| Line of Dance (LOD) |  |
The Line of Dance (LOD) is the line followed around the room. The line is fairly narrow, like "walking the plank." There should not be too movement left and right when moving forward in the Basic pattern.
Dancing to the Cowboy Beat
The Basic Two Step Rythm
The Two Step is danced with four steps for every six beats of music. There two types of steps - Quick and Slow. The first step is a "Quick" step on the first beat of music, followed by a second Quick step on the second count. The third step starts out like a Quick, however it becomes a "Slow" step because we hold the step for the "Ghost" count 4, as we "pass" the other foot. The second Slow step is on count 5 and the Ghost count is six. The Quick, Quick, Slow, Slow pattern (QQSS) forms the "Basic" pattern for the Two Step. Some instructors teach SSQQ. A few beats into the song, you won't feel the difference. The QQSS pattern is the most common. You may also count the steps - 1, 2, 3, 5. There are other ways to count too.
The only thing that everyone agrees on, is that dancing should be fun. Not everyone agrees on the definition of fun.
"How do the good dancers become so good? They become good dancers by
learning from reputable instructors and practicing what they learned. The
difference between the "plain dancer" and the "dazzling dancer" has little
to do with innate ability or genetics. The difference is directly related
to the dancers' level of commitment to learning and practicing."
AS&CDC Dance Updates... 5/18/04 By Susan Kellogg
Patterns, amalgamations, combinations, and Moves
"Now don't take this cowboy outfit stuff too seriously. Cowboys don't all look alike. Cowboys pride themselves on their individuality. " © 1995 Janet Ratzloff Janet's Country-Western Dance Hall Page on page Janet's Dance Floor Etiquette Tips
"I don't mean to offend anyone, but it is my opinion that if you want to look western, you should not take country-western dance lessons from a ballroom instructor unless they have a real clear idea of the differences."
Janet Ratzloff Janet's Country-Western Dance Hall Page on page Janet's Dance Floor Etiquette Tips
