Waltz Six-Count Underarm Turn
Summary
TLDRThis instructional dance video focuses on the six-count underarm turn, a social dance variation. The script details the footwork, including the box step and underarm turn, for both men and women. It emphasizes the importance of hand positioning, turning technique, and maintaining contact during the dance. The video also explores variations of the turn, such as the amount of turn for the man and woman, and the importance of space and timing for a smooth and stylish execution.
Takeaways
- 💃 The dance routine involves a six-count underarm turn for the lady, performed over two bars of music.
- 👠 The lady's steps include a half box, an underarm turn, and a closing half box, all while the man performs a box step and a half box.
- 🕺 The man's role is to lead the lady through the turn with precise footwork and body positioning.
- 🤝 The lead is initiated with the man's left hand, inviting the lady to move towards him, and the right hand is released to signal the turn.
- 👥 Maintaining contact is crucial; the lady should keep slight pressure on the man's hand to avoid slipping away during the turn.
- 👣 Proper footwork involves toe-heel movements, with the toe releasing and the heel lowering at the end of each step.
- 🔄 The turns during the dance include a 3/8 turn to the left, a half turn to the right, and a quarter turn to face each other.
- 👀 The man should ensure he clears enough space to move around behind the lady without stepping on her foot.
- 🤔 The lady should respond to the man's lead by stepping straight in line with him, even as he extends his hand for the turn.
- 🌟 Variations of the turn include the man not turning at all, or turning more for a fuller look, depending on the dance setting and available space.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the dance instruction in the transcript?
-The main focus of the dance instruction is the six-count underarm turn, a social dance variation where the man leads the lady through an underarm turn over the course of six steps or two bars of music.
What is the man's part in the dance sequence described in the transcript?
-The man's part consists of a box step left, a box turn, and a half box. He leads the lady through the underarm turn while performing these steps, ensuring he dances the second half of the box as the lady completes the first part of her underarm turn.
How does the lady begin the dance sequence in the closed position?
-The lady begins in the closed position with weight on the left foot, starting with a back step with the right foot, followed by a side step with the left foot, and closing with the right foot to the left foot, which constitutes half a box.
What is the footwork technique used in the dance sequence?
-The footwork technique involves toe heel releasing, where the toe of the foot is released and the dancer begins to rise at the end of the step, continuing to rise on the toe and lowering on the heel at the end of the step.
What are the specific turns the man and lady perform during the dance?
-The lady performs an underarm turn, which includes no turn on the first half of a box, a 3/8 turn to the left, three walks curving a total of one half turn to the right, a half box turning one quarter turn to the right, and finishing with no turn on the last half of the box.
How is the underarm turn initiated by the man?
-The man initiates the underarm turn by using his left hand as an invitation hand, lifting his elbow slightly and taking his left hand back to lead the lady towards him. He then takes her hand over his head and pivots his hand around to maintain contact.
What is the importance of hand positioning during the underarm turn?
-Proper hand positioning is crucial for maintaining contact and avoiding tangles. The man must pivot his hand around the lady's as he brings it back to the normal position, while the lady maintains slight pressure on his hand to keep the connection.
How should the man's right hand be managed during the turn?
-The man should release his right hand as he extends his left hand into the turn. This release is part of the lead and signals the lady to move. In social dancing, the right hand might stay on her back for extra guidance, but in competitive dancing, it's common to release and open the position.
What are the considerations for foot positions during the underarm turn?
-The man should ensure he clears enough space to take his left foot around the lady without stepping over or near her foot. Both partners should turn to meet each other and not rush to reconnect, maintaining a smooth and natural look.
What variations of the turn are discussed in the transcript?
-The transcript discusses variations such as no turn on the first three steps of the box, a half turn for the lady and no turn for the man on the second half, and a quarter turn to face each other. It also mentions a more compact turn suitable for crowded floors and a fuller turn with more space for shows or competitions.
Outlines
🕺 Mastering the Six-Count Underarm Turn
This paragraph introduces a social dance variation where the man leads the lady through a six-step underarm turn, spanning two bars of music. The male dancer performs a box step with specific turning patterns while guiding the lady through her turn. Detailed instructions for both partners include footwork, timing, and movement, emphasizing smooth coordination and proper form. The man's role involves leading through subtle hand movements, with a focus on maintaining contact and balance. The explanation includes nuances of toe-heel techniques, rise and fall actions, and turn amounts, ensuring an elegant execution of the underarm turn.
💃 Footwork Precision and Turn Variations
This paragraph covers key aspects of foot positioning and turn variations during the underarm turn. It emphasizes the importance of creating space for movement, avoiding crowding the partner's steps, and maintaining a controlled pace. The paragraph offers tips for dancers on managing hand placements and arm movements to enhance their styling. Various turn options are discussed, including minimal turn techniques for beginners and more elaborate turns suitable for advanced dancers or competitive settings. The paragraph concludes with a recap of the six-count underarm turn, highlighting different approaches for different dance environments.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Underarm Turn
💡Box Step
💡Lead and Follow
💡Footwork
💡Hand Position
💡Turn
💡Rise and Fall
💡Social Variation
💡Competitive Dancing
💡Variations
Highlights
Introduction to a social dance variation where the man leaves a lady to dance an underarm turn over six steps or two bars of music.
The man's part involves a box step and a turn as the lady performs the underarm turn.
The lady's steps include a half box, an underarm turn, and a closing half box.
Footwork details emphasize toe and heel movements with specific timing for each step.
The amount of turn during the dance is described in detail, including 3/8 and 1/4 turns.
The importance of hand positioning and the lead's role in guiding the lady through the turn.
The necessity of maintaining contact and avoiding hand slippage during the turn.
The option to release the right hand for a more open position in competitive dancing.
Foot positioning advice to ensure the man clears enough space to move around the lady.
Advice on not rushing to reconnect with the partner after the turn.
The lady's response to the man's lead, including straight stepping and left arm positioning.
Variations of the turn, including no turn on the first three steps and different turns for the man and lady.
The possibility of a more compact turn suitable for crowded floors.
The option for the man to turn more for a fuller look in shows or competitions.
The final steps of the dance involve a box to face each other and coming back together.
The six count underarm turn is summarized with a focus on its social and competitive applications.
Transcripts
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alright here's a nice social variation
where the man leaves a lady to dance an
underarm turn over the course of six
steps one two three four five six or two
bars of music now the man's part if you
noticed with simply a box step left box
turn as she's dancing the underarm turn
as I'm leading that I'm dancing the
second half of the box first on the
first part of the underarm turn and the
first part of the box on the second part
of the underarm turn
we then finish with half a box so really
I just have the box unless his part is
more interesting she's going to teach
that to you now ladies we begin in
closed position with weight on the left
foot and we begin back with the right
foot side with the left foot and closed
the right foot to the left foot that's a
half a box from here we begin our six
count underarm turn forward on the left
foot forward on the right foot and
forward on the left foot then forward on
the right foot side with the left foot
and close the right foot to the left
foot we finish with a half a box back in
dance position with the man forward on
the left foot side on the right foot and
close the left foot to the right foot
our footwork is toe heel releasing the
toe of the left foot and beginning to
rise at the end of the step with no foot
rise toe continuing to rise and toe heel
lowering at the end of the step then
heel toe beginning to rise at the end of
the step toe continuing to rise and toe
heel lowering at the end of the step
then heel toe beginning to rise at the
end of the step toe continuing to rise
toe heel lowering at the end of the step
and finally healed toe beginning to rise
at the end of the step toe continuing to
rise
and so he'll lowering at the end of the
step all right our amounts of turn are
on the first half of a box no turn up to
3/8 of a turn to the left then we do
three walks curving a total of one half
turn to the right half a box turning one
quarter turn to the right and finish
with one half of the box with no turn up
to 3/8 of a turn to the left ok let's
talk a little bit about the underarm
turn starting with the lead so we are
going to use the left hand as our
invitation hand I'm going to just lift
my elbow slightly and take my left hand
back and that leads her to move towards
me and ultimately past me take that hand
over the head now this hand position
doesn't work for long if we keep it it's
going to just get tangled up so we have
to make sure the hand pivots around as
we bring it back around were basically
pivoting around her hand with my hand
ladies maintaining a slight pressure to
his hand so that we can keep contact and
not slip away from each other so once
again invitation lifting the elbow
slightly and pivoting that hand around
to bring it back to its normal position
as for the right hand of course we have
to release that hand that's part of also
what tells her that the lead is coming
so I'm going to let go with my right
hand while I'm extending the left hand
into that turn it's possible with a
strong enough lead to keep the right
hand on her back which you might want to
do for a little extra guidance and
social compact miss I see this a lot
more in social dancing whereas in
showing competitive dancing we tend to
release and really open that position up
choice is yours
now one last thing about
this time about the foot positions we've
just done the first three steps I'm
opening this up so you can see it on
this four step it's icy in in beginning
social dancers a lot of the time the men
step over the lady's foot or near the
lady's foot you need to make sure you
clear enough space that you can take the
left foot around the other side of the
lady okay so give yourself lots of space
to move around behind her by the time
you get to the forward step on your left
foot around the side of the lady and
also when you do come back together turn
to meet each other don't rush to pick
each other up
it's a little desperate looking and
unnecessary
I trust my lady I don't need to go
grabbing her as fast as I can
we'll just take our time finish the
underarm turn pick each other up over
the course of the next half box or so
ladies when you feel the man go ahead
and initiate the turn by pulling on your
hand make sure that you still step
straight in line with him and do not try
and go straight into the turn where you
might truly trip over his foot so always
straight with him even as he releases
that even as he extends that hand also
you might wonder what to do with your
left arm when he starts pulling on your
right hand immediately take your left
hand off of his arm so that you are
ready to bring it through ahead of your
body so it does not get trapped back
here and you can either bring the hand
through and keep your arm compact for
social styling or for a more stylized
look you can extend your arm and you can
bring it up you can bring it across your
whatever you like to do and when he goes
to reconnect with you wait until you
feel his hand on your back before you
place your left
hand back on his arm all right real
quickly one more thing we're going to
talk about some variations of turn turn
we taught you we did no turn on the
first three steps of the box and then
the man has no turn on the second half
of the box as the lady does a half turn
we're now facing the same direction from
there we do a box to face each other
inside foot goes forward actually I'm
going to take this toward the camera
here inside foot then comes forward and
we do a quarter turn over the next three
steps to face each other our space we're
still a little bit apart so we use that
last half of a box to come back together
so we had a half a turn during the
lady's first three steps and or for the
lady a half a turn for the lady no turn
for the man and then a quarter turn to
face each other there are some
variations of this some people like to
teach it in the very beginning where the
man doesn't turn at all and the lady has
to do quite a bit of turn it's gonna be
a very small turn but it is possible and
that works very well it makes it a very
compact turning is a little better for a
crowded floor for again a show or a
competition we might be more inclined to
turn more gentlemen so after the first
half of box instead of doing no turn
here you could turn an eighth or even up
to a quarter and you can see that's
making her travel a lot farther and
giving it a much fuller look but you
just need to make sure you have the
space to do that and there you have it
the six count underarm turn
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