Step Number

Definition:
Step Number refers to each weight change or action in a figure. Most steps in a figure are weight changes, where weight is fully shifted from one foot to the other. Actions include brushes, flicks, drags, and points.

Details:

  • Note that the step number is different from the count. For example:
    • The Foxtrot Basic has four steps, but is danced over six beats of music with a count of SSQQ.
    • The Waltz Promenade Chasse has ten steps, danced in nine beats of music with a count of 123, 12&3, 123.

Foot Position

Definition:
Foot Position refers to the direction of the moving foot in relation to the standing foot and the body. It does not refer to the path the foot takes to arrive at its destination, as that may differ from the final position.

Dance Positions

Definition:
Dance Positions refer to the relationship of the partners to one another. The specific dance positions are defined in the Dance Position section.

Details:

  • The most common dance positions are:
  • Closed Position
  • Promenade Position
  • Counter Promenade Position
  • Fallaway Position
  • Counter Fallaway Position
  • Left Side Position
  • Right Side Position
  • Facing Position
  • Left Outside Position
  • Right Outside Position
  • Open Facing Position
  • Sometimes, the Leader and Follower are transitioning between positions. Example:
    • On the second step of the Simple Twinkle (Waltz or Foxtrot), there is a transition between Closed Position and Promenade Position. This is marked as Prep PP.
  • Other transitional positions include:
    • Prep FUATR: Preparation for Follower's underarm turn Right
    • Prep LUATL: Preparation for Leader's underarm turn Left
    • UAT: The relationship of the couple during an underarm turn

Alignment

Definition:
Alignment refers to the direction the feet are aimed in relationship to the room and to the line of dance. Alignment is used in Smooth dances because they travel around the dance floor.

Details:

  • Alignments are preceded by the words facing, backing, or pointing:
  • Facing is used in three situations:
      1. When moving forward.
      1. When stepping side and the following step or steps will be going forward.
      1. When feet are closing and the next step or steps will be going forward.
  • Backing is used in three situations:
      1. When moving backward.
      1. When stepping side and the following step or steps will be going backward.
      1. When feet are closing and the next step or steps will be going backward.
  • Pointing is when the body faces a different direction than where the foot is aimed.
  • Often used on the side step during the back half of turning figures.
  • Example: Step 2 of the Tango Promenade Turning Left - the step is taken in Promenade Position, but after the follower pivots, the couple is in Closed Position. This is noted as PP to CP.

Amount of Turn

Definition:
Amount of Turn is described in fractions and indicates how much turn is made on one foot or between the feet over two or more consecutive steps.

Details:

  • Turn is determined by the feet, not the body.
  • If the body turns less than the feet, it will be marked as Body Turns Less (BTL).
  • BTL is usually followed on a later step by Body Completes Turn (BCT).
  • Example: Leader's Steps 5-6 and 11-12 of the Left Turning Box in Waltz.

Rise & Fall

Definition:
Rise & Fall is the continuous elevation and lowering of the body through the feet, ankles, and legs. It is used in all Smooth dances except Tango.

Details:

  • A related term is No Foot Rise (NFR), meaning the dancer should not rise onto the toes, keeping the foot flat on the floor.
  • NFR is used on:
    • The first step (back step) of the back half of turns (except in SSQQ figures in Foxtrot).
    • Balance steps.
    • Progressive backward steps in certain dances (e.g., Foxtrot running steps).

Step Number

Definition:
Step Number refers to each weight change or action in a figure. Most steps in a figure are weight changes, where weight is fully shifted from one foot to the other. Actions include brushes, flicks, drags, and points.

Details:

  • Note that the step number is different from the count. For example:
  • The Foxtrot Basic has four steps, but is danced over six beats of music with a count of SSQQ.
  • The Waltz Promenade Chasse has ten steps, danced in nine beats of music with a count of 123, 12&3, 123.

Foot Position

Definition:
Foot Position refers to the direction of the moving foot in relation to the standing foot and the body. It does not refer to the path the foot takes to arrive at its destination, as that may differ from the final position.

Dance Positions

Definition:
Dance Positions refer to the relationship of the partners to one another. The specific dance positions are defined in the Dance Position section.

Details:

  • The most common dance positions are:
  • Closed Position
  • Promenade Position
  • Counter Promenade Position
  • Fallaway Position
  • Counter Fallaway Position
  • Left Side Position
  • Right Side Position
  • Facing Position
  • Left Outside Position
  • Right Outside Position
  • Open Facing Position
  • Sometimes, the Leader and Follower are transitioning between positions. Example:
    • On the second step of the Simple Twinkle (Waltz or Foxtrot), there is a transition between Closed Position and Promenade Position. This is marked as Prep PP.
  • Other transitional positions include:
    • Prep FUATR: Preparation for Follower's underarm turn Right
    • Prep LUATL: Preparation for Leader's underarm turn Left
    • UAT: The relationship of the couple during an underarm turn

Alignment

Definition:
Alignment refers to the direction the feet are aimed in relationship to the room and to the line of dance. Alignment is used in Smooth dances because they travel around the dance floor.

Details:

  • Alignments are preceded by the words facing, backing, or pointing:
    • Facing is used in three situations:
      1. When moving forward.
      1. When stepping side and the following step or steps will be going forward.
      1. When feet are closing and the next step or steps will be going forward.
  • Backing is used in three situations:
      1. When moving backward.
      1. When stepping side and the following step or steps will be going backward.
      1. When feet are closing and the next step or steps will be going backward.
  • Pointing is when the body faces a different direction than where the foot is aimed.
  • Often used on the side step during the back half of turning figures.
  • Example: Step 2 of the Tango Promenade Turning Left � the step is taken in Promenade Position, but after the follower pivots, the couple is in Closed Position. This is noted as PP to CP.

Amount of Turn

Definition:
Amount of Turn is described in fractions and indicates how much turn is made on one foot or between the feet over two or more consecutive steps.

Details:

  • Turn is determined by the feet, not the body.
  • If the body turns less than the feet, it will be marked as Body Turns Less (BTL).
  • BTL is usually followed on a later step by Body Completes Turn (BCT).
  • Example: Leader's Steps 5-6 and 11-12 of the Left Turning Box in Waltz.

Rise & Fall

Definition:
Rise & Fall is the continuous elevation and lowering of the body through the feet, ankles, and legs. It is used in all Smooth dances except Tango.

Details:

  • A related term is No Foot Rise (NFR), meaning the dancer should not rise onto the toes, keeping the foot flat on the floor.
  • NFR is used on:
    • The first step (back step) of the back half of turns (except in SSQQ figures in Foxtrot).
    • Balance steps.
    • Progressive backward steps in certain dances (e.g., Foxtrot running steps).

Footwork

Definition:
Footwork describes the part of the foot that is in contact with the floor as a step is taken.

Details:

  • Below are descriptions of the most common footwork used in the Smooth dances:
    • Ball: Full, partial, or no weight is taken onto the ball of the foot with the heel raised very slightly off the floor.
    • Ball Heel: Initiated by the ball of the foot with the heel raised off, then lowering to the floor. Mostly used on back steps in Tango.
    • Foot Flat: The entire foot stays in contact with the floor as it moves into position. Example: Leader's step 6 and Follower's step 3 of both Left and Right Turns in Viennese Waltz.
    • Heel: Initiated with the foot flexed and the heel in contact with the floor, then rolling down to a flat foot. Used when there is no rise or commencement of rise on the step.
    • Heel Ball: Initiated with the foot flexed and the heel in contact with the floor, rolling down onto the ball of the foot and then swiveling, keeping the foot flat. Used in Tango (e.g., Follower's steps 3, 4, 7, and 8 of the Bronze Tango Right Side Fans).
    • Heel Toe: Initiated with the foot flexed and the heel in contact with the floor, then rolling through the foot to the toes. Used on steps where there is rise or commencement of rise.
    • Inside Edge of Ball: Initiated with the inside edge of the ball of the foot in contact with the floor. Mostly used in Tango, for example, the last step (drag) of a Tango Close.
    • Inside Edge of Ball Heel: Initiated with the inside edge of the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, followed by the heel, then completely transferring weight to the whole foot. Mostly used in Tango on side steps.
    • Inside Edge of Toe: The inside edge of the toe is in contact with the floor. Example: steps 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 18 of the Bronze Viennese Waltz Cross Body Lead and Underarm Turn.
    • Toe: Weight is placed high on the ball of the foot with weight on the toes and the heel raised as much as possible from the floor.
    • Toe Heel: Used in two ways:
    • Generally from a rise, weight is taken high fully onto the toes, and then the heel lowers to the floor. Example: Count 3 of most Waltz figures.
    • On back steps, the weight rolls from the front of the foot (toe) to the back of the foot (heel). As the foot extends backward, first the toes, then the ball, and finally the heel make contact with the floor.
    • Whole Foot: Weight is placed onto the whole foot. Example: Follower's step 2, and both partners' step 6 of the Tango Reverse Turn. Whole foot differs from foot flat in that the foot will be lifted, then placed into position.

Count

Definition:
Count (also called timing) allows dancers to keep their dancing in time to the music. Each dance has its own specific count, which helps define its feel and character.

Details:

  • Depending on the dance, a count may be given in slows and quicks or in numbers.
    • Example: The Foxtrot Twinkle is counted SQQ, SQQ.
    • Example: The Bronze Waltz Simple Twinkle is counted 123, 123.

Step Number

Definition:
Step Number refers to each weight change or action in a figure. Most steps in a figure are weight changes, where weight is fully shifted from one foot to the other. Actions include brushes, flicks, drags, and points.

Details:

  • Note that the step number is different from the count. For example:
    • The Foxtrot Basic has four steps, but is danced over six beats of music with a count of SSQQ.
    • The Waltz Promenade Chasse has ten steps, danced in nine beats of music with a count of 123, 12&3, 123.

Foot Position

Definition:
Foot Position refers to the direction of the moving foot in relation to the standing foot and the body. It does not refer to the path the foot takes to arrive at its destination, as that may differ from the final position.

Dance Positions

Definition:
Dance Positions refer to the relationship of the partners to one another. The specific dance positions are defined in the Dance Position section.

Details:

  • The most common dance positions are:
    • Closed Position
    • Promenade Position
    • Counter Promenade Position
    • Fallaway Position
    • Counter Fallaway Position
    • Left Side Position
    • Right Side Position
    • Facing Position
    • Left Outside Position
    • Right Outside Position
    • Open Facing Position
  • Sometimes, the Leader and Follower are transitioning between positions. Example:
  • On the second step of the Simple Twinkle (Waltz or Foxtrot), there is a transition between Closed Position and Promenade Position. This is marked as Prep PP.
  • Other transitional positions include:
    • Prep FUATR: Preparation for Follower's underarm turn Right
    • Prep LUATL: Preparation for Leader's underarm turn Left
    • UAT: The relationship of the couple during an underarm turn

Alignment

Definition:
Alignment refers to the direction the feet are aimed in relationship to the room and to the line of dance. Alignment is used in Smooth dances because they travel around the dance floor.

Details:

  • Alignments are preceded by the words facing, backing, or pointing:
  • Facing is used in three situations:
      1. When moving forward.
      1. When stepping side and the following step or steps will be going forward.
      1. When feet are closing and the next step or steps will be going forward.
  • Backing is used in three situations:
      1. When moving backward.
      1. When stepping side and the following step or steps will be going backward.
      1. When feet are closing and the next step or steps will be going backward.
  • Pointing is when the body faces a different direction than where the foot is aimed.
  • Often used on the side step during the back half of turning figures.
  • Example: Step 2 of the Tango Promenade Turning Left � the step is taken in Promenade Position, but after the follower pivots, the couple is in Closed Position. This is noted as PP to CP.

Amount of Turn

Definition:
Amount of Turn is described in fractions and indicates how much turn is made on one foot or between the feet over two or more consecutive steps.

Details:

  • Turn is determined by the feet, not the body.
  • If the body turns less than the feet, it will be marked as Body Turns Less (BTL).
  • BTL is usually followed on a later step by Body Completes Turn (BCT).
  • Example: Leader's Steps 5-6 and 11-12 of the Left Turning Box in Waltz.

Rise & Fall

Definition:
Rise & Fall is the continuous elevation and lowering of the body through the feet, ankles, and legs. It is used in all Smooth dances except Tango.

Details:

  • A related term is No Foot Rise (NFR), meaning the dancer should not rise onto the toes, keeping the foot flat on the floor.
  • NFR is used on:
    • The first step (back step) of the back half of turns (except in SSQQ figures in Foxtrot).
    • Balance steps.
    • Progressive backward steps in certain dances (e.g., Foxtrot running steps).

Footwork

Definition:
Footwork describes the part of the foot that is in contact with the floor as a step is taken.

Details:

  • Below are descriptions of the most common footwork used in the Smooth dances:
    • Ball: Full, partial, or no weight is taken onto the ball of the foot with the heel raised very slightly off the floor.
    • Ball Heel: Initiated by the ball of the foot with the heel raised off, then lowering to the floor. Mostly used on back steps in Tango.
    • Foot Flat: The entire foot stays in contact with the floor as it moves into position. Example: Leader's step 6 and Follower's step 3 of both Left and Right Turns in Viennese Waltz.
    • Heel: Initiated with the foot flexed and the heel in contact with the floor, then rolling down to a flat foot. Used when there is no rise or commencement of rise on the step.
    • Heel Ball: Initiated with the foot flexed and the heel in contact with the floor, rolling down onto the ball of the foot and then swiveling, keeping the foot flat. Used in Tango (e.g., Follower's steps 3, 4, 7, and 8 of the Bronze Tango Right Side Fans).
    • Heel Toe: Initiated with the foot flexed and the heel in contact with the floor, then rolling through the foot to the toes. Used on steps where there is rise or commencement of rise.
    • Inside Edge of Ball: Initiated with the inside edge of the ball of the foot in contact with the floor. Mostly used in Tango, for example, the last step (drag) of a Tango Close.
    • Inside Edge of Ball Heel: Initiated with the inside edge of the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, followed by the heel, then completely transferring weight to the whole foot. Mostly used in Tango on side steps.
    • Inside Edge of Toe: The inside edge of the toe is in contact with the floor. Example: steps 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 18 of the Bronze Viennese Waltz Cross Body Lead and Underarm Turn.
    • Toe: Weight is placed high on the ball of the foot with weight on the toes and the heel raised as much as possible from the floor.
    • Toe Heel: Used in two ways:
    • Generally from a rise, weight is taken high fully onto the toes, and then the heel lowers to the floor. Example: Count 3 of most Waltz figures.
    • On back steps, the weight rolls from the front of the foot (toe) to the back of the foot (heel). As the foot extends backward, first the toes, then the ball, and finally the heel make contact with the floor.
    • Whole Foot: Weight is placed onto the whole foot. Example: Follower's step 2, and both partners' step 6 of the Tango Reverse Turn. Whole foot differs from foot flat in that the foot will be lifted, then placed into position.

Count

Definition:
Count (also called timing) allows dancers to keep their dancing in time to the music. Each dance has its own specific count, which helps define its feel and character.

Details:

  • Depending on the dance, a count may be given in slows and quicks or in numbers.
    • Example: The Foxtrot Twinkle is counted SQQ, SQQ.
    • Example: The Bronze Waltz Simple Twinkle is counted 123, 123.

Abbreviation Key

Definition:
Common abbreviations used in dance notation.

Details:

  • A: Against
  • B: Backing / Ball of foot
  • BCT: Body Completes Turn
  • BTBP: Back to Back Position
  • BF: Ball Flat
  • BH: Ball Heel
  • BTL: Body Turns Less
  • btw: between
  • C: Center / Counter
  • CBM: Contra Body Movement
  • CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position
  • CCW: Counter Clockwise
  • Com: Commence
  • Cont: Continue
  • CorteP: Corte Position
  • CP: Closed Position
  • CPP: Counter Promenade Position
  • ct: Count
  • CW: Clockwise
  • DC: Diagonal Center
  • DHH: Double Handhold
  • DW: Diagonal Wall
  • e/o: End of
  • F: Facing
  • FacP: Facing Position
  • FallP: Fallaway Position
  • FUATL: Follower's Underarm Turn Left
  • FUATR: Follower's Underarm Turn Right
  • H: Heel of foot
  • HB: Heel Ball
  • HH: Handhold
  • HT: Heel Toe
  • IE: Inside Edge
  • IE of B: Inside Edge of Ball
  • IE of BH: Inside Edge of Ball Heel
  • IE of T**: Inside Edge of Toe
  • L**: Left
  • LF**: Left Foot
  • LOD**: Line of Dance
  • LOP**: Left Outside Position
  • LSP**: Left Side Position
  • LUATL**: Leader's Underarm Turn Left
  • LUATR**: Leader's Underarm Turn Right
  • meas**: Measure(s)
  • mpm**: Measures per minute
  • N**: New
  • NFR**: No foot rise
  • OFacP**: Open Facing Position
  • OP**: Outside Position (Outside Partner)
  • OCPP**: Open Counter Promenade Position
  • OE**: Outside Edge
  • OffsetLP: Offset Left Position
  • OffsetRP: Offset Right Position
  • OPP: Open Promenade Position
  • OTPP: Overturned Promenade Position
  • P: Pointing
  • PP: Promenade Position
  • Prep: Preparation (for)
  • Pres: Pressure
  • Q: Quick
  • R: Right
  • RF: Right Foot
  • ROP: Right Outside Position
  • RSP: Right Side Position
  • SHH: Single Handhold
  • ShadP: Shadow Position
  • S: Slow
  • T: Toe
  • TH: Toe Heel
  • TTO: Toe Turned Out
  • UA: Underarm
  • UAT: Underarm Turn
  • W: Wall
  • WF: Whole Foot
  • wt: Weight
  • w/o: Without
  • XHH: Cross Handhold