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Skip to choreography lists for: Waltz - Tango - Foxtrot - Quickstep - Viennese Waltz

What is choreography? To us, it is the composition of step patterns to produce a routine that is greater than the sum of its parts. However, 
we have found that technique books are focused on the steps themselves, rather than putting them together as an artistic whole. To make 
the creation of choreography as simple and intuitive as possible, we have created a modular system to classify them.

Principle: Every step pattern is represented by a domino.

The left hand box
shows the first step
of the figure.
The Colors denote which foot the step requires.
Change Step Natural to Reverse
The right hand box
shows the first step
of the following figure.

Application: String several step patterns together end to end.

Picture
Change Step Natural to Reverse
Picture
Open Telemark
Picture
Weave from PP

Example No. 1: We have 3 figures we like. Now we can fill in the gaps.

Picture
Natural Spin Turn

- ? -

Picture
Double Reverse Spin

- ? -

Picture
Back Whisk
Picture
4-6 Reverse Turn
Insert one or more dominoes that connect each of the figures.
Picture
Drag Hesitation
Picture
Back Lock

Example No. 2: Replace a figure without changing the rest of the routine.

Let's assume that we want to find a figure to replace the Open Impetus.
Picture
1-3 Natural Turn
Picture
Open Impetus
Picture
Weave from PP

We can look for a direct replacement on the Waltz Choreography page. Fortunately for us, there are several alternatives to the Open Impetus.
Picture
Outside Change to PP
Picture
Back Whisk
Picture
Fallaway Whisk

Replace the figure and try 
it out! If it doesn't work, 
try another.
Picture
1-3 Natural Turn
Picture
Fallaway Whisk
Picture
Weave from PP
In theory, any step pattern can be replaced by another step pattern if their respective dominoes are the same.  In practice, this will not 
always be the case because certain figures can only be danced in specific alignments. If something doesn't work out, ask your instructor 
or consult one of the Ballroom Technique Books. 

Each color represents a foot that moves, or one that is about to move. However, for reasons of alignment, rotation and custom, certain step 
patterns may or may not be strung together. Checking the "Precedes" and "Follows" section of the ISTD or IDTA Technique Books, asking an 
instructor, or watching an annotated video are all methods that can help determine the validity of an amalgamation.

Skip to specific choreography for: Waltz - Tango - Foxtrot - Quickstep - Viennese Waltz

Explanation: What do the colors mean?

The domino system was designed to facilitate choreography without having to reach for a syllabus. However, for the curious minds that want to know what each color represents, here is the list:
Picture
Man: Right foot forward.
Lady: Left foot backward.
Picture
Man: Right foot backward.
Lady: Left foot forward.
Picture
Man: Promenade Position.
Lady: Promenade Position.
Picture
Man: Left foot forward.
Lady: Right foot backward.
Picture
Man: Left foot backward.
Lady: Right foot forward.
Picture
Man: Heel Pull (RF side small step)
Lady: LF Side

Note: This tile is primarily used in Foxtrot.

Skip to choreography lists for: Waltz - Tango - Foxtrot - Quickstep - Viennese Waltz

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