W

Waltz

Straight Count

Leader

		ODD				ODD
Count		1	3	3		4	5	6
Rhythm		X	X	X		X	X	X
Foot		L	R	R		R	L	R

Follower

		ODD				ODD
Count		1	3	3		4	5	6
Rhythm		X	X	X		X	X	X
Foot		R	L	R		L	R	L

For diagram definitions see
Short Hand Terms or Annotation

Also see Rhythm Unit (Waltz - 3 beats in 3/4 time), Rise & Fall

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Weighted Foot

The foot supporting the body weight.  Also see Unweighted Foot (Free Foot)

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West Coast Swing

Uses 6 and 8 beat Step Patterns. In Open Position the Follower normally walks directly toward the Leader on counts [1 2]. In Closed Position, there are two different basic styles. In the first style, the Follower does a [rock step] on counts [1 2]. In the second style the Follower walks forward away from the leader on counts [1 2]. The basic 6 beat Rhythm Measures/Units are EVEN, ODD, ODD. The basic 8 beat Rhythm Units being EVEN, ODD, EVEN, ODD.   Also see Even Rhythm, Odd Rhythm,  Western Swing and Raper's Dance Teacher's Corner.

In the late 1950s, Skippy Blair was teaching a styling of Western Swing in which the follower never does a [rock step] on counts [1 2].   To eliminate the confusion between the two types of swing dancing, Skippy renamed her style of the dance to  "West Coast Swing."  However, the name West Coast Swing became so popular that people throughout the world started referring to both styles of the dance as West Coast Swing.  Therefore, we really have two different styles of West Coast swing - and the term Western Swing is used very rarely any more.   Both styles of the dance are very popular throughout the world.

Most swing dance dance teachers of today use the modern count, starting their swing Step Patterns with an EVEN Rhythm Unit - that is, counts [1 2].  However, there are still many dance teachers from the old school that start their swing Step Patterns with an ODD Rhythm Unit - that is, [1 & 2].  For example, using today's modern count, 6 beat basic Step Patterns would be [1 2] [3 & 4] [5 & 6].  Under the old system, the basic Step Patterns would be [1 & 2] [3 & 4] [5 6].  This leads to a great deal of confusion with students that are unaware of these differences.

Also see Swing Rhythm

 

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Western Swing

Up until the late 1950s, what we know now as one styling of  West Coast Swing was called Western Swing.   That is, the version of West Coast Swing that has the follower doing a [Rock Step] on counts [1  2] was called Western Swing.  Also, what most know as East Coast Swing is also called Western Swing by some Country Western people.  Also see West Coast Swing and Raper's Dance Teacher's Corner.

Also see Swing Rhythm

 

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Whip

Straight Count

EVEN

ODD

EVEN

ODD

Count

&

1

&

2

&

3

&

4

&

5

&

6

&

7

&

8

Rhythm

X

X

X

x

X

X

X

X

x

X

 

 

Rolling Count

EVEN

ODD

EVEN

ODD

Count

&

a

1

&

a

2

&

a

3

&

a

4

&

a

5

&

a

6

&

a

7

&

a

8

Rhythm

X

X

X

x

X

X

X

X

x

X

 

For diagram definitions see
Short Hand Terms or Annotation

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Whisk

In American terminology the Whisk is called a Balancette. See Balancette.

 

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