said that before was for the lady during her adapted Aida, since it was being preceded with a spiral turn. You may be better off trying to find someone to show this to you. I don't know if I can explain it any better in words than the last time. The leader's part for the Aida following the lady's spiral turn precede is pretty much the normal Aida. You'll take the three steps backwards turning towards the right to get into the Aida position. The lady's part is different though and the main thing you need to worry about is leading her to get to the right ending position. After the lady does her spiral and you've released your hold with your right hand, your left arm will be in front of the lady's body and your left hand holding her right hand. As you take your first step of the Aida backwards, she steps forward, still into your arm. As you take the second step back, she again steps forward into your arm, but now you have to lead her to swivel 1/2 turn so that she will be facing the same way you are. Then you can both step backward for the third and final step of the Aida. It's probably easier to demonstrate the lead for this little swivel, but I'll try not to say exactly the same thing again. OK, as noted above the position you're in after the lady's spiral has your left arm across her body and your left hand holding her right hand. She's facing the opposite way you are, walking forward into your arm while you walk backward. In order to get to the ending position, she has to turn to face the same way you are so she can step backward. But your joined hands are on her right side, outside the couple, instead of in between the two of you as required for the ending position. Well, basically after the second step of the (modified) Aida, you bring the joined hands into the proper ending position. You take the joined hands across the lady's body which will start to turn her and as she's turning you'll be able to bring the joined hands forward to where they should be for the final step of the Aida. The lady should swivel on her foot about 1/2 turn during this lead so that she goes from taking the second step forward facing opposite you to facing the same way as you in preparation for the final step to go backwards. I don't know if this helps any more than before. It's a little hard to explain in words. You'd probably get the idea a lot more quickly if you can find someone to demonstrate it for you. I hope this is of some help though. Good luck. --
James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall |
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