Spokane Dance Company

Foxtrot

Fox Trot is a basic dance from which you can acquire a foundation. Learning to combine dance steps easily and smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. The Fox Trot posture is attractive in appearance and helpful to all other dances. Being able to dance to slow, medium, and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner. The Fox Trot provides a good foundation for all dances and is often called the "get-acquainted" or "first impression" dance.

History:

In 1913, Harry Fox, a vaudeville comedian, introduced a trot to a ragtime song in the 1913 Ziegfeld Follies that pushed other trots into the background. It became America's most popular dance and remains so to this day as the standard of social dances.  Harry used the steps from Waltz and converted the 3/4 timing to 4/4 timing by using a slow on the first step.   

Music:

Fox Trot music is written in 2/4 or 4/4 time. The first and third beats are accented in 4/4 time. The range of Fox Trot tempos makes it possible to consider Foxtrot as though it were three dances: Slow Fox Trot; Medium Fox Trot; and Fast Fox Trot, also called Society Tempo. Fox Trot has two major teaching rhythms: Magic Rhythm - Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick (SSQQ) and Box Rhythm - Slow, Quick, Quick (SQQ).

Characteristics:

The basic components of Fox Trot are walking steps and side steps. Crowded dance floors or night club conditions require that all three tempos be expressed with short steps. In larger ballrooms the slow Fox Trot is characterized by longer smooth, gliding steps, demanding ease of movement and control in order to give this dance an unhurried appearance.

Teaching Elements:

• Dance Position--To develop attractive appearance in ballroom dancing.
• Footwork--Work on ankle flexibility, smooth walks and chasses.
• Follow Through--Develop control of timing.
• Maneuverability--Learn to move comfortably in all directions.
• Amalgamations--Combine steps easily and smoothly to all tempos, transitions from Swing to Fox Trot and back.
• Continuity--Be able to move continuously and smoothly.
• Compare/Contrast--Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Swing.

Foxtrot Bronze Syllabus

1. 6 Count Basic
2. Turning Basic
3. Promenande  a) straight    b) underarm
4. Rock Turn       a)  left           b) right
5. Swing Step    a)  basic       b) underarm
6. Box  (8 count basic)
7. Turning Box   a)  Left           b) right     c) combination
8. Twinkle
9. a)  Turning Twinkle              b) Fallaway Twinkle
10. Zig Zag           a) closed      b)  outside partner
11. Promenade Twinkle
12. Twist         a)  promenade   b) twinkle
13. Promenade Pivot
14. Grapevine
15. Running Steps   a) 6 count   b) 8 count

Fox Trot songs and artists include:

• New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
• My Baby Only Cares For Me - The Brian Setzer Orchestra
• It Had To Be You - Harry Connick Jr.

Copyright (c) 2003-2007 Spokane Dance Company. All rights reserved.

902 West Indiana   Spokane, WA 99205  

509-328-4717

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