Lara D. Friedman~Shedlov wrote:
>
> > Skip change is similar. Step-close-step-hop becomes
> > step-close-step-and, which becomes one-two-three-and when up to speed.
>
> Shouldn't skip change be "hop step close step" instead of "step close step
> hop"? The step always begins with a hop. By the way, I have no trouble
> saying "hop step close step" at dancing speed.
(Blush!) Of course, you are right. My teaching hat must have been
elsewhere.
> I often count bars, but never individual beats, nor am I familiar
> with this practice, so this discussion about the use of "and" is a bit
> mystifying to me.
I use the counting of individual beats mostly for teaching a movement,
usually in slow motion. I count bars also when teaching; when dancing I
usually just listen to the music, looking for the breaks between
phrases. A teach I know in Kingston (Ontario) is often able to tell
exactly where in the music you are. Teaching say the last 12 bars of a
dance, she will listen to the music, and say her "ready, and..." at
exactly the right place, to finish with the music. She needs only a few
bars to orient herself. Quite a useful talent!
