[Gadget]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

But there do exist lots of dance moves that don't have the leader's body following through his own lead to his partner.

Like? I can't think on any that do not follow one of the principles above. (Basket twist out on the outside foot perhaps, but it's taught on either foot.)

So it's a good idea for at least one beginner's move to have that same feel, so one can start getting used to it from lesson 1.

Yup - the beginner moves are selected (/constructed) to give the basic building blocks to the rest of your dancing - I just don't think that this particular block is condusive to elegant dancing.

And, when done as instructed (and not 'adjusted') it's an extremely elegant and classy move, more so than any of the variations you suggest, in my opinion.

When done as instructed by elegant dancers it's a classy move. When an arm jive or in-out is done by elegant dancers it's a classy move. Just because movement can be classy, does not make it intrinsically so. Personally I think that the first move follow is much more elegant and classy than a standard first move - with the added advantage that it flows lots better.


OK, why step back on the left? what does it add to the dance/movement/flow? (Remember that to lead it "properly", your left hand must sweep out to the lady's far hip; any 'mirroring' is immediatly pulled off-balance by this fact.)