This is a simple trick I picked up not too long ago. It’s to lead double-time movements using ONE impulse, not three! Many of us already do that for turns (during back-side-forward) but we still lead other double-times using 3 impulses. Besides the unnecessary noise, I think it’s less enjoyable and also doesn’t help the leader OR follower relax their way out of the double-time.
BAD DOUBLE-TIME, using 3 impulses:
- Pushing on every-step so that it feels like PUSH-PUSH-PUSH.
- This requires the leader to create energy on every step, and the follower to have to follow this energy on every step. It’s noisy and both of you are so busy trying to lead and follow perfectly instead of just letting your feet hitting the notes, and enjoying the music.
- Also, because you created a PUSH energy on the last step, now you have to immediately signal a “RELAX” on the step right after. So what you’re really leading is PUSH-PUSH-PUSH-RELAX. That’s 4 communication impulses. How wasteful!
- More energy and mental effort required, less fun.
GOOD DOUBLE-TIME, using only 1 impulse:
- Pushing on just the first step, so it feels like PUSH-relax-relax.
- The leader creates an impulse only the first step, and the follower simply charges her first step and lets the energy created from the first step bleed out (recycle) into the 2nd and 3rd step. This is much quieter, less effort, and more enjoyable. It’s like the first step is pushing her off the roller coaster, and the 2nd and 3rd step is to relax and ride the wave.
- You no longer have to lead the “relax” or signal to her when to stop the double-time since she already relaxed while going through the double-time.
- Less energy created, very clear, no worries for the follower about missing other double-times. More fun!
Other ways to do a DOUBLE-TIME?
- Accent the first push. Maybe a little more upwards push, or a little more forwards push. Depending on what direction and what move you’re doing, this impulse can come from the standing foot, the chest, the hand, the back, anywhere really. (Explore and play!)
- Follower does a double-time, but not the leader.
- How about putting two double-times together (5 steps)> What you do is create an impulse on the 1st and 3rd step….so it goes ONE-two-ONE-two-three.