Start of slam dunk session

March 27, 2006

Intermediate – Joe Davids

1,2,3,5,6,7 basic Mambo
1,2,3,5,6,7 CBL with leader turning around (name?) 3/4 clockwise to get L-R behind leader’s back R waist – make R-L connection in front
1,2,3,5,6,7 Pretzel – open break (supposedly only lead needed … everything else is avoiding hitting follower’s head) exchange places with leader and follower staying in the same lane – R-L goes over follower’s head on 2,3 and L-R goes over follower’s head around 4,5,6 – end with R-L behind leader’s back L waist – if possible R foot should be getting ready for 3 o’clock-like turn on 7
1,2,3 keep R-L at waist level throughout (til 7/8) while L-R is kept high throughout – leader turns 1 to 1 1/2 clockwise and get into follower’s lane
5,6,7 prepare and turn 1/2 to full counterclockwise on 6/7 and perform a slam dunk to get follower’s R hand down the center of leader’s back to get both of follower’s hands on leader’s R hand
1,2,3,5,6,7 to left on 1, bring R-L/R to R (to simulate preparation) and turn around 1/2 clockwise with R-L/R up (careful and avoid hitting follower with elbow – useful to keep elbow tucked in high early?) and lead follower into a stationary double turn and bring hands down with fingers pointing up (hand of god)
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and Copa (R hand on follower’s hips) for free 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn for follower – leader can make a turn here too

This was devilishly difficult for me as a leader. I’m fairly certain some people in Cambridge use moves similar to this already. I suppose with enough lessons, everyone will know everyone else’s moves eventually.

Improvers – Joe Davids

Another Copa fake
1,2,3 crossed hold with L-L on top – open break and bring follower in like Copa with L-L going over follower’s head
variation 1. both hands on follower’s shoulder
variation 2. L-L intact while R hand on follower’s shoulder
variation 3. both connection intact (leader may want to overtake follower for this one)
5,6,7 lead follower backwards (from the direction leader came from) – possibly very small steps or even stationary depending on amount of room available
1,2,3 New York Jazz style
5,6,7 either lead follower into a 1 1/2 clockwise traveling turn or 1 1/2 counterclockwise traveling turn (lead depends on hand position)
variation 1. clockwise turn with hands on shoulder – follower is led forward on 5 with slightly more pressure on L shoulder and let go
variation 2. counterclockwise turn with hands on shoulder – follower is led forward on 5, keep hands on shoulder until 6 – on 6 lead follower into counterclockwise turn with a short hold on L shoulder and lead forward on R shoulder
variation 3. clockwise turn with L-L – follower is led forward with L-L raised and with hint of clockwise turn lead
variation 4. counterclockwise with L-L – R hand on follower’s R shoulder, keep L-L low (or lower it) on 5 as follower is led forward and raise L-L on 6 with hint of counterclockwise turn lead

Intermediate classes are good challenges. Some are more immediately useful than others. Improver classes have been giving me new and immediately useful moves. I’m not quite sure how much longer these classes will last given uneven level of attendance. I plan to take advantage of the classes while I can.

Having proper level of tension (perhaps frame is better word – I’m not sure) is such a big problem. I’m pretty sure I don’t have it quite right or know how much is appropriate, but I’m pretty certain most people don’t have it right. I might try to correct them if I were more confident of appropriate level of tension. I feel relieved whenever I get partnered with people with a semblance of tension/frame. Some have stiffer frame – the trouble is I am unconvinced that their level of tension is quite right either.

I also tried to pick Joe’s brain about tension after the class for the write-up I’m working on. Since it has taken so long already, I might as wait until I see Sergio next to pick his brains as well to hear another NY point of view.

shines

bicycle
1,2,3,5 basic
6 L foot slightly to L
7 R foot slide behind L foot
1 L foot cross over in front of R foot and step back
2 R foot slightly to R
3 L foot slide behind R foot
5 R foot cross over in front of L foot and step back
6 L foot slightly to L
7 R foot slide behind L foot

bunny hop – can be done in conjunction with bicycle, spiral and is already a part of half-flare
8 (with R foot positioned crossed behind L foot) L foot step slightly back

slide-step
1 step in place L foot
2 slide forward L foot
3 step (together) in place with R foot while turning around 1/2 clockwise
4 slide forward with R foot (going backwards)
5 step (together) in place with L foot
6 slide forward with L foot (going backwards)
7 step (together) in place with R foot while turning around 1/2 clockwise
8 slide forward with R foot

core beat
step on 1,3,5,7

core beat with slide?
1,2 step in place and slide to L with L foot
3,4 step in place and slide to R with R foot
5,6 step in place and slide to L with L foot
7,8 step in place and slide to R with R foot

syncopated Suzy Q?
maybe this could be thought of as boom-ba-boom-ba-boom on 1,2,3 and on 5,6,7