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.
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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.
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