RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT

NZ Truth, Issue 1215, 14 March 1929, Page 8

RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT

The music for the Tile Trot is m 2/4

Time — two beats to a bar, counting 1 "and," 2 "and" for each bar. You may find it simpler to count 1, 2, 3, 4 for each bar, but note that the accent is on 1 and 3. A "slow" step occupies two counts, a "quick" step occupies one count. The correct tempo is 34 to 36 bars

per minute. Play a Tile Trot record over on yauv gramophone until you can "feel" the 'rhythm. The Columbia records "Chulita" and "The Tile Trot" are specially recommended as- they represent the correct rhythm for the dance. <. The movement of the dance is a

stealthy . one. There must be no up-and-down lilt and no body sway as Ithere is m the Blues. The feet are picked up and placed, skimming the floor instead of gliding as m. the Fox Trot and Waltz-. All the steps must be definite rather than flowing, but they must at' the,

same time be absolutely smooth, Let the knees ilex slightly. The balance should be kept central, over both feet. Thus, on a forward step, the balance does not travel wholly with the forward-moving foot, but. is retained to some extent on the rear foot— th,e rear heel should rise just a little as the moving foot passes forward.

Endeavor to get the correct movement throughout all the steps of the dance. .

THE WALK

Walking steps are of medium length, the timing being R.— Walk. Count 1 "and" (Slow). L.— Walk. Count 2 "and ."- (Slow). On a forward walk, step flat on to

your foot letting the rear heel rise a little as your foot passes forward for the next step.

On a backward walk, step oh to the sole, of the foot, dropping to the heel, as your foot passes backward for-, the. next step. The feet and the knees