Instructional Chants
Children's first songs are often rhymes that help them learn things, such as the alphabet song. Can you remember when Columbus sailed to America? In Fourteen-hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. If we had a rhyme for every historical date, students would have no trouble memorizing their history facts!
The book Memory in Oral Traditions is a multi-disciplinary study of memory. The author, David Rubin, says that the best ways to make something memorable is by using meter, rhythm, and song. So to help dancers learn sequences of moves, Barb developed "chants" that explain the action of each step. Each chant phrase represents 4 beats of music. The sing song chants below tell the dancer what to do and are a huge help for recalling dance steps.
The meaning of phrases in these chants may not be obvious to some readers, but those who have taken Barb's class will understand them. (For example, if there is an enchufla mentioned in the chant, you have to have some experience with the move to know whether the enchufla turn is over the lady's or the guy's head and whether it is with one or two hands, etc.)
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BEGINNERS
Salsa music is written in eight beat phrases. Generally Cuban Salsa dancers step on beats 1, 2, and 3 and "hold" on beat 4. Likewise we step on beats 5, 6, and 7 and "hold" on beat 8. This yields the quick quick slow rhythm that is the basis of Salsa movement. In other words, a "quick" step lasts for one beat and a "slow" step lasts for two beats.
In the DC area, we make most calls on beat 1, as dancers start their back-rock. For men, on all beats 1, 2, and 3, they are stepping left right left. On beats 1, 2, 3, women are stepping right left right.
And on all beats 5, 6, & 7, men step right left right, while ladies step left right left.
Also note that a salsa dancer's relationship to the floor is a gentle one. Steps are soft; they are not marched with heavy impact or emphasis. And the body is very slightly forward so that weight is never back on the dancer's heels.
Guapea ("Basic step")
1Back and together(The foot on the outside of the circle goes back, away from your partner)
5Forward and together(The foot on the inside of the circle goes straight forward for followers and at a slight diagonal forward and right for leaders)
Note that the leader's outside foot is his left and the follower's outside foot is her right. The leader's inside foot is his right and the follower's inside foot is her left.
Dame
1 Dame (called)
5Forward and turn (leads turn to their right on their right foot, and by beat 7 they are facing the girl behind them. Followers turn to their left to face the center.)
1 Travel to your partner (Leaders move left right left to their next partner while ladies "step in place.")
5Cross body lead ("CBL") (Leaders lead this with only their right hand.)
Then leads resume basic stepping back on their left and resume hand hold
Rhythm Steps
There are a number of simple, fun moves that have some action on beat one, facing the partner "behind" you in the circle. The pattern is the same for all of them---they include: High Five (do a high five with the free hand which is the leader's right and follower's left), High Ten (do a high ten but use both hands), Fly, (clap as though killing a fly), Two Flies (clap on beats one and two), besitos (an air kiss-type gesture without contact to the person behind you), etc.
1 call High Five
5 Forward, turn around (step forward; leaders on right and followers on left. Then leads turn right and followers turn left)
1 Hit, turn around (do a high five with the partner "behind you;" then turn back to partner)
5 Forward and together (resume guapea)
Enchufla
1 call Enchufla
5In one more time (finish basic step)
1Back and turn (rock back on beat 1. leaders turn on beat 2 to their right; followers turn on 2 to their left. They switch places.)
5Back, forward, forward(guys rock back and then start moving to next partner. Ladies rock back and turn to face the center)
1Travel to your partner (guys get all the way next to their next partner while ladies step in place)
5CBL (Cross body lead)
Enchufla Doble:
1call Enchufla Doble
5In one more time (finish basic step)
1Back and turn (rock back on beat 1. leaders turn on beat 2 to their right; followers turn on 2 to their left. They switch places.)
5 Push her back(guy puts his hand on her back to break her movement and alter her direction)
1Now do Enchufla (at this point you do a regular enchufla)
5Back, forward, forward(guys rock back and then start moving to next partner. Ladies rock back and turn to face the center)
1Travel to your partner (guys get all the way next to their next partner while ladies step in place)
5CBL (Cross body lead)
Uno (or "El Uno")
1 Uno is called
5 in one more time(on 7 he switches to right to right handhold)
1 hammerlock the lady(he leads an open break, rocking her back. Then he brings her arm down and up to waist for hammerlock)
5 one back rock(these are cumbia-like backrocks for both leads and follows)
1two back rocks
5three back rocks
1four, up and over(he brings her right arm over her head and comes to her left--both face the center)
5 step in place (he brings the arms behind both both of their heads as they both face the center)
1guy rocks in
5 CBL
Uno Boston
In the spring of 2010, I visited the MIT Rueda group and they do Uno differently. Arms come up overhead during the side to side movement; it's slightly shorter but pretty and flowing. Here is the chant for their Uno:
1 Change hands and pull
5 One arm up(one of the man's arms goes over her head)
1 Both arms up(both of the man's arms go over her head)
5 Into Sombrero(he moves arms into the sombrero position)
1 Guy rocks in
5 CBL
Pelota con dos and Pelota con quatro.
For Pelota con dos, you start with enchufla and then do 2 stomps and 2 claps while also stomping. For Peloa con quatro, you do the same thing but stomp and clap 4 times each. Then you travel to your partner guys (ladies rock back and remain facing center), and then the cross body lead.
Dame Sequence: Dame, Dame Dos, Dame Dos
1 Call Dame
5 forward and turn
1 travel to your partner
5 push her out of the way
1 travel to your partner
5 push her out of the way
1 travel to your partner
5CBL
Dame Panaderos
Add in 8 beats of pat a cake action with the new partner. The patttern is “up and down, self, partner, self, back, front, self.” And you can do Dame Panaderos Todos by having everyone face center and the pattern is done with the right hand clapping with new partner and the left hand clapping with old partner for leads. For followers that right and left is reversed.
Dos Flies y Uno Perdido
Clap on 1 and 2. Look around on 3, 5, 7 and clap again on 8.
Chevaria Bulla
Chevaria on 1, 2, 3, and Bulla on 5.
Enchufla Dos
Leads do a dame dos
Enchufla Tres
Leads do a dame tres
Sombrero y Mambo Vuelta
Take 16 beats to turn while doing mambo.
Puente Complicado
1 Starts like enchufla
5 The guys change hands
1 The guys join hands
5 under(ladies go under the bridge formed by the men's arms)
1 under with a turn
5 quick quick slow
1 stomp
5 into siete tap
1 turn her around
5 bring her around
1 do a prep
5 double turn
1 turn the other way
5 bring her around
1 Back rock
5 Under(ladies go under the bridge)
1 under with a turn
5 quick quick slow (leads start moving slightly toward their new partner)
1 travel to your partner(Leads finish getting to new parner. Note we exchange partners in the "puente pairs")
5 cross body lead
Note that there are various ways that groups end this move; some have leads turn as they travel to the next partner. Some begin the traveling on the 5, 6, 7 where we are stepping evenly on a full 8 beats, moving to the new partner. The reason I teach as I do is that the above pattern is more consistent with the usual Dame; where the full distance to a new partner is traveled in 3 steps (4 beats) prior to the CBL. But to keep a sense of movement so the step is always dynamic, small progress is made during the 5 6 7 toward the new partner. Continuous movement is always nice!
Also note that there are 8 beats from the original Puente Complicado that were removed where the 2 leaders switch sides and ladies go under the bridge once more. The guys both turn left and move as mirror images of each other before the women come under the bridge during those 8 beats. But this part of the step is not "do-able" by an odd number of couples. By eliminating those beats, the move can be done with any number of couples, as one grouping can simply do the move with 3 couples. Since half of the time we have an odd number of couples in class or a team performance, we standardize the move so it's always feasible and we don't have two versions of it, which causes confusion.
Uno Complicato Blended with Puente Complicado
1 Starts like Uno
5 1, 1, 1
1 2, 2, 2
5 3, 3, 3,
1 4, 4, 4
5 The guys come around
1 Bring the girls around
5 Into sombrero
1 1, 1, 1, (Guys are bringing the girls around them from left to right)
52, 2, 2
1 3, 3, 3
5 4, 4, 4 tap (Guys and gals are face to face and the guy's left arm is broken)
1 back to back
5 and then alarde(over lady's head)
1 Quick Quick Slow
5 Into sombrero
1 Quick Quick Slow
5 Dead Space
1 1, 1, 1
5 2, 2, 2,
1 3, 3, 3
5 Rondee for the guy (his right foot goes behind his left and he turns right) (If you were just doing Uno Complicado, after this you'd finish with "into the center; CBL.)
1 1 The guys join hands (This begins the Puente Complicado part.)
5 5 under(ladies go under the bridge formed by the men's arms)
1 1 under with a turn
5 5 quick quick slow
1 1 stomp
5 5 into siete tap
1 turn her around
5 bring her around
1 do a prep
5 double turn
1 turn the other way
5 bring her around
1 Back rock
5 Under(ladies go under the bridge)
1 under with a turn
5 quick quick slow (leads start moving slightly toward their new partner)
1 travel to your partner(Leads finish getting to new parner. Note we exchange partners in the "puente pairs")
5 cross body lead
Dedo Extended (Dedo blended with Montana)
This begins "one-handed" in a cross hand-hold. For Montana you are two handed in a cross hand-hold.
Turn turn turn
Another turn (the basic step calls for stepping in place but we often add a turn to embellish)
back rock, enchufla
rondee for the guy
back rock enchufla
quick quick slow
in to the center
cross body lead tap (this tap enables ladies to switch direction as they go right into Montana)
turn turn turn(This begins Montana and you are now two handed)
step in place
backrock enchufla
rondee for the guy
back rock enchufla
quick quick slow
the guy rocks in
cross body lead
Sombrero
This is done with a cross hand hold.
Turn turn turn
turn turn turn
the guy rocks in
cross body lead
La Confusion
This move starts with vacila which is just like sombrero but without holding hands. Women walk through two full turns and complete one cross body lead. After that you do two additional cross body leads, and on the third and last cross body, you open up into basic but the men are now following and the ladies are leading.
El Dos
Guy comes in front of his partner and they both move side to side facing the center. Ends like sombrero.
Hammerlock the lady
the guy comes in front
one backrock
two backrocks
three backrocks
four up and over (arm overhead)
turn turn turn(like sombrero turn) (This must be led skillfully or lady will rock back. You lead her forward firmly
and early, before he has a chance to rock back. Lead her into a sombrero-style turn)
turn turn turn
guy rocks in
cross body lead
Festival de Enchufla
Three enchuflas in a row with no basic in between:
Call enchufla
go in one more time
back forward turn
back forward forward
travel to your partner
cross body lead
back forward turn
back forward forward
travel to your partner
cross body lead
back forward turn
back forward forward
travel to your partner
cross body lead
(To do Festival Enchufla New York, it’s an Enchufla then Enchufla Doble, and the Enchufla Pa ti Pa mi but adding a partner exchange.)
Amistad
1 starts like enchufla
5 guys change hands
1 guys join hands
5 into siete tap
1 turn around
5 drape to the shoulder
1 guys rock in
5 coke turn/head roll
1 guys rock in
5 CBL
Sopa
1 Ench doble(girls are connected in center)
5 Ench doble(girls are connected in center)
1 Ench doble(girls are connected in center)
5 Guys come to center and connect with right hands
1 Guys lead ladies to their right behind them
5 Guys lead ladies back to their left behind them
1 Back rock enchufla
5 QQS
1 Guys rock in
5 Dile que no
Helicoptero
1 right goes over the girl (she turns right)
5 she ducks under his left (under his left arm---backing up)
1 he ducks under his left
5 And under her right, & turn (he ducks under her right arm and turns her with his right arm on 7)
1 she ducks under his left
5 he's under left then right (guy ducks under her left arm on 5 then her right arm backing in on 7)
1 sombrero
5 sombrero
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Here is another way to think of it:
It's over the girl in the first 8 beats.
Then it's over him in the next 8 beats, except for the turn on beat 7.
Then 4 beats that are over the girl
Then 4 beats that are over the guy.
Or, because of the complexity of the chant, this shorter one might be easier to remember. Note that he's means "his" to make the chant have more meaning:
1 girl: he's right
5 duck he's left
1 guy: he's left,
5 her right then turn
1 girl: he's left
5 guy: her left, right
ends like sombrero
Rubenada
Starts like sombrero
guy's left hand up
guy comes around
both face center
drop the hand (feet step the same as "in to the center" or "picalante, dos, tres")
dile que no tap
funky turn(guy and girl turn in opposite directions)
guy unwinds
back rock enchufla
quick quick slow
in to the center
Cross body lead
Enroque
One two three
Outside turn hold
Girls turn left switch
Then both turn
back rock enchufla
five six jump eight (jump on beat 7 and land on eight) (Note women step 5, 6, 7 as usual)
stomp to the center(stomp on one and the usual steps on 2 and 3)
cross body lead
El Classico
1- 1, 2, embrace (like adios)
5- quick quick enchufla
1- quick quick enchufla
5- rondee for the guy
1- turn the girl
5- turn the girl(if she can spin fast, try a double turn here---or even a triple)
1- back rock enchufla
5- rondee for the guy
1- back rock enchufla
5- evelyn
1- into the center
5- then coke turn
1- guy in front
5- girl in front tap(i.e. "dile que no")
1- turn the girl
5- back, forward, turn (guy's footwork)
1- travel to your partner
5- cross body lead (with new partner)
Dame Dos Arriba
1 Travel with a turn(guy turns left on 2 just as he passes the lady upstream from him. He then faces the second lady upstream from him originally & she is the new partner. So it's an upstream dame dos)
5Basic step(guys rock in on 5 as in guapea, facing new partner)
Balsero
Turn turn turn (ladies come to guy's right)
then switch sides (ladies come to guy's left side and guy scoots to the right to "help" her; essentially they are switching sides)
turn turn turn
into sombrero
the guy rocks in
cross body lead
Balsero Nuevo
Turn turn turn
the guy comes in front
back rock prep
spin real fast (this is a sombrero spin done in 4 beats instead of 8)
the guy rocks in
cross body lead
Dedo Por Debajo/Dedo Loco ("Dedo Speciale")
1Dedo Speciale is called
5In and then tap
1 turn turn turn
5the guy goes under
1he turns around
5and brings the girl around
1 backrock enchufla
5rondee like dedo
1backrock enchufla
5they both face the center
1the guy rocks in
5 CBL
3 Way Stop
1 3 way stop is called
5in and then tap
1 turn her around
5 move her out tap (out of circle)
1Move her in tap (into the circle. He moves her with hands on her shoulders.)
5Turn the girl, turn yourself (turn lady first and then guy quickly turns)
1The guys rock in (guys and girls move so the guy is on the lady's left and both are on the circumference)
5Turn her again (start her in another turn and the guy can also turn if he wants to. The lady turns on 6 and if they guy turns, he does so on 7 and 8 before moving to his next partner.)
1Move to your partner(guys are moving to the next lady in the circle like a dame)
5 CBL
Flamenco Caliente
1Vacila holding one hand(guy's left to girl's right)
5Man does evelyn turn with hand switch
1Exhibe
5Exhibe
1guy rocks in
5Coke turn led with Left
1fling, catch (Fling on 1 and catch on 3; man does pasalea footwork)
5dile que no tap (she turns 3/4 of the way to her left)
1Turn her Right
5Turn her right(can do more than 2 turns if you wish)
1guy rocks in
5 CBL
Sombrero Doble
1- starts like sombrero
5- quick quick slow
1- the guy rocks in
5- cross body lead tap (he brings her to his left side)
1- back to back
5- drape to the shoulder
1- the guy rocks in
5- cross body lead
Ladies move
Dancers rotate in circles throughout 16 beats before Dile que no to end the move. The ladies are on an inner circle and the leaders are on the outer circle.
Guys move 4 beats to R, then 4 to L, then 4 to R and 4 to L; starting on their left foot. These steps are like short grapevine patterns. (They step on 3 beats and tap on the 4th before changing direction. So in 16 beats guys change directions 3 times before doing Dile que no.)
Ladies grapevine 8 beats L and then 8 beats R; starting on R foot moving left. (They step on 7 beats and tap on the 8th before changing directions. So in 16 beats they change directions once before Dile que no.)
Leads pick up original partner, so leads and follows try to come back to their original position in the circle.
El Sordo
1- Starts like abrazala
5- the guy comes around
1- abrazala hug(guy's arm is down on 1 & around lady's back on 3 for alarde)
5- rondee for the guy
1- sambuca switch hands
5- back then hook(arm hooks on 7)
1- guy goes forward
5- guy goes back
keep doing this until se fue is called)
1- se fue
5- unhook forward forward(arm unhooks; then feet go forward)
1- in place, side, hook(refers to man's footwork. hook is behind)
5- rondee and move(a "walking rondee")
1- backrock enchufla
5- over her head
1- then do exhibe
5- over her head
1- take it out(take it out on 3 and on 3 also step back with left to get a jump on the coke turn)
5- coca cola turn
1- into the center
5- unwind the girl(you can do a curved "suave" move here as in the step "El Suave")
1- back rock enchufla
5- rondee for the guy
1- then do exhibe
5- finish exhibe
1- then let go(man releases one hand)
5- dile que no
Azuquita
1- do setenta
5- do setenta
1-back, through window(man steps back slightly and goes through the "window")
5- slide down arm
1- Setenta Complicado (Must get guy's arm behind his head and push on lady's hip on beat one)
5- Setenta Complicado(rondee for the man to his right)
1- Setenta complicado
5- Setenta Complicado
1- Setenta Complicado (in to the center)
5- Setenta Complicado(CBL)
Below is a description of the move as well:
You start like setenta up to the first 8 beats, and do the alarde on beat 7, facing outside the circle. Guys step back on beat 1 and make a "window" around their heads on beats 2 and 3, moving to face the center. Guys go back, side, forward with right left right feet respectively while sliding their hand down the woman's arm and moving her around. Then on beat one guys put their left hand (holding the lady's right hand) in back of their necks and go into setenta complicado. Finish setenta complicado and you are done!
Sueter
1- Setenta Complicado
5- Setenta Complicado
1- Setenta Complicado
5- Setenta Complicado
1- Enchufla both hands
5- rondee and Sueter(man rondees and does the "Sueter" move with arms to his waist on 7)
1- then start Exhibe(man's right arm comes up for the Exhibe. On 1 he turns to face her & outside
left edge of his left foot faces the center)
5- then Setenta
1- on 1, throw arm
5- hook on 7
1- in to the center
5 CBL
Havana
1- Do Candado
5- Do Candado
1- Do Candado
5- Do Candado
1- Do Candado
5- Do Candado (but on beat 7, the arms come down to the waist, like putting on a sweater)
1- then start exhibe
5- then setenta
1- on 1 throw arm
5- hook on 7
1- into the center
5- CBL
This begins like Candado and guys go into a Kentucky like turn, but end facing the perimeter, not the center. On beat 7 they bring both hands down to about their waist (as though putting on a sweater) and then do an exhibe/setenta. Note that from the "sueter" move on, the remainder of Havana is the same as Sueter (above).
La Jenny
1 starts with enchufla
5 do enchufla
1paseala
5paseala
1paseala
5 hammerlock her
1 bring her around
5 bring her around
1unwind
5 guy goes under
1 back rock enchufla
5 quick quick slow
1 guy rocks in
5CBL
Enchufla with Exhibe con Gancho
1starts like enchufla
5girls face center
1- do exhibe(man's left hand is preferred for first exhibe)
5- do exhibe(left hand is preferred)
1- start exhibe(men start this exhibe by switching to the right hand to lead it)
5- guy turns and hooks(he turns right and hooks her on 7 using his right hand)
1- walk walk walk
5- walk walk walk
1- walk walk walk
5- back, turn left(Men unhook arm on 5 while stepping back, and turn to left on 6 & 7. Women keep
walking around)
1- backrock enchufla
5- QQS
1- guy rocks in
5- CBL
Straight Jacket
Amazingly, this beautiful, fun move is done in just 8 beats of music (6 steps). It is an alternate way to do part of a move that occurs in many steps: Sombrero de Regnier, Uno Complicado, Pasea Complicate, and others. It occurs after you go "back to back and then alarde." (See my Uno Complicado chant above).
Men hold the alarde rather than taking it off, and then do the following:
Go under the lady's arm (which is being held in the alarde) and start to turn the lady on beats 3 and 4. You touch her shoulders on 5 and 7 and at the close of the 8 beats, you are in a sombrero position. (These 8 beats replace the "quick quick slow, into sombrero" segment of the Uno Complicado chant above.)
Because this is an alternate, much fancier movement for 8 beats but it starts and ends the same as the standard move, men can do "straight jacket" any time, even if it wasn't called.
And here is another, even cooler thing you can do as "straight jacket" begins. Guys have to duck their heads as they are going under the alarde. So they can bring the rest of their body or at least the top part of their body forward in a body roll as they go under. This makes the move powerfully exciting.
La Mia
1Sombrero de Manny
5Sombrero de Manny
1on 2, his right hand takes her hand (like Sombrero de Manny) and on 3 the leader's left arm comes off from behind his head
5on 7, both his arms go over her head as she turns
1on 1 (or 2) his left arm (only) goes over her head
5he walks around behind her and taps on 7
1his left arm goes up on 2 for a maneuver like back to back setenta
5his left arm is up on 6 to continue a maneuver that's like back to back setenta
1two handed enchufla
5into sombrero
1the guy rocks in
5CBL
El Lipton
1- setenta
5- setenta
1- setenta
5- break right arm (guy breaks his right arm behind him, while stepping to face perimeter)
1- back back hook(step back and hook with arms)
5- unhook, then rondee (unhook on beat 1)
1- backrock enchufla
5- over the girl
1- then exhibe
5- over the guy
1- into the center ("pica 'lante, dos, tres")
5- swing out, tap (give the girl a strong lead for the tap)
1- change her hand tap
5- change your hand
1- back to back
5- make her hook(manipulate lady's arm so she is doing the hook)
1- into the center
5- CBL
70 C Derecha y al Revers
1 70 C
5 70 C
1 70 C
5 70 C
1 back rock enchufla
5 turn right hand up (he turns to the right while left hand stays down)
1 turn the girl (to her right)
5 turn yourself (to the left)
1 backrock enchufla (two-handed enchufla)
5 rondee for the guy (optional)
1 in to the center
5 dile que no
La Presa
1 starts with enchufla
5 QQS (on 7 take both of her hands in the guy's hand)
1 swivel the girl
5 CBL tap
1 back to back
5 through the circle (on 7 the guy comes under the circle)
1 over the lady (enchufla; she turns right)
5 over the guy (enchufla; he turns left. These last 8 beats can also be an abanico complicado movement)
1 guy comes left (like uno)
5 invade her space (like juana la cubana)
1 then exhibe
5 finish exhibe (on 7, the guy's arms are up like in abanico)
1 turn the girl (like abanico)
5 turn and hook (guy makes a strong right turn and hooks the lady on 7)
1 walk walk walk
5 unhook, unroll (unhook fully on beat 5, with elbow down all the way)
1 back rock enchufla
5 QQS
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Presa Extended
1 rock back, bring her forward
5 turn and turn (she turns)
1 guy rocks in (toward the girl)
5 turn and turn (he turns left)
1 arm slides down (both of her hands are now in the leader's hand)
5 double turn
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL tap (From this point forward, you are continuing with the remainder of Presa)
1 back to back
5 through the circle (on 7 the guy comes under the circle)
1 over the lady (enchufla; she turns right)
5 over the guy (enchufla; he turns left. These last 8 beats can also be an abanico complicado movement)
1 guy comes left (like uno)
5 invade her space (like juana la cubana)
1 then exhibe
5 finish exhibe (on 7, the guy's arms are up like in abanico)
1 turn the girl (like abanico)
5 turn and hook (guy makes a strong right turn and hooks the lady on 7)
1 walk walk walk
5 unhook, unroll (unhook fully on beat 5, with elbow down all the way)
1 back rock enchufla
5 QQS
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Carnival Unisex
1 starts like setenta
5 do setenta
1 do setenta
5 guy in front (he comes in front of lady, facing either circumference, or outside the circle)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm goes below his left arm. On 3, his left hand is behind his head)
5 5, 7 ( On 5 his right hand is on his right shoulder. On 7 his right hand is on girl's shoulder)
1 come around (girl in front)
5 switch the arms
1 turn the girl
5 for eight beats
1 back-rock enchufla
5 drape over the guy
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Note: last 16 beats are the end of Setenta.
Carnival
1 starts like setenta
5 do setenta
1 do setenta
5 guy in front (he comes in front of lady, facing either circumference, or outside the circle)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm goes below his left arm. On 3, his left hand is behind his head)
5 5, 7 ( On 5 his right hand is on his right shoulder. On 7 his right hand is on girl's shoulder)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm is on his right shoulder and on 3 it's at his stomach.)
5 5, 6, 7 (switch the arms on 5; on 6 the right arm is on the right shoulder and on 7 left arm is on left shoulder)
1 lower (right arm) and turn
5 guy goes under (while turning to his right)
1 hook walk walk (he also walks on one while hooking so there are 3 walks)
5 unhook and turn
1 back rock enchufla
5 QQS
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Carnival Extended
1 starts like setenta
5 do setenta
1 do setenta
5 guy in front (he comes in front of lady, facing either circumference, or outside the circle)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm goes below his left arm. On 3, his left hand is behind his head)
5 5, 7 ( On 5 his right hand is on his right shoulder. On 7 his right hand is on girl's shoulder)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm is on his right shoulder and on 3 it's at his stomach.)
5 5, 6, 7 (switch the arms on 5; on 6 the right arm is on the right shoulder and on 7 left arm is on left shoulder)
1 turn around (guy lowers right arm as he turns)
5 fling and catch (arm toss done with the elbow!)
1 back rock enchufla (she must move linearly toward the circle)
5 bring her back (she moves away from center still linearly)
1 flare her out
5 turn and turn
1 back rock enchufla
5 QQS
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Patine Unisex
Do enchfula for 8 beast. Then guys do Patine for 8 beats. On 1, 2, 3 guys move back and ladies come to center. Ladies do Patine for 8 beats (5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3). Then ladies move back on 5, 6, 7. End with Dile que no.
La Bonita
1 Guy rocks in(He offers her his right hand up high)
5Walks her through (Turning her on 7)
1 Guy rocks in
5Turn her again
1Guy turns right
5His arm comes up (guy's right arm is behind his head on 6. Release by 7)
1To the shoulders (guy's arms come to his shoulders)
5Over and over (on 5 and 7, guy's arms come to other side of his head)
1Guy turns right
5Guy goes under(under arm and he turns to face center)
1Back rock "prep" (guy switches hands so his right is over his left)
5Touch and go(arm maneuver where lady's arm comes past her other arm and he catches it)
1Fling and catch
5Turn her around
1 Check, 3 (check on 1 and lady turns on 3)
55, 7(lady turns on 5 and on 7---so it's three turns and the hands have to disconnect so she can do last turn)
1 Backrock enchufla
5 Into sombrero
1 Guy rocks in
5 CBL
Bonita (simpler version)
1 Guy rocks in (He offers her his right hand up high)
5 Walks her through (Turning her on 7)
1 Guy rocks in
5 CBL
1 Guy turns right
5 His arm comes up (guy's right arm is behind his head on 6. Release by 7)
1 To the shoulders (guy's arms come to his shoulders)
5 Over and over (on 5 and 7, guy's arms come to other side of his head)
1 Guy turns right
5 Guy goes under(under arm and he turns to face center)
1 Back rock "prep" (guy switches hands so his right is over his left)
5 Turn real fast(sombrero turn)
1 Guy rocks in
5 CBL
Carnival Complicado
1 starts like setenta
5 do setenta
1 do setenta
5 guy in front (he comes in front of lady, facing either circumference, or outside the circle)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm goes below his left arm. On 3, his left hand is behind his head)
5 5, 7 ( On 5 his right hand is on his right shoulder. On 7 his right hand is on girl's shoulder)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm is on his right shoulder and on 3 it's at his stomach.)
5 5, 6, 7 (switch the arms on 5; on 6 the right arm is on the right shoulder and on 7 left arm is on left shoulder)
1 turn around (guy lowers right arm as he turns)
5 fling and catch (arm toss done with the elbow!) 1 rock back, bring her forward
5 turn and turn (she turns)
1 guy rocks in
5 turn and turn (he turns left)
1 arm slides down (leader now has both of her hands in one of his)
5 double turn
1 the guy rocks in
5 coca cola turn
1 girl to the right, tap(she moves behind the guy and to his right side)
5 CBL tap
1 1, 3 (girl turns on 3)
5 5, 7 (girl turns on 5 and 7 while coming to the guy's right)
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Sabrosura
Note: In any step that begins with Setenta, you can do a back to back version of Setenta for the first 8 beats (6 steps). But in this step, that method of starting Setenta is required!
1 Do (back to back version of) Setenta
5 Do (back to back version of) Setenta
1 finish Setenta
5 finish Setenta (end with hook on 7--you can also hook on 5 as well for style)
1 bring her around
5 and then hook (on 7)
1 unhook, come around
5 and then up (arm up behind neck)
1 hands slide down
5 in and then tap
1 back to back
5 and then alarde (alarde is optional)
1 QQS
5 into sombrero
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Noventa
1 starts like Setenta
5 do Setenta
1 do Setenta
5 raise left arm
1 over her head
5 back rock (lady crosses in front)
1 back rock (lady crosses in front)
5 over and turn (over girl's head on 5 while she turns, and leader turns on 7)
1 back rock enchufla (two handed)
5 QQS
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
L.A. de Glen
1 do the prep(ladies prep on 3)
5 double turn (ladies turn right on 5 & 7. On 7, lead stabilizes her by putting his left hand on her right shoulder)
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
1 another prep
5 double turn
1 the guy rocks in
5 cross body with turn
1 the guy turns right(she is behind him)
5 the girl turns right(she is behind him. He faces away from her, and uses his right arm to turn her)
1 guy rocks forward(girl rocks back)
5 guy rocks back(girl rocks forward and poses on 5)
1 guy rocks forward(girl rocks back)
5 bring her through(with your left hand as she comes forward; she turns left)
1 "3" (she turns right on 3)
5 "5, 7" (she turns right on 5 and again on 7)
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Serpiente
1 starts like Sombrero
5 7 (right hand behind her head on 7)
1 3 (left hand behind her head on 3)
5 back and turn (guy unhooks, turns left and faces the girl squarely)
1 back rock prep (lady "poses" on 3--it's a "photo op")
5 spin the girl (flashy turn for lady while moving to guy's right side)
1 dile que no
5 CBL
Consorte
1 starts like Setenta
5 do Setenta
1 do Setenta
5 and then hook (keep doing Setenta and hook on 7; optional hook on 5)
1 in to the center
5 turn the girl (with 2 hands and do the turn from the hook)
1 pull her forward
5 pull her back
1 travel to your partner
5 CBL
Besito Largo
1 starts like Beso
5 starts like Beso
1 3 (alarde & air kiss on 3)
5 5, 7 (on 5 arm is in front; on 7 arm is behind back)
1 the arm goes down (on 1 lower arm, similar to Rubenada)
5 guy turns right (guy goes under and keeps his arm high on his back to help)
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL tap
1 back to back
5 don't do alarde
1 right arm down
5 left arm over (over his own head)
1 left arm down (behind back like Rubenada)
5 guy goes under (and comes to the right)
1 then switch sides (his right arm over her head)
5 into Sombrero
1 in to the center
5 CBL
Besito Largo Especiale
1 starts like Beso
5 starts like Beso
1 3 (alarde & air kiss on 3)
5 5, 7 (on 5 arm is in front; on 7 arm is behind back)
1 the arm goes down (on 1 lower arm, similar to Rubenada)
5 guy turns right (guy goes under and keeps his arm high on his back to help)
1 the guy rocks in
5 get back to back
1 Left, Right (He twists side to side and leads the lady with his hands. Guy & girl face circumference as they do in guapea but are backed to each other, not facing each other)
5 turn the girl
1 guy rocks in(at this point the guy backs to the center)
5 turn her again
1 hammerlock the girl(By beat 4 guy faces center)
5 turn her again
1 Left arm comes up (behind his head)
5 CBL
Note that out of hte last 4 sets of 8 beats, guys and girls move around each other two and a half times. So at the end of beat 3 in the last set of 8 beats, the ladies are on the guys' right side facing center, ready to do the final CBL.
Rubenada Complicado
1 starts like Sombrero
5 keep both arms down (Optional: leader can raise left arm up and alardes over his own head on 7 while right arm is down)
1 right down enchfula
5 left arm over (his own head)
1 drop left hand (behind back; meanwhile guy does "into the center" footwork)
5 dile que no tap (while walking around)
1 guy moves right (in front of lady and she turns)
5 lady moves right (she goes under and is behind the guy)
1 in to the center
5 dile que no tap
1 abanico thing (in this awkward manuver from Abanico Complicado, guy's right hand is over the lady's head as she turns)
5 guy moves right (in front of girl with right arm over)
1 guy moves left (behind the girl)
5 left arm over
1 drop left arm
5 dile que no tap
1 funky turn (without changing places)
5 guy unwinds
1 back rock enchufla
5 QQS
1 in to the center
5 CBL
Abanico Complicado
l Abanico
5 Abanico
1 turn the girl (take her hand on 2)
5 turn yourself (left arm comes over)
1 back rock enchufla (over girl's head)
5 guy moves right (left arm over his own head)
1 do the prep (like balsero nuevo)
5 sombrero turn (like sombrero turn but faster, while moving to guy's right side)
1 in to the center
5 CBL
Abanico Complicado Complicado (not a mistake)
l Abanico
5 Abanico
1 turn the girl (take her hand on 2)
5 turn yourself (left arm comes over)
1 back rock enchufla (over girl's head)
5 guy moves right (right arm over his own head)
1 left arm down
5 sombrero turns
1 arm to waist, tap (carefully bring her arm out away from her body first and then down)
5 bring her left, tap
1 bring her right, tap
5 turn the girl (bring her right arm out away from her body; then over her head for turns)
1 she comes behind
5 in and then tap
1 back to back
5 and then alarde
1 quick quick slow
5 in to sombrero
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Puente C & Al Revers Ganging
1 Starts with enchufla
5 Guys change hands
1 Guys join hands
5 under
1 under with a turn
5 guys switch sides
1 under
5 quick quick slow
1 stomp
5 into siete tap
1 turn her around
5 bring her around
1 do a prep
5 double turn
1 turn the other way
5 bring her around
1 exhibe
5 turn on 7 (on 7, guys turn left)
1 bring her around (as guys turn)
5 bring her around
1 bring her around
5 into siete tap
1 turn the girl
5 double turn
1 stomp
5 under
1 under with a turn
5 back, grab, turn
1 travel to your partner
5 CBL
For Puente al revers with Reloj
1 Starts with enchufla
5 Guys change hands
1 Guys join hands
5 under
1 under with a turn
5 guys turn left (on 7)
1 bring her around (as guys move into reloj)
5 bring her around
1 Prance (doing reloj)
5 Prance (doing reloj)
1 Prance (doing reloj)
5 Prance (doing reloj)
1 Prance (doing reloj)
5 Into siete tap
1 Turn the girl
5 In 8 beats
1 Guys rock in
5 The girls go under
1 Guys rock in
5 The girls go under
1 Guys rock in
5 Girls go under
1 CBL with the guys' arms sweeping down on 1
5 "and 5" 6 7 (guys do a shuffle step with left crossing in front on 5)
1In out in (chevaria)
5Turn in place (guys fling ladies' arm to lead the turn on 5)
-------------------------
Classico and L. A. de Glen Ganging
1- 1, 2, embrace (like adios)
5- quick quick enchufla
1- quick quick enchufla
5- rondee for the guy
1- turn the girl
5- double turn (if she can spin fast, try a double turn here---or even a triple)
1- back rock enchufla
5- rondee for the guy
1- back rock enchufla
5- evelyn
1- guy rocks in
5- coca cola turn (she turns one and half turns and you break her movement starting on 7)
1 "3" (change her direction and start her turning)
5 "5, 7" (two turns to the right)
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
1 do a prep
5 double turn
1 the guy rocks in
5 cross body, turn
1 guy turns right (she is behind him)
5 lady turns right (she is behind him and, facing away from her, he uses the right arm to turn her)
1 guy rocks forward (girl rocks back)
5 guy rocks back (girl rocks forward)
1 guy rocks forward (girl rocks back)
5 bring her through
1 stop, "3" (she turns right on 3)
5 "5, 7" (she turns right on 5 and again on 7)
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
----------------
Rubenada/Sordo/Carnival/Unisex Ganging
1 Starts like sombrero
5 QQS
1 back rock enchufla
5 lift left arm (guys)
1 drop the hand (feet step the same as "in to the center" or "picalante, dos, tres")
5 dile que no tap
1 funky turn (guy and girl turn in opposite directions)
5 guy unwinds
1- now do Sordo (guy turns again)
5- and then hook (arm hooks on 7)
1- guy goes forward
5- guy goes back
keep doing this until se fue is called)
1- se fue
5- unhook forward forward (arm unhooks; then feet go forward)
1- in place, side, hook (refers to man's footwork. hook is behind)
5- rondee and move (a "walking rondee")
1- backrock enchufla
5- over her head
1- then do exhibe
5- QQS
1- take it out (take it out on 3)
5- coca cola turn
1- the guy rocks in
5- bring her across
1- back rock enchufla (2 handed)
5 guy in front (right arm over)
1 3 (on 3, his left hand is behind his head)
5 5, 7 ( on 7 his right hand is on girl's shoulder)
1 1, 3 (right arm at his shoulder, then at stomach)
5 switch (the arms), 6, 7 (on 6 right arm on right shoulder and on 7 left arm on left shoulder)
1 1, 2, 3 (3 alardes with guy's left arm)
5 7 (on 7, the left arm is behind head. Note this happened on 3 earlier in the sequence)
1 1, 3 ( on 3 his right hand is on girl's shoulder)
5 come around (girl in front)
1 switch the arms
5 turn the girl
1 then do enchufla
5 drape over the guy
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Amistad
1 starts like enchufla
5 guys change hands
1 guys join hands
5 into siete tap
1 turn around
5 drape to the shoulder
1 guys rock in
5 coke turn/head roll
1 guys rock in
5 CBL
Carnival Thalia
1 starts like setenta
5 do setenta
1 do setenta
5 guy in front (he comes in front of lady, facing either circumference, or outside the circle)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm goes below his left arm. On 3, his left hand is behind his head)
5 5, 7 ( On 5 his right hand is on his right shoulder. On 7 his right hand is on girl's shoulder)
1 1, 3 (On 1 his right arm is on his right shoulder and on 3 it's at his stomach.)
5 5, 6, 7 (switch the arms on 5; on 6 the right arm is on the right shoulder and on 7 left arm is on left shoulder)
1 turn around (guy lowers right arm as he turns)
5 fling and catch (arm toss done with the elbow!)
1 back rock enchufla (she must move linearly toward the circle)
5 bring her back (she moves away from center still linearly)
1 flare her out
5 turn to the circumference
1 back rock enchufla
5 QQS
1 guy rocks in
5 bring her around tap
1 turn turn turn
5 back rock enchufla
1 back rock enchufla
5 bring her to your side
1 flare her back (begin essentially a basic with a flare on 1)
5 bring her forward (finish the basic)
1 flare her back
5 CBL tap (guys hold arms near their body--don't extent them,so lady stays close)
1 turn her once tap (She taps facing circle)
5 turn her twice tap (she taps on other foot facing circle)
1 turn with both hands (both hands over her head)
5 QQS
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
"Walk" (Rueda routine ending move)
1 call walk
5 finish basic
1 being to walk to front of stage
5 keep waking
1 keep walking and bring arms up, fluttering hands
5 keep walking and bring arms up, fluttering hands
1 wave starting right on 1, left on 3
5 wave right on 5, left on 7
1 pose on 1
5 keep posing (hold pose 8 beats)
1 clap clave rhythm
5 clap clave rhythm
1 back up bringing arms up
5 back up bringing arms up
1 bow (be down by 3)
5 bow (be up by 7)
1 turn right to go off stage and tap on 1 to left side, step on 2 and 3
5 tap on right side on 5 and step on 6 and 7
Keep moving off stage to stage in this pattern
Dame Bridge
1 Dame Bridge (Called)
5 RUN, MAKE BRIDGE (Note that by beat 7 the bridges are in place, with leaders on the inside)
1 Guys go through
5 Cross body lead
1 Guys go through
5 SWTICH: RUN, BRIDGE: (Guys who were originally running now make the bridge by beat 7!! Followers are now on the inside)
1 Guys go through
5 Cross body lead
1 Guys go through
5 Back to basic.
Promenade
1 starts with enchufla
5 guys switch hand
1 guys rock in
5 CBL (lead her in a line and she doesn't turn till beat 7
1 do a prep
5 double turn
1 guy rocks in (he switches hand)
5 twirl the girl(facing outside circle)
1 push her back
5 twirl again (she's at guy's side)
1 guy rocks in (facing center)
5 CBL
Calvo (A Move from Cuba) (means bald) Hold both hands till end
1 Do a prep
5 Turn the girl (R turn w hammerlock)
1 Back rock enchufla
5 Left then right
1 Back rock enchufla
5 Right then left
1 2-handed enchufla
5 Face the center
1 Guy rocks in
5 CBL
Hand Tosses
1 Guy rocks in
5 CBL(to outside)
1 do a prep (R over L)
5 turn the girl
1 guy turns L
5 throw and catch (catch on 7) both throw and catch w/ L
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL(R over her head)
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL (L over your head)
1 do a prep (straight hands)
5 turn the girl
1 toss and
5 toss
1 do a prep
5 big toss
Ending one
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL w turn
Or---
Ending two
1 guy rocks in
5 turn her around
1 do a dip
5 bring her back
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Choco (A Move from Cuba)
1 starts with enchufla (stepping 1, 2, 3)
5 step step jump jump(jump forward then back on 7 and 8)
1 one two tap step(on beats 1, 2, 3, 4)
5 tap step step step(on beats 5, 6, 7, 8)
Sin Nombre (Verbal Description)
This move starts with an outside CBL. Then do a handshake hold as she walks out and turns on beat 7. Prep her for a double spin on beats 1, 2, and 3. Do the double spin on 5, 6, 7. Then do uno. Come up close (as opposed to being behind her) when on her left side the second time. The guy rocks in and leads her in an inside CBL into a tap. He spins her out to his right side, and then leads a coca cola turn (as she comes back to his left side) with a shoulder check. Doble spin her in the other direction.
Using a handshake hold, and asking for her hand on top of that, lead a CBL and "present her." (Arms are up and then down and up again in a sort of "butterfly" presentation which is very pretty.) Then you are facing each other; do "touch and go." Then do a half left turn for guys followed by 3 alardes. Then do one and a half turns for men going right on 1, 2, 3. On 5, 6, 7 she turns right. Then take her other hand up higher than the one connected to her, and do the copa, checking her and changing her direction with a hip lead.
Finally, the guy rocks in and leads a CBL and the move is done.
Triple Lock
1 Ask for hand low (under the handshake hold)
5 She turns left
1 "1" turn right (first lock is on 1)
5 to the lock
1 "1" turn left (second lock is on 1)
5 to the lock (guy's right hand stays down)
1 guy's r hand leads (he lets go with left)
5 she turns on 7
1 back rock prep (like balsero nuevo)
5 do last lock (she is turning right like sombrero; his left hand is on top)
1 "1," check, change (lock on 1; guy's left hand checks her at hip on 2 or 3, changing her direction from left to right)
5 Guy turns her 2 x w/ his right holding her right as she comes 2 his left side
(Verbal description for Triple Lock:)
Start with a handshake hold and ask for the lady's other hand underneath the handshake hold. She does left turns into the first lock going outside of the circle. Check her (stop her movement) on beat one.
Then lady turns right two times for the second lock.
Then lady turns left while guy keeps right hand down. All checks are on beat 1 and this third set of turns is the last of the three first locks.
She is then in position to simply walk out, turning on beat 7.
Then you do the opening of balsero nuevo ("back-rock, prep") on beats 1, 2, and 3. Then lady turns and she does the last lock, again ending on beat 1. They guy's left hand moves quickly down to her hep to check her on beat 2 (preferably) or 3 (at the latest). He turns her out going right to end the move.
Sin Nombre
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL (outside the circle) switch hands on 7 to handshake
1 walk her out
5 turn on 7 (like Promenade)
1 do a prep (prep on 1, 2, 3)
5 double spin
1 backrock hammerlock (uno)
5 one oo oone (uno)
1 two oo oo (uno)
5 guy comes forward
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL tap
1 roll her out --- (hands are left 2 left)
5 to his right (hands are left 2 left)
1 take her hand --(handshake hold--right to right)
5 coca cola turn (brings her to his left side as she turns left)
1 check on 2-3-4
5 double turn going right (still a handshakehold -- no check)
1 request her hand (left requests left) (above the handshake hold)
5 CBL (arms up on 7)
1 "1" (arms down to present her on 1. then arms up again on 3)
5 she turns right. (that is touch and go. one and a half turns so she faces guy at end). (Guy releases his own left hand and releases her left. They stay holding right to right throughout touch and go.)
1 guys turn left (half way to face away from lady. He has her right in his right.)
5 over over over (3 alardes over guy's own head)
1 Guys turn right (one and a half turns so he faces her. He is holding her right in his right.)
5 Ladies turn right (1 turn) (Hands are r. to r.)
1 copa (backrock on 1. ask for left hand on 1 or 2. take her left w/ guy's left above the r. pull on 2 w/ right. on 3 guy's left goes over her head.)
5 copa (stop her w/ right hand at hip on 4.)
1 guys rock in
5 CBL
Michaela
(Verbal Description)
Starts with vacila holding hands and a walking rondee by the leader. Then 3 walks. End with the ending of pa ti pa mi. Then vacila with two hands. Do the maneuver in la cuadra where leader hooks the follower. But don't fully hook--keep elbow high as leader must go into setenta quickly after the "hook position." It ends with an exhibe led by the leader's right hand and he then switches to the left and rondees, hammerlocking himself. The end is guy rocking in and leading a CBL as usual.
1 Vacila holding one hand
5 rondee for the guy
1 walk walk walk
5 guy turns left (it's not a big turn, guy just turns enough to face center)
1 vacila--2 hands (he holds both of her hands)
5 do la cuadra(he gos under his right hand and does the la cuadra manuver with a "minimal" hook)
1 turn the girl (he barely really hooks because the arm must lead this turn really fast)
5 walk walk walk
1 do setenta
5 do setenta (but on 8, he brings his arm back over his head to prepare to lead exhibe)
1 exhibe: right, left (he starts leading exhibe with his right hand and on 2 switches to left)
5 rondee for the guy (he hammerlocks himself by doing the rondee)
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Dame la Directo Doble/Vacila Entrada/Patin (10 sets of 8)
1 back rock, move
5 2 hands, turn
1 Walk walk walk
5 2 hands, turn
1 Walk walk walk
5 In and then tap
1 Turn turn turn(start vacila)
5 Turn turn turn
1 Guy move right
5 Ladies move right
1 Guy move right
5 Ladies move right
1 Guys move to center
5 Get in a circle (get into "male bonding" position with arms around each other like Patin)
1 Cumbia step(guys keep doing cumbia steps for 16 beats; ladies do shoulder rolls and then other cute stuff)
5 Cumbia step(ladies shimmy)
1 Cumbia step(ladies body roll down)
5 Cumbia step (ladies ripple up)
1 Turn to left (ladies back rock)
5 CBL
Uno C./Puente C & Puente Al Revers/Amistad/Amigos para Siempre/Chevaria
Just the chant for the Puente piece to the end is shown below. This is 15 sets of 8 below, and 26 if Uno complicado is included.
1 Starts with enchufla
5 Guys change hands
1 Guys join hands
5 under
1 under with a turn
5 quick quick slow
1 stomp
5 into siete tap
1 turn her around
5 bring her around
1 do a prep
5 double turn
1 turn the other way
5 bring her around
1 back rock (first half of an exhibe)
5 turn on 7 ( on 7, all guys turn left)
1 come around("drag" her around as guys turn)
5 come around
1 come around
5 into siete tap
1 turn the girl
5 drape to the shoulder(reposition the group to be prepared for a full circle dame)
1 guys rock in
5 she goes under and turns(move to next guy)
1 guys rock in
5 she goes under and turns(move to next guy)
1 guys rock in
5 she goes under and turns(move to next guy)
1 she leads him (CBL)
5 He leads her (and they open up on 7, facing away from each other)
1 In out in (Chevaria)
5 Turn around
Resume basic
Serpiente Complicado (8 sets of 8)
1 starts like Sombrero
5 “7” (Guy's right hand is behind her head on 7. Guy and girl face each other.)
1 “3” (Guy's left hand goes "further" behind her head on 3.)
5 back and turn (Guy brings both hands over her head & turns left. Girl comes around fast to his left so they face each other.)
1do a prep
5 touch and go
1 fling and catch.
5 turn her around
1 do straight jacket
5 "5" and "7" (you touch the shoulder on those beats)
1 back rock prep
5 turn the girl
1 another prep
5 double turn (with big sweep down for 2nd turn; into that window formation)
1 copa
5 (finish copa)
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Enchufla Across
(Can only be done comfortably with 2 or 4 couples. When there are 4 couples, you can also alternate which guys doing the turn in the center.)
1 Starts with enchufla
5 move and turn (guys move around each other)
1 Travel to your partner (girl across the circle)
5 CBL
Hammerlock extended
R turn led with guy’s L and hold both hands
Throw her right hand down so it goes behind the lead's back. He catches it quickly on 1, with his left hand. (To do this, the lead’s left hand extends under his right hand.)
Then do uno for 16 beats. but on the second 5 6 7, leader’s right hand goes over her head to come out of uno.
Leader’s left hand goes over followers head and turns follower to right twice while moving in a line.
switch hands adn lead part of dedo but don’t turn to face partner
bring her around and follow/move with herturn her on 5 (not 3)block her movement 5 6 7dile que no
Serpiente complicado
keep both handsstarts like somb/serpientenext 8 beats, do “backrock prep; turn and turn.”
Leader keeps L hand down on second turn to hammerlock her and then does the straight jacket thing.
come to face her 123left turn 567prep 1232 turns 567copafree spin
Enrichment: Add touch and go and call the move: Serpiente Complicado Complicado
other nice moves: besito largo, rubenada C., Presa
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Explanations of some moves:
Juana la Cubana starts like Sombrero Doble, then uno, then an exhibe, and ends with Sombrero arms.
The footwork for men for coca cola turns is rock forward, to the side, then left goes behind right foot. Then guy steps halfway between to the side and forward, followed by going forward in an arc (circle). Then on beat 8 he does a twist to face center. It ends with guys rocks in, CBL. He is doing this footwork while leading the lady in her turn.
Setenta con gancho Hook on the second beat 7, and then lead a coca cola turn.
Dedo guarapo y bota: Guys start like dedo but on the first 5-6-7, he turns to his left to back to the center and face his partner. Grab her waist and and walk around each other starting on the second 1-2-3. He continues walking around her and releases her on about beat 6 or 5 and a half... On the third set of 8 beats, guys move to their new partner and CBL.
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MIAMI SALSA CONGRESS WORKSHOP MOVES
Enchufla con Bikini
1 starts with Enchufla
5 Quick Quick Slow (continue Enchufla)
1 guy turns left tap (he taps in front of the next lady on beat 4) (Note ladies grapevine to the left, and on beat 4 tap on left foot)
5 guy turns right (he moves to the following lady—like a dame dos) (Note ladies turn left)
1 guy rocks in (Ladies can do another left turn if they wish)
5 cross body lead
Variations/Styling Options
If the ladies move enough to their left while they grapevine and turn, the guys can make this move a dame tres (rather than a dame dos). This provides a greater degree of movement and action.
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Setenta con Gancho
1 starts like Setenta
5 do Setenta
1 do Setenta
5 do Setenta (hook on 7)
1 guy rocks in
5 bring her around (to the guy’s left--like Kentucky Complicado)
1 bring her right (she is behind the guy moving to his right)
5 turn the girl (free spin for lady so she can do any number ofturns)
1 guy rocks in
5 cross body lead
Variations/Styling Options:
The guy can start this move with a back to back version of Setenta.
Ladies can style the turn(s), coming out directly into a body roll for example. Ladies can use the final beats 1, 2, and 3 for extra time on a styling sequence if they want. They just have to be sure they are ready to do CBL by beat 5. ************************************************************************************************************
Vacila Entrada
1 do Vacila
5 do Vacila
1 the guys go right (stepping into the circle, touching hands with guys on either side)
5 the ladies go right (stepping into the circle, touching hands with the ladies on either side)
1 guys rock in
5 cross body lead(with original partner)
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Azuquita
1- starts like Setenta
5- QQS(keep doing Setenta)
1- back, through window(man steps back slightly on right, then forward on left and turns, going through the "window" he creates)
5- slide down arm (guy's arm behind his head by beat 7--or by next beat 1 is ok, too)
1- Setenta Complicado (Push lady's hip on beat one)
5- Setenta Complicado
1- Setenta complicado
5- Setenta Complicado
1- Setenta Complicado (guy rocks in)
5- Setenta Complicado(CBL)
Variations/Styling Options:
A. Change last 16 beats to:
1- Backrock, check(Check her on 3 and 4)
5- Spin the girl(she both spins right and moves to his right side)
1- Guy rocks in
5- CBL
B. Instead of draping over the girl, the guy can rondee
C. Lady can make a "4" with her feet on beat 4 prior to the final CBL.
D. Lady can throw her hip to the right prior to the final CBL
E. Lady can ripple up on the final 1, 2, 3 before the final CBL. (An upward ripple is the opposite of a downward body roll---get it?)
F. Guy can lead a back to back version of Setenta in opening 8 beats.
L.A. de Glen
1 do the prep
5 double turn (to the right) (Lady can really turn as many times as she can do comfortably--1, 2, 3, etc)
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL(on 7, stabilize her with your left hand on her right shoulder)
1 another prep
5 double turn
1 dile que no
5 cross body with turn
1 the guy turns right (she is behind him)
5 the lady turns right (she is behind him. While facing away from her, he uses his right arm to turn her)
1 guy rocks forward (girl rocks back)
5 guy rocks back (girl rocks forward)
1 guy rocks forward (girl rocks back)
5 turn the girl (guy leads her forward with his left hand and turns her to her left. Break her movement on beat 7)
1 “3” (she turns right on 3)
5 “5, 7” (she turns right on 5 and again on 7--these 3 turns are continuous)
1 the guy rocks in
5 CBL
Variations/Styling Options:
A. When the lady rocks forward, from behind the guy, she can ripple slightly as she moves forward.
B. On the final three turns that are continuous, you can lead with one hand and stay in contact for the turns. You can also use both hands on her shoulders to spin her and then release her, making it a free spin, re-connecting when the turns are over. This gives her liberty to turn as much or little as she wants. (Ladies can even style the turns, coming out directly into a body roll for example. They can take a little extra time for styling on the final beats 1, 2, and 3 if they wish.)
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Serpiente
1 starts like Sombrero
5“7” (guy's right hand behind her head on 7)
1“3” (guy's left hand goes "further" behind her head on 3)
5 back and turn (guy brings hands over her head and turns left, facing the girl squarely---this requires fast movement)
1 back rock prep (lady "poses" on 3--it's a "photo op!")
5 spin real fast (fast sombrero turn for lady while moving to guy's right side)
1 guy rocks in
5 CBL
Variations/Styling Options:
A. Lady makes a "4" with her feet on beat 4 prior to the final CBL.
B. Lady throws her hip to the right on beat 4 prior to the final CBL
C. Lady "ripples up" (like a body roll, but a ripple goes "up") on beats 1, 2, 3 before the final CBL.
***********************************************************************************
Linking the three final moves above—in various ways
Method 1: Do Azuquita, Serpiente, and LA de Glen in that order as follows:
a. Finish Azuquita and call Serpiente on beat 1 of last 8 beats in Azuquita.
Lady taps on beat 8 at the very end of Azuquita and immediately on next beat 1 moves into Serpiente. This is a "simple" form of ganging as we eliminate a basic but don't cut out any part of either of the moves that are ganged together.
b. Finish Serpiente but change the ending as follows. On the last 8 beats, when lady is doing CBL, switch the lead to one hand and a turn. The guy brings her to his left and faces her, putting one hand on her shoulder to break her movement. Then add 8 beats where she turns on beats 3, 5, and 7.
c. Those three turns replace the first double turn in L.A. de Glen. Then just proceed with the rest of the move. So we are cementing these two moves by altering the end of one move, eliminating the beginning of the next, and adding some turns to create a transition.
Method 2: Do Azuquita, L.A. de Glen, and Serpiente in that order, instead:
a. Start with Azuquita as explained in method 1 and do entire move. Call L. A. de Glen on beat 1 of the last 8 beats in Azuquita. Go right into L.A. de Glen.
b. After the three turns at the end of L.A. de Glen, step in place on 1, 2, and 3 while facing each other. Then lady does a right turn in place on 5, 6, and 7; and on beat 7, the guy's right hand goes behind her head, as in the first beat 7 of Serpiente. Finish Serpiente.
Note that this ganging is more complex because we eliminated some of the ending of L.A. de Glen and some of the beginning of Serpiente. Also, you could actually do another L.A. de Glen at the end of this sequence using the transition described in method 1!
Note: For men, on all beats 1, 2, and 3, they are stepping left right left.
On beats 1, 2, 3, women are stepping right left right.
And on all beats 5, 6, & 7, men step right left right, while ladies step left right left.
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L.A. Style Move (Level 1 and 2)
1 Basic step and
5 Basic step
1 “One, two three” (do basic)
5 Up by 7(guy lifts arm to prepare for his own turn by beat 7)
1 The guy turns around
5 The lady turns around
1 Basic step and
5 Basic step
1 Hand switch turn
5 The lady turns around
1 Basic step and
5 Basic step
1 Hammerlock turn
5 The arm comes over (it disconnects and goes over the guy’s shoulder as partners side step)
1 Basic step and
5 Basic step
1 Do a prep
5 Turn the girl(holding both hands)
1 Fling the arm and
5 Fling the arm
1 Open break & turn
5 Walk walk walk (going back)
1 And flair step step(lady flairs on the “and one”)
5 Turn turn turn(just the lady turns)
1 One two pose(guy comes side by side with lady)
5 Then free spin
1 Basic step and
5 Basic step
1 The guy rocks in
5 Cross body lead
1 Basic step and
5 Basic step
1 Guys rocks in
5 Cross body with turn
1 Basic step and
5 Basic step
1 Back rock prep
5 Turn the girl(like a Cuban sombrero turn, but end facing the lady)
1 Guy rocks in
5 Cross body lead
Advanced L. A. Style Move
1 Do a prep
5 Turn the girl
1 Fling her arm
5 Fling her arm
1 Back and turn
5 Back back back
1 Flair and then
5 Turn the girl
1 Connect & copa (both arms over her head)
5 Turn her around (guy's left is over her head)
1 Push her back (holding 2 hands)
5 Turn the girl (holding 2 hands)
1 Push her back (same action holding one hand)
5 Turn the girl (same action holding one hand)
1 Guy rocks in
5 CBL
Follow this with LA de Glen and Shoulder Check
SHINE PATTERN
2 Grapevines
Basic/2 CBL
Basic 3513 twice
Basic Syncopated
StepRondes
Basic/Triples
Basic/2 Around Worlds
Heels Toes
Explanation:
a. Grapevine—Start on L going in front going right and tap on 8th beat. To go back to the left, start on R in front and tap on L on 8th beat.
b. CBL—Start going forward on L and do the ladies’ CBL footwork always passing the feet (i.e. they never come right next to each other).
c. "3, 5, 1, 3”—Go right for 3 steps of Suzie Q, and then pivot. Go left for 5 steps, then pivot. Go right for one step and pivot. Go left for 3 steps and pivot. The pivot takes one beat. (Note doing this once requires 16 beats)
d. Syncopated—Step on every beat but bend in and emphasize beats 1, 4, 7.
e. Step Rondes—Start on L, ronde with right. Then step on R and ronde with L. Then step on L, ronde with right, and step together on beat 7
f. Triples Move 3 steps forward with quick “cha cha chas.” Then forward rock. Then 3 steps backwards with quick cha cha chas and back rock. This is done in 8 beats.
g. “Around the world"— Step snap. step snap. four total times. Each step or snap is one beat. Do this for two sets of 8 beats while “moving around...”
h. Heels and Toes—Beats 1 and 2 on heels, and beats 3 and 4 on “toes.” Repeat for 5, 6, 7, 8.
COOL STRUCTURES FOR RUEDAS
Note: I have used the term “normal” as a shorthand for circles flowing in the usual counterclockwise direction.
A. INVERTED CIRCLE
There are a number of moves that can be called that have the effect of making the lead and follow switch sides. For example, dancers can do a Dile Que No where the leader steps forward (instead of back) on beat one and does a cross body lead much the way he would, dancing one on one. Then each couple's center is outside the circle; and a line from those "outside centers" to the true center of the circle that the couples are formed around would look like spokes of a wheel. Dames can be done a couple of different ways in this formation. The initial way this was done was to have the leader move facing the outside of the circle to his next partner on his right when he faces his (unique) outside center. Then he leads her across so they are now partners, also in an inverted position (pa afuera). Moves can be done in this formation and if Dile Que No is called again, the circle goes back to "normal" with each couple's center being the true midpoint of the circle they are formed around.
B. MIXTA (requires even number of couples preferably at least 6 couples)
1. Enchufla flip means everyone does the enchufla where lead/follow switch sides.
2. Enchufla guapea means everyone does the enchufla where they return the side they started on.
3. Mixta means that the cantantes do enchufla flip and the oyentes do enchufla guapea.
4. Any call then applies to everyone after Mixta position is established with every other couple inverted----UNLESS the call is accompanied by saying cantantes or oyentes.
Here are the implications of this:
If the caller says “Cantantes, Uno” then only the Cantantes do the Uno. Others do basic.
If the caller says “Cantantes, Enchufla Flip” when everyone is in the Mixta position, then that switches Cantantes back to “normal” so a regular rueda could be done.
If Mixta is called when people are already in Mixta position, then it becomes the Cantantes who are “normal” (adentro) and the Oyentes who are inverted (pa afuera).
If everyone starts in normal position and the caller says, “Cantantes, enchufla flip” that has the same effect as calling Mixta. In other words, after the call, the Cantantes are inverted but the Oyentes are normal.
If the caller calls Mixta (starting from normal) and then calls “Oyentes, enchufla flip” then everyone would be inverted. If at that point the caller called enchufla, everyone would move down only one partner so that it would move the ladies to dancing with oyentes if they had been dancing with Cantantes and vice versa. Because of this possibility, it is helpful for the ladies to see visually whether their current partner is a Cantante or Oyente so that if Mixta is called, they know who is on their “team” when they are doing dame. Also because of the possibility that ladies can dance with either a Cantane or Oyente over time in a song, they shouldn’t wear anything identifying which "team" they are on. But it can be helpful for leaders to have something to wear as they don’t switch whether they are a Cantante or Oyente (i.e. 'switch teams").
There is also a complication of who moves on a Dame. If an entire circle is inverted, the leaders move. If a circle is in Mixta formation, then either the lead or follow will be facing so they look at their next partner headed in the counter clockwise direction after any move. That is the member of the couple who moves. And they move to a member of their "team" (i.e. Cantante leads to Cantante follows and similarly for Oyentes).
Side note: Generally it is preferred to say "Enchufla Mixta" instead of just "Mixta."
C. YANTA (requires even number of couples---preferably at least 6 couples)
Yanta is the call for Cantantes to move into the Pequena formation and they and their partners are inverted (pa afuera). Then each call would be for the respective inner or outer circles, unless Pequena is called. In that case, people dance in the 2 couple ruedad formed by the inner and outer circle couples that are lined up with each other.
Due to the pequena calls, leads almost always switch to the other circle (inner or outer). Followers will stay in their respective circle. In this case, no one needs to wear anything (such as identifying sashes) because it is easy to see who is on the inside circle and who is on the outside circle. To get back to normal, Recogela or Una Rueda is called. Then Cantantes return to the big circle, by moving clockwise from where they are in the inner circle.
D. TORNO Y TORNATE-MIXTA (requires at least 3 couples)
Enchufla Torno is an enchufla on 1, 2, 3 and on 5,6,7 leaders essentially move back 90 degrees of a circle. This puts leads on the inside of circle and followers on outside if they began in guapea. Another way to think of it is that it moves the leads counter clockwise (the way we dame) by 90 degrees.
Tornate is an overturned CBL so that the leads move counter clockwise 270 degrees (which is the same as moving clockwise by 90 degrees). This puts leads on the outside of the circle and followers on inside if the couple began from a "normal" guapea.
In both cases, the couple is on the spoke of the wheel (i.e. on the radius of the circle extended out past the circle) rather than being on a line tangent to the circumference (i.e. "on the circle"). By blending these calls with other formations above, complex patterns can be created!!
Here is a way to think about the movement created by Mixta (Enchufla flip and Enchufla guapea) and Torno y Tornate Mixta (Enchfula torno and Tornate). You can think that any time dancers are on the spokes of the wheel, if Enchufla Flip or Enchufla Guapea (and hence Mixta) are called, they remain somewhere on the spokes of the wheel. This is because Enchufla Flip and Enchufla Guapea move people either 180 degrees of zero degrees (which is the same as 360 degrees--you come back to where you were).
And likewise, if Enchufla Flip or Enchufla Guapea (hence Mixta) are called and dancers are on the circumference of the circle, they will wind up also on the circumference. Enchufla Flip will move the couple so they switch sides on the circumference or the spoke of the wheel. But Enchufla Guapea will move the couple so they are right back where they started on the circumference or on the spoke of the wheel.
The opposite is true of Enchufla Torno or Enchufla Tornate. When those moves are called, if the couple was on the circumference, they will wind up after the move on the spoke and vice versa. A couple that does Enchufla Torno will wind up in a position that is 90 degrees from where each of them started going in a counter clockwise direction. And a couple that does Enchufla Tornate will wind up 270 degrees from where each of them started going in a counter clockwise direction (which is the same as going 90 degrees from where they each started but in the clockwise direction).
Then some complications have to be worked on with respect to who moves when the circle does a dame. There are different ways to do this!
Generally if a move like Adios or Enchufla is called, the follower winds up more or less, close to being back where "she" started before "she" is picked up for the closing dame.
There is also a cool move called Dame Contrario that can be done in Mixta position when couples are on the circle. Two couples next to each other on the circle can switch partners where leads move forward and to the left, and pick up the follower that "he" is facing. This switches ladies from dancing with Cantantes to Oyentes and vice versa. So it is not a dame with a continuous pattern around the circle. Instead, partners are exchanged within pairs of two. This is often preceded by "Saludos Calientes" which is a call where the leads high 5 each other. It helps them see their position with respect to each other to facilitate the Contrario move.
Some terminology: Cantantes are also called Primeros and Oyentes are secondos.
Here is a cool sequence: Get into Yanta position with an inner and outer circle. Then call Enchufla Torno which creates a super long spoke, with 4 dancers lined up. This big spoke is called Raya. If there are six or more couples (but always an even number), this creates a beautiful long spoke that spreads out from the center like a star. And if the number of couples is a multiple of 4 (i.e. 4, 8, 12, etc), then there are 8 couples in a line with four on either side of the center. So it's an even longer spoke! To get out of the formation, call either Enchufla Torno or Enchufla Tornita. If the lead/follows are lined up wrong so that the inner circle isn't pa afuera, then call Enchufla Flip. Then Una Rueda can be called so that the inner circle moves out to the outer circle. And the cantantes or oyentes can do Enchufla Flip if need be to get to the final formation the caller desires.
E. ENCHUFLA ECHO (requires even number of couples preferably at least 6 couples)
Contantes begin by doing Enchufla and then going to the next Cantante
follower. Oyentes do Enchufla Doble and then go to next Oyente follower.
Caller should be a Cantante and call the next move 8 beats before the first is done so
dancers can go right into it with no basic in between. This structure requires there being no guapeas.
Cantantes do all the moves 8 beats before Oyentes. Once a guapea is allowed
to happen the formation ends and it's back to being on the same rhythm cycle
for both groups. Nice moves to do in this formation are Enchufla festival
or Pelota loco, Pelota mambo, or anything that doesn't require getting to
next partner too fast.
F. CRUZADA (requires any even number of couples)
Similar to Enchufla Echo but alternate couples are offset by 4 beats instead of 8 beats. All dancers dame in the same direction (the usual or normal direction). That is, none of the couples is pa afuera.
Fun Calls:
Adios con la vacina (Do the adios turn on 1, 2, 3, with neighbor).
Dame Dos y a tu sabes/cero con la vacina.
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RUEDA EXCHANGE VIRGINIA WORKSHOP PLANS
August 2019
a. Adios por Abajo Vacila Complicado
Adios 7 beats
He goes under 123
Pulls her back and turns in front of her on 67. He turns to face her with a pivot/twist on 8. (Lady can style arms out on 5 and brings them in quickly on 6 to be out of his way.)
He moves next to her on 1 2 3 and CBL on 5 6 7.
Then: Vacila Complicado Hold on to one hand for the entire Cacilla, and change her direction on 5. She has to stay in place during her final turn (after the direction change)
b. Sordo
first learn: Sambuca (It is used in Sordo)
turn 1 2 3 hook 7
unhook on 5; unroll 6 7.
2 handed enchufla; then 2 exhibes
drape over the guy/dile que no
Sordo
starts wtih abrazala
guy switches hand & turns on 123, then hooks on 7 (like Sabuca).
ce fue called on 1
unhook on 5 and come over follower’s head on 6 & 7.
then siderock on 1 and over her head 2 3. turn around 567 (to face partner squarely)
2 handed enchufla (8 beats)
into a 2-handed exhibe.
part of an exhibe --- come out on 3.
coca cola turn.
CBL (dile que no)
enchufla rondee
guy rocks in, CBL
c. Francesca
R turn in handshake (R to R) hold; R over L
2-handed enchufla into sombrero
arm way over for sombrero de manny. End FACING each other cleanly
“check” her on 3. Give her free spin to R on 5, using 2 hands on upper & lower arm
dile que no
d. Titanic
starts L over R
Her arms go out and down
bring her back and check her movement
bring her back. guy releases her with his left hand as he turns her
guy stops her with his left hand when she faces him
turn her R in a double turn
Dile que no
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LINE DANCE INFO
1. Cupid Shuffle
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-cupid-shuffle In this video a hip hop dancer explains how to do the Cupid Shuffle.
To do the cupid shuffle, you do four steps to the right which are done “right, left, right left, right left, right tap. That totals 8 beats. On the final beat, you don’t put your weight on the left foot so you can start on the left going the opposite direction on the next “beat one.”
Then you do the same thing but starting on your left and moving to the left (i.e. left right,….etc_. That also takes 8 beats. Again you tap on the 8th beat so you can step on your right foot on the next beat one.
Then do four heel steps starting with the right heel. This means you put your right heel in front on the floor and bring the right foot back under you on the next beat. Do the same thing on the left, and then repeat on the right then the left. This takes 8 beats.
Then for 8 beats you turn to your left over the next 8 beats so you are facing the wall that was to your left originally. You can turn any way you wish… Some people do the “twist” for 8 beats while turning but there is a lot of latitude on how you do this.
Then you repeat facing the new direction and keep doing the dance so you will turn facing all of the walls multiple times in the course of the dance.
2. Wobble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeS1usUnkxk This is a video done by a guy who I know and who’s a great country dance teacher, Rob Royston. He explains the Wobble in this video.
To do this dance you jump on beat one going forward and “wiggle” for 3 beats.
Then you jump back on back on beat 5 and wiggle for 3 beats. So the two together total 8 beats.
Then face to the left and groove with your arms up and moving for 4 beats. Then do the same thing facing to your right for 4 beats. So the two together total 8 beats.
Then step forward on the right, back on the left and then step “cha cha cha.” Then do the same thing starting with the left foot. This totals 8 beats.
Then you turn 90 degrees to your left. You can do this any way you want, spread over 8 beats. Generally, you start on your right and either step on each beat or step on “and one, and two and three and four and five and six and seven and eight.” The latter is done by tapping on the right and then stepping on the right, and tapping on the left and stepping on the left, etc. A tap is when your foot touches the ground but you aren’t putting your weight on that foot.
After turning 90 degrees, you repeat the whole pattern facing the new wall and keep doing this and turning till the end of the song.
3. Electric Slide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pF9PN8UpqI This has people doing electric slide to unusual country music but the instruction at the start of the video is well explained.
You go to the right for 4 beats, then go left for 4 beats.
Then go back for 4 beats.
Then lean in and tap, lean back and tap—totaling 4 beats.
Then you take just 2 beats to turn to your left. This may feel rhythmically odd since everything else is done in sets of 4 beats. I think it is slightly confusing to experienced dancers as it puts you starting your next pattern in the middle of a musical measure. But that is how the dance is done.
You repeat the pattern facing the new wall and keep doing this, turning to the next wall until the music ends.
4. Cha cha slide
clap hands up high
go left 4 beats
step back 4 beats
music says hop, but most people jump (hop is on one foot; jump is on two feet) 4 beats
stomp right foot 4 beats
stomp left foot 4 beats
right left cha cha cha 4 beats
left right cha cha cha 4 beats
turn left and move left in 4 beats and then you are repeating the pattern but altering what you do based on the singer’s instructions.
You just follow what the song tells you to do. The pattern alters as you go through the song unlike the other line dances.
Note that criss cross means you cross one foot in front of the other.
For hands on your knees you lean over and do that with the knees moving in and out!
When he says do Charlie Brown, you just step forward and back, leaning forward and back respectively.
When he says to reverse, you turn around.
With these ingredients, you can do the dance following the music’s directions!