The Shag ~ A Recipe Perspective
When we learn to dance, we learn simple figures, the box in the waltz, the chasse in the foxtrot and the the basic in shag. The shag basic is made up from 6 individual steps or movements, to a 1&2, 3&4, 5,6 (QQS,QQS,SS) rythm. When you first learn the shag basic you learn the figure mainly by rote and repetition of the whole figure, but it is made up from 8 individual moves that can be thought of as the ingredients for a "shag basic" recipe.
The Ingredients for the Recipes
While a list of ingredients is not particularly useful to get you going in your first class, they become important as you as you go back and try and remember what you were taught a couple of days ago. Then, when you attempt more complex figures and especially as you work to give your dance style, carefull examination of the individual moves helps. The table attempts to be lead or partner neutral, but if it indicates Left - that is male, and the female would be opposite or Right.
| Move | Action | Position ~ Intent |
|---|---|---|
| Forward | Step foot forward | Distance about 9"-12" |
| Together | Feet side by side | Body facing forward |
| Back | Step foot Back | Distance about 9"-12" |
| Anchor | Step in Place | Weight transfer onto foot |
| Rock | Step back & close | Weight transfer back foot |
| Kick | Swing leg thru | Control distance ~ 12"-15" |
| Lock | Cross leg behind | Touch toe to heel |
| Cross | Cross leg in-front | Touch heel to toe |
| Unwind | Feet side by side | Used to Unlock/Uncross |
| Chase | Step -> lead heel | Touch toe to side heel |
| Brush | Thru -> lead toe | Touch heel to lead toe |
| Drag | Feet together | Slide foot, no leg lift |
| Sweep | Cross without lift | Slide foot in-front, point toe |
| Lift | Lift leg slightly | Lift small amount 3"-6" |
| Step Side | Step to side | Feet apart about 6"-9" |
| In-Place | Lift/Replace | Toe barely leaves floor |
| Cross Turn | Cross, face slot | Feet outside & cross slot |
| Half Left | Diagonal Left | Diagonally forward 12"-15" |
| Half Right | Diagonal right | Diagonally forward 12"-15" |
| Turn Out | Quarter Turn | Turning body out of slot |
| Turn Thru | Quarter Turn | Turn body cross slot |
| Hook | Lock & Rotate | Body rotation on hook foot |
| Pivot | Unlock in place | Body rotation on pivot foot |
| Pivot Turn | Step & Pivot | Half body turn on pivot foot |
| Swivel | Turn Feet 180 | Swivel body with half turn |
| Step Swivel | Step & Swivel | Step forward, swivel back |
| Toe | Touch Toes | Touch toe to opposite toe |
| Heel | Heel to Toe | Touch heel to opposite toe |
Big Deal! - so how do you use it?
Take the Basic and to the 1&2 / 3&4 / 5,6 timing substitute: Forward, Close, Back / Back, Anchor, Anchor / Rock, Step
If you look at the Step, Action, Position ~ Intent cells of the table, you will find you are doing a shag basic quite close to the way your instructor wants you to do it. We have not decided how far to push this concept. But we will probably try in a few weeks to tie an audio track and some instructional video clips to these ingredient names. So you may find a little later on when we demonstrate a Shag Pivot, the step chant of Step Left(1), Cross Turn(&), Step(2), Hook(3), Pivot(4), Back(5), In(&), Place(6), Rock(7), Step(8), will be heard.
Nothing has been said about leading which is the male's primary responsibility. Whether the dance is mirrored, side by side, or cross flow, the lead is where you men have to try and indicate your future dance intention to your partner. Much as you are planning later on getting her into ... more on the Lead