Hustle DVDs & videos - ballroom dance instruction!

The Official & Complete Hustle Bronze, Silver & Gold Syllabus

Joe & Sarah

This 80-minute DVD contains all 50 figures that comprise the complete hustle syllabus: all 20 "Bronze" figures, all 18 "Silver figures, and all 12 "Gold" figures. No dance video library would be complete without this one and we suggest it as the perfect complement to our other Hustle DVDs. The syllabus contains the most popular figures, the most often danced figures, and the figures that best characterize hustle. The Dance Store is the exclusive provider of this DVD. Most of the figures in this DVD are shown on Hustle Volumes 1-3. In addition, Volumes 1-3 show many more figures. So why buy the syllabus? This DVD "bundles" the syllabus figures together into a concise reference. It was assembled in response to a longstanding request of teaching studios and hustle competitors. All figures are properly labeled and sequenced. All figures are counted out twice: once by the 1,2,&3 counting system, once by the &1,2,3 counting system. (Now everybody should be happy.)
 

The Bronze Syllabus
Copyright ©2001 by Joe Baker

20 Figures

1. The Basic Step, also called the Balance Step
   The basic step is approximately forward, back, together, forward, similar to a "coaster step," but with very little movement forward before the first "slow." Timing for the basic step is a series of two "quick" steps, followed by two "slow" steps. Each "slow" consumes one beat of music, and each "quick" consumes 1/2 beat of music resulting in four steps being taken to three beats of music. The most popular counting system is &1,2,3.
2. One Quarter Turn Rotation of the Basic Step (1/4 Turn Pin Wheel)
   This figure aids the student in learning to move the dance around the floor.
3. One Half Turn Rotation
   (also called right side passes or "trading places")
   Similar to a "push" in East Coast Swing, this figure takes the theme of #2 further. Each partner makes 1/2 turn to the right as they dance the basic step, effecting a "trading of places" with each basic. A two hand connection between partners is maintained throughout.
4. Starter step and movement from closed to open and movement from open back to closed
   Some people might refer to this as a "sling throw out."
5. Leader's turn to the left
   Leader releases connection with his left hand as he makes the turn, then regains connection (his left to her right) after the turn.
6. Double hand change leader's turn to the left
   Similar to #5, except that connection is maintained through the turn by moving the lady's right hand to his right hand and then making a second change, placing her right back in his left.
7. Alternating leader/follower turns
   (also called "he goes/she goes")
   A quintessential hustle figure.
8. Bridge or Arch Turn to open position
   In this figure, the lady moves from closed to open by making a 1/2 turn to the right, going beneath her right arm. An analogous figure would be the tuck turn in East Coast Swing.
9. Lady's Head Loop movement from open to closed
   In this figure, the lady moves from open to closed, making 1/2 turn to the right as the leader loops her left arm around her head.
10. The Cross Body Lead
    (or left-turning rotating basic)
    The lady makes half turns to the left on each basic as the leader "opens the path" and then follows her.
11. Lady's movement to Cape (Shadow) position
    The lady moves from open to closed making a half turn to the right as the leader effects hand changes.
12. Sliding Doors
    Popular in many dances, the partners slide past each other in opposite directions.
13. The Grapevine
    Another quintessential hustle figure that uses alternate crossing in front, then crossing in back footwork. This figure along with the next helps the dance travel.
14. New York Walks
    The lady walks a forward, forward, forward, forward basic using hustle footwork timing with an underarm (bridge) turn at the end.
15. The Open "Check" Step
    Essentially the same as Step #1, except that a one hand connection is used.
16. Whip with inside turn
    Similar to a whip with inside turn in West Coast Swing.
17. Leader's "hammerlock" whip
18. Lady's inside turn to closed
    The lady moves from open to closed making a half turn to the left.
19. Lady's wrap turn to the left
    This figure introduces the "rolling break" or "push step."
20. The right-turning cross body lead
    (closed, right-turning basic)
    Similar to #10, except the figure turns to the right.

 
The Silver Hustle Syllabus
Copyright ©2001 by Joe Baker

18 Figures

1. Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn
   Similar to #10 above except that the lady will make a 1 1/2 turn in the movement, using the "rolling break" type footwork at the end of each turn.
2. Cape (Shadow Position) Rolling Breaks
   The lady comes to shadow position and then makes turns as in the previous figure (silver syllabus figure #1).
3. Hustle Rolls (also called continuous left-turning waist spins)
   The lady uses the "rolling break" footwork pattern again as the gentleman leads at her waist.
4. Hustle Rolls - "Around the World"
   Another quintessential hustle figure similar to #3 except that she passes behind his back on the second basic.
5. Right Side Wrap Combination #1
   There are many, perhaps 50 or more, slotted wrap combinations that are similar to west coast swing figures. We chose to include two of the most popular figures.
6. Right Side Wrap Combination #2
7. Whip with Two Inside Turns
   Similar to #16 of the Bronze Syllabus, but an extra turn is added.
8. Double Left-Turning Free Spins for the Lady
   There are many ways to set these up. The easiest is from a right side opening out "hand to hand" position.
9. Four Corners
   Another quintessential hustle figure. If a large square were painted on the floor, the lady travels to the four corners of the square. Four basics are required, and the lady typically turns on every other one. There are many possible variations.
10. Four Count Turns
    (Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Quick, Quick - 1 1/2 turns to the right)
    An essential element of "modern hustle," which is danced to faster tempo music. In making 1 1/2 turns to the right, and extra two steps must be taken.
11. Butterfly
    A movement to a front to back "shadow" position.
12. Butterfly with swivels
13. The Shadow Position Grapevine
14. Shoulder Roll
15. Roll In - Push Off
16. Cape (Shadow) Position Back and Forth Movement
    She makes "closed changes" in front of the leader.
17. Swivels
    Several variations are shown.
18. Zig Zags

 
The Gold Hustle Syllabus
Copyright ©2001 by Joe Baker

12 Figures

1. Free Spin with Check and Reverse
2. Free Spin with Behind the Back Pass
   A cool, classic hustle move but a little difficult.
3. Parallel Runs
   A traveling figure.
4. "The Progressive"
   Another traveling figure.
5. Left-Turning Revolve
   Pivots and Revolves are fun! This figure is like a left turning pivot or telemark.
6. The Diamond
   Continuous cycle of free spins, a "toss across," free spins, a toss across.
7. Double clockwise (CW) spins followed by double CCW spins.
8. The "Toss Across"
   A toss across, then a free spin across. Repeats.
9. Four Count (Progressive) Pivot
   The standard pivot applied to hustle.
10. Spot Pivot.
    The classic spot pivot using hustle timing.
11. Spanish Turn
12. Walk, CW Turn, Walk
    (Another type of "Spanish Turn")
    Also called "Trap Door" footwork.

This syllabus development project was sponsored by and led by Joe Baker of The Dance Store. Input was received from the top hustle competitors, coaches, and judges. The first 11 patterns of the bronze syllabus have had longstanding recognition as basic syllabus figures and they have been included in many written syllabi. They are absolutely essential foundation moves and are part of the basic "vocabulary" of hustle. Bronze figures 12-20 are also very common figures that serve as valuable building blocks, essential competencies, and basic "vocabulary" figures. The criteria for inclusion in Silver and Gold was as follows: 1) All figures must clearly be recognized as popular hustle figures that are among the figures that are most often danced. 2) The figures should contain important "building block" characteristics. In other words, they should contain essential competency elements for the intermediate and advanced hustle dancer. 3) The figures should be those that "define " hustle and that are characteristic of hustle. 4) The figures should be leadable in social dancing, without special cues, among those who have learned the figures.

The objective was not to invent moves or select weird moves, but to assemble those that build essential competencies that will allow further skill and choreography development. Though some figures repeat a footwork theme, most introduce a new skill. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hustle figures. Limiting the scope to 50 required limiting the selection to those figures that contribute most to the "toolbox" of essential skills.

If you are interested in this title be sure to check out our Hustle Special. With it you'll get all four of our Hustle DVDs for less than you'd pay for just three!