DANCE RHYTHM

[Complete Rhythm Chart] [Single Rhythm] [Double Rhythm] [Triple Rhythm] [Waltz Rhythm]
 

Dance rhythm is established by the number of weight changes within two beats of music or one UNIT of dance. 
    In any given dance rhythm unit, it is possible to have no weight change, a single weight change, or as many as 6 weight changes (that is if your feet are fast enough), in two beats of music. 
 Because of the importance of rhythms in dance, it is necessary to have an annotation system which will clearly and distinctly differentiate these rhythms from one another. These annotations are the ‘flash cards’ to graphically show the weight changes that take place in two beats of music.

	A RECTANGLE is used to separate and identify each set of 2 beats of music in every two-beat unit of dance.
	SOLID DOTS inside the rectangle indicate actual weight changes.
	SLASHES within the rectangle indicate the beats of music where no weight changes occur.

Every pattern in every dance is composed of arrangements and re-arrangements of four primary rhythm units. 

BLANK UNIT   -    No Steps or Weight Changes

1      2	1      2

SINGLE RHYTHM   -   One Step (on the down-beat)

1      2	1      2

DOUBLE RHYTHM   -   Two Steps (one on each beat)

1      2	&  1      2

TRIPLE RHYTHM  -   Three Steps (one on each beat plus the “&” or "a" count)

1   &   2	1     a  2

(Musicians and music scholars may confuse the dance triple rhythm unit with the musical duple meter because of the two main beats in the unit. Just remember that dance rhythms are composed of weight changes and other movements necessary to each dance.) 

    Weight changes or steps are identified by large dots and no changes are either left blank or indicated by slashes. A Blank space means nothing is done on that count. A slash, on the other hand means that we don’t step, but do something else on that beat of music. 
    Thus, we if STEP on the first beat of the unit, and do something else (tap, kick, touch...) with the free foot on the second beat , then it will be a single rhythm unit. If we step on both beats of the unit, it will be a double rhythm unit. 
    If we step three times within two beats, then it is a triple rhythm unit. A triple rhythm is not 3 equal weight changes; it is merely two steps  on the same foot, with a less weighted step in between. 
    If we do something (except changing weight) with the free foot on the first beat of music and ‘hold’ it on the second, it will be a blank rhythm unit. 

    All dance patterns, whether basic or variants or syncopations, are mere arrangements and rearrangements of these four primary dance rhythm units. A dance pattern may be composed of as little as one unit. Sequences may have as many as 12 or 15 rhythm units. Some patterns consist of only one type of unit, others are combinations of the different types. Some examples: 

                                 DANCE WALK                                        TANGO CLOSE

1       2	1       2	3     4
Walk   Walk	Forward    Side	(Touch)(Hold)
DOUBLE	DOUBLE	BLANK

BOOGIE (Two-Beat Jive)

1       2	3       4	5     6
Back  Forward	(tap)   Step	(tap)  Step
DOUBLE	SINGLE	SINGLE

WEST COAST SWING

1       2	3    &   4	5   &   6
Back  Forward	Step 3 Times	Step 3 Times
DOUBLE	TRIPLE	TRIPLE

    The possible combinations of these rhythm units into rhythm patterns are limited only by the endless variety of existing dance forms, sequences, and syncopations, and those that are still being developed. Try substituting an odd rhythm (single or triple) with another odd rhythm, or an even rhythm (blank or double) with another even rhythm.

[Complete Rhythm Chart] [Single Rhythm] [Double Rhythm] [Triple Rhythm] [Waltz Rhythm]