Differences between the Samba and Two StepThis is a funky little book that delves into the differences between various social dances that may, on their surface, seem similar. This excerpt goes into the key differences between Samba and the Two Step, which can indeed be difficult to distinguish.
Title: Skippy Blair on contemporary social dance: disco to tango and back Author: Skippy Blair Excerpt: The Essence of Contemporary DanceThe essence of a particular dance is the "feeling" or "look" that sets it apart from all other dances. Recognizing the differences, rather than the similarities to existing dances, is what makes a knowledgable contemporary dancer.
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Many contemporary dances are mistaken for certain existing dances because of similar characteristics. Let's explore these similarities in order to understand the essence of each unique dance.
For starters, the popular Two Step is often confused with samba. Samba is a fun dance and is compatible with much of the Contemporary Music. However, Samba is not Two Step. When the two dances are combined, confusion sets in. Dancing either dance is exciting and fun as long as you know which you are doing and are able to isolate the differences.
The similarities are many. Both dances are composed of two triple rhythm units, both dances are four beats of music for a Basic Step. The movement is vertical and the subtle bounce is recognizable as a characteristic of both dances.
Now to the differences, and therein lies the key to good dancing. The vertical rhythm in samba (subtle as it may be) is down and down. That is: the body movement actually settles on count one and on count two. The rise or press is on the "and" count before the one. This produces what we call a subtle bounce. (subtle because it is felt more than seen.)
The movement unit for Two Step is the opposite. The subtle vertical rhythm is up on count one and also up on count two. This produces a movement unit of up up. It is achieved by pressing the ball of the foot into the floor on every count.
Another important difference is the actual placement of foot positions in the individual dances. Although both dances are composed of two triple rhythm units, the foot placement is quite different:
Two Step: the accent is back on count one of the unit and side on count two. The one becomes a rock back in a sort of spring action.
Samba Hustle: (Samba patterns to Contemporary Music). The accent is forward or back or side on count one and stays on that step until the very last second before continuing the rest of the pattern. There is no rocking step.
Viewing the difference between one dance and the other, it becomes apparent why mixing the two would be almost impossible. The body would be incapable of transmitting the change of movement and style from one pattern to the next. (See chapter on Competition Dancing.)
However, most of the Contemporary Dance can be danced to the same music. Some fits better than others, but the fascinating part of today's music is the variety of rhythm instruments which allows a variety of interpretation.
- from "Skippy Blair on contemporary social dance: disco to tango and back," by Skippy Blair
For starters, the popular Two Step is often confused with samba. Samba is a fun dance and is compatible with much of the Contemporary Music. However, Samba is not Two Step. When the two dances are combined, confusion sets in. Dancing either dance is exciting and fun as long as you know which you are doing and are able to isolate the differences.
The similarities are many. Both dances are composed of two triple rhythm units, both dances are four beats of music for a Basic Step. The movement is vertical and the subtle bounce is recognizable as a characteristic of both dances.
Now to the differences, and therein lies the key to good dancing. The vertical rhythm in samba (subtle as it may be) is down and down. That is: the body movement actually settles on count one and on count two. The rise or press is on the "and" count before the one. This produces what we call a subtle bounce. (subtle because it is felt more than seen.)
The movement unit for Two Step is the opposite. The subtle vertical rhythm is up on count one and also up on count two. This produces a movement unit of up up. It is achieved by pressing the ball of the foot into the floor on every count.
Another important difference is the actual placement of foot positions in the individual dances. Although both dances are composed of two triple rhythm units, the foot placement is quite different:
Two Step: the accent is back on count one of the unit and side on count two. The one becomes a rock back in a sort of spring action.
Samba Hustle: (Samba patterns to Contemporary Music). The accent is forward or back or side on count one and stays on that step until the very last second before continuing the rest of the pattern. There is no rocking step.
Viewing the difference between one dance and the other, it becomes apparent why mixing the two would be almost impossible. The body would be incapable of transmitting the change of movement and style from one pattern to the next. (See chapter on Competition Dancing.)
However, most of the Contemporary Dance can be danced to the same music. Some fits better than others, but the fascinating part of today's music is the variety of rhythm instruments which allows a variety of interpretation.
- from "Skippy Blair on contemporary social dance: disco to tango and back," by Skippy Blair