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Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by cdroge
7/4/2008  8:08:00 AM
Phil, when dancing to the music I feel I am dancing to the bars rather than beats. I always have trouble dancing the international foxtrot to the beat but dancing it to the bars of music is a breeze. Like you I am not a beginner and have been dancing for 35yrs and have had lessons in the past with some of the best but, I am still improving thanks to this wonderful website and the kind people who take the time to respond to my questions.
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by Polished
7/6/2008  4:15:00 PM
Does anybodyn else believe that the ISTD made a mistake when they allowed the word fall to be used. Should it have been rise and lower.What we most certainly don't do is fall. We lower dont we.
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by jofjonesboro
7/6/2008  5:56:00 PM
Polished/serendipidy/whatever, it would suit you to pick up the book every now and then and read it.

It clearly defines "Rise and Fall" as ". . . elevation and lowering . . . ." The instructions for the figures use the term "lower."

jj

Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by cdroge
7/7/2008  6:51:00 AM
No matter what it say's in the book, if you wan't to Lilt in the waltz you must also fall with gravity at the start of the lowering proces.
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by terence2
7/7/2008  7:03:00 AM
The vagaries of the english language.. semantics et al .
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by phil.samways
7/7/2008  7:31:00 AM
I suspect that the word 'fall' is not liked because it implies no control (as in falling off a cliff). Lowering suggests control. Which is the best way to describe it in dancing.
But i agree, the english language is full of strange things (and i'm english!).
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by terence2
7/7/2008  8:25:00 AM
So am I.. it also bares mentioning, that the jargon used in the book, dates from the 40s, and language has evolved in leaps and bounds ( dont ya luv hyperbole ! )
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by anymouse
7/7/2008  9:50:00 AM
"Does anybodyn else believe that the ISTD made a mistake when they allowed the word fall to be used. Should it have been rise and lower.What we most certainly don't do is fall. We lower dont we."

Ultimately, it is like this:

When you practice, you "lower".

When you dance, you "fall".

To fully dance, you must make use of the full energy of gravity pulling you towards the floor, and do so with abandon, without holding back.

But to do that safely and not bombastically, you must spend a lot of time practicing careful movements to build control, both as a skill and as a physical strength in your muscles.

Therefore - practice "lowering" but when it comes time to fully dance, let yourself "fall" and trust in your practice-earned ability to use that energy.

It's like that "life lived in fear is a life half lived" quote from the movie. You can't go around being irresponsible all of the time. But you also can't fully live without occasionally taking a risk.
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by Polished
7/6/2008  4:45:00 PM
cdroge. Practice for Foxtrot. On your own to music. Dance down the floor all slows and with every step a heel.Only allow the moving foot to arrive under the body on the second beat and on the next step on the fourth beat. Obey the golden rule spoken about by John wood on his tape.. Stand on the supporting foot as long as possible. This may feel like a momentary pause, but it isn't because you are now flexing the knee which at the extent of the stride was straight. You must count either 1 2 3 4, or slow (and) slow (and). (and) being beat two and four.
If you had been made to do this type of practise 35 years ago you wouldn't have needed to read the above.
I've gone into a bit of detail here because reading this there might be some less informed.
Any of you who are into the Rumba would be well advised to do the same up and down the floor to music but stepping ball flat and not heel leads of course.
Re: Rise and Fall in the International Waltz
Posted by cdroge
7/7/2008  11:46:00 AM
Polished: Welcome back Quickstep it is you is it not?

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