Frame

frame is the key to good lead and follow, but it’s also the responsibility of both partners.   Although good frame and/or connection is critical to all dances, this article is focused mainly on smooth, closed position dances such as Waltz or Foxtrot.  So how do we establish a good frame?

First, Good frame starts with your arms, keeping them up and toned.   I have been occasionally asked what I mean when I say toned and the best way I can describe it is to say it’s just enough tension in the muscles to hold the arm in a given position.  This means that it is very light, but firm enough to communicate to the partner.

Second,  Good frame means your bodies relative position is slightly to the right of each other.   If you stand in front of your partner, the buttons on the man’s shirt should be close the lady’s shoulder.   Imagine the space between the Ladies head and right shoulder as your window and try to look out that window at all times.    You may be tempted to look into her eyes, but in so doing, you will have a tendency to drift back in front and into her space.

Third, The man’s arm should be around the lady, with his wrist high under her shoulder and his right hand on her left shoulder blade.  Keep the fingers together and pointed down slightly.    The ladies’ left arm should be placed on top of the man’s arm with her left hand resting softly on his shoulder.  Fingertips on the outside and thumb on the inside, but not gripping the man’s arm.

Fourth, The Man’s left arm should be extended from the side with the hand positioned at a height which is comfortable for the lady.  Due to my height, I sometimes have a tendency to raise my hand at a level that can be uncomfortable for some women so I have to remain conscious of this at all times.    The upper arm should be sloped down slightly and the upper arm slightly up.   The lady’s palm shoud rest in the man’s palm with her fingers between his fingers and thumb, then both fold fingers over the others hand (GENTLY).   Each partner should keep their wrists straight and support their own weight.

Fifth,  The lady should settle into the mans left arm comfortably providing the necessary connection.  The lady should feel a light connection with the man’s hand on her back.

Finally, Maintain good posture stretching your body upwards, fill your lungs and keep your shoulders back and hips in.

With the proper frame, the man’s intention are easily understood by the lady through both arms and the torso position of the man.   Maintaining a good frame through proper tone and a stable upper body will greatly improve both yours and your partner’s enjoyment.

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As a general rule, I refrain from writing about Dancing With the Stars.   I mean,  what could I possibly add to the flood of commentary and reporting about this show?   Well,  something was different last night and I am going to break my rule.  The difference was Kelly Osbourne.

I must confess that I didn’t have a very high opinion of Kelly before last night.  I saw one episode of The Osbournes, years ago and came away with a very bad impression.   My opinion was changed last night and not willingly either. 

There are singular moments in my life that have defined who I am.  These  moments have defined my character, my path in life and even guided me to success and sometimes failure.  Last night, it felt like I was witnessing one of those moments for Kelly.  

Her Viennese Waltz was very well performed.  Actually, Kelly can dance, and her personality ( shy, sweet, scared)  endeared me to her .   She transformed from Tomboy(as Bruno called her) to a Lady on the dance floor.   A transformation that left her mother speechless and in tears.   Even Ozzy, the Prince of Darkness himself, was emotionly rocked with joy. 

Ballroom Dancing is an art form intended to create something beautiful and inspirational and that is exactly what Kelly did when she far exceed everyone’s(including her own) expectations. 

 I can’t say if this is a defining moment in her life.   It certainly will be one of the most memorable for the show and she has become my favorite this season.

What did you think of Kelly’s performance?

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Endangered Species

 I was thinking the other day about the dances we enjoy and what the future holds for them.   Looking back through history, many dances come and go.  Some last for centuries while others are gone after a few short years.   

 Let me say that I’m not making any predictions.  I’m just speculating on what the future  could hold for some classic dance styles.

I am a great lover of music.  I can listen to many different genres of music from big band to country to contemporary and I love them all.  I wonder though, as music ages and generations come and go.  What will happen to  the dances we associate with that style of music?

Of course, we all know that dances are based on timing and not the music style, but I believe it’s safe to say  that in most cases, the two are closely related.

What will happen to the waltz and quickstep in another thirty or forty years?  Will we still be listening to the music from the big band era?  Will it become more and more difficult to find contemporary music with the timing for these dances.  Waltz maybe, but how often do you find contemporary Quickstep?   Will Foxtrot someday become  as rare as the polka?

What influences the popularity or decline of a particular dance?  One thing that technology has given us is the ability to record and preserve music.  This very well could be one possible reason why dances like Waltz and Quickstep have survived.  

Prior to recorded music,  dance styles were strictly driven by the popularity of music and what was performed live by orchestras or bands.   I believe this could have greatly influenced the life of many dance styles.

I know much effort has gone into preserving the current ballroom and latin dances.  The competitive organizations, local clubs and dance studios have standardized the dances to teach and hopefully we will see these dances continue in popularity  for many generations to come.

What do you think the future holds for these favorite dance styles?

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Waltz: a dance born in the suburbs of Vienna and in the alpine region of Austria. As early as the seventeenth century, waltzes were played in the ballrooms of the Hapsburg court. The weller, or turning dances, were danced by peasants in Austria and Bavaria even before that time. Many of the familiar waltz tunes can be traced back to simple peasant yodeling melodies.

Read More Waltz Dance History

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This is my personal list of favorite songs for Waltz.   I am constantly looking for new songs and this list changes often.   Click the play button to listen to the tracks.

What are some of your favorites?

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