| Explaining
the Latin American Grades
Part 4, Preparatory Dance Exercises
One
of the biggest challenges for us as dancing teachers is to
hold the interest of our pupils, to give them work that is
fun to learn and which challenges their abilities. The General
Grades increase our repertoire, providing us with more material
for all our classes. In this article we will look at some
of the Preparatory Dance Exercises (PDE’s) and how they
relate to the Rumba and Jive at Grade 1.
The
first PDE uses the Basic Movement in Rumba to train the dancer
to understand the fundamental importance of the timing of
the foot and leg actions in relation to the music and also
the varying speed the dancer uses to settle the body weight
over the standing leg. This is quite a ‘tall order’
for the beginner, particularly when dancing solo. I have found
that as I have introduced the work in our school, it has influenced
my class planning, to ensure the dancers are learning to be
secure within their own timing rather than in mine. Never
before has the term ‘standing on your own two legs’
been more true!
The
second PDE introduces the Progressive Walks Forward and Back,
and the dancer studies the difference between the Progressive
Forward Walk danced here and the Forward Walk followed by
a backward weight transference danced in the first PDE. The
PDE’s encourage an overall proficiency, and interestingly,
we found when we began teaching this particular one that the
girls were far stronger when dancing the Progressive Walks
forward. Through practicing this PDE, their action when finishing
the Fan or Hockey Stick was greatly improved.
If
children do show signs of losing interest in class, playing
a Jive is a sure way to motivate them again. Adults enjoy
this rhythm too; it never fails to get people’s toes
tapping.
The
first PDE helps pupils to develop the feeling of carrying
their centre weight over the balls of the feet. The rhythmic
action that should now be felt through the knees and body
when dancing the Side Chasses can now be practiced.
The
Forward and Backward Chasses are introduced in the second
PDE, with the opportunity for developing the correct placing
of the feet. This is sometimes an area that a beginner needs
to practice, particularly when moving forward. The direction
of the chasses within this exercise also helps to establish
the contra hip swing, another fundamental that characterises
the Jive.
It
is useful to bear in mind that much of what you will teach
is described in depth in the pages at the front of our technique
books. The best method is to use these pages as reference
as the Graded work is taught.
The technical specification of Grades 1 to 3 is available,
in temporary format, from the Sales Department at ISTD HQ.
Price:
£5.00
Order
online>>
Tel: 020 7377 1577
email: sales@istd.org
Why
not get a copy and start using this new work straight away.
Marion
Lane
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