Levels of Teaching Various Social Dances

 Skippy Blair ©  8-96 Rev. 10-99, 5-01, 1-03,  4-06

Level I

•  All Single Rhythm - All Double Rhythm - OR Alternating Doubles & Singles

•  1st, 2nd and 4th Foot Positions   (No 3rd or 5th position until later)

•  Simple Count  •  Basic Direction  •  3 Toe Base    • 1/4 Turns

•  Rhythm Patterns that fit the “4-Beat” measure or the “8-Beat” Mini-phrase.

(“6-Beat” patterns should be saved until student masters Level I techniques).

Centering (CPB) over the Unit Foot is automatic w/ Level I material.   

Level I Dances:  Melange -  Slow Dance - Salsa Suave  - Salsa Valiente'
      Stroll - Modern Jive - Box Rhythm Fox Trot - Box Rhythm Rumba - Conga

Level II: In addition to Fundamentals listed in Level I - add:

• Triple Rhythm  • Action/Reaction • Leverage  • Compression • Delayed Single

• 3rd & 5th Foot Positions  • Pivots (1/2 Turns) • Contra Body Movement 

• Also add "Mixed Rhythms" and "6-Beat" patterns in 4/4 time.

    • Triples in 3/4 Time   and  Centering (CPB) over the Unit Foot 

Level II Dances:  Ballroom Foxtrot  -  Carolina Shag  -  Merengue - Tango
       Country Two Step  -  East Coast Swing  -  Lindy  -  Jive  -  Waltz -
       and  - West Coast Swing (at a very Basic level) 

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Level III: In addition to Elements listed in Level I and Level II - add:

• Syncopations   • Required Hip Control (Neutral - Cuban - Camel - Boogie) 

• Movement Units   • 3/4 Pivot Turns   • Checks, Breaks and Lunges:.

(Changes of Direction of the "Center Point of Balance" - CPB)

• Center (CPB) over Unit Foot requires more training for patterns at this level.

Level III Dances: Balboa - Cha-Cha  - Hustle - Polka - Salsa Picado -
      Truckin’ - St. Louis Shag  -  Viennese Waltz  -  Mambolero - Cumbia

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Level IV:  In addition to "Elements" listed in Levels I, II, and III - add:

• Variety of Rhythms in one basic pattern  •  Full Spins

• Advanced Body Control of Ripples, Waves, Stylized Arms etc.         

• Combined Movement "Elements" - (Suspended elevation - Sustained Check)

• Extreme Tempos (very Fast or very Slow)          

• Controlled Hips: International Latin Hips (combination of Cuban and Camel)

• Body Flight - and Musical Interpretation.

• Centering over the UNIT Foot becomes crucial to performing the dance.

Level IV Dances: International Slow Foxtrot  -  International Waltz  - 
     Laminu - Mambo  - Nightclub Two Step -  Quickstep  -  and - Samba

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Learning the various independent elements that determine the different
    Levels of dance can also teach us how to determine the LEVEL of West
    Coast Swing patterns.   This process assists us in being able to 
    determine  the most efficient and effective order in which dance patterns
    should be taught.  It is important too, to realize that EVERY dance can
    grow in expertise,  to a point where it is performed at a Level IV.