Freebie Video

Here are the Freebie Videos that go with the book (page numbers refer to the book). Think short and homemade, not Spielberg meets Astaire. Vids I post that do not fall under Freebie Video will get tagged by topic, which can be searched under “Topics” in the sidebar. If you want to be alerted to new vids, subscribe to the blog or follow me on twitter. Lights, action, cheap-camera-and-iMovie! (Thanks to Skippy Blair at swingworld.com for some of the video clips on this page.)

Page 35 – Counting Sets of 8

Learning how to count sets of 8–a set of 8 is also called a mini-phrase–is one of the secrets to hearing the beat. Even if you can’t hear them, sets of 8 (sets of 6 in waltz) are in the music. Think of a mini-phrase as a “sentence” of music. These videos demonstrate counting sets of 8.

• Counting sets of 8 in easy music (video: 4 min., 6 sec.):

• Skippy Blair counting sets of 8 combined with a hand exercise (video: 1 min., 15 sec.):




Page 36 – Counting 32-Beat Phrases

While dancing to the 32-beat phrases is intermediate level material,  I think beginners should begin to develop an ear for this stuff. The 32-beat phrase (four sets of 8) is the most common type of major phrase. Think of a major phrase as a “paragraph” of music. This video demonstrates counting 32-beat phrases.

• Counting 32-beat phrases in easy music (video: 6 min., 40 sec.):




Page 41 – Hear the Downbeat and Upbeat

While sets of 8 are the secret that defines the beat of the music, I feel the downbeat and upbeat are the secret to hearing the beat. Even if you can’t hear it, beats are naturally paired, a downbeat followed by an upbeat. This video identifies the downbeat and upbeat.

• Hear the downbeat and upbeat in easy music (video: 5 min., 49 sec.):




Page 64 – Marking Single Rhythm

A single rhythm is one weight change in two beats of music (double rhythm is two weight changes in two beats of music, triple rhythm is three weight changes in two beats of music). In survival dancing, you’ll use mostly singles and doubles. While a double rhythm feels kind of like walking because you step on every beat of music, single rhythm steps on every other beat of music so it’s a little trickier. This video demonstrates single rhythm.

• Marking single rhythm (video: 2 min., 41 sec.):




Page 85 – The Closed Position

The closed position is the familiar embrace used in most ballroom dances, although it has variations from dance to dance. It’s the dance position to use in survival dancing. Check out some images and a video clip on how to create a dance connection in the closed position.

• Click on this link to a Flickr gallery of still images of couples in the closed position. Note the placement of the guy’s right hand at the base of her left shoulder blade. Avoid the sloppiness–don’t make come over there to fix it–of letting your right hand slip down to her lower back.

• Skippy Blair shows how to match resistance in the closed position (video: 3 min., 23 sec.):




Page 103 – The Side Step

The basic side step may be the easiest and most versatile step pattern on planet earth. Really, you can do this to just about any kind of music (okay, not a waltz). This video demonstrates the basic side step.

• The basic side step with a rotation (video: 2 min., 15 sec.)




Page 119 – The Sway (aka Oversway)

The sway (technically known as an oversway) is something to fall back on anytime you get lost or confused or don’t know what you’re doing. But it needs to be done on time (weight changes occurring on the beat of the music) and with a little technique, otherwise you just get an awkward rocking back and forth. This video demonstrates the sway.

• The sway basics

[UNDER CONSTRUCTION]