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Shorthand Terms
Rhythm
X |
A step (weight change) on a beat of music. |
x |
A step (weight change) on the "&" or "a" count |
/ |
Is a place holder used on a beat of music to indicate there is no step (weight change) |
O |
O: Pressing the Sending Foot into the floor to cause the entire body to rise and and return the weight to the same foot -- such as in a Hop, Jump or Leap. |
o |
Pressing the Sending Foot into the floor only causing only the lower body to respond (legs & knees) such as in a Skip or Scoot. The upper body does not rise. |
Leader/Follower
L |
Leader |
F |
Follower |
M |
Man |
W |
Woman |
Hands
Lh |
Left Hand |
Lh |
Right Hand |
Slot & Rails
The actions specified below could be a step, kick, etc. in the direction indicated.
= |
an action applied in the direction of the slot forward, back or in place |
> |
an action applied in the direction of the slot forward, back or in place |
< |
an action applied in the direction of the slot forward, back or in place |
B |
an action applied to the rail in back of where the dancer would be in center slot -- assuming the dancer is facing perpendicular to the slot (i.e. facing cross slot) prior to the |
F |
an action applied to the rail in back of where the dancer would be in center slot -- assuming the dancer is facing perpendicular to the slot (i.e. facing cross slot) prior to the action |
Foot
L |
Left Foot |
R |
Right Foot |
Direction
Lt or L |
Left |
Rt or R |
Right |
F or Fwd or f |
Forward (lower case means short step) |
B or Bk or b |
Back (lower case means short step) |
S or s |
Side (lower case means short step) |
P |
In Place -- or for slot type dances this may require a slight movement to the left or right rail as indicated in the Slot/Rail annotation |
T |
Together |
X |
Cross |
Xf |
Cross in Front |
Xb |
Cross in Back |
Hk |
Hook in Back |
K |
Kick |
Kf |
Kick Forward |
Kb |
Kick Back |
Sf or sf |
Slap Forward |
Turns - Direction
The dancer must be centered prior to beginning a turn and must remain centered throughout the turn to its completion.
> |
Indicates the beginning or end of a Turn |
Tr or R |
Right Turn (Clockwise) |
Tl or L |
Left Turn (Counterclockwise) |
CW |
Clockwise (Right Turn) |
CC |
Counterclockwise (Left Turn) |
More Technical Stuff
- Annotation
- Shorthand Terms
- Elements of Music
- Rhythm Measures/Units
- Odd/Even Rhythms Chart
- Dance Characteristics
- Raper's Dance Teachers Corner
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