Drape and Drag 1: Fundamentals

Name: Drape and Drag 1: Fundamentals
Rating: 4.9 (19 reviews)

Blues and Slow Jazz Dancing

Created byRuth and Mike Dance

Last updated 5/2018

English

What you'll learn

Dance the fundamentals of the blues/jazz style Drape and Drag.

Course content

1 section • 18 lectures • 1h 20m total length

Course Introduction1:52
Tailor this course to you with brief daily practice and short videos, not long binge sessions. Do the designed exercises in a small space and ask questions via the interface.
Drive and Balance Part 17:48
Solo Practice1:59
Drive and Balance Part 24:56
Partnered Practice2:03
Connect Like a Pro9:00
Solo Practice3:07
Practice solo cues to align the spine and neutral pelvis while you walk. Hug a pillow to connect from the back ribs around the torso and keep a neutral head.
Partnered Practice2:52
Walk This Way Part 18:39
Solo Practice2:05
Partnered Practice2:10
Practice with resistance by separating from your partner and resisting movements to build control. Emphasize timing, safety, and avoiding cheating by lifting a partner.
Walk This Way Part 211:55
Solo Practice2:25
Partnered Practice2:51
Promenade6:00
Solo Practice4:07
Use pillows, couch cushions, and yoga balls as practice partners to master lead and follow walking, closures, and poses in drape and drag fundamentals.
Partnered Practice3:49
Practice partnered pivots and close-position movements toward and away from a partner, focusing on timing, lead and follow cues, and controlled walks across the half time.
Conclusion2:38

Requirements

You should be physically comfortable with walking.

Description

Ruth and Mike are known for their dramatic and flowing style of dancing to slow jazz and jazz blues. They are excited to share it with you:

Drape and Drag is our signature style of blues and slow jazz dancing. It is inspired by early dancers like Sandra Gibson and Albert Minns, as well as dances like the Strut, the Two-Step, and the Ballroom. We imbue this style with our own personality, so it has lots of striking shapes, smooth flow, rippling undulation, and underlying power. This course will give you a solid foundation in the essentials of weight shifts and connection with a partner. Whether you are new or experienced, continuing to work on these fundamentals is what opens up the possibility to do fancier and more difficult movements.

Each lesson includes short practice videos. No partner? No problem- there are separate videos for practicing with a partner and by yourself, so you can work on this style even without a partner.

Who this course is for:

People of all levels from brand-new to partner dancing to very experienced.