One-Step Variations: Zig Zag

I'll wind up this little mini-series of one-step posts with an easy variation from Vernon and Irene Castle's manual, Modern Dancing, (New York, 1914).  The zig zag is very similar to the snake dip described by Philadelphia dancing master Albert Newman (discussed by me here).  The oscillation from right Yale position (the two dancers' right sides together) to left Yale position (left sides together), with the lady backing up while the gentleman moves forward, is the same, with the differences found only in the starting foot and the placement of the dip.  I have no doubt that these are simply regional variations of the same step, but they do have a slightly different effect when danced.

While the snake dip begins with the gentleman stepping to the left (right Yale position) with his left foot, the zig zag begins a beat later.  After one walking step forward on the left foot (lady backing on the right), the gentleman crosses his right foot in front of the left to step out to right Yale position, taking three steps in that position (right-left-right) before crossing his left foot in front of the right to shift to left Yale position and take three steps (left-right-left) thus.  The lady is dancing opposite, crossing her left foot behind her right to start the move and continuing on the opposite foot from the gentleman, always crossing behind.

The zig zag may be continued indefinitely, exited most easily after any trio of left Yale position steps by the gentleman simply not crossing his right foot over, instead stepping straight forward toward the lady and resuming backing her up for as many steps as needed to round out the musical phrase.

The Castles suggest ornamenting the step with a slight dip:

To make it more effective, the dancers can bend on the first step.  That is when the man crosses the right over the left and when he crosses the left over the right.

This bend is actually on the same foot as in Newman's snake dip -- he places the dip on the second step of every three-step diagonal, which is effectively a crossing step.

Comments

[Alexander Ilyash]

Hello Susan!
Have some questions about zig-zag.
First, don't you think that start it with left leg crossing right better idea, if you are with left leg in air at the 1st count of music phrase, than move 1st count left leg forward? Yes, this is not like Castles said, but it is more logical on my taste. Let's see - basic step is "man left forward". Than "8" - again left leg. Than "step out" again, than "cortez" again, and now zig-zag.. Right leg and only 3 steps... looks like ok if 1st count is usual step forward with left, but next bar - Castles said "step out left leg+ 2 steps".. but wait, where is step forward at 5th count? I guess 5th-8th count should consists of the same picture like 1st-4th. But if you move left leg forward 5th count you find that zig-zag is ruined. My suggestion that Castles is so professional, that they no need to use "true beginning" leg every step/figure, they can dance it with any leg beginning. This is why they described zig-zag with right leg start. Or, it mat be just a mistake =)

So from that transcription i "read" zig-zag dancing from right leg for man:
1st count - right leg cross left
2nd - left side
3d - right again cross left
4d - pause, when left leg moved left side in air and prepare to continue next side (like at Dancetime video)
5th - left cross right
6th - right move right side
7th - left cross right
8th - pause, right in air

This is if some how in dance we already changed leg from starting left to right so, that at the beginning at music phrase _right_ leg should move. But if no change - we should start left leg cross right etc.. (like from 5th count upper..)

Second question. Why you suggested here Yale position? In text i read "step to right side of the lady", not "step out to the right side..." like in "cortez" or "step out". Well, may be that is cos i not very good in English, you think no difference? Well, anyway, we practice that step in usual "basic" position, so steps making to the side in diagonal, but our bodies are against each others with no side "yale" position. And all works well =)

Thanks!