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BOLERO
- Author:
- Dave Watson
- Date Published:
- February 3, 2003
Bolero is the slowest form of Rumba, but still incorporates the "Slow, Quick, Quick" rhythm. But because it is so slow, we're able to do much more with all that music. This asks us to dance it slightly diferently than we would any other form of Rumba.
Bolero difers from all of the other Rhythm dances in that it has "Rise & Fall". (Not a true "Rise & Fall" as we describe it in Smooth dancing, but definite level changes none the less.)
The defining movement in Bolero is the "Push" to start each new measure on SLOW. This push tends to be rather larger than most other movements that we see in Rhythm dancing, and we, therefore, need to have ourselves down in the knees when we begin it, so that we have the power to create this "push". Therefore, we must have lowered by the end of the second "Quick" in order to be down for the push on the upcoming next SLOW. The push itself (the SLOW) will always take us up to a straight leg, but when and where we get back down can vary. This can happen in 3 diferent ways:
1) The most usual lowering will occur ON (not into -- but ON) the first Quick. We then stay down through the second quick, and we're now ready for the next "push" (the next SLOW).
2) There are times when we might not want to lower so soon (one example might be a Spot Turn). If this is the case, we will stay up on the first and second Quicks, but we still must drop sharply at the very end of that second quick to ensure that we are back down in time to take that next "push" on the next SLOW. When we dance the quicks with no level change, we treat it just like Rumba (except for that sudden quick lowering at the very end).
3) Sometimes we want to be lower sooner so that we can create a larger movement on the quicks (usually some sort of "checking" action). If this is the case, we will lower (drop) very suddenly at the very last moment of our SLOW, before we dance into the first Quick. We then stay down for both quicks.
BASIC:
In Closed dance Position, begin by "pushing" to the side (Man's left) for SLOW.
We then dance a "rock step" ( Man back right, forward left -- Lady Forward left, back right) for QUICK, QUICK.
We now "push" to the Man's right for SLOW,
and follow that with another Rock Step for QUICK, QUICK.
This basic movement will always have a slight rotation to the left.
Most of the patterns that you know from other Rhythm dances can be modified to dance in the Bolero. These include: CROSS-OVER BREAKS, CROSS-BODY LEADS, SPOT TURNS, UNDER-ARM TURNS, AND OPEN BREAKS.
BACK TO BACK LINE:
Begin with half a Basic or a Cross-Body Lead (preffered), open up for a Cross-Over Break.
Man will rotate slightly to face the Lady between the first and second QUICK of his Cross-Over Break.
Both partners now dance their next SLOW forward with Lady dancing under the Man's raised left arm, and passing each other on their left sides.
Both continue forward and curving (Lady curves to her right -- Man curves to his left) for QUICK, QUICK
That second QUICK, however, will be a slight "Jette'" action (Meaning that the dancers will "spring off their ankles for a slight launch into the next step).
As we launch off of that ankle, we turn to land sideways facing our partner. (Man will turn to his left -- Lady will turn to her right. But don't worry; because you're still attached, you can only turn one way!)
As we dance this turning action, we will release the normal hold (Lady's right hand in Man's left hand), and take the other hand hold (Lady's left hand in Man's right hand). All this happens on a syncopated count of AND
Dancers continue to rotate away from one another until they are almost "Back to Back" as they step back (Man left -- Lady right) on SLOW
We rock in place for QUICK, QUICK
We now step forward (Man right -- Lady left), and swivel to face our partner. When we do this, allow the free foot to point (WITHOUT WEIGHT) to the side. All of this happens on SLOW.
We now step across ourselves to check forward (in counter promenade position), and back out for QUICK, QUICK.
Man now Chasse's (side, together, side, together) for QUICK, QUICK, QUICK, QUICK, as the Lady dances Two turns.
NOTE FOR LADIES: If you can dance your turns closing the feet on the second QUICK of each turn, that gives it a nicer Bolero feel.
Continue into your next pattern with a "push" to the Man's left for the next SLOW as you regain normal closed dance position.
