ballroom dance lesson book want romance learn to dance

Want Romance? Learn to Dance!

Dancin’ David

THIS IS A SAMPLE

To Receive ALL the Benefits of Dancing

BUY the full book at

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Thank you and Enjoy,

Dancin’ David

http://www.wantromancelearntodance.com/

Dedication

To all men who want to connect with women

and

to all women who want their man to dance.

Contents

Dedication I

Forward II

Introduction III

Chapters

1. Popular Patterns for Ballroom Dancing 1

2. Basic Dance Movements 16

3. Dance Dictionary 22

4. Drillz for Skillz 37

5. Dance Etiquette 45

6. Dance Accessories 51

7. Frequently Asked Questions 56

Author’s Notes 62

Notes 65

Index 67

Foreword

Want Romance? Learn to Dance! This manual and DVD of

Ballroom Dance Basics, makes it easy to learn social ballroom

dancing. Men, in 5 minutes a day you will learn to dance with

beautiful, smart and single women. Ladies with this you’ll be able

to support your man as he learns to dance with you or meet a man

that is willing to dance with you. You don’t need a partner to start

dancing!

In Chapter 1 you’ll learn popular ballroom basics as seen on the

companion DVD. Each lesson includes easy, fun and popular

dance patterns. To make learning quick and easy you learn dance

patterns you can use in many different dances.

In Chapter 2 Dance Dictionary you’ll learn many of the common

terms used in dancing.

In Chapter 3 Basic Dance Movements you’ll learn the small

segments that make up the whole of dancing.

Chapter 4 Drillz for Skillz, you’ll learn drills to build dance

confidence and strength quickly. These are like the drills you may

have learned in football or volleyball.

In chapter 5 Dance Etiquette you’ll learn the basic concepts of

dancing with other people.

Chapter 6 Dance Accessories introduces you to simple tools that

help you get used to the feeling and body positions of dancing.

Chapter 7 answers some of your frequently asked questions.

It is my wholesome dream, wish and vision that the book you are

about to read will enhance your life and the lives of everyone you

connect with.

In harmony,

Dancin’ David

Table 1. Popular Ballroom Dance, Origins and Songs.

Dance Song Country of

origin

Tempo (Beats

per minute)

Merengue Suavement

Elvis Crespo Dominican Republic

130

Bachata Pegame tu Vicio

Eddy Herrera

Dominican

Republic 1960s

92

Rumba

I just called to

say I love you

Stevie Wonder Cuba 1930s 96

Salsa Jamas

Eddie Santiago Cuba 94

Cha Cha Smooth

Santana Cuba

1950s 100

East Coast Swing

Bad Bad LeRoy

Brown

Jim Croce

United States 1930s

160

Waltz

Could I have this

dance?

Ann Murray France 1812 100

Fox Trot

Oranged Colored Sky

Natalie Cole England 1910 115

Argentine Tango Barrio De Tango

Miguel Calo Argentina

92

American Tango La Cumparasita Spain 94

Hustle Stayin’ Alive

Bee Gees United States

1960s 114

West Coast Swing

Mustang Sally Commitments

United States 1950s

95

Lindy Tuxedo Junction

Benny Goodman United States

1930s 135

Nightclub Two Step

I hope you dance LeAnn Womack United States 65

Two Step On a good night

Wade Hayes United States 165

Samba Bailamos Marc Anthony

Columbia 92

Quickstep

Mr. Pinstriped

Suit Big Bad Voodo

Daddy

England 175

Viennese Waltz That’s Amore Dean Martin

Germany 1813

115

Chapter 1

Popular Patterns for Social Ballroom Dancing

The term “Ballroom dance” refers to

dances created for the large ballrooms

and music that was popular in the late

1800s and early 1900s. Fox Trot, Waltz

and American Tango are examples of

traditional ballroom dances.

“Bar-room dances” are dances like

Hustle, Swing and Salsa; born in

nightclubs, bars and streets. Today these

dances are danced in bars as well as

ballrooms.

Table 2 and 3 are designed to help you track your dance progress.

As you can see you will learn to dance quickly because we are

showing you how to do the same patterns in several different

dances. Put a YES in the box once you have learned a pattern for a

dance.

Table 2. Popular dance patterns for smooth dances

Pattern Fox

Trot Waltz

Two

Step

American

Tango

Nightclub

Two Step

Traveling

Basic

Promenade

Inside Turn

Outside

Turn

Zig Zag

Twinkle

Toss

Across

DANCIN’ TIME Merengue Dance

Rhythm and Patterns

Merengue is the simplest of dances.

Double rhythm is kept throughout the

song. Merengue is mostly a stationary

dance with some traveling. It is known

for its speed, sexy Latin hip motion, and

patterns that involve a lot of turning.

Popular Merengue songs include:

“Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo and

“Loca Conmigo” by Los Toros.

Common Merengue dance tempos: 110-160 beats per minute.

Table 4. Merengue beats, rhythm and steps.

Merengue Line Dance Title: Mucho Merengue

Choreographer: Dancin’ David

Description: 32 count Beginner 2 Wall

Rhythm: Quick Quick

Music: “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo

1-8: Merengue Basic in place

8-16: Merengue left

17 – 24: Rotate half-turn right (180 degrees)

25 – 32: Merengue forward for 4 and back for 4

Level 1 Merengue Dance Patterns

1. Basic in place

2. Traveling basic

3. Rotating Basic

4. Follower turn, leader turn

Basic Merengue Dance Rhythm

Beats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Rhythm Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick

Steps Step Step Step Step Step Step Step Step

5. All patterns in closed position


1. Cuddle

2. Cuddle with a duck out

3. Hands over the head slide and turn with head loop

4. Leader’s waist wrap turn

5. Cape and walk around from handshake, follower turns out and

starburst


1. Cape and walk around with follower’s turn

2. Hammerlock, walk under, slide and follower turn

3. Follower Swivels

4. Follower’s turn to leaders turn with duck under his own arm

5. Slide to the side, change of rhythm

DANCIN’ TIME Bachata Dance Rhythm and Patterns

Bachata is one of the Latin dances. Bachata dance timing uses a

double and a single rhythm. Bachata is mostly a stationary dance

with some traveling. It is known for its speed, sexy Latin hip

motion, and patterns that involve a lot of turning. Popular Bachata

dance songs include: “Pégame tu Vicio” by Eddy Herrera.

Common Bachata dance tempos are: 80-105 beats per minute.

Table 5. Bachata beats, rhythm and steps.

Basic Bachata Dance Rhythm

Beats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Rhythm Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick

Pattern Side Together Side Touch Side Together Side Touch

Bachata Line Dance Title: Beginner Bachata


Description: 45 count Beginner 2 Wall line dance

Rhythm: Quick Quick Slow

Music: “Pégame tu Vicio” by Eddy Herrera

1-16: 2 Side Basics

17-32: 2 Rotating side Basics

33 – 36: Forward and Back

37 – 45: Rotate in place to your right with hip rolls

Level 1 Bachata Dance Patterns

1. Side Basic

2. Forward and back basic

3. Side basic with outside/inside for follower

4. Side Basic with inside turn for leader

Level 2 Bachata Dance Patterns

1. Cuddle for follower on both sides

2. Rotating Basic

3. Side basic with outside turn to hammerlock, walk around and

inside turn

4. Stop and Go

DANCIN’ TIME Rumba Dance Rhythm and Patterns

Rumba is a combination of single and

double time. Rumba is mostly a

stationary dance with some traveling.

Rumba is known for is sexy Latin hip

motion, intimate connections, and

stylish leg lines.

Popular rumba songs include: “The

Look of Love” by Diana Krall. Common

Rumba dance tempos: 85-110 beats per

minute.

Table 6. Rumba beats, rhythm and steps.

Rumba Line Dance Title: Really Simple Rumba


Description: 52 count Beginner 1 Wall

Rhythm: Quick Quick Slow

Music: “I just called to say I love you” by Stevie Wonder, “Con

Cada Beso” by Huey Dunbar

1-16: 2 Cucarachas

16-32: 2 Front crossovers

33 – 36: 1 Right pivot turn

37 – 45: 2 Fifth position breaks (back crossovers)

46 – 52: Box

Level 1 Rumba Dance Patterns

1. Cucaracha

2. Front crossovers

3. Back crossovers

4. Outside turn

5. Box Step


6. She/He Pivot turns- no hands + w/hands

7. Sway

8. Progressive rocking walks

9. Front crossovers to leader’s direction change to outside turn for

follower

10. Stop and go's (SG)

Basic Rumba Dance Rhythm

Beats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Rhythm Quick Quick Slow Ly Quick Quick Slow ly

Pattern Rock Replace Trans ition Rock Replace Trans ition


11. Open break to sweat heart with leader rhythm change

12. Cross body lead

13. CBL to crossovers - right turn exit for her

14. Back walk around for leader

15. Back spot turn

Chapter 3

Dance Dictionary

Dance Dance is your natural response to rhythm. Dancing combines your

body, mind and spirit creations when you feel and interpret

harmonious sounds.

Dancing

Step 1. Your conscious control of your response to music.

Step 2. Your unconscious co-creation with music.

Layers of Dance

I feel that dance is one of the most connected, intricate, and

complex forms of creativity. There are many layers of activity

happening in the same moment. Creating an environment where all

of these layers connect in harmony is what makes dancing one of

the best experiences of life.

Layers of dance

1. Physical – moving with strength, finesse, coordination and

creativity

2. Mental – remembering while being present and planning

3. Emotional – creating with the music, partner, and audience

4. Spiritual – being in harmony with the flow of energy

5. Musical – being in harmony with the music

6. Individual – considering your own abilities, limits, dreams,

and desires

7. Mutual – considering others’ abilities, comfort, limits,

dreams, and desires

8. Collective – moving cooperatively in a loosely structured

emergent group

9. Performance – considering the joy and reaction of those

watching

Desire

Desire is the driving force behind everything we do. We desire

things to get the good feeling we have when we receive what we

desire. You may desire better health, better relationships, or more

fun. Whatever your desire, you can have it.

There are a lot of options in life. We choose our actions based on

desire. The very fact that you are reading this means somewhere

deep inside, or maybe near the surface, you have the desire to

dance and enjoy life to its fullest. Congratulations, you are on your

way!

Lead (verb) To go before. To initiate movement. To communicate the next

movement to your dance partner through a physical, visual, or

verbal connection.

Leader Dancer who is leading.

Follow To go after. To respond to the information given by the leader and

create the movement he/she has initiated.

Follower

Dancer who is following.

Line Dances

Dances that are done in a line without touching another person.

Partner Dances

Dances done while holding another person. Partner dances could

be lead and follow or choreographed.

Dance Connections

A link between two or more body parts or a body part and another

object like the floor, a partner, or the music.

Self Connections Connections internal to your body that describe how muscle

groups, thoughts, and imagination connect to provide strength,

posture and movement.

Swing Hold

Leader’s right hand on the followers left

shoulder and the followers left arm on

top of the leader’s right arm. The

leader’s left hand holding the follower’s

right hand at the follower’s waist level

and the follower’s right hand is on top of

the leader’s left hand. The leaders palm

is facing his body and the follower’s

palm is facing the floor.

Latin Hold


shoulder and left hand holding her right

hand so that both arms form a right

angle. The follower’s right hand is

usually holding the leader’s left thumb

with his fingers gently wrapped around

her hand.

Ballroom Hold


shoulder and left hand holding her right

hand so that both arms form a V that

meets in between the two bodies at just

below the follower’s shoulder level. The

hands are usually palm to palm with the

leader’s fingers gently wrapped around

the followers.

Chapter 4

Dance Drillz for Skillz

As with any art form, a solid foundation will help you improve

faster, enjoy it more, and be safer. Dance drills also provide intense

focus that enables you to become stronger in a specific area faster.

This section describes dance drills that get very good results. They

are listed in the order I recommend them.

1. Align your spine and stretch This dance drill helps your body stay

energized and connected. Strong posture

is essential for any form of athletic

activity.

1. Place your hand on top of your head

and push it up to the sky.

2. This will stretch and energize your

spinal column.

3. Place one hand on the back of your

head and another below your chest bone and expand your body

into your hands.

2. Counting music

This dance drill helps you find the beat and phrase in music.

1. Simply count from 1 to 8 on each beat throughout the song

while you are not dancing.

Hint: The “one” beat in the music is usually when a singer starts

singing or a new instrument starts playing. After a while you’ll feel

that you are in phrase with the song.

3. Clapping to music

This dance drill helps you start coordinating movement to the beat.

1. Clap your hands on each beat of music.

2. Clap your hands on the even beats 2 4 6 8.

Hint: This should feel like what you normally do when listening to

music.

4. Body tapping to music

This dance drill helps you feel the music in your body.

1. Gently tap your thigh, hip, or chest on each beat of the music.

Line Dance Step Descriptions

Title: Start Here!


Description: Beginner, 4 wall, 32 count line dance

Music: “Pour Me Another” by Joe Diffie (2 sets of 8)

“I Can’t Dance” by Ricochet (4 sets of 8)

1-8: Step in place; stepping on each beat of music, R, L, R, L and

repeat

9-16: Toe taps right & left; tap R to right, return home, tap L to

left, return home, repeat

17-24: Dance back & forward; Dance back R, L, R, L; Dance

forward R, L, R, L

25-32: Heel touches; Tap R heel forward, return home, tap L heel

forward return home, repeat.

Start over rotating ¼ left during in place steps.

Styling: Hitch on 4 of back step, lock on 2 of forward step. Hip

circles on rotating.

Chapter 6

Dance Accessories

Below are some common household items you can use to improve

your dancing quickly and easily.

Shoes and Tools

This section describes accessories to help you enjoy your dancing

experience.

Choosing a Shoe Style Your shoe style will depend on the style of dance you are doing. It

is always important to choose a fit that is comfortable; you will be

enjoying them for many hours. Some dancers choose different

shoes for practicing than social dancing and a third pair for

performing. Below we look at the different styles of dances and the

shoes that go with them.

Ballroom Dance Shoes As we know there are two subcategories of ballroom dancing:

smooth and rhythm. The rhythm section is handled under Latin.

Here we’ll talk about smooth dancing footwear. For the leaders the

shoes are similar to what we may call a Sunday shoe, generally

black with a small ½” heel. Followers tend to wear 1-2” heels. It is

helpful at first to wear lower shoes with enclosed toes until you

gain some experience getting those toes out of the way, if you

know what I mean. DANCINTIME.com is a good source of

ballroom dance footwear for practicing, social dancing and

performing.

Swing Dance Shoes Swing dancing can be high impact, much like aerobics. Therefore,

many swing dancers often choose to wear sneakers with suede,

felt, or moleskin attached to the front half of the bottom of the

shoe. An example of this is a typical bowling shoe, very much like

a sneaker with a low friction front half and high friction rubber for

the heel. Alternatively, swing shoes are also very popular; these are

more like Sunday shoes but with the white tips like you see in the

movies.

Latin dance shoes

Latin dance shoes have

high heels. Two inches for

the male/lead is common,

often called Cuban heels.

Female Latin dance shoes

are often open toed.

Country Dance Shoes As you may imagine, cowboy

boots are the traditional style of

shoes worn in country dancing.

They fit the look and are well

suited to this style of dance. For

comfortable, good-looking

cowboy boots please check out

Evening Star Country Dance

Boots. Evening Star boots are

lightweight and comfortable. Alternatively, I wear my Bloch Jazz

sneakers while country dancing. They are durable, lightweight, and

easily adapt to many different surfaces. The feature I enjoyed best

about them was their cushioned soles. I can dance in jazz sneakers

for hours on many surfaces and not have sore feet.

Chapter 7

Frequently Asked Dance Questions

What is dancing? Very simply, dancing is what happens when your body moves to

music. Examples of dancing could be as simple as tapping your

toes or snapping your fingers. We are all born with a natural

physical, emotional, and spiritual response to music. Dance is the

experience of allowing that response to come out and enjoying the

process.

What is partner dancing? Partner dancing is a general term used to describe two people

dancing together and physically touching each other. One of the

partners is leading the movement and the other is following the

lead. At higher levels of dancing the follower has opportunities to

lead and add on to the movement through embellishments and

decorations such as arm, leg and head movements.

What is social partner dancing? Social dancing is dancing in a social setting. To put it another way,

it is non-competitive dancing. Social dancing benefits include

exercise, meeting new people, being a part of a community, and

connecting with other people. Many styles of movement are

enjoyed by social dancers. Ballet is not social dancing, as it is

almost always done as a performance.

What is competitive partner dancing? In competition dancing, dancers are judged and ranked against

their peers. Competition dancing benefits include challenging the

physical and mental fitness of the dancers, joy, accomplishment,

and teamwork. Dancers are judged based on established standards

of accepted techniques, styles, patterns, and attire.

How long will it take me to learn to dance? As with all learning, the time it takes is dependant on the student,

teacher, and amount of time on a given topic. We believe you can

feel comfortable social dancing after a four week course with at

least one practice session between classes. It’s important to

remember that dance is an art form, like playing the guitar or

painting. So there are many layers of progress and comfort.

Learning involves patience, time, and an understanding. Also,

there is no right or wrong, there is only what you create.

About Dancin’ David, Vision and Credits

Biography of Dancin’ David

It was 1993 when I discovered my love of dancing; connecting

with people, expressing myself, moving to the rhythm, creating

and laughing. My transformation took place in a large dance hall

and country bar in Orlando, Florida. The people and the energy in

that room provided a safe haven and a social model I so desired to

re-create. So many people were having a good time with good

vibrations, staying away from the easily available alcohol, instead

getting high on the music, movement and connection with each

other. Dancing is so engaging and healthy.

Since that summer I began sharing the joy with everyone who

would listen. This sharing led me to many wonderful places and

people. In the fall of 1999 I met my future wife, Dawn Dawson, on

the dance floor. Our magnetism toward each other lit up the room

and continues today.

After I graduated college in 1996 with an Electrical Engineering

degree from Alfred University, I began to explore professional

lessons and competitions from Chicago to Boston. Traveling

across the northeast David I trained with the top teachers in

Country, Swing, Latin and Ballroom dancing.

Since 1998 I have been teaching in studios and clubs on a weekly

basis as well as hosting weekend workshop events where National

teachers come to the area to dance and teach all weekend long.

In 2001, I committed my life to my love of people and dance. I

currently own and operate a Saratoga Springs, New York based

dance business called DANCIN’ TIME with my wife and partner

Dancin’ Dawn.

Index

Page Chapter 1 Popular Patterns for Ballroom Dancing 3 Merengue

4 Bachata

5 Rumba

7 Salsa

9 Cha Cha

10 East Coast Swing

12 Waltz

14 Fox Trot

Page Chapter 2 Basic Dance Movements 16 In Place

16 Traveling

16 Moving Forward and Backward

17 Moving Side to Side

17 Moving Up and Down

17 Heel Lead

17 Toe Lead

17 Rotating

17 Turning

17 Spinning

17 Spotting

18 1st Position

18 2nd

Position

18 3rd

Position

19 4th

Position

19 5th

Position

19 Complete Weight Change

19 Partial Weight Change

19 Touch or Tap step

19 Rock Step

20 Syncopation

20 Ball Change

20 Kick Ball Change

20 Coaster Step

20 Sailor Shuffle.

20 Isolation

20 Promenade

Page Topic

20 Choreography

21 Latin Motion

21 Knee Movement

21 Hip Movement

21 Upper body movement

21 Styling

Page Chapter 3 Dance Dictionary

22 Dance

22 Dancing

22 Layers of Dance

22 Desire

23 Lead

23 Leader

23 Follow

23 Follower

23 Line Dances

23 Partner Dances

23 Dance Connections

23 Self-connections

24 Alignment

24 Posture

25 Grounding

25 Stretching

25 Center

25 Frame

26 Physical Fitness

28 Mental Fitness

29 Energy

29 Spiritual

29 Floor Connections

30 Poise

30 Partner Connections

30 Compression

31 Stretch

31 Rotational Compression/Stretch

32 Hand Connections

32 Open Position

32 Closed Position

Page Topic

32 Close embrace

33 Swing Hold

33 Latin Hold

34 Ballroom Hold

34 Leverage Move Connections

34 Music Connections

34 Musicality

34 Beat

34 Down and Up beats

34 Time Between the Beats

35 The “&” Count

35 The “a” Count

35 Bar/Measure

35 Rhythm Unit

35 Rhythms

35 Rhythm Variations

36 Tempo

36 Phrase

36 Minor Phrase

36 Major Phrase

36 Break

36 Accent

36 Style

36 Genre

Page Chapter 4 Drillz for Skillz

37 Align your spine

37 Counting music

37 Clapping to music

37 Body Taping

38 The Twist

38 Roll down, roll up

38 Core strength, balance and Rise

39 Frame Setting

39 Shoe Drill for Core Connection

40 Center First

40 Pillow squeeze

40 Paper Slide

40 Walk, walk up

Page Topic

40 Military Turns

41 Draw in rotation

41 3rd Position counterclockwise traveling rotations

41 3rd Position Traveling Left and Right Rotations

42 High 5 Lead and Follow

43 Compression and stretch

43 Rotational Compression

43 Wrist rotation walks

44 Line Dances

Page Chapter 5 Dance Etiquette

46 Line of Dance

46 Floorcraft

46 Dress/Attire

47 Politeness

47 Respect

47 Hygiene

47 Team

48 Performing

48 Preparation: Audience, Music, Costume, Space

49 Partnering

49 Choreography

49 Styling

49 Tricks

49 Dance Surfaces

Page Chapter 6 Dance Accessories

51 Dance Shoes and Tools

53 Dance Connector

53 Media Players

54 Song Assist

56 Chapter 7 Frequently Asked Dance Questions

DANCIN’ TIME

DANCIN’ TIME provides dance lessons for groups of all sizes as

well as private one-on-one dance lessons.

Thank you again for taking the time to read my book. I look

forward to hearing from you if you have any questions at all.

[email protected]

518-320-2613

www.DANCINTIME.com

What time is it?…it’s DANCIN’ TIME!!!

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.dancintime.com/

Responses to Man’s Manual to Ballroom Basics

“David’s teaching style and kind, genuine personality makes it

easy to learn to dance.” – Steve

Dancin’ David’s Vision

I see a world that values

cooperation more than

competition.

Becoming aware of yourself and

your part in a community through

social partner dancing can help

make this vision a reality.

Purpose

My purpose is to be in Harmony with

myself.

Your purpose is to be in Harmony with

yourself.

Our purpose is to be in Harmony with

each other.

What time is it?…it’s DANCIN’ TIME!!!

DANCINTIME.com

ballroom dance lesson book want romance learn to dance

Education