Patterns and Routines for the 19 Dances
by Jonathan Rowell, May 2003

This archive site is to help the members of the Cornell University Dancesport Club, and other interested parties, with learning both individual figures for the 19 dances as well as how to amalgamate them into routines. In addition, most of the routines, because of their relatively short length, make useful learning tools.

These documents are not meant to replace whatever instruction you are currently receiving or will receive in the future. Rather, it is supplemental to the main class instruction, like a recitation or lab section.

The format of each file is as follows:

1. a brief mention of anything interesting about the dance in question, either styling or historical.
2. a list and description of the recognized patterns, by syllabus grouping. Descriptions may include instructions or clarifications of the steps, aliases that the figure goes by, and my opinion/outlook on the figure. "Recognized" is a bit nebulous among American style dances. I've listed in Bronze both competitive and social figures. The lists of "gold" figures should be treated with great circumspection.
3. a list of mini routines ranging from 3 measures to of music to over 30, but with most tending to 10 to 15 measures. I have attempted to provide routines with two competing goals in mind: development of a theme (building a simple routine into a more complex one) and exposure to as many precede-follow combinations as possible (to help you avoid ruts in your dancing).
4. additional material, not written by me, that might prove useful.

The information contained in these files has been compiled from a variety of sources including, but not limited to: personal dance notes, the USISTD and NDCA recognized syllabi, instructors such as Maurice Fernandez, Dan Calloway, Tom Eurick, and Chris Martin, and online references, both official and amateur (U Michigan and someone known only as Jacie). All errors, both stylistically and substantively, lie solely with this author. Corrections, suggestions and questions can be sent to Jonathan Rowell.

Notes: Because of a lack of familiarity and/or access to material to fill my knowledge gaps, the following dances are in various states of completedness: American and International Viennese Waltz (combined file with minimal commenting), Bolero (omitted Bronze routines identical to Rumba with the timing and style distinctions), and Paso Doble (3/4 complete on discription, 1/4 on routines). None of these dances are included in the list of Syllabus Mastery Routines

SMOOTH

Waltz | Foxtrot | Tango | Viennese Waltz

STANDARD

Waltz | Foxtrot | Tango | Viennese Waltz | Quickstep

RHYTHM

Cha Cha | Rumba | Bolero | Swing | Mambo

LATIN

Cha Cha | Rumba | Samba | Paso Doble | Jive

SYLLABUS MASTERY ROUTINES

Syllabus Mastery Routine

Data compiled by Jonathan Rowell