The DC Hand Dancers have made some ventures into the world of Swing dancing, but not to the extent that they have organized themselves (quantified Hand Dancing & certified their instructors & judges), joined the World Swing Dance Council and had their Hand Dance competitions sanctioned by the National Association of Swing Dance Events. Even so, the "wheel" doesn't have to be re-invented, because we are all "Swing" dancers, only with different music.

What I have noticed about Steppin' that makes it different from the other Swing dances is that some of us Step with the leader starting on the right foot and the follower starting on the left foot. I have also seen Steppers, both the leader and follower, starting on the right foot. And some Steppers, both leaders and followers, both start on the left foot.

Another variation that I have noticed, as a music student, is the so-called "8-count," which is musically incorrect, but is physically danced the same as the "6-count." The music is played in what is know as "4/4 time," which means that there are 4 beats to each measure and that a quarter-note gets one beat. What is actually happening is that in the basic Steppin' pattern, 8 steps are being danced over 6 beats of music, which means that 2 measures are required to complete the pattern, which repeats itself.

The first 2 steps which are syncopated, are eighth notes, get 1/2 of a beat each and are danced over the first beat of the first measure. The third step is a quarter note, gets a whole beat and is danced on the second beat of the first measure. The fourth & fifth steps are also syncopated eighth notes and are danced over the third beat of the first measure. The sixth step is, again, a quarter note, gets one beat and is danced on the fourth beat of the first measure. The seventh and eighth steps are quarter notes, get one beat each and are danced on the first and second beats of the second measure. Therefore, the "8-count" of, "1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8" should actually be correctly counted as, "1-and 2, 3-and 4, 5-6."

The same misconception occurs in the Hand Dance Community, in that the dance contains 2 syncopated steps followed by 4 single steps and is incorrectly counted as, "1-2-3, 4,5,6,7." Again, what is happening is that 7 steps are being danced over 6 beats of music, so that it should be correctly counted as, "1-and 2, 3,4,5,6." There is even a organization here that calls itself "The Seven Step Hand Dance Academy."

However, one doesn't have to be a musician to dance, and furthermore, at some point (usually at the intermediate and/or advanced levels) one becomes able to stop counting and just dance to the music by feeling the beat!

Vote Result

Score: 0.0, Votes: 0