3.3 On Style Variations In Hustle

Note: Hustle is danced and taught differently in NYC, California, Florida, Texas, Michigan, etc. I've heard reports from various people that it's hard to lead or follow someone in Hustle when they are from some different part of the country. When I ask about the basic footwork, it sounds about the same. The difference in count, while messing up naming conventions and a common vocabulary, shouldn't matter when actually dancing Hustle. Some differences are:

slotted versus rotating It might be slightly disturbing to be led off-slot when trained in the strictly slotted variety.
smooth vs. sharp, sort of like how the styling of Argentine Tango and International Tango evolved differently. Someone used to a more fluid Hustle might have trouble snapping in and out of a short freeze line.
tempo range I've noticed that some people can't dance a Hustle at all at what some merely consider a faster tempo. (128 bpm+)
amount of forward lead required Someone used to pulling the lady forward on "1" (&1 2 3 count) might be surprised at a lady who comes forward without an apparent lead. Someone used to a Hustle with a lot of independent dynamics might be lost when a lady seems stuck in place on the "1". Conversely, the lady may feel pulled off balance at a funny time.
turnaround timing The basic description of Hustle leaves a lot of room for interpretation as to the exact point at which the lady CG reverses direction. It could be as early as the beginning of the together step ("&" in "1 2 & 3 " count). It could be up to 250 milliseconds later just before the forward step ("3" step in the "1 2 & 3 " count, 120 bpm tempo). With a "kick and step" or "point and step" as in "&3&1 2" the reversal could be even as late as 100-250 milliseconds into the "3" count. This (up to 350-500 milliseconds) could be a significant difference, enough in physiological terms to make it feel like a completely different rhythm or dance. This might be the hidden, hard to describe, difference between Hustle in different regions of the country.

Back to table of contents.

Go to the next section.

Go to the previous section.

This file is part of the lead/follow FAQ list. These are articles compiled from the newsgroup rec.arts.dance by Mark Balzer. Html-isation by Victor Eijkhout, victor at eijkhout dot net. See also the Rec Arts Dance FAQ list Copyright 1996/7/8/9 lies with the compiler, the maintainer and the contributors of various parts.

You may link to this page and make copies for private use in any form, but reproduction in any means, including book or CDROM, is not allowed without permission from the copyright holders.

It goes without saying that the maintainer and compiler of this FAQ take no responsibility for any inaccuracies in the information presented here or for any use or abuse of this information. They are neither a doctor nor a lawyer.