The Official & Complete Two Step Bronze Syllabus

Joe & Sarah

The Official & Complete Two Step Bronze Syllabus PLAY Windows Media 1.93MB 4m49s @56kbps 0m39s @384kbps (DSL) Quicktime 4.41MB 11m0s @56kbps 1m30s @384kbps (DSL) Video Help

1. Most if not all two step videos use the same approach: they go directly into teaching long "amalgamations." The student never learns the building blocks and the basic elements. These amalgamations almost always contain an element that is awkward or difficult to lead or difficult to follow. The bronze syllabus is different: it shows figures individually and it shows the easiest ways to initiate these figures and it shows the easiest ways to transition out of them. It goes on to show a "toolbox" of "connector figures" that solve almost all transition issues you might ever face. With most of these figures, we begin in closed position and we show how to get back to closed as one of the ending options. With a standard tempo of 180-200 beats per minute, two step is a fast dance that cannot accept awkward choreography, especially for social dancing.
    
2. This DVD serves beginners, prospective competitors, and instructors in an outstanding way. For beginners, it starts with the basic, it builds slowly through basic changes of direction, and it goes on to show, in logical order, all of the necessary and quintessential steps of two step. In addition, it shows everything in manageable and achievable small chunks. For the social dancer, this video shows all of the most important "lead and follow" figures of two step. For the prospective competitor, it shows how to do these figures correctly and it shows easy ways to link them together. In addition, all of these moves are "legal" for any level of competition. For some levels of competition, the figures shown in this video are the only allowable figures. For teachers, this video shows a very logical course progression. This DVD is fully suitable for serving as a course guide.
    
3. This DVD is professionally produced in beautiful, "broadcast quality" digital video with "CD Quality" stereo sound. All figures are properly labeled, indexed, and sequenced. The instructors (Joe and Sarah) are former competitors in country-western dancing.
    

The Bronze Syllabus
Copyright ©2002 by Joe Baker

This video covers more than just the steps below. The video begins with an introduction to the two step that includes a demonstration. Next, frame, connection, timing, and music tempo and structure are discussed. After these figures, the video shows all of the "connector" moves needed to move between all partner positions.

             The Basic Step

1. Forward Basic Step
   This is the leader's forward basic step as the leader faces and travels line of dance (LOD). Key points: 1) Pass the feet on all steps. 2) Track the feet close together, practicing "follow through." 3) Avoid bouncing, stutter stepping, and looking down. 4) Maintain posture and avoid letting the frame collapse.
2. Backward Basic Step
   Key points: 1) Extend from the hip and step to the toe. 2) Develop a reaching step. 3) Pass the feet and avoid bouncing.
    
    
   Basic Changes of Direction
   
3. Walk-around Turn
   The leader moves from facing line of dance (LOD) to facing back line of dance (BLOD). Though called a walk-around turn, the leader moves through promenade, then makes a crossing step to move to facing BLOD.
4. Crossbody Lead
   Shown in combination with the Walk-around Turn. The crossbody lead is an important figure in almost every dance. In the crossbody lead, the leader turns one-quarter turn to the left and steps to 2nd dance position. The follower passes in front and then makes a half turn to the left. This movement effects a change of direction.
5. Pivot Turn
   In the half-turn pivot, the leader begins the figure facing back line of dance and ends facing line of dance. The lady steps between the man's feet and the pivot turn is to the right.
   
   Comment: Basic changes of direction need to be well understood and danced "cleanly" with correct footwork and technique. Though these steps sound easy, most "honky-tonk" two steppers" try to use "run-around" steps to accomplish these basic changes of direction.
    
    
   Basic Figures
   
6. Follower's (Lady's) Double Turn to the Right
   Providing a slight, prepping "pre-lead" on the second slow of the preceding basic, the leader then gives the lady two "outside" turns, one occurring on the quick-quick, the other occurring on the slow-slow.
7. Lady's Turn to the Right, Check, then Turn Back to the Left to Closed
   This introduces a "check," which is an important action in the two step.
8. Movement to Promenade & Follower's Reverse Turn to Right Side Wrap
   The movement to promenade is also an important action in two step. This figure shows the easiest way to move the follower to the right side wrap position.
9. Follower's Movement to Cape Position
   Similar to step #6 above. The leader effects turning the lady 1 1/2 turns to the right, making a hand change above her head. She ends in right side "cape" position. This movement is very popular in social dancing. Competition dancers avoid it because of the "aesthetically unappealing and obvious" hand change involved. Later in the video, we show other ways to move the lady to cape position.
10. "Prep Turns" Check, Check, Turn to Left
    These are very popular in social dancing. These prep turns are often danced with the lady in cape position. This move is a logical next step after step #9 above. This tape shows prep turns danced in cape position, in right side wrap position, and in skater's position.
11. Movement from Cape to Right Side Wrap to Skater's Position to Closed
    This is a great sequence both for social dancing and to illustrate easy ways to move between these partner positions.
12. Leader's Walk-around Turn to Bring Lady to Right Side Wrap Position
    Leader moves through promenade and around follower to bring follower to right side wrap position.
13. The Turning Basic also called a Revolve
    This figure is an extremely important figure in the two step. The turning basic can be used to begin many figures and it can be used to initiate hand changes. Revolving figures performed in partnership like this are also fun. This video shows you the secrets on how to dance these cleanly. Dancing these revolves back to back is extra fun and this video shows you how to do it.
14. Pivot Turn into the Turning Basic
    This figure combines step #5 and step #13 into an amalgamation.
     
     
    Vine Steps
    
15. Opposite Action Parallel Vine Step
    "Grapevine steps" are fun, cool, and easy. We show a bunch of them.
16. Promenade Position Matching Action Vine Step
    Super easy to lead, lots of fun and handy for setting up fast revolves that can be danced on the quick, quick.
17. Face Forward / Face Back Vine
    The diagonal face backward occurs on the quicks, the diagonal face forward occurs on the slows.
     
     
    Other Popular Patterns
    
18. "Flick Turns" (Synchronous Free Spins)
    A quintessential figure in the two step, the partners dance free spins on opposite tracks in synchronized fashion. We also show an easy version where she spins in both directions but the leader only has to spin in one direction.
19. Push-Off Vine Step and Synchronous Free Spins
    A patty-cake "push-off" vine step precedes the flick turns.
20. The Turning Basic Starting from Cape Position
    Being able to smoothly transition into this revolving figure from cape position (or from skater's of from "bow tie") is really cool.
21. Movement to Reverse Open Promenade via Turns to the Right
    This is one of the easiest ways to get from closed to Reverse Open Promenade (ROP). Reverse open promenade position allows starting weave figures.
22. Movement to Reverse Open Promenade from the Turning Basic
    Number 21 (above) is okay for a beginner, but this way is the cool way.
23. High / Low Hand Changes to Reverse Open Promenade
    These "windmill-like" hand changes, especially if repeated or combined with #22, can get the follower dizzy in a hurry. They also give the leader a chance to make a hand change or to kill time while he's trying to figure out which hand he wants to lead with.
     
     
    Weaves
    
24. The Check Weave
    (also called "Laces")
    This is the "standard" weave. Another quintessential figure in the two step, the partners switch tracks back and forth while performing a "she goes / he goes" swing-dance-like figure.
25. The Cross Weave
    This figure introduces the popular crossing step (or "Jazz Box" step), which can be used for pretzels and lariats.
26. Check Weave to Cross Weave Combination with Transition
    This amalgamation begins with the standard check weave. After the "she goes" part, the leader quickly turns to the right to set up leading the cross weave.
     
     
    Other Popular Figures
    
27. Turning Basic with Behind the Back Hand Change
    The leader changes hands behind the follower's back during the turning basic. A cool and inconspicuous way to effect a hand change.
28. Alternating Lady Face Forward Line of Dance, Turns, Then Faces Back Line of Dance
    A really easy pattern.
29. The Lariat
    Another quintessential figure in the two step, the lady travels clockwise around the leader in sort of an "around-the-world" fashion. The leader's arm work and her movement resemble the action of a lariat.
30. Movement from Lariat to Bow Tie or "Double Comb"
    Move #29 taken to "bow tie." Some folks call bow tie "shoulder locks," other folks might call it a double comb.
31. Bow Tie into Turning Basic (Revolve)
    This figure moves the partners into a turning basic style exit from the bow tie.
32. Lady's Pretzel
    Easier than the "Leader's Pretzel," which is beyond the scope of the bronze syllabus, this figure uses the cross weave footwork pattern.
33. The Circular Basic
    (Shown in Lady's Hammerlock or Pretzel Position)
    In this easy figure, the partners dance a circular basic.
34. Closed Whip
    (Shown with Turns to the Right to End in ROP)
    Whip figures are really important and they look cool. They can be used to set up many figures.
35. Locked (Basket) Whip
    Also shown with turns to the right. This figure can also set up the Lady's Pretzel.
36. Lady's Duck Out
    We show several ways to use this to set up other figures, like the Lady's Pretzel.
37. Leader's Duck Out
    We show how this figure can set up other figures.
38. The "Split Burst"
    This is another quintessential and popular two step figure. It looks cool and it's easy.
39. Patty Cakes
    This is an easy move and we show several variations. Almost every dance has some version of "patty cakes."
40. Barrel Rolls (Sometimes called Shoulder Rolls)
    These can be a bit tough. We show the easiest version using only one "roll" per basic.
41. Leader's Turns
    Guy's, this will impress your partner and the crowd. As they occur less frequently, guy's turns can get attention due to their novelty.
     
     
    Timing Variation: Figures that use Quick, Quick Slow; Quick, Quick, Slow Timing
    
42. Roll Into Wrap from Forward Open Promenade, Check, Back to Forward Open Promenade
    These are easy to lead and easy to follow even if you've never danced a timing change in the past.
43. Alternating Half Free Spins to Left and to Right
    These can be danced as samba breaks.
44. Rolling In, Checking at the Shoulder
    Very similar to #42, but performed in cape or in skater's position.
45. Blind Hand Change
    (Belt Loop Hand Change)
    A very popular figure for making a hand change. It starts from reverse open promenade.
     

This video also shows combinations of these figures and ways to chain figures together. This video goes on to show a wide assortment of connector moves to allow you to move easily between partner positions. In fact, the video effectively covers a "matrix" of how to get from every partner position: A,B,C,D,E,F to every other partner position: A,B,C,D,E,F. This is invaluable for choreographers and for active social dancers.

"It took me years to figure all this stuff out!" —Joe

If you are interested in this title be sure to check out our Two Step Special. With it you'll get three Texas Two Step DVDs for about the price of two private lessons!