This falls into Four Categories:
Line Dancing - This is the one where everyone starts facing a wall, no partner needed, and
everyone does the same thing. The pattern repeats over and over and everyone faces the
same way, most of the time. There are always exceptions, but in general it's a line dance.
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of these, with some of the most popular still being
the Tush Push, Cowgirl Twist, and Walkin' Wazi.
Partner Line Dancing (Pattern Dancing) - This is one where the partners each start on the
same foot, doing similar steps and patterns, and generally the man has a hold on her
somewhere, usually is a sweetheart position, which would be his left hand in her left hand and
his right hand in her right hand, but up around her shoulders, so they're both facing the same
way. Even though they are both on the same foot, the pattern for the lady could be different
from that of the man, so there is a certain amount of leading and following in this. As a
general rule, all the couples in the dance are doing the same thing at the same time, as in
Pattern. Some of the ones you may run into include: Cowboy Cha Cha, Waltz Across Texas,
Horseshoe, 8-count or 10-count polka, Schottische.
Mixers - these could be done any which way, but at some point people change partners either
by the man
dancing up the to the next woman or by dancing her away from him to the next partner. These
are sometimes done facing the LOD, and sometimes done in a circle with someone facing the
inner circle. Some of the ones that I know of are the Barn Dances, some great Swing dances,
and many more. I've taken many line dances and create "mixers" out of them for parties and
many line dances have several versions, one of line dancing, one for pattern dancing, and
sometimes one for mixers.
Partner Dancing - This is the category where your Dallas Shuffle and Texas Two Step and
Country Swing and West Coast Swing, Night Club Two Step, Country Polka, Country Cha Cha
falls into.
Line Dancing - This is the one where everyone starts facing a wall, no partner needed, and
everyone does the same thing. The pattern repeats over and over and everyone faces the
same way, most of the time. There are always exceptions, but in general it's a line dance.
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of these, with some of the most popular still being
the Tush Push, Cowgirl Twist, and Walkin' Wazi.
Partner Line Dancing (Pattern Dancing) - This is one where the partners each start on the
same foot, doing similar steps and patterns, and generally the man has a hold on her
somewhere, usually is a sweetheart position, which would be his left hand in her left hand and
his right hand in her right hand, but up around her shoulders, so they're both facing the same
way. Even though they are both on the same foot, the pattern for the lady could be different
from that of the man, so there is a certain amount of leading and following in this. As a
general rule, all the couples in the dance are doing the same thing at the same time, as in
Pattern. Some of the ones you may run into include: Cowboy Cha Cha, Waltz Across Texas,
Horseshoe, 8-count or 10-count polka, Schottische.
Mixers - these could be done any which way, but at some point people change partners either
by the man
dancing up the to the next woman or by dancing her away from him to the next partner. These
are sometimes done facing the LOD, and sometimes done in a circle with someone facing the
inner circle. Some of the ones that I know of are the Barn Dances, some great Swing dances,
and many more. I've taken many line dances and create "mixers" out of them for parties and
many line dances have several versions, one of line dancing, one for pattern dancing, and
sometimes one for mixers.
Partner Dancing - This is the category where your Dallas Shuffle and Texas Two Step and
Country Swing and West Coast Swing, Night Club Two Step, Country Polka, Country Cha Cha
falls into.
Country Waltz - Very similar in styling to the Silver American Waltz as it floats around the floor
continuously, but done to a country flavor, of course. Very elegant. The pattern dance, Waltz Across
Texas is a must to learn, also.
continuously, but done to a country flavor, of course. Very elegant. The pattern dance, Waltz Across
Texas is a must to learn, also.
Country Cha Cha - Basic patterns for partner dancing pretty much the same as the Latin Cha
Cha. Many forms of pattern dancing cha cha; Cowboy Cha Cha; Darlene, etc. these are also dances
that I could teach you.
Cha. Many forms of pattern dancing cha cha; Cowboy Cha Cha; Darlene, etc. these are also dances
that I could teach you.
HUSTLE - Three count Hustle...anything goes! See description for 3-count Hustle above.
Night Club Two Step - Also a partner dance done to the slower style of music. See
description on Dance Descriptions Page.
description on Dance Descriptions Page.
Texas Two Step (Two Step) - this is the partner dance you'll probably end up dancing the
most if you hit the Country/Western scene.... it travels around the room, the music could be anywhere
from medium to fast, and this should be the one you may want to learn first....this one, to me, is a cross
between a Silver Foxtrot, a Peabody, and a Polka
most if you hit the Country/Western scene.... it travels around the room, the music could be anywhere
from medium to fast, and this should be the one you may want to learn first....this one, to me, is a cross
between a Silver Foxtrot, a Peabody, and a Polka
Country Polka - has a lot of similarities to the Polka most of us know as love as "the Polka", but
of course it's done to country music, travels continually, and the main footwork is a nice easy shuffle,
there's no "planting" and kicking. It has a lot of similar moves to the Texas Two Step. So learning one
will make it easier to learn the other.
of course it's done to country music, travels continually, and the main footwork is a nice easy shuffle,
there's no "planting" and kicking. It has a lot of similar moves to the Texas Two Step. So learning one
will make it easier to learn the other.
8 count or Cowboy Polka - this is a pattern dance with partners starting out in the
Sweetheart position, but unlike the Country polka, partners start out on the same foot. As with all
pattern dancing, each couple is doing the basic timing at the same time. In other words, everyone is
doing the 8 count heel/taps, etc., then everyone has 4 (6 or 8) shuffles, and this is where you can use
variations, as long as you start that 8-count heel thing again with everyone else. Variations could
include changing her postion from the sweethheart to a doubl hand throw out or to a "skater's
position" or daning her around behind you, or up around to get back in front of you, etc., whatever you
can do in the time allotted for those shuffles, as long as it doesn't cause injury and you get back to the
8count in time....it works!
Sweetheart position, but unlike the Country polka, partners start out on the same foot. As with all
pattern dancing, each couple is doing the basic timing at the same time. In other words, everyone is
doing the 8 count heel/taps, etc., then everyone has 4 (6 or 8) shuffles, and this is where you can use
variations, as long as you start that 8-count heel thing again with everyone else. Variations could
include changing her postion from the sweethheart to a doubl hand throw out or to a "skater's
position" or daning her around behind you, or up around to get back in front of you, etc., whatever you
can do in the time allotted for those shuffles, as long as it doesn't cause injury and you get back to the
8count in time....it works!
10 count Polka - This one has a little extra stuff going on with the heels/taps, but during the 4 (6
or 8 shuffles, and this one generally uses 8 shuffles), there's a lot of variations you can try.
or 8 shuffles, and this one generally uses 8 shuffles), there's a lot of variations you can try.
Schottische - Not done that often, but would you rather dance or sit this one out. I'd rather
dance....so take a few minutes to learn it. the basic step is nothing more than grapevines, and instead
of shuffles there's a step and hop, and this is where you'd do your variations
dance....so take a few minutes to learn it. the basic step is nothing more than grapevines, and instead
of shuffles there's a step and hop, and this is where you'd do your variations
Cotton Eye Joe (pattern dance) - (Not the line dance version that's so popular with the
young folks!) This is a real easy way to get started. Easy kicks and shuffles back, then during your
shuffles forward there's room for variations.
young folks!) This is a real easy way to get started. Easy kicks and shuffles back, then during your
shuffles forward there's room for variations.
SoMany More - I'm not going to list them all.... I can teach you any that you need to know...JUST
ASK.
ASK.