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A special single-dance division of Dancesoprt in which couples dance an exhibition-style piece to their own
selection of music. The dance may incorporate lifts and/or drops, and is not limited to the pre-defined dance styles such as Smooth or Latin. |
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A definitive ending to a musical phrase. |
Canter Timing
(Canter Rhythm) |
A rhythm used in 3/4 music
where two steps are taken over the course of 3 beats; the second
beat is skipped. |
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The position of the arms and top
line while in dance position. |
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(1) The place on the body just below the abdomen and
above the groin. Balance is determined primarily by the
placement of the center in relationship to the feet. (2) The middle of
the dance floor. In the Alignments section of the charts,
the Center is determined to be the direction exactly opposite the Wall. |
Center
Point of Balance (CPB) |
The place on the body just below the abdomen and above
the groin. Balance is determined primarily by the placement
of the CPB in relationship to the feet. |
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An exciting, syncopated latin dance which originated
in the 1950's as a slowed-down Mambo. The Cha Cha gets its name
and character from its distinct repetetive foot rhythm. |
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A turn or chain of turns which are continuous and directional in nature, in which one full turn is
made with each two steps. |
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A strong checking action taken
forward and across in Promenade Position, with the
man's right and lady's left foot. |
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A dance position
where the man and lady are apart and without contact, facing each other. Also known as or Apart or Shine Position. |
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The full transferrence of body
weight from one foot to the other. |
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A movement used in the ballroom swinging
dances which consists of three steps, the feet closing on the third step. The Change step
is most frequently used to change back and forth between Left and Right Box Turns ( Closed Turns ). |
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A Cha Cha figure where the man and lady dance
variations of the Progressive Basic movement in an Apart dance
position. The lady will either follow the man visually, or improvise freely on her own
until the man picks her up into a connected dance position. |
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A series of 2 or 3 consecutive lateral steps, where the feet are closed on the second step. |
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A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are
closed on the second or third step.
Example: Left Box Turn, Right Box Turn. |
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A pronounced discontinuation of movement through the
feet. |
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(1) A compilation of moverments which make up a dance
or dance routine. (2) The creation of movement which makes up a dance or
dance routine. |
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(1) A mucial instrument included in the rhythm section
of many latin bands, commonly used in the playing of Mambo
music. (2) The common, underlying two-measure rhythm of Mambo music,
played as follows (accented beats are highlighted in black):
In music notation:
To listen to the Clave rhythm, click here:
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A division of competition which involves the dancing
of figures specific to a syllabus, to the exclusion of variations
and choreography. |
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(Latin & Rhythm) A dance
position where partners face each other slightly apart, with the normal hold. |
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A figure which ends with one foot closing to the
other, with a change of weight.
Example: Left Box Turn, Promenade. |
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The last part of a figure which ends with feet
together, such as steps 4-6 of a Waltz Twinkle. |
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(Smooth & Standard) (1)
Specifically refers to the normal hold where man and lady are in body contact, facing each
other but slightly offset.
(2) In the broader sense of the term, Closed Position (As opposed to Open Position) can be any variation of dance position
where partners maintain body contact, such as Promenade or Outside Partner. |
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(Latin & Rhythm) A dance position where partners
face each other, either slightly apart or in body contact. |
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A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are
closed on the second or third step. Example: Left Box Turn, Right Box Turn. |
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A triple step in
which the first step is taken in the opposite direction of the third, and the feet close
on the second step. |
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To complete the changing
of weight to the standing foot by drawing the moving foot underneath the body. |
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A group of consecutive patterns
and choreography. |
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An small, individual unit of movement. |
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The lowering of the center resulting from the bending
of the knees, for the purpose of commencing movement. |
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(1) A means of communication between partners, either visually, or as an actual physical point of contact. (2)
Tension applied to a physical point of contact through the manipulation of body weight
toward or away from it. |
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The continuous passing of the feet from one step to
the next, without closing or chasse
action. The concept of continuity-style movement is usually specific to the ballroom swing dances, and pertains to the third or last step in a measure.
In American Style competitive dancing, continuity is
not allowed in the Bronze Level. |
Contra-Body Movement (CBM) |
The turning of the body against the standing foot, in the direction of the moving leg. Contra Body Movement is used to commence turns in
the ballroom dances. Also known as: Contrary Body Movement, Contra Body Motion. |
Contra-Body Movement
Position (CBMP) |
The foot position achieved by placing the moving foot along the path of the standing foot, either in front or behind. |
Contra Position
(Left, Right) |
Dance position
where man and lady are both moving toward each other's left/right side, both using the
same foot. |
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The ability to maintain balance
and stability throughout the body while dancing. |
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An out-of-date term to describe basic Promenade patterns. |
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Spanish word meaning, "cut". The word Corte
is used to describe a number of different figures, including the American style Tango Corte
(Lunge), the International style Tango Back Corte, and the Waltz Reverse
Corte and Hover Corte. |
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The corresponding part to a pattern
danced by the partner. |
Counter Promenade
Position |
A V-shaped Dance
Position with the lady on the man's left side. |
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Tension applied to a connection
through the opposition of of the partners' body weight. |
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An American Style
basic figure in which the man turns perpendicular the
lady, leading her to dance forward on a path which crosses in front of his body. |
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Dance Position
where man and lady are at right-angles to each other, lady moving in front of man from his
right to his left side. |
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A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are
crossed on the second or third step. |
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Spanish word meaning, "cross": A step taken
with one foot crossed tightly over the other, either in front or behind. |
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The rotation of the hips around the spine acheived by
the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. Specific to American Style Rhythm
dancing. |
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Forward or Backward walks taken with Cuban-style hip motion. |
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A basic International
figure consisting of side breaks to
the left and right. Also used in American Style, but under the alias Side Breaks or
2nd Position Breaks. |
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A variation of the Shadow
Position where the man and lady are in very close contact. Usually, the hands are
connected in the following way: Man's LH to Lady's RH, and Man's RH to Lady's LH. Also
known as Flirtation Position. |
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The time signature
of 2/4. Each measure contains 2 beats.
Samba and Tango are examples of
music written in Cut Time. |