Basic Variations ~ Shaggin' Made Easy
The purpose of the basic variations that Wayne and Judy teach is to expand a number steps around the shag basic. The sailor shuffle - both forward and behind is a nice step that can introduce a lower body sway into the dance, like dancing on a rolling boat deck. Basic steps that use a prep step, pause, leg up, swivel or crossover are introduced. The initial triple step of the basic can lead into a sweep, or can move into a cha-cha turn, which can then be followed by sailor shuffle or kick back’s with a lean or a duck or boogie walk.
All of these steps are very simple to master after the basic class, and provide an excellent foundation before moving into the intermediate class. Even if you have had difficulty with the shag pivot, these can all be learned and used in your dancing, to fill that gap left by not performing it. An alternative is to go to closed position by other means; a very simple example is to move to closed as the end of a female under arm turn. Once in closed position dancers need to exit it different ways by a male under arm turn, breakaway or tuck turn for example. Dancers will often go from close through an open step and go to closed again. With 12 or 15 basic or basic variation added to your introductory steps you will be able to dance many dances without repeating yourself or falling into a fixed pattern.
Wayne and Judy do not offer a specific class on these steps at this time to properly bridge that gap between the Introductory Basic and the Intermediate; but are considering adding another 4 week series of “Basic Plus”, to make a nice stepping between the two current courses.