Chassé from Promenade Position

Waltz Chassé From Promenade Position (PP)

The Chassé From Promenade Position is a Newcomer Waltz figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; steps diagram; 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.

Leader

  1. Count 1: RF fwd, across in PP and CBMP | FDW, moving LOD | HT | -- | -- | slight CBM | Start to rise at end of 1

  2. Count 2: LF to side and slightly fwd | FDW | T | -- | -- | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

    • Upper body/frame rotate to left to close the lady. Close hips.3

  3. Count &: RF closes to LF | FDW | T | -- | -- | --

  4. Count 3: LF to side and slightly fwd | FDW | TH | -- | -- | Up, lower e/o 4

  5. Count 1: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | FDW | H | -- | -- | CBM

    • This is the next figure. Just showing it will be OP in CBMP.

Follower

  1. Count 1: LF fwd, across in PP and CBMP | FDC, moving LOD | HT | Starts to turn L | -- | CBM | Start to rise e/o 1

    • End of previous 3 is building the energy to feed into this step. (Previous steps ends in PP or Whisk position.)

    • From end of previous step, Lady has her L hip higher, inclining fwd, but don't keep the inclination for too long. Lowest point was end of 3. After that, starting changing hip tilt. Need to level off by finishing the "swooping action", do not keep body tilted forward when stepping out, finish tucking left hip, have legs ahead of body.

    • Keep extension in PP while staying on left side.

    • Going into Chasse, push, big step. Lady's R side stretch even more, shoulder flat, extend and stretch 6th vertebrae (don't break the neck, though), try to keep shoulder as parallel to Man as possible. Very important to not lose right shoulder, keep right side toward Man, feeling very twisted.

    • Straighten left leg, slide left heel on floor, before bending left knee. Stay behind Man's hip.

  2. Count 2: RF to side | BW | T | 1/8 btwn 1-2 | -- | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

    • Swing the R leg and R hip up. Power is from the 1st step. This Count 2 is not redriving. Coast it, step is still pretty big. Feels like sending the hip around Man.

    • Close the hip on this step. Do not overshoot weight, do not take the center pass the Inside Edge of RF.

    • Head start turning back. R side shoulder higher.

    • Tuck ab muscle to spine. Arms to Man, do not let elbow go behind.

  3. Count &: LF closes to RF | BDW | T | 1/8 btwn 2-3, body turns less | -- | --

    • Head turns back to Man's R between 2-3 (on &).

    • Keep body up. Extend upper body even more left.

    • Weight onto LF before moving to next step. Do not fall backward into next step. When practicing, check balance on LF.

    • Only start lower at end of the next step.

    • Body is backing Wall.

    • Do not over rotate.

    • Create the "suspense" feeling, balanced.

  4. Count 3: RF to side and slightly back | BDW | TH | -- | -- | Up, lower e/o 4

    • This is not a side step. It's diagonally back. Pay attention to alignment. Make sure to settle and not be back weighted.

    • First half of 3: body is still up, shoulder level out

    • Second half &: Twisting upper body/shoulder to R to prepare outside partner

  5. Count 1: LF back in CBMP | BDW | T | -- | -- | CBM |

    • Left shoulder is quite forward. Lift up left hip.

    • When going into outside partner, left side stretches even further.

Note:

  • Head does not move on its own. Change slower, smoother.

Preceding Figures

  1. Back Whisk

  2. Basic Weave

  3. Contra Check

  4. Fallaway Whisk

  5. Open Impetus

  6. Open Telemark

  7. Outside Change

  8. Turning Lock

  9. Turning Lock to R

  10. Weave From Promenade Position

  11. Whisk

Following Figures

  1. Natural Spin Turn

  2. Natural Turn

  3. Hesitation Change

  4. Closed Wing