I have not done much country and western dancing recently, but am wondering about something. I learned that there are two versions of the two step - progressive which is the walk foward on the slow, slow, quick, quick count and this as I best understand is the standard method.

Now, I originally learned what was later called the rhythm two step where there are two side togethers and foward, foward. What I don't know is if the rhythm variety is a local innovation or is a variation of the progresive used throughout the country. I have not danced outside of my local area much, so I don't know.

"Wherever you go, you represent the team. You will talk like, you will look like and you will act like the most dignified professional in your hometown" - Vince Lombardi to his players.

The first one you describe is known in the C&W dance community as Two Step. It is characterized by two slow and two quick progressive steps

The other dance you describe sounds like a newer dance form, known either as Progressive Double Two Step, or Triple Two Step. It is characterized by two chasses, followed by two walking steps (1&2, 3&4, 5, 6). Triple Two (as we know it here in Chicago) works well with a lot of the music coming out of Nashville these days that has a "rolling" triple rhythm.

I just want to learn how to two step please can you help me! Thanks

Blair, I believe you are 100% correct on what you stated about the triple-2 . . . I didn't want to explain too much as Ghostdancer asked about the 2-step.

Ghostdancer . . . see below:
http://homepages.apci.net/~drdeyne/dances/2-stp.htm

Hey all.

The "triple two -step" isn't such a new dance. Arthur Murray incorporated into their very first CW syllabus in the early 90's, and it was widely done in the midwest well before that. It was then called "The Shuffle". Many dancers thought of it as progressive east coast swing, and indeed it works well as a dance that can travel and then "stall" or stay in one place to accomplish swing patterns before moving on.

As for rhythm two-step...I have never heard of that...would the count then be QQQQSS? From your despcription I am picturing side-together, side-together, walk, walk...if that's right then I think this would be a tough one for maintaining line of dance as it progresses so far left each measure...I have never seen it done in Kansas City.

The name originally given locally to the second form that I describe was The Maverick which was taken from the name of a popular C&W nightclub here (which recently burned down, but is suppose to be rebuilt); then it was called the Rhythm Two-Step and is still known by that name.

"Wherever you go, you represent the team. You will talk like, you will look like and you will act like the most dignified professional in your hometown" - Vince Lombardi to his players.

Around here most dance 2-step QQSS, however, there are many who dance it SSQQ. Either way doesn't matter since they both fit the music. I always thought triple-2 was danced with progressive chasses or triple-step, triple-step, walk, walk or 1a2,3a4,56 (hence the name triple-2) and danced to slower music.

As to the "rhythm 2-step," it resembles how many untrained dancers around here dance 2-step (ie. more of folk dance). I can see that it would have some advantages on a confined dance floor.

Blair

Ghostdancer:

I compete in 3 different venues, two of which are C/W . . . but they still have swing (WCS and ECS), Hustle, and the NC2S.

I've never heard of what you are referring to, other than there IS a "2 Step" with the count (just one of the ways to count) at Q, Q, S, S.

Then there is a dance, the Triple 2 or Triple 2 Step (which I've heard it called a few times), and the count is S, S, Q, Q . . . is this what you are talking about?

The main differences are the tempo of the music and the look of the dance. A lot of people who 2 Step use many of those patterns in the Triple 2, except that the preps and patterns are on a different count. Hope that helps.

By the way . . . a very small proportion of competitors, as compared to the 2 Step, do the
triple 2.

Find a local dance studio that teaches country dancing, and they should be able to help you out.

Karen: Here is the simple answer.

Two Step (Texas two step, Country Two step)

Slow (12)
Slow (34)
Quick (5)
Quick (6)

Or some do Quick, Quick, Slow, Slow _ so find out which is more popular in your area or ask the person you are dancing with which they prefer.

Triple Two Step
1&2 QQS
3&4 QQS
5 Slow
6 Slow
Triple step, Triple step, walk, walk. or Chasse' Chasse' walk walk.