Contra body movement
Encyclopedia
Contra body movement is a term used in ballroom dance
s, such as Waltz
, Foxtrot
, Tango
, Quickstep
. It describes a specific coordination of the movement of a dancer's body when doing or preparing to do a step which involves rotation.
The overall effect and intention of CBM is smooth transition from linear to rotational movement. Thus, CBM is often followed by sway
.
An exaggerated CBM is the basic of some specific dance move
s, e.g., Chicken Walks in Jive
and East Coast Swing
.
The term is slightly verbose in an attempt to make it self-describing and to stress the similarity of the dancer's feet position with respect to the body as if a step with CBM was performed.
However the most important usage of this term in Ballroom dancing is to describe steps when a foot moves across the standing foot, while the torso moves in the same direction as the moving foot without rotation. CBMP is routinely used in steps taken in promenade position
or outside partner step in order to maintain the relative body position of the couple. CBMP and CBM often occur together in turning steps commenced outside partner or in promenade, but in such case the CBMP is required by the commencing position and is not a result of the turn.
In the ballroom tango, most forward steps of the man's left foot are placed in front of the right foot in CBMP , due to the tango's characteristic compact hold and movement slightly biased towards the right side of the body. Forward steps of the left foot in tango which commence a reverse (left) turn will also utilize CBM in the body in addition to a CBMP foot position.
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
s, such as Waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
, Foxtrot
Foxtrot (Dance)
The foxtrot is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band music, and the feeling is one of elegance and sophistication...
, Tango
Tango (dance)
Tango dance originated in the area of the Rio de la Plata , and spread to the rest of the world soon after....
, Quickstep
Quickstep
The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events...
. It describes a specific coordination of the movement of a dancer's body when doing or preparing to do a step which involves rotation.
Creating CBM
CBM is turning the right side of the body towards a left moving leg or turning the left side of the body towards a right moving leg. The body and the leg must move at the same time, and not one after the other. CBM occurs on forward or backward steps only (or diagonal steps which still feature forward or backward movement), and not on side steps. Thus, CBM occurs in the following four scenarios:- The left leg moves forward as the right side of the body moves forward (the torso rotates to the left)
- The left leg moves backward as the right side of the body moves backward (the torso rotates to the right)
- The right leg moves forward as the left side of the body moves forward (the torso rotates to the right)
- The right leg moves backward as the left side of the body moves backward (the torso rotates to the left)
The overall effect and intention of CBM is smooth transition from linear to rotational movement. Thus, CBM is often followed by sway
Sway (dance)
The term sway has a specific meaning in the technique of ballroom dances. Basically, it describes a dancer's body position in which the entire body gracefully deflects from the vertical. Entrance to and exit from this position are matters of fine technical detail and differs in various dance...
.
Examples
One occurrence of CBM can be observed in a left rock (adlib) turn in American Foxtrot. As the leader takes his second step (the second "slow"), CBM occurs as the right leg moves backward and the left side of the body moves backward, causing the body to begin rotation to the left. Similarly, as the follower takes her second step (the second "slow"), CBM occurs as the left leg moves forward and the right side of the torso moves forward, causing the body to begin rotation to the left.An exaggerated CBM is the basic of some specific dance move
Dance move
Dance moves or dance steps are the building blocks of many dances.More complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures or dance variations....
s, e.g., Chicken Walks in Jive
Jive (dance)
In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance...
and East Coast Swing
East Coast Swing
East Coast Swing is a form of social partner dance. It belongs to the group of swing dances. It is danced under fast swing music, including rock and roll and boogie-woogie....
.
Contra body movement position (CBMP)
Contra body movement position (CBMP) is a position rather than a movement. CBMP is the foot position achieved when the moving foot is placed on or across the line of the standing foot, in front of or behind it.The term is slightly verbose in an attempt to make it self-describing and to stress the similarity of the dancer's feet position with respect to the body as if a step with CBM was performed.
However the most important usage of this term in Ballroom dancing is to describe steps when a foot moves across the standing foot, while the torso moves in the same direction as the moving foot without rotation. CBMP is routinely used in steps taken in promenade position
Promenade position
The promenade position is a dance position in ballroom and other dances. It is described differently in various dance categories.-Connection:...
or outside partner step in order to maintain the relative body position of the couple. CBMP and CBM often occur together in turning steps commenced outside partner or in promenade, but in such case the CBMP is required by the commencing position and is not a result of the turn.
In the ballroom tango, most forward steps of the man's left foot are placed in front of the right foot in CBMP , due to the tango's characteristic compact hold and movement slightly biased towards the right side of the body. Forward steps of the left foot in tango which commence a reverse (left) turn will also utilize CBM in the body in addition to a CBMP foot position.