Foxtrot
Used by Permission and adapted from the Dance Vision International Dance Association - American Style Smooth Bronze Manual (MASB01) 2006. Foxtrot music online
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History:
Foxtrot began in the early 1900’s, in contrast to the Waltz. Jazz musicians like Scott Joplin began to produce syncopated ragtime music. A whole group of one-step dances with animal names arose. They were the Turkey Trot, the Monkey Dance, the Grizzly Bear, the Bunny Hug, and others.
Harry Fox, a vaudeville entertainer, created his version of a jerky, trotting dance for his stage act around 1914 and it swept New York. As the dance later appeared in England, the jumps and jinks were removed and replaced with smooth elegance (with a little bounce to some Foxtrot-style music). At this point, some of the Waltz figures were adapted to the Foxtrot.
Dance Characteristics:
This dance has smooth, gliding steps with heel leads and with an easy look and controlled movements. It is very versatile and can be danced to many styles of music. There is a small amount of rise and fall (less than in Waltz) which is more apparent on the side steps. The side steps also have a touch of sway. There is a brushing action of the feet on the first quick step before the foot goes to the side.
Musical Information:
Time Signature: 4/4 Tempo: 32 – 34 mpm (128 – 136 bpm) Count: SSQQ or SQQ Beat Value: 2-2-1-1, and 2-1-1 Alternate Teaching Counts: 12-23-5-6 and 12-3-4
SSQQ Figures (Basic Rhythm) Foxtrot makes use of slight rise and fall which should be smooth and gradual. There is slight sway on Box Rhythm figures. A slight bounce action may be used on the Side Close of Basic Rhythm figures. Foot action rolls through the whole foot, which never loses contact with the floor. Some of My Favorite Foxtrot Songs:
Bronze Syllabus Figures:
1. Basic 2. Promenade 3a. Rock Turn Left 3b. Rock Turn Right 4. Sway Step 5a. Promenade Underarm Turn (turn on the Slows) 5b. Sway UAT (turn on the Quicks) 6a. Zigzags In Line 6b. Zigzags Outside Partner 7. Box Step (Square or Turning) 8. Twinkle 9. Fall-away Twinkles 10. Promenade Twinkles 11. Turning Twinkles 12. Grapevine 13. Promenade Twist (Walk-around Turn) 14. Promenade Pivot 15a. Running Steps in Basic Rhythm 15b. Running Steps in Box Rhythm
Steps 1 – 6, 13, 14 and 15a are in Basic Rhythm
Steps 7 – 10, and 15b are in Box Rhythm (SQQ)
Step 11 is a combo of 3 SQQs and 1 SSQQ
Step 12 is S - S - Q - Q - S - Q - Q - Q - Q - Q - Q - S - S - Q - Q (Basic) (Box) (+ 4 more Qs) (Basic)
Variations for Social Dancing:
Box with Underarm Turn, Progressive, Right Turning Box, Two-Way Underarm Turn, Face to Face-Back to Back, Reverse and Natural Turns, Progressive and Turning Twinkles, Grapevine, Promenade Chasse, Fall-away and Box, Twinkle and Weave.
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