answers to faq of standard ballroom dance, rise and fall

7/29/2019 Answers to Faq of Standard Ballroom Dance, Rise and Fall

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Answers to Faq of Dance

Standard BallroomRise & Fall

by GoVnu


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Contents at a Glance

Preface

Introduction

Terminology

Types of rises

Types of Fall

General concerns


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Table of ContentsPreface

About this bookletHow the booklet is organized

Preface to the first edition

Introduction

Terminology

Leg

Time

Rise and Up

Types of rises

Group 1 (Turning outside of the circle)

Types 1

Types 2

Types 3

Group 2 (Turning inside of the circle)

Types 4

Types 5

Types 6

Types of Fall

General concerns


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Preface

About this booklet

This booklet is a collection of some interesting and important, for my own opinions,

information about Rise and Fall in Standard Ballroom dance. And hopefully it is useful

for other International Ballroom dance enthusiasts.

How the booklet is organized

This booklet is divided into several parts. Each part consists of a series of answers. Each

answer responds to a question or an informative point. You might have known or might

not have known those answers. Each answer is managed to keep it not more than ten

lines for clarity purpose.

The title of an answer is cataloged with three different colors, namely blue, purple and

red. Both blue and purple colors represent right ways to dance, but the answers with

purple color are beyond basic level; whereas red color represents wrong ways to dance.

Preface to the first edition

Rise and Fall is one of the four major components of swing dances, the other three are

Swing, Turn and Sway. The material presented in the following sections will discuss the

definitions of some useful terms for Rise and Fall, and the most common types of Rise

and Fall patterns.

This information may assist us to dig more treasure from the technique books.


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Introduction

Rise and Fall are only applicable to swing dancesSince only swing dances, Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz, have Rise

and Fall, the other standard dance, the Tango, is inapplicable to the Rise and Fall

techniques.

There are two major parts of our bodies involved Rise and FallThe two major parts of our bodies involved Rise and Fall are our knees and ankles. The

other minor parts of our bodies, for examples are our hips and toes, definitely not our

chests.

We classify the Rise and Fall from the ankle upward as Body Rise; and from the ankledownward as Foot Rise. The major contribution to rise in Body Rise is the knee; the

major contribution to rise in Foot Rise is the ankle.


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Terminology

Leg

Standing leg or supporting legThe standing leg or supporting leg is the leg that all weight of the body is on at the

beginning of a step. For example, if a lady has a hundred pounds, on her standing leg

there is ninety seven pounds.

For example, at the beginning of the Natural Turn in Waltz, the mans left foot is the

supporting leg.

Moving leg or working legThe standing leg or supporting leg is the leg that it is ready or free to move on the next

step.For example, at the beginning of Natural Turn, the mans right foot is the moving leg

which is ready to forward.

To distinguish a standing leg or supporting legNormally we define a leg is a moving leg when the leg is free to move; in other words,

another leg is supporting leg.

For example, in the middle of the 1st

step of Chasse from PP in Waltz, the weight of the

man distributes partially on right foot, the mans left leg is still the supporting leg and

the mans right leg is still the working leg.Another example, at the very end of the 3

rdstep of Natural Turn in Waltz, most of the

weight of the man is already on his right foot, but the mans right leg is still the working

leg and the mans left leg is still the supporting leg until the mans left leg is ready to

move. Until the beginning of the following step, the mans left leg is a moving leg and

his right leg is a supporting leg even if the following step is a hesitation step.

Time

The moment of the end of a step for a forward stepAt the moment of the moving leg just passing through the supporting leg.

For example, lower at the end of step 6 of Reverse Turn in Slow Foxtrot, when the

mans right foot just passes his left foot, he starts lowering.

The moment of the end of a step for a backward stepAt the moment of the moving leg just passing through the supporting leg.


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For example, lower at the end of step 3 of Reverse Turn in Slow Foxtrot, when the

mans left foot just passes his right foot, he starts lowering.

The moment of the end of a step for a side stepIt is the moment when the moving leg just travels half the distance of the stride.

For example, lower at the end of step 4 of Chasse from PP, the mans left foot slims the

floor approximate half the distance of the stride, he starts lowering.

The importance of the end of a stepThe most common usage of it is lower at the end of a step. We should make clear

when we lower.

Another common usage of it is rise at the end of a step. At that moment, we brace our

related muscles of our calves and thighs to initialize the rise.

Rise and Up

RiseRise means we brace the muscles of our standing legs. We can feel a group of muscles

of our standing legs harden which the braces spend energy.

Commence to riseSome technique books call it as Start to rise. Just as a train starts to move, we may not

feel the train is moving. Likewise, Start to rise has a very rise; the muscles of our

standing legs just start to brace.

Up preceded by a step with RiseThe dancer is still rising with the momentum generated by previous Rise. In order words,

the height of the dancers head is increasing without spending any upward energy.

For example, the 2nd

step of Feather Step in Slow Foxtrot, the height of the mans head

is increasing from the 1st

step to 2nd

step, right foot to left foot.

The difference between Rise and Up preceded by a step with

RiseIn both cases, the height of our heads rise, but the Rise needs upward energy, the

other without.


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For example, an airplane its engine is turned on and it climbs up, after a while, engine is

turned off, the airplane is still climbing up.

Rise is same as the airplane climbing up by engine; whereas Up preceded by a step

with Rise is same as the airplane climbing up by the momentum generated by the

previous step Rise.

Up preceded by a step with UpOn the current step with Up, the dancer head is on the same in height as the previous

step with Up

For example, the 3rd

step of Feather Step in Slow foxtrot, the mans head is on the same

in height as the 2nd

step.

A measurable difference between Commence to rise and RiseIn Commence to rise, our heels are still contact with the floor; whereas in Rise, ourheels leave the floor.

For example, the Natural Turn in Waltz, Commence to rise at the end of step 1 means

at the end of step 1, our heels are still contact with the floor, our heels will leave the

floor later; the Natural Turn in Slow Foxtrot, Rise at the end of step 1 it means at the

end of step 1, our heels leave the floor.

We can say the Commence to rise delays the rise a little bit with respect to Rise.

A measurable difference between Continuous to rise followed byContinuous to rise and Continuous to rise followed by UpThe main difference is the height of the dancer when the following step starts to move.

In Continuous to rise followed by Continuous to rise case, as the foot of the following

step starts to move, the height of the dancers head is not yet reached the maximum

point.

In Continuous to rise followed by Up case, as the foot of the following step starts to

move, the height of the dancers head is already reached the maximum point.

An example for above pointFor example, the 2

ndstep and 3

rdstep of the Right foot Forward Closed Change

in Waltz, the fall and rise pattern for man is Continuous to rise followed by

Continuous to rise, when the man starts to move his right foot, the 3rd

step, lets

say at that moment the height of his head is six feet, the height of his head is

increasing afterwards, six feet and one inch, six feet and two inch etc.


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Whereas, the 2nd

step and 3rd

step of the Weave from PP in Waltz, the fall and

rise pattern for man is Continuous to rise followed by Up, when the man starts

to move his right foot, the 3rd

step, the height of his head is already reached the

maximum point, lets say at that moment the height of his head is six feet and

four inches, the height of his head will keep on six feet and four inches as his

right foot continues to move.


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Types of Rise

There are six major types of riseThose six types are categorized into two groups, when turning outside of the circle and

inside of the circle; three for each turning. The forward, backward or sideways

movements most likely have same type of rise as turnings.

The rise may be within a bar or across two or more bars.

The reasons why we should master all types of riseIf we maneuver all major types of rises, we can focus on other aspects of the figure as

we learn a new figure. Just as if we can write all twenty six alphabets of English

language, we can focus on the usage of a new vocabulary; but outside English, we may

need to learn how to write the foreign languages alphabet, such as a 180 degrees

rotation of y or a dot or two dots over the o.

In the competition perspective, if a judicator finds the man is unable to master the type

of rise in the 1st

to 3rd

steps of Reverse Turn in Slow Foxtrot, the judicator will not

appreciate as he dances the open figure, Three Fallaways. The reason is that the 1st

and

3rd

Fallaways have the same type of rise as in the 1st

to 3rd

step of Reverse Turn. The

man most unlikely can master that type of rise in more advanced figure if unable in

basic figure.

There crucial principlesSurely we cannot list all types of rises here, the principles are we master each individual

rise, such as Up or Commence to rise and how to present from one kind of rise to

another kind of rise, such as from Commence to rise to Continue to rise or Rise to Up.

For example, if we have mastered the rise pattern (A), 1. Commence to rise, 2. Continue

to rise, 3. Continue to rise and the rise pattern (B) 1. Commence to rise, 2. Continue to

rise, 3. Up, we have no problem to handle the new rise pattern 1. Commence to rise, 2.

Continue to rise, 3. Continue to rise, 4. Up because we just apply the way to present the

1st

to 3rd

step of the rise pattern (A), then the 2nd

to 3rd

step of rise pattern (B).

Literally, the new rise pattern is for the Chasse from PP in Waltz for the man.


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Group 1 (Turning outside of the circle)

Types 1

Illustration figureThe mans 1

stto 3

rdsteps of the Natural Turn in the Waltz

Rising pattern1. The man commences to rise at the end of the 1st step, the leading step.2. Continues to rise the foot and body on the 2nd step3. Continues to rise the foot and body on the 3rd step4. Lower the foot and body at end of the 3rd step

An illustration exampleAssumption: The man is six feet in height and

His feet are a foot in size.

At the point 1 the height of his head is five feet.

In the interval 2, the height of his head is up from five feet to five feet and five inches.

In the interval 3, the height of his head is up from five feet and five inches to six feet

and four inches, the maximum height.

The rise accelerates until at the end of downward swing; then decelerates until at the

end of upward swing.

Other cases The ladys 4th to 6th steps of the Natural Turn in the Waltz The mans 1st to 3rd steps of the Reverse Turn in the Waltz The mans 1st to 3rd steps of the Forward Lock Step in the Quickstep


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Types 2

Illustration figure

The mans 1st

to 3rd

steps of the Reverse Turn in Slow Foxtrot

Rising pattern1. The man rises at the end of the 1st step, the leading step.2. Up the foot and body on the 2nd step3. Up the foot and body on the 3rd step4. Lower the foot and body at end of the 3rd step



At the point 1 the height of his head is five feet and two inches where the lowest

height of his head from the last step of the previous step to point 1 is five feet.

In the interval 2, the height of his head is up from five feet and two inches to six feet

and four inches, the maximum height. The momentum is generated by previous rise.

In the interval 3, the height of his head keeps on the maximum height, six feet and four

inches until the lower action at the end of the 3rd

step.

The similar rise patternsSome figures continue with a few Ups after the pattern, the height of the dancers headkeeps on the maximum height within those few Ups. For example, the Four Quick Run

in Quickstep, there are additional three Ups from the 4th

step to 6th

step where in all

three Ups, the mans head keeps on the maximum height.

The feeling of the pair rise at the end and UpWe can dance the man step of the Open Impetus Turn in Waltz where the kinds of rise

for 2nd

step and 3rd

step are rise at the end of 2nd

step and Up on 3rd

step.

The man will not move his left foot forward until he rises to the maximum height withhis closed up toes.

Other cases The mans 1st to 3rd steps of the Closed Telemark in the Waltz The mans 1st to 3rd steps of the Natural Turn in the Slow Foxtrot


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The mans 1st to 3rd steps of the Double Reverse Spin in the Quickstep


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Types 3

Illustration figure

The mans 1st

to 3rd

steps of the Weave from PP in Waltz

Rising pattern1. The man Commence to rises at the end of the 1st step, the leading step.2. Continues to rise the foot and body on the 2nd step3. Up the foot and body on the 3rd step4. Lower the foot and body at end of the 3rd step



At the point 1 the height of his head is five feet.

In the interval 2, the height of his head is up from five feet to six feet and four inches,

the maximum height. The momentum is generated by both previous rise and the left

leg of the 2nd

step.

In the interval 3, the height of his head keeps on the maximum height, six feet and four

inches until the lower action at the end of the 3rd

step.

Other cases The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Weave from PP in the Waltz The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Outside Spin in the Waltz The mans 1st to 3rd steps of the Hover Telemark in the Slow Foxtrot


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Group 2 (Turning inside of the circle)

Types 4

Illustration figureThe mans 4

thto 6

thsteps of the Natural Turn in the Waltz

Rising pattern1. The man commences to rise at the end of the 1st step NFR, the leading step.2. Continues to rise the foot and body on the 2nd step3. Continues to rise the foot and body on the 3rd step4. Lower the foot and body at end of the 3rd step

The difference between the type 4 and the type 1The only difference is on point 1 there is only body rise without foot rise. Frequently

in a figure, the type 1 is for mans steps and the type 4 is for ladys steps or vice versa,

such as the Natural Turn in Waltz.

Other cases The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Natural Turn in the Waltz The mans 4th to 6th steps of the Reverse Turn in the Waltz The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Forward Lock Step in the Quickstep


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Types 5

Illustration figure

The ladys 1st

to 3rd

steps of the Reverse Turn in Slow Foxtrot

Rising pattern1. The lady rises at the end of the 1st step NFR, the leading step.2. Continues to rise the foot and body on the 2nd step3. Up the foot and body on the 3rd step4. Lower the foot and body at end of the 3rd step

An illustration exampleAssumption: The lady is six feet in height and

Her feet are a foot in size.

At the point 1 the height of her head is six feet where her right knee is straight.

In the interval 2, the height of his head is up from six feet to six feet and four inches,

the maximum height. The momentum is generated by both previous rise and current

rise.

In the interval 3, the height of her head keeps on the maximum height, six feet and

four inches until the lower action at the end of the 3rd

step.

This rise pattern is mostly for ladys steps

Other cases The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Natural Weave in the Slow Foxtrot The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Natural Turn in the Slow Foxtrot

The ladys 1st

to 3rd

steps of the Open Telemark in the Slow Foxtrot


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Types 6

Illustration figure

The mans 4th

to 6th

steps of the Weave from PP in Waltz

Rising pattern1. The man Commence to rises at the end of the 1st step NFR, the leading step.2. Continues to rise the foot and body on the 2nd step3. Up the foot and body on the 3rd step4. Lower the foot and body at end of the 3rd step

The difference between the type 6 and the type 3The only difference is on point 1 there is only body rise without foot rise. Frequently

in a figure, the type 3 is for mans steps and the type 6 is for ladys steps, such as from

the 1st

step to the 3rd

step of Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot in Waltz.

Other cases The mans 1st to 3rd steps of the Outside Change in the Waltz The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Closed Wing in the Waltz The ladys 1st to 3rd steps of the Hover Telemark in the Slow Foxtrot


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Types of Fall

There is only one major type of FallNot as the rise which has six major types, there is only a major type of Fall, namely

Lowering at the end of a step.


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General Concerns

Same figure may have different Rise and Fall pattern in different types of

dances

Some figures we obviously acknowledge they have different Rise and Fall patterns in

different types of dances, such as Natural Turn in Waltz and Slow Foxtrot, because one

is closed ending and another open.

However, some figures which their structures are very similar may be mistakenly

interpreted with other dances Rise and Fall pattern, such as the Fallaway Reverse and

Slip Pivot in Waltz and in Foxtrot; in Waltz, the 1st

and 2nd

step are Commence to rise at

the end of step 1 and Continue to rise on step 2 in foxtrot, however, the 1st

and 2nd

step are Rise at the end of step 1 and up on step 2.

Definitely, there are some figures have same Rise and Fall pattern for different types of

dance, such the Double Reverse Spin or the Telemark in Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep.

answers to faq of standard ballroom dance, rise and fall

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