| Hi there, my name is Les McMillan, and I can help you | | | | slow to the left side and then step right foot slow to |
| get onto a dance floor and be able to do an | | | | the right side. It is important that you shift your |
| easy-to-learn dance with complete confidence. | | | | weight each time you step. This will usually be done |
| Dancing is also good exercise, and this exercise is fun | | | | in time with the music, and if you have a bit of |
| to do and will greatly enhance your social life. | | | | rhythm in you, this will make learning a lot easier. |
| I am not talking about the Texas Two-step or | | | | To sum up, weight on right foot, step left quick, |
| Western Two-step, but rather the old traditional | | | | step right together quick, step left slow, (slight |
| Two-step that your parents or grandparents used to | | | | pause), step right slow (slight pause). Start over again |
| do. It's a dance that has never gone out of style and | | | | with quick,quick,slow,slow. That's all there is to it. |
| makes you look like an expert dancer once you | | | | Wait, there is a bit more. If you keep going |
| master the basics. | | | | sideways, you'll soon bump into a wall, so let's learn |
| If you are under 50 years of age, you have probably | | | | how to turn. |
| never danced with a partner where you held each | | | | As you do the second slow step to the right, step |
| other through the whole dance. | | | | your foot slightly backwards, then do the quick,quick, |
| You may have grown up in the rock and roll era, or | | | | slow sideways, then again on the slow step to the |
| during the disco times, when you got on the floor | | | | right, step backwards. You have hold of your |
| and waved your arms a bit, shuffled your feet a bit | | | | partner, so ever so gently pull with your hand around |
| and maybe wiggled your hips to the music. You really | | | | her waist and push a tiny bit forward with your left |
| didn't need a partner, and if you had one you likely | | | | hand. |
| never held on to each other. | | | | This is called "leading your partner". When you get a |
| If you are a man, being able to do the Two-step and | | | | bit better at this, you can try stepping forward with |
| being able to show and lead a lady how to do the | | | | your left foot on the first slow step. Soon you will be |
| dance, you will be the most popular guy in the room. | | | | twirling your partner around the floor like an expert. |
| I've done it. We would go to a club, up to 15 gals and | | | | With this type of dancing, the flow of dancers goes |
| 2 men in a group, (we were all line dancers) and the | | | | around the outside area of the floor in an |
| other guy wouldn't dance. The ladies learned the | | | | anti-clockwise direction. This helps avoid bumping into |
| two-step in the first song we danced to, and could | | | | other dancers. |
| hardly wait for their turn to do it again. The | | | | Do not try this dance in running shoes or shoes with |
| bartender used to say when we all walked in "Here | | | | non-slip soles. Wear shoes with a leather sole and |
| comes Les and his Harem!" | | | | heel, or a sole that will slide along the floor. There is a |
| Of course, mostly all ladies love to dance, and are | | | | reason for this. When I say above to take a step, it |
| quick to pick it up, so you ladies can learn the | | | | should really mean a slide. You should slide your foot |
| Two-step here and then teach it to your partner. It | | | | rather than lift it, because if you lift it you face the |
| may take a few tries, but most men will eventually | | | | danger of having a very angry partner when you put |
| learn it, because it is so simple. | | | | it down on her toes! At home, try with socks and no |
| Here goes! | | | | shoes to feel really safe! |
| The dance starts with the traditional dance position, | | | | The Two-step can be danced to a lot of different |
| with the man's right arm around the ladies waist and | | | | music. It should have a 4/4 beat, whereas a waltz |
| the left hand holding the ladies right hand at about | | | | has a 3/4 beat. I find country and western music is |
| shoulder height with elbows slightly bent. The ladies | | | | the easiest to dance to, since it has a definite beat |
| left hand rests on the man's shoulder. You should | | | | that fits in perfectly with the Quick, Quick, Slow, |
| stand about a foot apart. | | | | Slow. Try a song like George Strait's "All My ex's Live |
| Leave the 'snuggling up' thing until you really know | | | | in Texas" or Alan Jackson's "Summertime Blues". |
| the dance. Too close and you might step on your | | | | Practice at home for a while, even if you don't have |
| partners foot. You won't be popular then! | | | | a partner. I danced with a chair when I was learning! |
| I will give all the directions to the man as he is | | | | Just get up on your feet and move them the way I |
| supposed to be the leader, so ladies, you will use the | | | | describe above, slowly at first, and then a bit faster, |
| opposite foot or direction. | | | | incorporating a few turns also. Then put on some |
| Weight on right foot, men. You will take two short | | | | music, listening to the beat. When you feel like going |
| steps sideways to the left, then one step to the | | | | out in public, don't be afraid to get on the floor and |
| right. Repeat. Then repeat again and again and again. | | | | do your stuff. You'll still be a better dancer than all |
| Isn't that easy? That's why it is called the Two-step! | | | | those other people that can only shuffle their feet, |
| Let's now get to the nuts and bolts of this dance. | | | | but mostly, have fun and get some exercise at the |
| The timing of the steps is quick, quick, slow, slow. | | | | same time. |
| The first two steps, left foot, then right foot beside | | | | I hope you have found this informative and |
| the left, are quick, quick. After the second step, your | | | | interesting. |
| weight will be on your right foot. Then step left foot | | | | |