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Learning to Teach Step - Minding the 32 Count
There are several approaches to take in learning how to teach
32 count step and there's no one way to go about it
- it's just a matter of what works in your mind. Gin’s
approach is slightly different from mine – she
counts her patterns up to 16, then the second half up to 16
for a total of 32. I
think more in terms of 4’s and 8’s, but both of
us have a firm feel for the music.
Getting on the Music
Fitting the movement on the proper beat
of the music is an absolute must.
Some participants may not be fully
aware that movements are "off beat", but for those
who are, nothing feels more "against
the grain" than
trying to follow an an instructor who starts a grapevine on
the wrong count.
For those participants who know, it
can be pure torture - how does one
leave graciously after stumbling between following the music
or following an instructor's errant cues?
If you are wondering why you have walkers from your class
or your numbers have dipped below freezing, check to make sure
you are teaching on the proper beat.
In the 8 count measure:
DOWN beats - ODD counts - counts 1, 3, 5, and 7
UP Beats
- EVEN counts - 2, 4, 6, 8.
While I have been told by a long term 'off the music' instructor
that "you
can't teach an old dog new tricks", it doesn't require
much more than a willingness to learn. Once attention is paid
to listening and perhaps some
counting as you learn, the discovery of instructing with the
music can be quite exhilarating.
Musical Phrasing
Musical 32 count phrasing is a collection of 4 - eight
count measures. Music prepared for group instruction will adhere
to the 32 count - commonly referred to as "square".
This means that with any 32 count combination and proper progression,
the moves will fit within the phrasing of the music.
Exceptions to the Verse/Chorus
Rule
You can't always count
on this rule. A good example of a cross-phrased
chorus is Pink's "Get This Party Started".
If you listen
to it carefully, the chorus actually starts before the
top of the phrase.
A great song, but it's an example of one you would need
to pay close attention to when teaching square 32's.
Some music companies make adjustments in the mix of
a popular tune to square it out. That's why some favorites
will have unfamiliar repeats or extras added to the
song. |
New instructors should spend time listening to their music
to develop a feel first for the down beat, and then develop
a feel for the musical phrase. A test would be to fast forward
mid song and begin marching right foot, hopefully on
the down beat.
As you listen to the music,
start stepping when you hear the top of the next phrase. There
are many signals common in a lot of 'produced for' aerobics
music - a drum roll just before the next phrase - but in
most songs it's the start of the verse or the chorus.
(See sidebar)
If
you can start your movement on the proper beat at the right
time without any cues, then you have a decent feel for the
music. If
you find that you are musically challenged, it may require
you to do some serious counting.
Counting the Musical Phrase
Play your music and start counting on the first beat - 1 up
to 8, then 2,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 3, 2 , 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 4, 2, 3 , 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- that's your 4 counts of 8 to equal 32.
Use your fingers if you have to mark the 4 sets of 8, but
know that both new dogs and old dogs can learn
this trick!
Know that it
is not half the crime to miss the top of the phrase
as it is to be off the down beat, but when you finally
get the musical phrase, you will feel it - it's a rush, like
a runner's high.
A good teacher
starts with teaching on the down beat of
the music - but to become a great instructor it is
necessary to work toward the ultimate: teaching 32
count choreography
on the phrase of the music - that's where the magic
happens!
Adding it all up to 32
The trick in teaching any 32 count combination is learning
how to progressively teach the elements. Lesson
one is learning how the elements add up and how to combine “same
lead” patterns and “self reversing” patterns
together to keep everything square on the 32’s. The
plus with this method is that it allows
patterns to smoothly transition to the other lead for an overall
balanced workout, and once mastered, it will keep students
coming back to your classes.
Download
PDF file of this page
Next
The Odds & Evens
Method
Minding the Music -
the downbeat / musical phrase - you
are here
ODDs & EVENs Method
Advanced Choreography
Challenge - The Big 64
Odds & Evens Chart
of Patterns & Transitions
Getting Up & Down for
Lunges
Step Orientation - Original
Step Reebok & Revised
Teaching Mirror and
Actual Image
Step Terminology
Cuing
Step
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