Before we dance....

As we are just getting started, we will take this entry to set out some basic conventions:

• All the steps will be introduced and then split into Leaders'/Men's Steps and Followers'/Ladies' Steps. I will try to keep these as independent of each other as possible, however, at times, it may be necessary to make reference to what your partner would be doing. As these ARE partner dances, at the very least, you should try to know where your partner is at all times!

• Diagrams will be given from the dancer's point of view. If you try to combine the individual diagrams of mens and ladies' steps, it will appear as if they are both facing the same direction... that is not necessarily so! Do not forget that in most cases you are in hold (of one sort or another) and that your partner is generally in front of you - unless otherwise specified. If need be, I will provide a diagram that shows both the men's and ladies' steps, however this can quickly become very confusing - so will try to do so only when necessary.

• At the end of each post there will be a set of Notes that relate to both the partners - dont forget to read these! In setting out the steps, it is sometimes necessary to leave out a vital tidbit of information to prevent the footwork from getting too convoluded. These tips will address the extra things you will need to do to ensure that you are dancing the sequence correctly.

• Sometimes it is more succinct to use the dance terms for things and as you are here because you are learning or developing your dancing, I dont think there is anything wrong with that. What I will do, however, is begin to cultivate a Glossary of terms that get used in the step posted. Feel free to check that whenever you want.