.
Hello, my name is Christopher Riley
and this is my partner Elaine Ballas.
We would like to congratulate you on your upcoming wedding
and for taking the time to learn how to dance
something that you will use forever.
There are no words that can describe how great it feels to get on the dance floor as husband and wife and move with style and grace.
For years, Elaine and I have been teaching waltz and foxtrot routines to couples who want to look great for their special day.
And now it is with great pleasure that we bring you this tape.
You will learn an easy waltz routine, foxtrot routine, jitterbug, and triple swing.
The material on this tape is equivalent to 10 hours of dance instruction.
So don't feel that you have to learn it all the first time.
Dancing is fun and easy.
So remember, smile, keep it simple, and relax.
Steve, our narrator, will now take you through the steps.
So, let's begin.
The waltz is the oldest known ballroom dance, dating back as far as the late 16th century.
The waltz made its mark in history when an Austrian composer, Johann Strauss, wrote very fast waltzes known as Viennese waltzes.
The waltz has gone through many changes over the last few hundred years.
Today's American style is a modified version.
It is much slower and has a graceful rise and fall.
The waltz has danced its way through history, always being present at the grand balls of America and Europe,
debutante balls, and countless traditional weddings.
The waltz is danced in three-four time.
Each measure of music has three beats.
These beats are counted one, two, three, one, two, three, with the accent always on the one.
As in all ballroom dances, the man will always start on his left foot.
On his left foot, the lady will start on her right foot.
Left side together, right side together.
Right side together, left side together.
side together, left side together, right side together, left side together, right
side together, left side together. When going into dance position, the lady will
give her right hand to the man and place her left hand on the man's right shoulder.
Yes Chris, keep that left thumb down. Thank you. The man will place his right
hand on her back, pointing the hand slightly down. This will cause his elbow
to rise, which will help his partner to follow. Your upper body should be firm,
yet easy to move. Practice this movement until you feel comfortable. Both partners
should stand off to their left.
One, two, three, ready and go. Step, side together, step, side together, step, side
together, step, side together. One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three.
The underarm turn is a beautiful step which allows you to add to the box step.
As you can see, this step is led after the first half of the box. The man will
raise his left hand and guide the lady through with his right hand. The lady
will step into the man with her left and travel around, ending in dance position.
Gentlemen, make sure to lead this step when stepping back on your right. Left,
side together, underarm turn, left side together, right side together, left side
together, underarm turn, left side together, right side together. Left, side
together, under arm turn, left side together, right side together. Left, side
together under arm turn left side together right side together right side
together left walk walk walk side together left side together right side
together left walk walk walk side together left side together one two
three ready and go one two three underarm turn one two three one two
three one two three underarm turn
one two three underarm turn
the chain step makes it possible to travel around the dance floor all
ballroom dances travel counterclockwise this prevents everyone from traveling in
every direction and helps you to move about more freely Elaine is able to
follow this step because Chris is holding his arms up and she can feel
Chris's lead with her left arm which is placed on Chris's right arm
left side together right side together left side together right side together
Left side together, right side together, left side together right side together
together. Right side together, left side together, right side together, left side together. Right
side together, left side together, right side together, left side together. Right side together
left, side together right side, together left, side together. 123 ready and go. Box 231
three step side together step side together step side together step side
together
Step, side, together.
1, 2, 3, ready and go. Box 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, box 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, underarm turn.
Underarm turn.
Step side together, step side together, step side together, step side together.
1, 2, 3, ready and go.
Ladies and gentlemen, make sure that when stepping forward you step into your partner and not around your partner.
Study each step.
Take your time, this tape is showing you a lot of material, so easy does it.
Keeping notes can help, and make sure that you encourage each other.
You can always rewind your tape and view a step over again.
The turning box makes it possible to change directions, and also to get out of someone's way.
This is accomplished by simply turning the box to the left.
You will begin turning the box on the first half, and finish the turn on the second half of the box.
Turn side together, turn side together, left side together, right side together.
side together. Turn side together. Turn side together. Left side together. Right side together.
side together. Turn side together. Left side together. Right side together. Turn side together.
turn side together, right side together, left side together. Turn side together,
turn side together, right side together, left side together. Turn side together.
Three ready and go, turn side together, turn side together, one two three, one two three,
turn side together.
Turn side together, turn side together.
One, two, three, ready and go.
Turn side together, turn side together.
Gentlemen, make sure to use your upper body to guide you into the turn.
Music
The hesitations to develop a makes your wedding dress look fantastic.
When the developpe is done it gives a long elegant line to your wedding dress.
The man will keep the lady on his right side for the first part, then on his left side for the second part.
The lady will then developpe her left leg.
Developpe is a French word which means to extend.
By stepping inside the lady with your left foot this will keep her on your right side.
Then you will guide her to your left side ending side together.
Left hesitate, right side together.
Right hesitate, left side together.
Right and kick, left side together.
Right hesitate, left side together.
Right and kick, left side together.
Right hesitate, left side together.
Right and kick, left side together.
One, two, three, ready and go.
Step State, step side together.
Step and kick, step side together.
Step, hesitate, step side together.
and kick step side together.
One, two, three, ready and go.
Remember to keep the lady on your right side for the first half
and on your left side for the second half.
One, two, three, ready and go.
The triple twinkle has a graceful look as well as feeling.
This step combined with all of your waltz patterns will make you shine on the dance floor.
Each step that you have learned so far can be linked together in countless combinations.
In just a few minutes we will put all these steps together and create one routine.
The triple twinkle is led by turning the lady out on her back
then turning the lady to the left.
By turning the lady out on her back then holding that position ending in dance position.
Left turning out, right side together.
Left side together, right side close.
Left turning out, right side together.
Left side together, right side close.
Left turning out, right side together.
Left side together, right side close.
Left turning out, right side together.
left side together right side close right turning out left side together
right side together left side close right turning out left side together
right side together, left side close. Right turning out, left side together, right side together,
left side close. Right turning out, left side together, right side together, left side close.
One, two, three, ready and go. Box two, three, box two, three, step turning out, step side together,
step side together, step side close. Step turning out, step side together, step side together,
step side close. Box two, three, box two, three, step turning out, step side together, step side
together, step side close. One, two, three, ready and go. Always remember to turn the lady out on
her back and to close her up at the end of the step. When dancing, always look in the direction
that you're going. An easy way to remember that is nose over toes. Keep your head up and smile. You
never know when someone's going to take your picture. One, two, three, ready and go. Box two,
three, one two, three, box two, three, one two, three, one two, three, under arm turn, one two,
three, one two, three, step side together, step side together, step side together, step side together,
together. Turning box, turning box, step, hesitate, step, side together, step and kick,
step, side together, step, turning out, step, side together, step, side together, step,
side close, turning box, turning box.
Now let's try the waltz routine from another angle. One, two, three, ready and go.
One, two, three, go.
The Foxtrot is a fun and lively dance that made its debut on the ballroom scene in 1913
when a vaudeville comedian named Harry Fox danced with several chorus girls from the
Siegfield Follies. The Foxtrot was the first true American ballroom dance and has outlived
such dances as the Turkey Trot, the Grizzly Bear and the Camel Walk. The Foxtrot has such
an easy going tempo that many songs will fit to the Foxtrot rhythm. Cole Porter and Gershwin
wrote many songs that are well suited to the Foxtrot rhythm. The Foxtrot rhythm is counted
as slow, slow, quick, quick. A slow is equal to two beats of music and a quick is one beat.
So, let's count the basic rhythm. One, two, three, four, five, six or slow, slow, quick, quick.
Left, right, side, together. Left, right, side, together. Left, right, side, together. Left,
right, side, together. Right, left, side, together. Right, left, side, together. Right, left, side,
side together, right, left, side together.
Remember to hold your arms up when going into dance position.
You should have a comfortable hold on your partner.
Keep that thumb down.
Make sure that you are both off to your left side.
Keep your feet offset to each other.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Step, step, side together.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Step, step, side together.
The quarter turn will achieve the same results as the waltz turning box.
It will help you to change direction and also it will be an important link in the routine.
The quarter turn is done by taking one step forward for the man and one step back for
the lady and letting your free foot swing up to the standing foot.
The turning will happen on the second half of the step.
Forward left, right to instep, turn, side together.
Forward left, right to instep, turn side together.
Now let's repeat that twice.
Forward left, right to instep, turn, side together.
Forward left right to instep, turn, side together
Forward left, right to instep, turn, side, together.
Back right, left to instep, turn, side, together.
Now let's repeat that twice.
Back right, left to instep, turn, side, together.
Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow,
slow, quick, quick.
5, 6, 7, 8...
The outside walk is a great step for travelling down the dance floor.
It will also improve your lead and follow because of the turning action.
Let's watch Elaine and Chris demonstrate this step once more.
By stepping inside the lady with your left foot, you will keep her on your right side.
Then you will guide her onto your left side, ending side together.
Left, right, side, together. Left, right, side, close.
Right, left, side, together. Right, left, side, close.
Five, six, seven, eight. Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick.
Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Ladies and gentlemen, in both the foxtrot and the waltz, whenever stepping forward, always remember to pick up your feet.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Five, six, seven, eight. Basic, step, side, together. Basic, step, side, together.
Quarter, turn, side, together. Quarter, turn, side, together.
Five, six, seven, eight.
The single twinkle is a fun and also a challenging step because it has a different timing than any other foxtrot step.
The twinkle is counted slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
Let's watch Elaine and Chris demonstrate the single twinkle again.
Remember when doing the twinkle to turn the lady out on her back.
Left, side, together, right, side, close. Left, side, together, right, side, close.
Right, side, together, left, side, close.
Five, six, seven, eight. Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
Five, six, seven, eight. Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
Five, six, seven, eight. Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
The sway step has an enjoyable swinging action.
It's great for situations when you can't go forward or back and you have to stay in place.
Slow, slow, quick, quick. Slow, slow, quick, quick.
The sway step will make a wonderful addition to your foxtrot routine.
Side, tap, side, tap, side, together.
Five, six, seven, eight. Side, tap, side, tap, side, together.
Side, tap, side, tap, side, together.
Side tap, side tap, side together.
5, 6, 7, 8.
The promenade has a great appearance on the dance floor, and it's very easy to lead and follow this step.
You can see how Chris is turning Elaine out into promenade position with his right hand.
Let's watch Chris and Elaine demonstrate this step again.
Left, right, side together.
Right, left, side together.
Always remember to turn the lady out on her back with your right hand.
Always look in the direction that you're travelling. Nose over toes.
5, 6, 7, 8.
Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow...
5, 6, 7, 8, slow, slow, quick, quick.
Remember to hold up your arms and smile.
5, 6, 7, 8, basic step, side together basic step, side together basic step, side together quarter turn, side together outside walk, side together outside walk, side together slow, quick, quick, quick.
Quick, slow, quick, quick, quarter turn, side together promenade step, side together sway step, side together promenade step, side together the quarter turn, side together quarter turn, side together outside walk, side together outside walk,
Side together sway step Side together promenade step
Side together quarter turn Side together quarter turn
Side together outside walk Side together outside walk
Side together slow quick quick slow Quick quick quarter turn
Side together promenade step Side together sway step
Side together promenade step.
Side together quarter turn.
Side together outside walk.
Side together slow.
Quick, quick, slow.
Quick, quick, quarter turn.
Side together.
Now let's try the foxtrot routine from another angle.
Five, six, seven, eight.
So here's the bottom of the
YEET broom robes.
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.
The jitterbug started back in the 1930s.
Big bandleaders discovered that by taking Foxtrot rhythms and playing them much faster,
they had created a much more lively sound.
Swing rhythm gave birth to five great dancers.
Cindy, named after Charles Lindbergh, who made the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
The shag, jive, triple swing, and last but not least, the jitterbug.
The jitterbug was first done at a dance contest in the New York Harlem area.
Clubs like the Apollo and the Savoy gave birth to this great dance.
Jitterbug is a dance with fast turns.
A unique characteristic of the jitterbug is its hand hold.
The hands are held in a very casual hold at waist level.
Jitterbug is fun and easy. Chris and Elaine are now demonstrating the steps that you will learn.
The timing of the jitterbug is slow, slow, quick, quick, the same as the Foxtrot.
The difference is the jitterbug tempo is much faster and the footwork is in place.
Step, step, rock step, step, step, rock step.
Left, right, rock step.
Right, left, rock step.
right, left, rock step.
5, 6, 7, 8, sing...
step, step, rock step step step, step, rock step step,
step, step, rock step step,
step, step, rock step step step,
step, step, rock step stepvell,
Step, rock step, step, step, rock step.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Always keep your knees relaxed.
This will make all your dancing look and feel more natural.
The underarm turn will make you look really terrific in your wedding dress.
This step requires that the man lead the lady out after the rock step.
At that point, the man will raise his left hand and guide the lady through with his right hand.
The lady will spin around on her right, then step left, rock step one basic apart, and come back together.
When doing this step, make sure you have an easy hold on your partner's hand so that your hands can turn freely.
Left, right, rock step, turn, step, rock step, left, right, rock step.
Left, right rock step, turn, step, rock step, left, right, rock step.
Left, right, rock step, turn, step, rock step, left, right, rock step.
Right left rock step, spin, step, rock step, right, left, rock step.
right, left, rock step, spin, step, rock step, right, left, rock step, right, left,
left rock step, spin, step, rock step, right, left rock step.
Right, left, rock step, spin, step, rock step,
right, left, rock step.
Five, six, seven, eight, step, step, rock step,
Turn step, rock step, step, step, rock step.
Step, step, rock step, turn, step, rock step,
step, step, rock step, step, step, rock step.
Turn step, rock step, step, step, rock step,
step, step, rock step.
Turn step, rock step, step, step, rock step.
Turn, step, rock step, step, step, rock step.
Five, six, seven, eight.
The four walks and kicks is a great step for traveling around the dance floor.
The kicks are done in this order. You will both kick out for the first two kicks.
Then the man will kick out on the third kick and the lady will kick inside on the third kick.
The man will kick inside on the fourth kick and the lady will kick outside on the fourth kick.
Men, when you lead this step, keep your right arm up so that the lady can feel
that she's being taken back by your lead. Left, right, a one, two, three, four,
kick step, kick step, out step, in step, rock step. Left, right, a one, two, three, four,
kick step, kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step. Left, right,
a one, two, three, four, kick step, kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step.
left,
Right, a one, two, three, four. Kick step, kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step.
Right, left, a one, two, three, four. Kick step, kick step, in step, out step, rock step.
Right, left, a one, two, three, four. Kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step.
Right, left, a one, two, three, four. Kick step, kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step.
Right, left, a one, two, three, four, kick step, kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step.
Five, six, seven, eight, step, step.
A one, two, three, four, kick, kick, kick, kick.
A rock step, step, step.
1, 2, 3, 4. Kick, kick, kick, kick, a rock step.
Step, step, rock step.
Step, step, a 1, 2, 3, 4.
Kick, kick, kick, kick, rock step.
Step, step, a 1, 2, 3, 4.
Kick, kick, kick, kick, a rock step.
5, 6, 7.
six, seven, eight.
The hug is a nice addition to the underarm turn. You can have a lot of fun with this step.
Leading and following the hug is easy. After the man leads the underarm turn, he will then reach
out for the lady's free hand and then wrap her into his right side. You will both rock back,
then he will lead her out and she will go back into dance position. Step, step, rock step,
underarm turn, double hand hold, wrap her in, rock step, wrap her out, rock step, step, step,
rock step, underarm turn, double hand hold, wrap her in, rock step, wrap her out, rock step,
step, step, rock step, underarm turn, double hand hold, wrap her in, rock step,
wrap her out, rock step, step, step, rock step, step, step, rock step, underarm turn,
double hand hold, wrapping in, rock step, wrapping out, rock step, step, step, rock step, step,
Rock step, underarm turn, double hand hold, wrapping in.
Rock step, wrapping out.
Rock step, step, step, rock step.
Step, step, rock step.
Underarm turn, double hand hold, wrapping in.
Rock step, wrapping out.
Rock step, step, step, rock step.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Underarm turn, double hand hold, hug.
Rock step, unwrap.
Rock step, step, step, rock step.
Underarm turn, double hand hold, hug.
Rock step, unwrap, rock step, step, step, rock step.
Underarm turn, double hand hold, hug.
Rock step, unwrap, rock step, step, step, rock step.
hold, hug, rock step, unwrap, rock step, step, step, rock step.
5, 6, 7, 8.
The triple swing is a dance that's full of pep and bounce and moves much faster than
the jitterbug. So make sure you have the jitterbug down before you try the triple swing.
Triple swing is much quicker because it requires that you take four more steps than jitterbug.
Triple swing is a challenging dance. We're now going to take our four jitterbug steps
and adapt them to triple swing. We're able to do this because the two are interchangeable.
This means you can jitterbug or triple swing to the same song. Benny Goodman created many
great songs for triple swing and jitterbug. In the Mood, Pennsylvania's 6 5000, Chattanooga
Choo-Choo, just to name a few. Many pop artists of today have great swing sounds. Huey Lewis,
Willie Joel, Stray Cats and Manhattan Transfer. The timing of triple swing is one to a one
to rock step or triple step, triple step, rock step. All the steps in triple swing are
fast. So take your time learning this dance. Study the footwork closely.
One to one two rock step. One to one two rock step.
a two rock step. One a two, one a two, rock step, one a two, one a two, rock step, one
one a two one a two rock step one a two one a two rock step one a two one a two
two rock step five six seven eight triple step triple step rock step
triple step triple step rock step triple step triple step rock step
triple step triple step rock step triple step triple step rock step five six
Six, seven, eight, triple step, triple step, rock step,
triple step, triple step, rock step, triple step,
triple step, rock step, triple step, triple step,
rock step, triple step, triple step, rock step.
The Underarm Turn into Triple Swing
is danced much differently than the turn in Jitterbug.
The man will leave the lady out after the rock step
by raising his left hand
when guiding her out with his right.
Instead of the lady spinning around on one foot
like Jitterbug, she will step out the turn.
After rock step, she will triple around twice,
rock step, then back into dance position.
One, two, one, two, rock step,
underarm turn, rock step.
One, two, one, two, rock step.
One, two, one, two, rock step, underarm, turn, rock step.
One, two, one, two, rock step.
1 the 2, 1 the 2, rock step. Underarm turn, rock step. 1 the 2, 1 the 2, rock step. 1
the 2, 1 the 2, rock step. Underarm turn, rock step. 1 the 2, 1 the 2, rock step. 1
the 2, 1 the 2, rock step. Underarm turn, rock step. 1 of 2, 1 the 2, rock step. 5 6
7 8 1 the 2, 1 the 2, rock step. Underarm turn, rock step. 1 the 2, 1 the 2, rock
step, one or two, one or two, rock step, underarm turn, rock step, one or two, one or two, rock
step.
One or two, one or two, rock step, underarm turn, rock step, one or two, one or two rock
step, one or two, one or two, rock step, underarm turn, rock step.
to one or two rock step.
5, 6, 7, 8.
The four walks and kicks in triple swing are done just by adding the triples to the beginning of the step.
Let's watch Elaine and Chris demonstrate the four walks and kicks in triple swing.
to one, two, one, two, one, two, three, four, kick step, kick step, out step, in step, rock step.
One a two, one a two, one, two, three, four,
kick step, kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step.
One a two, one a two, one, two, three, four,
kick step, kick step, kick step, kick step, rock step.
one a two one a two one two three four kick step kick step kick step kick step rock step
one a two one a two one two three four kick step kick step in step out step rock step one a two one
a two one two three four kick step kick step kick step kick step rock step one a two one two one two
three four kick step kick step kick step kick step rock step one a two one two one two three four
kick step kick step kick step kick step rock step five six seven eight one or two one or two one
two three four kick kick kick kick rock step one or two one or two one two three four kick kick kick
kick a rock step one or two one or two one two three four kick kick kick kick a rock step five
six seven eight one or two one two one two three four kick kick kick kick rock step
the hug in triple swing will require the man to dance his triples in place while the lady
moves dancing her part out let's watch Elaine and Chris demonstrate this step
one or two one or two rock step underarm turn double hand hold wrapper in rock step wrapper out
rock step one the two one the two rock step one the two one the two rock step underarm turn double
hand hold wrapper in rock step wrapper out rock step one the two one the two rock step one the two
one the two rock step underarm turn double hand hold wrapper in rock step wrapper out
rock step one the two one the two rock step
one the two one the two rock step underarm turn double hand hold wrapping in rock step wrapping
out rock step one the two one the two rock step one the two one the two rock step underarm turn
double hand hold wrapping in rock step wrapping out rock step one the two one the two rock step
one the two one the two rock step underarm turn double hand hold wrapping in rock step wrapping
out rock step one the two one the two rock step five six seven eight one the two one the two rock
step underarm turn double hand hold wrapping in rock step wrapping out rock step one the two one
the two rock step underarm turn double hand hold wrapping in rock step wrapping out rock step one
the two one the two rock step underarm turn double hand hold wrapping in rock step wrapping
out rock step one the two one the two rock step five six seven eight
of dancing at your wedding reception your shoes ladies wedding dress man's attire
and getting on the dance floor as husband and wife for your first dance for your wedding day
it's very important to wear shoes that are comfortable these shoes were supplied by
champion dance shoes they have a wide variety of the most luxurious dance shoes that you can
use for many nights of dancing they can be reached at two one three eight seven four eight seven oh
four make sure you practice in a long dress Elaine's wedding dress is almost floor length
this makes it possible for her to move around the dance floor freely without getting her dress
stepped on the train of her dress is bundled up or you may want a detachable train Chris is
wearing traditional dress white PK time vest black tails and white spats as you can see the
tails give a nice straight line to Chris's back getting onto the dance floor is easy you will be
asked by your band or DJ to come out and dance your first dance as husband and wife the lady
will take the man's left hand he will then lead her onto the dance floor once on the dance floor
the man will have a spot that he will stop at the lady will then walk up to him and go into dance
position when doing this make it look as casual as possible give each other a big kiss Elaine and
Chris are now demonstrating the foxtrot routine all the songs on your list are played at different
tempos this foxtrot is a medium tempo you would have your band or DJ play your song at the speed
that's comfortable for you remember to keep your head up and smile for the cameras after you have
danced for two or three minutes you can signal the band or DJ to have everyone join you on the
dance floor you may enter the room from somewhere other than the dais but no matter where you come
in from you will follow this same format the man will have his spot to start from and the lady will
step up to him into dance position and do make sure to give each other a big kiss to get started
the routines on this tape are merely suggestions if you're in a smaller room you may want to take
out steps if you're in a bigger room you may want to add steps so take the time to practice
make a point to rehearse your routine in the room where you're having your reception to get
the results you want make a commitment to watch and practice the material on this tape at least
ten times look over your list if you have a song already you may want to see if your band can
convert it into a waltz or a foxtrot give a copy of your list to your band or DJ so they will have
the music you can dance to your first dance will be one that you will remember for years to come
family and friends will be touched by your beautiful dancing so remember keep on dancing
thank you for joining us we encourage you to practice the material on this tape as
often as possible set aside time each week to learn the material on this tape use your
special day as your motivation to learn every step on this tape we would like to thank you
again and we wish you many years of happiness filled with love and dancing
call or write
step by step dancing 2170 broadway suite 2119 new york new york 10024
1-800-835-2246 extension 136