dheun . I take it that this is Foxtrot. You could start by using one beat which is beat four for the introductory step. Step away from that step with the RF Then swing the left side forward off the RF which was the first of the Feather Step. This is CBM. I have always found that by using a slow on the introduction makes it confusing, especially for those who wonder after starting . Where has that slow gone. A Feather Step is S Q Q. Not S S Q Q.
There is a Chinese Proverb
Tell me and I will surely forget
Show me and I may remember
But make me do it and I will surely understand.
( show me are the key words here ) and keep showing.

So why couldn't you take the last two beats of the previous bar for a slow prep step?

jj

jofjonsboro. It is not what or why I do. It is what is being done. You have been looking, I think on youtube, but have not been paying attention, you are seeing only what you think you see and not what is. This is also the same in the Quickstep. You might be suprised to know that some of what you are looking at. Many dancers , if you count do all there Feather Steps by not using the fourth beat but use beat one as a preperation followed by three quicks. After a Change of Direction it is not uncommon for a dancer to dance four quicks into a Feather Step. Change of Direction becomes S on the LF. S on the Right Foot and step through LF on one beat leaving the other three beats for the Feather. Why do it this way. because the other way takes up too much time. Go to the O6 Final at the British and watch Crossly give a perfect demonstration. not from a Change of Direction though. It appears that he was forced into changing his routine slightly when he got blocked.
You might also count Timothy Howson at the very beginning who uses the fourth beat as an entry. We live and learn dont we. The lesson to be learnt is never take anything for granted.

Polished,ifyou dance the timing as you say "if you count do all there Feather Steps by not using the fourth beat but use beat one as a preperation followed by three quicks" what timing do you use on the reverse turn as there is only one preperation step in a two minute foxtrot? For begginers I would say forget the timing of the steps and think instead of moving the body at one speed and also swinging the legs at one speed for all quicks and slows, the feet finding there own position on the floor,the size of the steps be as they may.

Cdrogue. Todays top dancers are incredibly talented and know every beat of music in a tune. If for some reason they need to alter the timing, it is done to stay in rhythm and phrase. They will either pause or used a syncopation. John Wood on his tape calls it having Elephant Ears. He goes on to say Or be like most others around you who are out of rhythm out of phrase. Out of rhythm is dancing back to front 3412 instead of 1234. also if you are out of rhythm you are also automaticly out of phrase. Pages could be written on this subject but to make it simple. Your steps have been designed to fit the music perfectly. You get knocked or hindered. You are to do an Open Telemark. If you continue in the normal way your first step would be wrong on 34. So you syncopate it making the timing Q and Q. which becomes 3 and 4 and leaves 1 2 to come out in the normal way. To stay in rhythm in the Quickstep is very easy. There are dozens of steps that can be added to stay in with the music. Something as simple as a Double Lock. Or what is called an Open Lock which is S Q and Q will get you back on the correct beat. After all , who wants to enter a Natural Spin Turn on beats 3 4 with the music.

Polished/Quickstep/serendipidy/ - The only thing that is certain is that no one will ever learn anything from your poorly written posts.

As usual, your references aren't worth the time that it takes to read them.

BTW, the spelling is "their."

jj

"dheun . I take it that this is Foxtrot... A Feather Step is S Q Q. Not S S Q Q."

dhuen is dancing foxtrot alright, but not a form of foxtrot built on feather steps.

The proper timing of most of the figures he or she is dancing is in fact SSQQ rather than SQQ.

cdroge. I should have put that most use timimg on a preperation step is (and )Quick which is of course is 4.
As you seem interested. A step starts when the feet are under the body. It is deemed finished when it again arrives under the body. That's one step. If it is a slow as in the first step of the Feather the break down of the steps is . Three halves of a beat to send the foot forward and the remaining half a beat to arrive under the body.It is easy to count 123...4 untill it is in the muscle memory. It allows us to stand on the supporting leg longer. I'll wait untill I get attacked before I will say who teaches this way.

As you seem interested. A step starts when the feet are under the body. It is deemed finished when it again arrives under the body. Well yes no, the end of the first step of the Natural turn in the waltz ends with the left knee along side the right knee with the foot still trailing behind. With a backward step it would start with the knees along side each other but the lower foot would be back ready to move onto it. Thats if you know how to dance.

"Well yes no, the end of the first step of the Natural turn in the waltz ends with the left knee along side the right knee with the foot still trailing behind."

No.

In the formal language of ballroom technique, the end of an ordinary passing step is defined to occur when the feet (not the knees) are momentarily together.