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Index of Terms (Definitions) Related to
Stepping
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Definitions Terms
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A
Appearance [Add
your Definition]
A category used in stepping contests relating to how
a couple dresses for the event. According to the Worlds Largest
Steppers Contest 2006 rules: "Dress to impress from head to toe.
Come steppers sharp!" -
wlscontest.com Web site
According to the Worlds Largest Steppers Contest 2007 rules:
"Which means to dress from head to toe" -
wlscontest.com Web site
B
Basics [Add
your Definition]
The Basics consists of eight movements, or steps
regardless of which counting method is used. The 6 and 8 counts are
both methods of counting. There is no difference. They are simply
numbers used as reference points in the dance. Both methods describe
and are applied to the exact same movements with no mechanical
difference. Both methods should be applied to the beat or rhythm of
the music the same way. The only difference is that one method
counts all eight movements, and the other one counts six. This is
the foundation of the dance and all movements, turns and footwork
are based on the basic movements. "The basics of steppin revolve
around a patterned rhythm that could be counted in an 8 step, 6 step
or any step or number as long as the number or count is completed in
the rhythm of the pattern." Dan Land
BPM
(Beats Per Minute) [Add
your Definition]
Refers to the tempo of the music. That is, how fast is the music?
From:
www.dancedictionary.com
Bop [Add
your Definition]
Bop was a popular form of Swing dancing during the
1950's as well as done as a solo dance (especially when the melody
divorced itself from traditional dance rhythms). It's style was
slightly different than its predecessor Jitterbug. The term Bop was
also used as slang for a type of careless movement, such as "Bop on
over." The Bop lead the way for Beatniks, Cappuccinos etc.
The dance style was a form of Jitterbug, or more recently East Coast
Swing. Bop was mainly 8 counts with a hip-twisting, body swaying,
double rhythm style. The basic step is done in open position,
Follower mainly staying in front of the Leader:
Originally: "Tap-Step---Walk-Walk---Tap-Step---Walk-Walk (or
Rock-Step)" - swaying from his left to right. Today a basic East
Coast Triple rhythm is all that's needed to change the dance but Bop
Swing is no longer done.
There are also Bop (Beach Bop) club's in the Southern & Midwest
states such as Florida, Virginia, Atlanta, Chicago, etc. that call
themselves Bop dancers plus doing other forms of swing dance as
well. However I don't have much historical info. on them at the
moment. - From
Sonny Watson's Swingstreet.com
C
Cakewalk [Add
your Definition]
Cakewalk is a traditional African American form of
music and dance which originated among slaves in the Southern United
States. The form was originally known as the chalk line walk; it
takes its name from competitions slaveholders sometimes held, in
which they offered slices of hoecake as prizes for the best dancers.
The dance was invented as a satirical parody of the formal European
ballroom dances preferred by white slave owners, and featured
exaggerated imitations of the dance ritual, combined with
traditional African dance steps. One common form of cakewalk
dance involved couples linked at the elbows, lining up in a circle,
dancing forward alternating a series of short hopping steps with a
series of very high kicking steps. Costumes worn for the cakewalk
often included large, exaggerated bow ties, suits, canes, and top
hats.
From Wikipedia
Cakewalk and the fact that it is a dance that did not
originate in Africa but on the plantations during American slavery.
It derive from slaves making mockery of plantation owners and formal
dance forms such as ballroom dancing that many plantation owners and
main stream Americans practiced. It was originally called the
chalkwalk and adopted the name cakewalk after plantation owners and
others became so amused and entertained by it that they had slaves
compete in dance contest ( cakewalk ) and the winning couple
received a cake. It was also such an entertaining dance and went so
long without plantation owners knowing that slaves made mockery of
them that plantation owners eventually adopted the dance as part of
their social atmosphere which quickly spread throughout American
society as one of the most popular social dance forms. The cakewalk
is also recorded as the first African American crossover dance,
dominating the social scene up until Scott Joplin and the
introduction of Rag Time which dictated new dance forms to
compliment his new music. Source: Mr. Daniel Land
SteppersExpress.com all rights
reserved (Information authenticated with Article on University of
Virginia Archive) See Video
Chicago Style [Add
your Definition]
A term appended to stepping by people from cities
other than Chicago do differentiate the dance from other forms of
dance.
Closed Position [Add
your Definition]
In partner dancing, closed position is a category of
positions in which partners hold each other while facing at least
approximately toward each other.
Closed positions employ either body contact or body support, i.e.,
holding each other is not limited to handhold. If the partners are
comfortable with each other and the dance style allows it, body
contact increases the connection between the partners. Some dances,
such as Balboa and Collegiate Shag are only done in body contact.
The most commonly used kind of closed position comes from the waltz,
and is very commonly used in ballroom dance. The leader's right hand
is on the follower's back (or, rarely, on the left upper arm near
the shoulder); its exact placement on the back ranges from the waist
to the left shoulder blade. The follower's left hand is on the
leader's right shoulder, or the upper arm near the shoulder. The
other two hands are clasped together at or near chest or shoulder
height. Source - Wikipedia
Contest [Add
your Definition]
D
Downbeat
(in Music and Dance)
1. The downward stroke made by a conductor to indicate the first
beat of a measure.
2. The first beat of a measure.
3. Is the 1st beat of every Rhythm Unit. From:
www.dancedictionary.com
E
Eight Count [Add
your Definition]
A dance pattern which follows the beat of the music
1-2-3,4-5-6,7-8, then repeat. Also known as the eight count basics.
F
Footwork [Add
your Definition]
Dance technique aspects related to feet: foot
position and foot action improvisation to compliment the dance.
Source -Markie Bee (Parts from Wikipedia)
Freestyle [Add
your Definition]
This involves turning and creating moves based upon
whatever emotion brings the dancer to. This includes footwork and
body language. Through the years, freestylers have used props,
costumes, even roller skates.
G
Gousters [Add
your Definition]
Gousters were cool and suave with an adopted style of
fashion from the notorious Gangsters of the 40's and 50's, baggy
suits and pleated pants, cool, calm, and collective. - Reproduced
with permission DanLanProductions © From an article by: Mr. Daniel
Land
SteppersExpress.com all rights
reserved.
Read a Personal Recollection Here
Grab Bag Contest [Add
your Definition]
The Grab Bag Contest (Also called a Jack & Jill
Contest in Swing Dance) is a
type of competition in which the dancers do not know who their dance
partner will be until a drawing is held. One method of partner
selection is using two containers with names in them - one for the
Leaders and one for the Followers. One name is drawn from each
container just a few minutes before the couple is to dance. This
normally does not give the couple time to workout any dance
material. Source:
www.swingdancecouncil.com
H
Half Turn [Add
your Definition]
(AKA: A Break Turn, Sport Turn, Switch Turn or
Military Turn) is executed by the dancer taking two steps with a 1/2
turn occurring between the steps in the opposite direction of the
Forward Foot (on the first step).
From:
www.dancedictionary.com
Hand Dance (Washington Hand Dancing) [Add
your Definition]
Hand dancing, also known as "D.C. hand dancing", is a
form of swing dancing that can be traced as far back as the 1920's,
when Harlem gave birth to the Lindy Hop. From the Lindy Hop emerged
the Jitterbug in the 30's and during the 50's D.C. developed its own
version and named it Hand Dance. From the early 50's to mid 60's,
Hand Dance was the hub of the Washingtonian dancing experience. It
is characterized by gliding footwork and continuous hand contact
between the partners, hence its name. In the 80's, following an
extended hiatus, Hand Dance resurfaced and has gradually moved to
reclaim its place in the Washington dance community.
Source - Wikipedia
I
Ivy Leaguers [Add
your Definition]
The Ivy Leaguers were prep school type, the college
look, stove pipe pants, crew cuts, knit shirts, Harvard, Yale, or
Princeton prototypes. - Reproduced with permission DanLanProductions
©From an article by: Mr. Daniel Land
SteppersExpress.com all rights
reserved
J
Jazz (Soul Jazz) [Add
your Definition]
Soul jazz was a development of hard bop which
incorporated strong influences from blues, gospel and rhythm and
blues in music for small groups, often the organ trio which featured
the Hammond organ. Unlike hard bop, soul jazz generally emphasized
repetitive grooves and melodic hooks, and improvisations were often
less complex than in other jazz styles. Horace Silver had a large
influence on the soul jazz style, with his songs that used funky and
often gospel-based piano vamps. Important soul jazz organists
included Jimmy McGriff and Jimmy Smith and Johnny Hammond Smith, and
influential tenor saxophone players included Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
and Stanley Turrentine.
Source - Wikipedia
Jitterbug [Add
your Definition]
Jitterbug can be used as a noun to refer to a swing
dancer or various types of swing dances, e.g., Lindy Hop, Jive
and East Coast Swing. This has led to confusion within the dance
community since jitterbug can refer to different swing dances. It
can also be used as a verb to mean someone dancing to swing music.
For example, "People were top-notch jitterbugging, jumping around,
cutting loose and going crazy".
Source - Wikipedia
K
L
Lane [Add
your Definition]
See Slot & Rails
The lane is the path the following partner travels
though from the beginning of the stepper's count to the end of the
stepper's count, whether 6 or 8. (generally, the male is the lead
and the female is the follow). Physically, it's the space occupied
by dancing partners if they were standing face to face while holding
both hands in a relaxed manner. The lane runs straight and parallel,
although the lead partner may step out the lane while dancing, to
allow the following partner to move through the lane to reach the
other end. The lane may become exaggerated if there is space on the
dance floor to allow it, or extremely "tight" (short) if the dance
floor is crowded. Definition submitted by:
atl1guy@yahoo.com
Lead & Follow [Add
your Definition]
There must always be some form of connection between
partners which will be either active connection or passive
connection . Arms can not be allowed to just hang there lifeless.
When the Leader leads, the Follower's center point of balance must
respond in the direction of the movement. Caution: Stiff Arms or a
Stiff Body are not proper connection techniques.
Lead (Action): Active during Lead, Passive thereafter. Do not use
force
Follow (Reaction): No "Spaghetti Arms". The leader forces nothing.
The follower executes material under their own power.
center point of balance: All movement comes from the center point of
balance. Drive the center point of balance wherever you want it to
go. Attitude: Stand tall. Move like you are somebody of importance.
From:
www.dancedictionary.com
Left Turn [Add
your Definition]
Lindy Hop [Add
your Definition]
Lindy hop is an African American dance that evolved
in New York City in the late 1920s and early 1930s. It was an
organic fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular
during its development but was predominantly based on jazz, tap,
breakaway and Charleston. Lindy hop co-evolved with jazz music and
is a member of the swing dance family. It is frequently described as
a jazz or street dance. In its development, lindy hop combined
elements of both solo and partner dancing by using the movements and
improvisation of African dances along with the formal eight-count
structure of European partner dances. This is most clearly
illustrated in lindy's basic step, the swingout. In this step's open
position each dancer improvises alone; in its closed position men
and women dance together — a practice usually forbidden in African
dances.
Source - Wikipedia
Lindy hop came from Charleston, which was an 8 beat dance - and for
some time, Lindy Hop remained an 8 beat dance. However, there were
other swing dances which became popular the early 1930s such as the
6 beat Shag and others. Therefore, it was quite natural that both 6
and 8 beat dances would blend together as a new version of Lindy
Hop. Lindy Hop can still be danced as a strictly 8 beat dance
providing the dancers with very large selection of dance material.
Source:
www.dancedictionary.com
Line Dance [Add
your Definition]
In a small group there may be only one line, but
usually there are several parallel lines, one behind the other. In
this parallel line formation, the dancers dance in a synchronized
manner, but independently of each other. There are usually no moves
that require any interaction between the dancers, other than they
execute the maneuvers at the same time.
Although line dances can be fairly simple, as with the 18 count 4
wall beginner "Electric Slide," increasing complexity can be created
through several means. In general, higher-count sequences are more
difficult. (One "count" corresponds to one musical beat.) The
inclusion of unusual or unfamiliar sequences of steps also makes a
dance more challenging. Body movements other than steps, such as
hand gestures, can add complexity. "Phrased" line dances are written
to go with specific versions of songs. Tags, bridges, and skipping
over, or repeating portions of the dance, are all devices that are
used to follow the phrasing in the music. These phrased dances
require dancers to be more conscious of the music and not simply
repeat the same sequence of steps for an entire song.
Source - Wikipedia
M
Moves (Or Steppers Moves) [Add
your Definition]
N
O
One Hand Lead [Add
your Definition]
Body Positions: Facing each other about one arms length apart.
Arms/Hands (Leader's Left & Follower's Right): The upper arms
shall be down with the elbows just slightly in front of the vertical
center of the rib cage. The lower arms shall extend straight
forward. The leader's left hand shall be cupped inward. The
follower's right hand shall be cupped over the top of the leader's
left hand.
Arms/Hands (Leader's Right & Follower's Left): The upper arms
shall be down with elbows slightly behind the vertical center of the
rib cage. The lower arms shall be held straight forward and close to
the waist. This positioning of the follower's arms and hands is very
important so the leader can always find the follower's left hand in
the same location when needed.
Source:
www.dancedictionary.com
Old School or Old Skool [Add
your Definition]
Bopping changed to stepping in the early 70's.
There have been several forms of stepping in the early 70's, if you
can go back and remember how to Bop and how to do other forms of
Steppin then you are Old School or Ool Skool. Some would say ,if you
have been steppin over 25 years That's old school skool. Submission
By: jddavney
Open Position [Add
your Definition]
In couples dancing, open position refers to positions
in which partners are connected primarily at the hands as opposed to
closer body contact, as in closed position. The connection is
through the hands, wrists, and fingers, and relies heavily on frame
and the compression and tension of both partners' arms. Many forms
of dancing utilize the open position. Swing (East Coast, West Coast,
Lindy Hop), and Latin are primary examples, but an open position is
used in waltz, country, and other styles at times.
Source - Wikipedia
Opening (Opening Move) [Add
your Definition]
Originality [Add
your Definition]
P
Promoters [Add
your Definition]
Pencil Turn [Add
your Definition]
The pencil turn is one of the flashiest of a bevy of
modern and historic jazz dance moves. Think of Michael Jackson
standing up straight and spinning on both feet for extended periods
of time and you have imagined the pencil turn in jazz. Source:
www.ehow.com
Q
R
Right Turn [Add
your Definition]
Ring shout [Add
your Definition]
The origins of the ring shout are obscure, and it is
usually assumed to be derived from African dance. The ritual may
have originated among enslaved Muslims from West Africa as an
imitation of tawaf, the mass procession around the Kaaba that is an
essential part of the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. If so, the word
"shout" may come from Arabic sha'wt, meaning a single
circumambulation of the Kaaba.
Source - Wikipedia
The RingShout is one of the only original African
dance forms that migrated to America with the slaves directly from
their culture and it was a dance of tradition, custom and
celebration often performed and practiced during weddings,
birthdays, burials and other sacred ceremonies. It was also a group
dance oppose to a couple or individual dance. In fact, the ringshout
is a tribal dance, performed in groups that not only danced
counterclockwise but also to the rhythm of sticks against the
ground, chants, drums and other rhythms. Submitted by: Mr. Daniel Land
SteppersExpress.com all rights
reserved. For a complete definition of the Ring Shout visit
www.ringshout.org
S
Showmanship [Add
your Definition]
Showmanship is the ability of a Stepper to add
his/hers own style to the dance within the defined rules,
regulations, and boundaries of the dance. It is the ability of the
Stepper to indiviualize the dance and set him/herself apart from
others in the dance. It is generally regarded in terms of "flash",
"flair" and "pizazz" all of which expresses and describes the
creativity of the Stepper. Definition submitted by:
atl1guy@yahoo.com
Six count [Add
your Definition]
A dance pattern which follows the beat of the music
5, 6, 1, 2 STEP 3, 4 STEP, then repeat. Also known as the six count
basics.
The Six Step is the most basic form of Stepping it starts with a
count from 1 thru 6 , No ands or steps in between , many new style
instructors have try to duplicate but none have , with the different
variation they actually resemble the six count in it basic form and
if there any one better to ask speak to Mr. Claudell Jackson the six
step Master instructor and his Guy Swan and Donny. - Submitted by:
Malik Emir-EL (Swan)
Slot & Rails (Lane Dancing) [Add
your Definition]
In slotted dances, the slot can be thought of as a narrow path
between two imaginary rails.
Slot: The woman's path of travel is in the Slot. Her direction is
directly through the man.
Rails: The man moves to the rails on either side of the slot to
allow the woman to pass.
Source:
www.dancedictionary.com
Smooth Stepping [Add
your Definition]
Steppen the coolest dance on earth. Started on
the south side of ChiTown . The bop ,then steppen and nothing after
that. AS THE Gent put it. Steppen is a way of life. Notice these are
old schools. Sam Chatman said let's Go To work. (I) said just b cool
bout it. Submitted By:
jusnx2step@gmail.com
Spin [Add
your Definition]
A Spin is executed on one foot --
normally a full turn (360 degrees) or more. During each turn the
Center Point of Balance must be centered over the weighted foot and
the hips and shoulders must be aligned. Spotting
is also an important secret to successful turns. The rapid head
movement of spotting also adds additional energy to the execution of
multiple spins. The techniques of a spin also apply to a
Pencil Turn and Pirouette.
Source:
www.dancedictionary.com
Spotting [Add
your Definition]
Spotting is one major secret to successful turns. The head stays
facing one direction while the body turns; then when the head can no
longer maintain its position, it turns instantaneously in the
direction of the turn coming around to the original spot, or to a
new spot - depending on whether it is a full turn (360 degrees) or ˝
turn (180 degrees). For traveling turns, the dancer would normally
spot in Line of Dance - the direction of travel. For stationary
turns, the dancer would normally spot in the direction in which the
turn would finish. The rapid head movement of spotting adds
additional energy to the execution of multiple spins.
Start Off [Add
your Definition]
Steppers Community [Add
your Definition]
A "Stepper's Community" in it's most basic form is a
local group of like minded individuals who come together to
socialize, network, and enjoy the art of "Steppin". It consists of
individuals of all skill levels, from those who just enjoy watching
those who Step, to the "beginners" who want to learn how "they" do
that, to the "heavy hitters", those who have mastered many spins,
turns, footwork, and they just seem to "flow". We all know the
"Heavy Hitters", when they hit the floor all eyes are on them as
they "work their magic". A "Stepper's Community" may be comprised of
just local individuals who profess in interest in Steppin, to
multiple Steppin clubs and individuals. A "Stepper's Community" can
be localized to a town or city "East Side", "West Side", to regional
"East Coast", "West Coast" to all encompassing the "National
Steppers Community". Submitted by: Stan
Steppers Club [Add
your Definition]
A "Stepper's Club" is an association of people united
by thier interests in the art of "Steppin". For the most part a
Stepper's Club is localized to a town or city but it is not uncommon
for a Stepper's Club to include distant members in other locations.
A Stepper's Club generally establishes rules and guidelines for it's
members, has a hierarchy, a form of membership acceptance,
membership fees, and operates under a common name which unites all
the members. Submitted by: Stan
Steppers Face or Look Add
your Definition
My first memory of dancing was watching my parents
bopping. I started bopping with them, this was in grade school, so
by the time I was in high school I knew how to dance . Bopping
changed into stepping in the early 70's. back then you had a serious
look on your face, not because you were angry or not enjoying
yourself, that's just the look we had. This changed with making The
how to step videos and the Worlds Largest Steppin Contest, you had
to smile because you were taping a video or you were on stage
dancing. But if you look around you while dancing you will see most
steppers have on a steppers face. Submitted by: Dian
Steppers Sharp [Add
your Definition]
Steppers Set (Or Steppers Party) [Add
your Definition]
Stepping [Add
your Definition]
A generic term used to describe The dance which was
originated in Chicago's African American Community. Identified as
Chicago Style Stepping nationally. See Steppin'
Steppin' [Add
your Definition]
Steppin originated in Chicago's African American
community as a dance formerly referred to as the BOP, a smooth calm
dance of striding, gliding, dipping, and dabbing to music by popular
African American big bands and singing groups during the late 50's
and early 60's. Events were host at places like Chicago's Savoy, The
Club Delisa, The Time square, The Checkerboard, etc. There were also
the famous rent party, quarter party, waist line party, or basement
party on smaller neighborhood scales. - Reproduced with
permission DanLanProductions ©From an article by: Mr. Daniel Land
SteppersExpress.com all rights
reserved
Synchronization [Add
your Definition]
Swing (Or Swing Style of Dance) [Add
your Definition]
T
Trio [Add
your Definition]
Two Hand Lead [Add
your Definition]
Body Positions: Facing each other about one arms length apart.
Arms/Hands (Leader & Follower): The upper arms of both leader and
follower shall be down with the elbows just slightly in front of the
vertical center of the rib cage. The lower arms shall extend
straight forward. Both of the leader's hands shall be cupped inward.
The follower's hands shall be cupped over the top of the leader's
hands.
Source:
www.dancedictionary.com
U
V
W
Walking [Add
your Definition]
The BOP was the most popular dance in Chicago; often
sharing the popularity spotlight with individual dances like the
Twist, The Monkey, The Mash Potatoes, The Twine Time, etc.. It also
had The Walk, a slowed down version of The Bop. The intimate side of
things, truly one of the most graceful aspects of Steppin one could
ever witness and many around Chicago say actually existed before the
Bop. The fact of the matter is, the Walk remain a major part of
Chicago Steppin and continue to exist as the intimate aspect of the
dance. - Reproduced with permission DanLanProductions ©From an
article by: Mr. Daniel Land
SteppersExpress.com all rights
reserved
West Coast Swing [Add
your Definition]
It is believed that the origins of the WCS are in
Lindy Hop. Dean Collins (an American dancer, instructor,
choreographer, and innovator of swing. He is often credited with
bringing swing dance, or Lindy Hop, from New York to Southern
California. He is undoubtedly the most filmed Lindy Hopper in
history with over 30 movie and short credits to his name.) was
influential in developing the style of swing danced on the West
Coast of the United States. Collins arrived in the Los Angeles
around 1937.
Source - Wikipedia
WLSC [Add
your Definition]
Worlds Largest Steppers Contest (See
Timeline)
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