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RISE AT THE END OF is used primarily in Foxtrot, but also occurs in Quickstep and in Waltz. In Quickstep it tends to be used in figures with a base timing of SQQ (Natural Turn, Chasse Reverse Turn). It is also used in by the Leader all HEEL TURNS danced by the Follower (in all dances.)

In Waltz and Foxtrot, all the basic figures start having lowered at the end of the previous figure. In general we lower to our ‘set height’, i.e. the amount of knee bend that is normal of you.

At the end of a step danced as RISE AT E/O you should be standing at your full height with legs straight, but not locked, and on a flat foot. The footwork of all forward steps danced as RISE AT E/O is always HEEL TOE, but the action of moving through the toes occurs as you leave the foot to take the next step, rather than as an extra vertical lift while still balanced over that foot. If you ‘pop’ up to the toes your forward momentum would be lost.

Lets do some exercises with RISE AT THE END OF:

  • Find a table, or ballet barre, or counter top that you can stand next to.
  • Stand with your feet together, your LEFT hip next to the barre (table, etc.), legs straight, but not locked, weight on your LEFT foot and your feet parallel to the barre. (Free foot away from the barre.)
  • Touch the barre with your LEFT hand.
  • Look and see where the top of the barre is relative to your body. This is position relative to the barre you will want after you have taken the step.
  • Bend your knees to your set height, with your RIGHT knee higher than your LEFT knee and your RIGHT heel well off the floor.
  • Look and see where the top of the barre is relative to your body. Your body should be lower relative to the barre. This is your starting position.
  • Take a forward step, transferring 100% of your weight onto your RIGHT foot.
  • Make sure you are stepping with a HEEL lead, i.e. your heel of your foot touches the floor first
  • When your heel strikes start to straighten both legs so that as full weight is transferred to your RIGHT foot you arrive with both legs straight but not locked.
  • Leave the LEFT leg extended behind you. Do NOT collect the free foot.
  • Your step should also be straight forward so that your foot is parallel to the barre.
  • Look at the barre again. You should be standing comfortably balanced on your RIGHT leg with both legs straight and your LEFT leg extended behind you.

Repeat this action several times. This type of forward step occurs over and over again in the technique, so it is important that you can smoothly and easily transfer weight from a bent leg to a straight leg.

Once you can easily take a forward step from your LEFT foot to your RIGHT foot and arrive onto a straight (but not locked) leg, then turn around so that your RIGHT hip is near the barre and repeat stepping from your RIGHT foot to your LEFT foot.

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This entry was posted by Richard Lamberty on January 3, 2008 at 7:39 pm under Rise. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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