Count:
32
Wall:
2
Level:
Intermediate Samba Rhythm
Note: Below you will see there are 3 Samba sets of 8 that use the count of 1a2.
For yours truly and maybe many others the difference in this count and the more familiar count of 1&2 is pretty subtle.
But the more I dance the Samba rhythm the more I feel the difference.
As an instructor I also like the cadence of the “a” as it conveys to the dancer more of what the rhythm feels like. I look at it this way.
The count 1&a2 has 4 parts.
If you take the “&” away you would dance the 1a2. The “a” is after the “&” so just wait for the “a” to happen and you’re on the beat.
Also, I think of the count 1a2, 3a4, etc., as Down-Up-Flat, Down-Up-Flat……. Counts 17-24 are counted 1&2 because the steps are not true Samba steps.
Intro: 48 counts
[1-8] 4 FORWARD TRAVELING BOTA FOGOS
1 a 2Step R forward to left diagonal; Step ball of L side left (raise left hip); Return weight to R in place
3 a 4Step L forward to right diagonal; Step ball of R side right (raise right hip); Return weight to L in place
5 a 6Step R forward to left diagonal; Step ball of L side left (raise left hip); Return weight to R in place
7 a 8Step L forward to right diagonal; Step ball of R side right (raise right hip); Return weight to L in place
Note: Although you are stepping to the diagonals on 1,3,5,7, keep your body mostly squared up on the front wall.
[9-16] SIDE SAMBA WALKS – SAMBA FORWARD 1/4 RIGHT, SAMBA BACK 1/4 RIGHT
1 a 2Step R forward; Step ball of L side left; Turn ¼ right stepping onto R in place 3 o’clock
3 a 4Step L forward; Step ball of R side right; Turn ¼ left stepping onto L in place 12 o’clock
5 a 6Step R forward; Turn ¼ right as you step on the ball of L; Step R next to L 3 o’clock
7 a 8Step L back; Turn ¼ right stepping R side right; Step L next to R 6 o'clock
[17-24] SCISSORS CROSS, 1/2 TURN POINT – 1/4-FORWARD-1/4, CROSS & CROSS
1 & 2Step R side right; Step ball of L next to R; Step R in front of L (prep for ½ turn right)
3 & 4Turn ¼ right & step back on L; Turn ¼ right & step R side right (R knee bent); Point L side left (prep) 12 o’clock
5 & 6Turn ¼ left onto L in place; Step R forward; Turn ¼ left taking weight onto L 6 o’clock
7 & 8Cross R in front of L; Step L side left; Cross R in front of L
[25-32] SAMBA WHISK LEFT & RIGHT – FULL TURNING VOLTA
1 a 2Step L side left (down); Step ball of R behind left heel (up); Return weight to L in place (flat)
3 a 4Step R side right (down); Step ball of L behind right heel (up); Return weight to R in place (flat)
5 aTurn ¼ left stepping on L in place; Step ball of R behind L heel
6 aTurn ¼ left stepping on L in place; Step ball of R behind L heel
7 aTurn ¼ left stepping on L in place; Step ball of R behind L heel
8Turn ¼ left stepping on L in place
Begin Again and Enjoy!
Music note: The last minute of the song is an instrumental so I fade the song at 3:15. Contact me for more info.
Contact: Web Access: www.michaelandmichele.com - Email - mbarr@saber.net
For yours truly and maybe many others the difference in this count and the more familiar count of 1&2 is pretty subtle.
But the more I dance the Samba rhythm the more I feel the difference.
As an instructor I also like the cadence of the “a” as it conveys to the dancer more of what the rhythm feels like. I look at it this way.
The count 1&a2 has 4 parts.
If you take the “&” away you would dance the 1a2. The “a” is after the “&” so just wait for the “a” to happen and you’re on the beat.
Also, I think of the count 1a2, 3a4, etc., as Down-Up-Flat, Down-Up-Flat……. Counts 17-24 are counted 1&2 because the steps are not true Samba steps.
Intro: 48 counts
[1-8] 4 FORWARD TRAVELING BOTA FOGOS
1 a 2Step R forward to left diagonal; Step ball of L side left (raise left hip); Return weight to R in place
3 a 4Step L forward to right diagonal; Step ball of R side right (raise right hip); Return weight to L in place
5 a 6Step R forward to left diagonal; Step ball of L side left (raise left hip); Return weight to R in place
7 a 8Step L forward to right diagonal; Step ball of R side right (raise right hip); Return weight to L in place
Note: Although you are stepping to the diagonals on 1,3,5,7, keep your body mostly squared up on the front wall.
[9-16] SIDE SAMBA WALKS – SAMBA FORWARD 1/4 RIGHT, SAMBA BACK 1/4 RIGHT
1 a 2Step R forward; Step ball of L side left; Turn ¼ right stepping onto R in place 3 o’clock
3 a 4Step L forward; Step ball of R side right; Turn ¼ left stepping onto L in place 12 o’clock
5 a 6Step R forward; Turn ¼ right as you step on the ball of L; Step R next to L 3 o’clock
7 a 8Step L back; Turn ¼ right stepping R side right; Step L next to R 6 o'clock
[17-24] SCISSORS CROSS, 1/2 TURN POINT – 1/4-FORWARD-1/4, CROSS & CROSS
1 & 2Step R side right; Step ball of L next to R; Step R in front of L (prep for ½ turn right)
3 & 4Turn ¼ right & step back on L; Turn ¼ right & step R side right (R knee bent); Point L side left (prep) 12 o’clock
5 & 6Turn ¼ left onto L in place; Step R forward; Turn ¼ left taking weight onto L 6 o’clock
7 & 8Cross R in front of L; Step L side left; Cross R in front of L
[25-32] SAMBA WHISK LEFT & RIGHT – FULL TURNING VOLTA
1 a 2Step L side left (down); Step ball of R behind left heel (up); Return weight to L in place (flat)
3 a 4Step R side right (down); Step ball of L behind right heel (up); Return weight to R in place (flat)
5 aTurn ¼ left stepping on L in place; Step ball of R behind L heel
6 aTurn ¼ left stepping on L in place; Step ball of R behind L heel
7 aTurn ¼ left stepping on L in place; Step ball of R behind L heel
8Turn ¼ left stepping on L in place
Begin Again and Enjoy!
Music note: The last minute of the song is an instrumental so I fade the song at 3:15. Contact me for more info.
Contact: Web Access: www.michaelandmichele.com - Email - mbarr@saber.net
