[spindr]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

Straight triplets: think one-and-two, three-and-four

Swung triplets: think one a-two, three a-four

From the mists of memory there is a counting scheme suitable for expressing syncopations.

1 n e n and n a n 2 n e n and n a n 3, etc., etc.

the gap between each "word" is 1/8th of a beat long.

So, "1 and 2, 3" becomes

• "1"
• wait half a beat
• "and"
• wait half a beat
• "2"
• wait a full beat
• "3"

this is a "cha-cha-cha" rhythm.

Similarly, "1 a 2, 3" becomes

• "1"
• wait three-quarters of a beat
• "a"
• wait a quarter of a beat
• "2"
• wait a full beat
• "3"

this is a "strict" jive triple step.

Obviously, you can play with the timing so that you vary things -- you may need to, to fit the music well.

SpinDr

P.S. Of course, some teachers just get confused and call all sorts of odd timings, e.g. mixing "and" with "a", etc. -- they seem to be frightened of explaining timing. My favourite is when they try to make the steps in a cha-cha-cha take equal amounts of time, i.e. 2/3rds of a beat each, ugggh!
P.P.S. See also http://www.afterfive.co.uk/guide/lat...ce_styles.html if you like your rhythms in a more musical notation.