Slow Foxtrot Basic and Advanced Routine
The short answer: this lesson gives you two Slow Foxtrot routines to follow along with. The basic routine uses four core figures: the Feather Step, Reverse Turn with Feather Finish, Three Step and Natural Turn. The advanced routine adds the Open Telemark, Open Natural Turn, Outside Swivel, a Feather Ending from Promenade Position and a Change of Direction. Each routine is danced in full, then named figure by figure and counted in slows and quicks.
What is in this Slow Foxtrot lesson?
Two routines in one video, which I dance with my student Zoe. The basic routine is for beginners and the advanced routine is for improvers. For each one you see the routine danced in full, then every figure named, then the timing counted, so you can learn the steps and glide with control.
How do you count Slow Foxtrot?
In slows and quicks. A slow takes two beats of the music and a quick takes one. The Feather Step, for example, is slow, quick, quick. I count the timing for both routines in the video.
What steps are in the basic Slow Foxtrot routine?
- Feather Step: slow, quick, quick.
- Reverse Turn with Feather Finish
- Three Step
- Natural Turn
What steps are in the advanced Slow Foxtrot routine?
- Feather Step
- Open Telemark
- Open Natural Turn
- Outside Swivel
- Feather Ending: from Promenade Position.
- Reverse Turn with Feather Finish
- Change of Direction
Common mistakes
- Moving on to the advanced routine before you can dance the basic routine comfortably.
- Giving every step the same count. A slow takes two beats and a quick takes one.
- Learning the figure names but skipping the timing section for each routine.
Try this in your next practice
Start with the basic routine. Watch it danced in full, follow along with the figure names, then dance it with the timing section, saying slow, quick, quick out loud on the Feather Step. When it feels comfortable, move on to the advanced routine.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count Slow Foxtrot?
In slows and quicks. A slow takes two beats and a quick takes one, so the Feather Step is slow, quick, quick.
How fast is Slow Foxtrot music?
WDSF competition rules set Slow Foxtrot at 28 to 30 bars a minute.
Is this Slow Foxtrot routine for beginners?
The basic routine is. It uses four core figures: the Feather Step, Reverse Turn, Three Step and Natural Turn. The advanced routine is for improvers.
Which routine should I learn first?
The basic routine. Once you can dance it comfortably with the video, move on to the advanced routine.
Related lessons
- Slow Foxtrot Feather Step: step, swing and sway
- Live Q&A: solo practice, Slow Foxtrot and performance
- Waltz basic and advanced routine with Contra Check
- Quickstep basic and advanced routine
Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.
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