I took the time to read 'Swing Characteristics' (from FMS's vs Character-of-Dance, suggested above) and found it most insightful and helpful !! Especially liked the first Q & A section detailing the 3 primary characteristics of WCS, and drilling down on identifying anchors. Very concise and easy to understand !
I loved that "Swing Characteristics" article as well… I'm really curious about the "musical identity" portion where it talks about WCS not being ideal for a Samba beat (or rumba, or cha-cha, etc.). I'd really like to understand this better. I do recall Robert Royston at an event once saying something like "hey, if it feels like you can't dance WCS to it, it's a two-step", but I (geekily) wish I knew why, rhythmically, it doesn't match up.
I also have heard different opinions about whether WCS should be danced to Samba music (or other "non-swing" music). As I recall, at a Rose City Swing workshop. Robert Royston said that WCS was not really suited for (or traditionally meant for) a Samba beat, as in the example of "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran, although that song was currently popular and therefore, often played for WCS. And, other WCS teachers I have heard voiced the opinion that WCS, like some other dances, is a evolving and adapting to fit with popular music. Again, I think of the similarities between WCS and Argentine Tango, where they are both described as mostly improvisational, conversational and can be danced to many different styles of music.
If there was one single reason why I returned to Bootcamp it would be FMSs – I needed to come back to re-digest their meaning and step-by-step go over each of them. Even though I know what they are, in real-life dancing I know that I loose my grip on so many of them
The Anchor example I found insightful in differentiating Techniques, Tactics, and Strategies from each other. : How, where and when, and applying for an effect. Looking forward to learning more!
I took the time to read 'Swing Characteristics' (from FMS's vs Character-of-Dance, suggested above) and found it most insightful and helpful !! Especially liked the first Q & A section detailing the 3 primary characteristics of WCS, and drilling down on identifying anchors. Very concise and easy to understand !
Thank you for pointing this article out. I missed it on my first go through, and it is definitely worth the read.
I loved that "Swing Characteristics" article as well… I'm really curious about the "musical identity" portion where it talks about WCS not being ideal for a Samba beat (or rumba, or cha-cha, etc.). I'd really like to understand this better. I do recall Robert Royston at an event once saying something like "hey, if it feels like you can't dance WCS to it, it's a two-step", but I (geekily) wish I knew why, rhythmically, it doesn't match up.
I also have heard different opinions about whether WCS should be danced to Samba music (or other "non-swing" music). As I recall, at a Rose City Swing workshop. Robert Royston said that WCS was not really suited for (or traditionally meant for) a Samba beat, as in the example of "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran, although that song was currently popular and therefore, often played for WCS. And, other WCS teachers I have heard voiced the opinion that WCS, like some other dances, is a evolving and adapting to fit with popular music. Again, I think of the similarities between WCS and Argentine Tango, where they are both described as mostly improvisational, conversational and can be danced to many different styles of music.
If there was one single reason why I returned to Bootcamp it would be FMSs – I needed to come back to re-digest their meaning and step-by-step go over each of them. Even though I know what they are, in real-life dancing I know that I loose my grip on so many of them
The Anchor example I found insightful in differentiating Techniques, Tactics, and Strategies from each other. : How, where and when, and applying for an effect. Looking forward to learning more!