Western and Country Dances
Western and Country Dances
Country Western
Today’s Country Western music has a lot of crossover from Pop & Rock, which has helped to make it more “mainstream music.” Country Western Swing is a fast, upbeat dance with lots of turns & spins to compliment this “pop” Country sound. Give it a whirl… you’ll love it.
Progressive Two Step
The most popular and widely danced of all the Country Western dances. Originally an unpolished style of Foxtrot, the Two Step has taken on its own look and has become a uniquely stylized dance that reflects the contemporary style of today’s music.
Shuffle
Sometimes called Double Two Step or Travelling Swing, the Shuffle is a combination of Two Step & the popular East Coast Swing. This makes Shuffle a very versatile dance, allowing a mix and match of patterns which can result in some exciting variations.
Texas Two Step
The Texas version of the popular Two Step is the most universally accepted Country dance of all. The steps are best suited to the slower romantic tempos so often heard in Country Western nightclubs.
Three Step
Many Country Western song writers & composers use a unique Latin sounding rhythm as a basis of many popular tunes. The Three Step, with its subtle hip action and small movements, is the perfect dance for this Country/Latin fusion sound.
Triple Polka & Swing
The old-fashioned name is Polka, but the dance basically remains the same. Triple or Polka is a fun & lively dance that has been given quite an uplift with Country Western dancing. The many styles and variations also give us the Line Dances or Shadow Dances of Cotton-Eyed Joe and Ten Step.
Waltz
Still the mother of all dances. The Waltz has been used in Country Western as far back as you can trace music. Contemporary Country Waltz is normally played at a quick pace although some artist still like them slow; whatever the tempo the Waltz is sure to play an important part in your dancing repertoire.
The last three decades have seen a steady rise in the fans of Country Western music and dancing. “Country”, which was once enjoyed only in small “Honky Tonks” has developed into one of America’s favorite musical forms. The Arthur Murray® Dance Studios have always been the leaders in dance instruction and, with our Country Western curriculum, we continue the tradition of helping people feel at ease in any dancing opportunity that presents itself.
Today’s Country Western music encompasses a wide variety of tempos and rhythms. This planning and progress chart presents dance material that will satisfy all of your Country Western dancing needs; be it social dancing with a special partner or something a little more showy and polished; the Arthur Murray Dance Studio will get your boots moving – guaranteed.
With the increased popularity of Country & Western music and dance, the Arthur Murray Dance Studios have developed this program to help meet the increasing demand for high quality instruction in this fun and exciting style of dance.
The Country & Western Program will enable you to dance comfortably to a variety of music and feel at ease on the dance floor with any partner.
The Arthur Murray system of instruction is time tested. So whether you’re new to the Arthur Murray Studios or new to Country & Western dancing, the Arthur Murray Way is quick, fun & easy.
West Coast Swing
HISTORY:
In the 1940’s with the wild abandonment of the Jitterbug being banned from dance halls due to many injuries, Arthur Murray developed and documented several swing steps that he later called “Sophisticated Swing.” This was the beginning of what is now called West Coast Swing. Arthur Murray is credited with the first codifications of West Coast Swing and used such names as “Under Arm Pass, The Whip and The Sugar Push” to describe the patterns. The ladies taking “two walking steps forward” towards the man at the beginning of each pattern was standardized in his studios. In 1989, California selected the West Coast Swing as its state dance. Today there are over 5,000 documented West Coast Swing step patterns and more are added every year.
MUSIC:
West Coast Swing can be danced to almost any music written in 4/4 time, from the Blues to Disco, Jazz, Pop, Country or Big Band. It is considered a “living dance” in that it is constantly evolving, growing and changing to the music styles currently in vogue.
CHARACTERISTICS:
The West Coast Swing differs from other swing dances because of its distinctive “dancing in a slot” approach, where the lady’s movement takes her towards the man, not away, such as in a Rock step. Steps are done in a slot, moving forwards and backwards. More of a smooth glide than up and down or bounce action. Stress the use of beats to steps and body to music.