Today we are learning the Cha Cha. This is just the basic steps. No fancy turns or advanced hip action, and I'm dropping the arms completely. It's Cha Cha for dummies.
Those foot charts make no sense to me what-so-ever. I am going to walk you through it the way that makes sense to me. Here we go:
First, get the rhythm in your head. It goes, "slow, slow, quick, quick, slow". Or you can count: "one, two, three-and-four". (Or if you know morse code: dah-dah-di-di-dah.) Run that over in your head a couple of times: slow-slow-quick-quick-slow, one two three-and-four, cha cha ch-ch-cha. Can you feel it? Good.
Now, stand with your feet together.
On the first count (slow), step forward with your right foot. Take your weight off your left foot. Pop your right hip out.
On the next count (slow), shift your weight back to your left foot. Leave your right foot in place. Pop your left hip out.
On the next count (quick), step your right foot back to meet your left. Shift your weight to your right foot. Pop your right hip out.
And quick again: shift your weight to your left foot. Pop your left hip out.
And for the last count (slow), shift your weight back to your right foot. Pop your right hip out.
Great. That was your first count of four.
Now we count to four again, only this time instead of stepping forward with your right foot on the first count (slow), you step backwards with your left foot. Shift your weight to your left foot and pop your left hip out.
On the next count (slow), leave your left foot back, but shift your weight to your right foot and pop your right hip out.
On the next count (quick), bring your left foot back to meet your right. Shift your weight to your left foot. Pop your left hip out.
Quick again: shift your weight to your right foot. Pop your right hip out.
And for the last count (slow), shift your weight back to your left foot. Pop your left hip out.
That's it. Cha-cha-ch-ch-cha.
Those foot charts make no sense to me what-so-ever. I am going to walk you through it the way that makes sense to me. Here we go:
First, get the rhythm in your head. It goes, "slow, slow, quick, quick, slow". Or you can count: "one, two, three-and-four". (Or if you know morse code: dah-dah-di-di-dah.) Run that over in your head a couple of times: slow-slow-quick-quick-slow, one two three-and-four, cha cha ch-ch-cha. Can you feel it? Good.
Now, stand with your feet together.
 |
| This person is facing you, so their left is your right. Confused? Good. |
On the next count (slow), shift your weight back to your left foot. Leave your right foot in place. Pop your left hip out.
On the next count (quick), step your right foot back to meet your left. Shift your weight to your right foot. Pop your right hip out.
And quick again: shift your weight to your left foot. Pop your left hip out.
And for the last count (slow), shift your weight back to your right foot. Pop your right hip out.
 |
| Again, person facing you... their left = your right. |
On the next count (slow), leave your left foot back, but shift your weight to your right foot and pop your right hip out.
On the next count (quick), bring your left foot back to meet your right. Shift your weight to your left foot. Pop your left hip out.
Quick again: shift your weight to your right foot. Pop your right hip out.
And for the last count (slow), shift your weight back to your left foot. Pop your left hip out.
That's it. Cha-cha-ch-ch-cha.
I tried learning the Cha Cha once. It's fun, but not easy.
ReplyDeleteOh, keep trying! Once you get the basic step, it gets easier. :o)
DeleteI may give it a go. In a room all alone. I have to do something with the arms, though, right? Flap them chicken-dance style?
ReplyDeleteWas it wrong of me to imagine people pushing back from their desk at work and giving it a whirl?
DeleteOn the arms: chicken-dance style would be one way to go with it, yes. May I suggest arms close to your sides, bent 90 degrees at the elbow, hands relaxed. And relax your shoulders a little bit to offset the hips. Does that help at all? :O)
I have a grace deficit, but that's offset by delighting in the cartoon instructions! :D
ReplyDeleteI have honed my skills at both dancing and art as you can see.
DeleteThanks!
Me too. Amalie, wrote this comment for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was much easier to learn the dance than to attempt to illustrate it.
DeleteIf my kids come into the room when I try this, can I direct them to you? They'll think their Mommas has flipped a gizzard. ☺ Fun 'C' post! Happy Tuesday! ☺
ReplyDeleteOh yes. Please do. I have no shame. Thanks!
DeleteGiggle worthy post and guide. Too bad I lack the rhythm to try it out.
ReplyDeleteC'mon. Everyone has a little cha cha in them.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
so cute!! i love the diagrams!
ReplyDelete