When taking a Slow dance step, is it generally taken at the same speed as quick step but for a longer time and greater distance, as seems to be the case with the Fox Trot slow steps. Or is the Slow step generally a combination of a hold for half of the count and a step that, once initaited, is within the realm of variation for reglar Quick steps, as seems to be the case with the Rumba and other Latin dances.

If there are differences among dances in how the Slow dance step is taken, as my examples suggest may be the case, then which variations of the Slow step are used with which dances?

I believe the "artistic" version is the one where you step on beat 2. This involves considering the slow step not as a duration (foot down, now take 2 beats), but as a time interval. You have two beats for the slow count, so stepping anywhere within those two beats would still be on the slow count. This is the more artistic version as Jonathan described it where you move through the first beat before placing your foot on the second beat. Since you're still stepping within the interval of beats 1-2, you're still on the slow count.

The "regular" version, if you want to call it that, would have you stepping on beat 1. This is what people are used to, the slow takes two beats, so you step on the first beat and carry it through the second beat. This is also how most dances work as Jonathan mentioned. I knew about using the artistic version in foxtrot because our teachers tried to get us to do that in the advanced classes, but hadn't been aware that it's used sometimes in tango, too. I'll have to look for that on tapes of competitions.

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

This is my understanding of the slow steps in dancing Fox Trot. Example in doing Feather or three steps.

I am standing on my left foot with all my weight.

On the beat 1, I would dance forward with my right heel reaching long and comfortable distance unhurriedly.

Beat 2: my right foot finally contact the floor with ball of my right foot and in the mean time collect my weight with left foot closely to the right foot continuously moving left foot forward without pause. At the end of beat 2 I would raise
my standing right foot to have my weight on right toes.

Beat 3: time my left foot at this time perfectly to land on beat 3, contact the floor with toe unhurriedly. In the mean time right foot start to go forward without pause.

Beat 4: right foot land on toe first then down to flat foot( knees relaxed ) with full weight to get ready for the next slow step.

Hope this help....

Keh Gough

It is very difficult to explain the slow step in International Fox Trot.

There are many contirbutions in the Rec.arts.dance newsgroup. Unfortunately I can't put the link directly here for some reason. If anybody can please do so for the quick reference.

As I look at many top rank IS standard dancers' perfomaces, including Luca Barrici and Loren Barry, their steps DO NOT look off timing by half a beat( not even 1/4 beat ). It is the UNHURRIED look make each step SEEMS to be just a little behind the music. Actualy some steps including SLOW steps are right on the music.

Slow steps in IS Fox Trot subject to each dancers own interpretation as Jonathan has described. As long as you present the UNHURRIED look by taking your time dancing the slow step, you are ok. In any rate, one can not take Fox Trot slow step to be compared with slow steps in any other ballroom
dances particularily Rumba.

Regards,

Keh Gough

You lost me. Which version is the "artistic" version?" Placing the foot on the 1 and following through on the 2, or moving through the one and placing the foot on the 2?

In Foxtrot, a Slow count is thought by some to take all of two beats to produce the entire movement. According to this theory, your feet would be dividing throughout count 1, the moving foot would place on the downbeat of count 2, and the feet would be collecting (coming together) for the duration of count 2.

However, you should know that not everybody subscribes to this theory. Many people beleive this interpretation of the Slow count to be too radical, claiming that it looks off-time. They contend that the only interpretation of a slow should be of placing the moving foot exactly on the downbeat of count 1, using the duration of two beats to follow-through the step and prepare the next. According to this theory, you would need to be dividing your legs prior to count 1.

Those who do subscribe to the more "artistic" interpretation only use it in Slow Foxtrot, and to a limited degree in Tango. It doesn't apply to Quickstep or any of the Latin dances.

In Tango, it is used on any Slow count which requires development, or on any slow "snaky" or "slithery" movement. The most common applications are: Step 1 of Closed or Open Promenade, steps 1 and 4 of Open Reverse Turn lady outside, the last step of any Open Finish, and sometimes even on the basic Tango Forward Walks. It is never used in the following movements: The last step of a Closed Promenade or Closed Finish, the Slow count of a Back Rock, step 1 of Back Corte (or anything that includes Back Corte, such as Rock Turn or Prog Side Step Rev Turn).

Clear as mud?

Regards,
Jonathan Atkinson