2-STEP FOR THE SOCIAL DANCER
By Don Deyne (drdeyne@apci.net)

The 2-Step is probably the most widely known and performed country dance. Like most "country" dances it's roots have been traced to other forms of dance, and while some specifics cause great uproar among the "experts", very few will argue that what we know as the 2-Step today is related to ballroom's Fox Trot.

STEPS AND RHYTHM: The 2-Step is danced 4 steps to 6 beats of music. 2 quick steps each getting 1 beat of music, and 2 slow steps each slow step gets 2 beats. Dancers begin on the Quick-quick. (If you were taught to start on the slow, relax. Fox Trot starts on the slow. But for the every day social dancer the bottom line is that you and your partner start on the same. About 8 counts into dancing you wouldn't know the difference, so why fight about it.)

Men begin their steps on the LEFT foot and ladies on their RIGHT. Regardless of direction of the actual steps involved, the first quick and first slow are ALWAYS on the man's left and lady's right.

Rhythm is counted as 1 2 3 - 5 - with steps being taken on the numbered counts. Here are the ways I verbalize the rhythm in class:

Here's how the steps break down for a basic pattern, with the man facing line of dance (LOD)

FORM, FRAME AND LEAD: Though style will change from region to region, for the most part you will see 2-Step begun in 2 forms of the "Closed Couple Position". In both styles the partners face each other with the man usually LOD.

In what is commonly referred to as "Cowboy hold" the man places his right hand on the lady's left shoulder and she places her left hand somewhere along his right arm, quite often her hand is the only contact point as her arm drapes downward.

In "ballroom hold" the man passes his right hand under the lady's left arm (or over if there is a problem with height difference) placeing his right hand on the her left shoulder blade. The lady then places her left arm along the his right making as much contact as possible. Build enough firmness to keep your arms in this position when the man turns his shoulders. Men: Don't let your left hand drift downward, your frame will fall apart.

In both forms of the position, the man's left hand is raised approximately level with his right arm, with the palm towards the lady. The lady then, simply lays her right hand in the man's palm. DO NOT GRIP YOUR PARTNER'S HAND! Keep the fingers open. Build enough resistance so that the joined hands remain centered between the partners.

With the "cowboy hold" the man must rely on his right hand on the lady's shoulder and the movement of his left hand to lead the lady into the turns he wants to do. With "ballroom", once the frame is established a simple turn of the man's shoulder is enough to lead the lady.

To turn the lady right, lead on the 2nd slow step by pressing with the heel of the right hand on her shoulder blade and turning your shoulders to your right.

To turn the lady left, lead on the 1st slow by pressing with the fingertips of the right hand and turning the shoulders to the left.

LADIES NOTE: The man must be allowed to lead the dance. If you lead he will never learn. Unless led the lady should not change her direction of dance: Don't turn till we tell you to, and keep turning till we tell you to stop. The most easies lead to stop turning is to lower the mans left arm. If it stays up over the lady's head, it's a signal that he wants her to continue turning. Also remember that in all of the couples dances the man has much more to learn. He must learn to recognize the rhythm and tempo of the music: find the downbeat so he can figure out when to take his first step: He must IMMEDIATELY build a good form so you step out as a couple: he must watch all the other dancers on the floor so they don't run you over: He must think about what move he wants to do next THEN he has to remember the lead AND give the lead: While ALL he ask of you is to stay in step, follow his lead, and have patience "'cause after all, he's just a man".