Samba Basic Movements
The Samba Basic Movements is Newcomer Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, and movement, technique; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.
Samba Natural Basic Movement
Leader
| Step |
Timing |
Movement
|
Alignment |
Turn
|
Footwork |
Notes |
1
|
1
|
RF fwd
|
According to previous figures.
|
No turn or up to 1/4 to R over 1-6
|
BF
|
See Samba Technique for detailed description of bounce action and foot movement rhythm.
Trailing LF: IE, roll ankle down.
|
2
|
a
|
Close LF to RF w/o weight
|
|
|
B (pressure)
|
|
3
|
2
|
take minimal weight to LF and replace weight to RF
|
|
|
BF |
|
4
|
1
|
LF back
|
|
|
BF |
front leg looks straight at this moment.
|
5
|
a
|
Close RF to LF w/o weight
|
|
|
B (pressure)
|
|
6
|
2
|
Take minimal weight to RF and replace weight to LF
|
|
|
BF |
|
Follower
| Step |
Timing |
Movement
|
Alignment |
Turn
|
Footwork |
Notes |
1
|
1
|
LF back
|
According to previous figures. |
No turn or up to 1/4 to R over 1-6
|
BF
|
Same as Leader's.
See Samba Technique for detailed description of bounce action and foot movement rhythm.
|
2
|
a
|
Close RF to LF w/o weight
|
|
|
B (pressure)
|
No weight on RF. Weight should still on LF. |
3
|
2
|
Take minimal weight to RF and replace weight to LF
|
|
|
BF |
|
4
|
1
|
RF fwd
|
|
|
BF |
Bound action |
5
|
a
|
Close LF to RF w/o weight
|
|
|
B (pressure)
|
"Pressure" step. LF is at instep of RF.
|
6
|
2
|
Take minimal weight to LF and replace weight to RF
|
|
|
BF |
|
- When used as a Precede to Traveling Bota Fogos Forward, start
Natural Basic Movement facing LOD and turn 1/8 L over 2 and 3. 4-6 are
then danced with follower outside.
- When used as a Follow to Traveling Bota Fogos Forward, the first step is outside partner. Turn 1/8 R over 2 and 3 to face partner.
- Precedes: any figure ending facing partner with weight on LF.
- Follows: any figure commenced with RF.
Variation: use minimal bounce and use 4 steps as below. follower does opposite. (Similar for Reverse Basic, Side Basic and Progressive Basic.)
| Step |
Timing |
Movement
|
Footwork |
Notes |
1
|
1
|
RF fwd
|
BF
|
|
2
|
2
|
Close LF to RF with pressure , but without weight
|
BF
|
Keeping weight on RF
(Difference: instead of taking minimal weight onto LF and replace weight back to RF) |
3
|
1
|
LF back
|
BF
|
|
4
|
2
|
Closed RF to LF with pressure but without weight
|
BF
|
Keeping weight on LF |
Samba Reverse Basic Movement
- Same as Natural basic, except that Leader stepping forward with LF first, Follower stepping RF back first. No turn or up to 1/4 turn to L.
- Alignment: per previous figures.
Samba Side Basic Movement
- This may be danced in place of the Natural or Reverse Basic taking the first step to side. All others are the same.
- When taking side step to R side, frame to right, R knee bent, but leaving L hip to L side till the next "and", really stretch the body long without tilting shoulder; roll the hip to R (clock-wise). 2 rounds ending stepping to L.
- When stepping to side, the free foot position is important: roll the foot down, IE of foot touch floor, not ball of foot.
- Similarly, when taking step to L side, leave R hip to right till the next "and", roll the hip to L (counter clock-wise).
Samba Progressive Basic Movement
- Leader: 1-3 step of natural basic (RF fwd), followed by 4-6 of side basic to L.
- Follower: 1-3 step of natural basic (LF back), followed by 4-6 of side basic to R (During side basic, optionally, Follower can turn her head to left, toward LF.)
- Alignment: DW, no turn.
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