Since Samba is not a competitional dance in American style, we do dance Samba in many social settings is the U.S. From many observations, I found most of dancers (as a man) doing Samba with left foot start. That is, for example, to dance a basic bounce movement starting with LF forward as slow-a-slow. Then follow by RF back for another Slow-a-slow. And this is true in many studio instructions as well.

While I watched Corky and Shirley's Samba tapes, the basic bounce was taught as RF forward (slow-a-slow) followed by LF back for another slow-a-slow. This RF start teaching carried out through progressive basic movement, Outside basic movement, Whisks and Samba walks in promenade position.

I trust Corky and Shirley's teachings are 100%correct. Why are there many of us (me included) doing the LF forward start? Say, if I dared to start with my RF forward, I am pretty sure I would/might be standing on some lady's toes.

Regards,

Keh Gough

Well, as a lady dancer I would personally be praying that you start with your left foot as I am going to step back on my right foot. I was taught that it was the same principle as the rumba and waltz....same footing. So, if you dance with me...please go on the left
hope that helps you...

Christina

"Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels."

The rule, I believe for men, we always start with LF. If we want to start with RF forward, we must 'tell' our ladies. For Samba, many people stick with LF forward and then RF back and never go beyond that. I was taught that you can start with LF forward followed by a RF forward, then LF back. So the LF forward RF back is like reverse turn and we should do exactly that: making gradual left turns. On the other hand, RF forward LF back is like Natual turn and turning right gradually. After a "Natual Basic", do a RF back to swith to "Reverse Basic".

I agree, Corky and Shirley's tapes are the best in International Latin.

Dave

The Int'l syllabus has both a Natural and a Reverse basic step, meaning that you can start with either foot. Of course Corky and Shirley weren't "wrong" (Would I ever dare contradict them?) -- they simply chose one of two options, their own preference.

I haven't seen a Natural basic in any of the American style syllabi that I've worked with (AM, FA, Terpsichore), so I would generally expect to start with my left foot in American or social style here in the U.S... unless I was dancing with a lady who was trained primarily or exclusively in Int'l style, and then it would depend on the preference of her coach or teacher.

That being said, let me make things really easy on you with a quick tip: If you find yourself in a situation where there is some question as to which foot she's accustomed to starting with, you can always ask. Or you can begin standing on one foot with the other foot pointing sideways. She'll usually notice and position herself likewise. If not, do a weight shift or two to give her the message. Movement to the side will synchronize just about anybody.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson

Thank you for all who replied !!

I have danced Samba with several ladies with left foot start since I posted this question. But when I switched to natural (right foot) fiqures from reverse figures, I found we had great difficulties dancing the natural ( it acually feel very un-natural ). I don't know, perhaps everyone here is so accustomed to reverse figures?

Regards,

Keh

I just thought I'd echo the main points of Dave L's and curl's posts. There's a general preference (at least over here in the US) for the men to want to start with their LF, so that's what we do. Sometimes it's a prep step before a natural figure, sometimes it's just straight into a reverse figure. For samba, we just tend to go right into the reverse basic. But you can certainly start on your RF if you want to. You just have to make sure that the woman knows which foot should be free. As long as you do that you can start with either foot.

--
James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall

BTW, there is no rule that claims the foot you have to start...(very )experianced dancers are able to "tell" their lady which leg to use by prepearing every step with a body movement... see the topic body movement in latin ... but such advanced technique requires that the lady is a good "listener" . But at all, before you start place her weight clearly to her left or right leg depending if you start left or right. if her weight is in the middle of her legs she dont know which leg she have to use. so lead your lady clearly and she moves like you wish.