Samba Syllabus Figures 1-7

Lady mostly mirrors man's action in these seven elementary figures.

A few points to note before making steps:
* bouncing is the reflection of the tilting of pelvic area and the usage of knees, ankles and balls.


* lift heels before making steps


* bend knees before weight arrives


Figure 1: Basic Movement (Natural, Reverse, side and Progressive)
Man Lady
Count Movement Count Movement
1 RF fw 1 LF back
a Close LF to RF w/o weight a Close RF to LF w/o weight
2 Take minimal weight to LF then replace 2 Take minimal weight to RF then replace
1 LF back 1 RF fw
a Close RF to LF w/o weight a Close LF to RF w/o weight
2 Take minimal weight to RF then replace 2 Take minimal weight to LF then replace

Figure 2: Whisks (also with Lady's underarm turn)
Man Lady
Count Movement Count Movement
1 LF to side 1 RF to side
a Cuban cross with RF behind LF a Cuban cross with LF behind RF
2 Take minimal weight to RF then replace 2 Take minimal weight to LF then replace
1 RF to side 1 LF to side
a Cuban cross with LF behind RF a Cuban cross with RF behind LF
2 Take minimal weight to LF then replace 2 take minimal weight to RF then replace

Figure 3: Samba Walks (Promenade, Side and Stationary)
Man Lady
Count Movement Count Movement
1 LF fwd in PP 1 RF fwd in PP
a RF back in PP w/o weight. Toe turned out. a Mirror man's action
2 Take minimal weight to RF, draw LF back in PP 2 Take minimal weight to LF, draw RF back in PP

Figure 4: Rhythm Bounce
Rhythm Bouncing is not a 'move' across the floor.
Man Lady
Count Movement Count Movement
1 Start with L leg fw w/ bent knee, R leg straight. Swing L hip to front 1 Start with R leg fw w/ bent knee, L leg straight. Swing R hip to front
a Swing L hip to back a Swing R hip to back
2a3a4a Repeat first two counts 2a3a4a Repeat first two counts

Figure 5: Volta Movement
Man Lady
Count Movement Count Movement
1 Cuban Cross w/ RF in front of LF 1 Cuban Cross w/ LF in front of RF
a LF to side and slightly back w/o weight, toe turned out a RF to side and slightly back w/o weight, toe turned out
2 Take part weight to LF and draw RF in Cuban Cross 2 Take part weight to RF and draw LF in Cuban Cross
a 1 a 2 Repeat step 2 and 3 twice. a 1 a 2 Repeat step 2 and 3 twice.

Figure 6: Travelling Bota Fogo's Forward
Man Lady
Count Movement Count Movement
1 RF fw in CBMP, OP, Facing DC 1 LF back in CBMP. Backing DC
a LF to side without weight. Toe pointing DC. Body facing LOD. a RF to side without weight. RF backing DW. Body backing LOD
2 Take minimal weight to LF and replace weight to RF. Facing DW 2 Take minimal weight to RF and replace weight to LF. Backing DW
1 LF fw in CBMP, OP on L side. Facing DW. 1 RF back in CBMP. Backing DW.
a RF to side without weight. Toe pointing DW. Body facing LOD a LF to side without weight. RF backing DC. Body backing LOD
2 Take minimal weight to RF, and replace weight to LF. Facing DC 2 Take minimal weight to LF and replace weight to RF. Backing DC

Figure 7: Criss Cross Bota Fogos (Shadow Bota Fogos)
Man Lady
Count Movement Count Movement
1 a 2 Traveling Bota Fogos fw LRL. end in Open CPP 1 a 2 Traveling Bota Fogos fw RLR, passing in front of Man under raised arms. End in Open CPP
1 a 2 Traveling Bota Fogos Fwd RLR. end in Open PP 1 a 2 Traveling Bota Fogos Fwd LRL, passing in front of Man under raised arms. End in Open PP
Get back to the 'Kandykane's Dance Learning Notes' or go the 'Dance Glossary'.