PATTERNS AND ROUTINES FOR INTERNATIONAL RUMBA copyright Jonathan Tyrone Rowell, 2003 Notes: 1) International Rumba has only a partial overlap with American Rumba. Only the slot figures are common in both. International Rumba breaks on the 2 rather than the 1 or 3. 2) The bronze and silver syllabus are almost identical to those of Int. Cha Cha. Only at the Gold level do we see a solid separation of the two dances. 3) Rumba is about love, but this covers a range from passion, to forbidden love, or even pained love where one partner strives for forgiveness from the other. Bronze 1. Basic Movements (Closed, Open, Alternative) - Closed Basic (need not be CP) is down with the slow to the side, and Open Basic takes the slow forward and back. The little used Alternative Basic replaces break action of the Closed Basic with together-in place. Once you start adding figures to your dancing, use the basic sparingly. Int Rumba is slow and a single Basic will take up to 5 seconds to complete. 2. Cucarachas - break in any direction, replace, and close. 3. New York - aka Cross Over Break (Am style). The use of New York(er)s in Rumba carries a small style controversy. Some say its a power move (ala Cha Cha) and thus at odds with the mood of rumba. Others (like me) think that there are enough variations of speed (arms, breaking) to convey a a host of emotions. 4. Spot Turns Left and Right - aka Switch Turns, identical to American style spot turns and spot turns in Int Cha Cha 4b. Underarm Turns Left and Right - switch turns for the lady (guy breaks) under joined arms, typically her right hand in his left 5. Shoulder to Shoulder - aka Outside or Parallel Breaks (Am Style). This move is also featured in Cha Cha, but I think Rumba makes better image use of the contrasting separation and togetherness. Only use double hold in International Style, with woman going back (other holds and directions possible in Am Style) 6. Hand to Hand - the "opposite" of a New York, aka 5th position breaks. on breaking, open out away from partner to break backwards. 7. Progressive Walks Forward & Back - typically only in Open Position with one-hand hold. Rumba does not make as good use of expansion and contraction in the Walks as Cha Cha does in the locks of Three Cha Chas. 7b. Progressive Walks Fwd in LSP or RSP - Walks fwd in side by side position, typically after performing a Hand to Hand. 8. Side Steps - couple is square, steps are either side or together depending on foot and direction 9. Cuban Rocks - weight shifts with feet separated 9b. Syncopated Cuban Rocks - four weight shifts with the rhythm 2 & 3 4-1. Note you will end up with same foot free as you started with. 10. Fan - first of the high Bronze figures, it is the international analogue, in part, to the Cross Body Lead, but leaves the couple apart at right angles. There are two variations for styling, one in closed position the other in promenade position. The Promenade Position is considered a development, but some don't like the "look" of it. 11. Alemana - typically second Fan Position move learned. The Alemana is an underarm turn (last 3 steps), but it is not a spot turn. Spot turns have an anchor foot (the non breaking foot), that stays in place the whole time. With the Alemana, the turn is accomplished with three forward steps, each tracking under the body. In addition, the first three steps are typical of almost all figures out of Fan Position. It is the first intro to hip twisting (a small one on the collect and fwd). 12. Hockey Stick - typically first Fan Position move learned. The first three steps as the Alemana. Turn 1/8L then take two steps fwd (LR), pivot 1/2L on the RF and step back into OP. 13. Natural Top - a personal favorite of mine. From CP (usually after 1-3 Open Basic or Progressive Walks Back), man crosses his RF behind the LF (called a Cuban Cross) and steps side with LF. This sequence is repeated, in normal rhythm, until he can close RF to LF on 4-1 (thus 1, 3 or 5 measures). The woman walks LF side, RF fwd with her RF constrained to either a small circle between the couple, or fixed in place. There are two interesting modifications that can be made to the Top. One is that it is ended after the second measure and followed by 4-6 of the Hockey Stick. The other is that it is danced for 3 or 5 measures, and on measures 2 and 4 the woman is lead to dance a an Underarm turn to her Left. 14. Opening Out Right and Left - this is the great passion moment of Rumba. The man dances Cucarachas while allowing his partner to open out first on his right side and then on his left side. For each opening, only a single arm on her back. On the slows, when you switch the supporting arm, stare deeply into one another's eyes. 15. Natural Opening Out Movement - Despite the mini-twist of Hockey Stick and Alemana, this is where the lessons of hip twisting should really begin. Therefore it's important to stress that there is **NO** hip twisting in this move. All too often, followers are taught the Closed Hip Twist (see below) as their first ending move from the Top. Consequently, they try to dance the hip twist immediately after any Natural Opening Out that keeps the L2R hold, even when the leader just wants the Opening Out so that he can go into Reverse Top. Ladies, please learn this move first so that you understand 1) it is a move in its own right, and 2) that hip twists are to be led. 16. Closed Hip Twist - The Closed Hip Twist is like the the Natural Opening Out Movement, but it includes a hip twist action after the break-replace. The lady wants to take 3 as a close or fwd to his R side (1/2L on LF), then 1/4R on RF .The accompanying turn is lead from the hips (hence "hip twist"), and the lady dances across the man two steps (LR) pivots 1/2L and a back step. The body doesn't finish turn until after the back step is complete. Routines Master of Syllabus Routine (52m) Closed Basic, Cucarachas LR, Fan, Alemana, Closed Hip Twist, Hockey Stick, Open Basic, Progressive Walks Fwd, 1-3 Open Basic, Progressive Walks Back, Natural Top (3), Opening Out to R and L, Natural Opening Out, UAT RL, NY RLR, Switch Turn RL, Shoulder to Shoulder LR, NY L, Hand to Hand L to PWF in LSP, Hand to Hand RLR to PWF in RSP, NY R, Side Steps to R (LF,RF), Cuban Rocks LRL, Side Steps to L (RL, LF), UAT R 1. (4m) Closed Basic, 1-3 Closed Basic, Underarm Turn R 2. (6m) Closed Basic, New York LRL, Underarm Turn R 3. (10m) Closed Basic, New York L, Hand to Hand LR, Spot Turn LRL, New York L, Underarm Turn R 4. (8m) 1-3 Closed Basic, Cuban Rocks RL, Hand to Hand L, Progressive Walks Fwd in LSP, Underarm Turn L, 4-6 Closed Basic 5. (10m) Closed Basic, NY L, H2H L, NY LR, H2H R, NY R, Closed Basic 6. (12m) Closed Basic, Side Step LF to R, Cucarachas RL, Side step RF to R, H2H R, Progressive Walks Fwd in RSP, Spot Turn L, Side Step LF to L, Side Step RF to L 7. (12m) Closed Basic, NY L, Spot L, NY LR, Spot RL, Shoulder to Shoulder LRL, Underarm turn R 8. (6m) 1-3 Closed Basic, UAT R, Shoulder to Shoulder L, UAT R, S2S L, UAT R 9. (12m) Closed Basic, Fan, Hockey Stick, Open Basic, 1-3 Open Basic, Progressive Walks Back, UAT R 10. (6m) NY L, 4-6 Fan, Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic, 4-6 Closed Basic 11. (14m) Closed Basic, Cucaracha L, 4-6 Fan, Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic, Progressive Walks Back, 4-6 Fan, Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic, 4-6 Closed Basic 12. (6m) Closed Basic, Fan, Alemana 13. (10m) Closed Basic, Fan, Alemana, Opening Out to R and L, Natural Opening Out Movement, UAT R 14. (8m) Closed Basic, Fan, Alemana, Natural Opening Out Movement, UAT R 15. (6m) Fan, Hockey Stick, Alemana 16. (12m) Fan, Hockey Stick, Alemana, Closed Hip Twist, Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic, UAT R 17. (6m) Fan, Alemana, NY L, UAT R 18. (12m) Fan, Hockey Stick, Open Basic, Progressive Walks Fwd, 1-3 Open Basic, Natural Top (3) 19. (8m) 1-3 Open Basic, Natural Top (3), Opening Out R and L, Closed Hip Twist to OP 20. (10m) 1-3 Open Basic, Natural Top (2), 4-6 Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic, Progressive Walks Back, Natural Top (1), Natural Opening Out, UAT R 21. (10m) 1-3 Open Basic, Natural Top with UAT L (5), Closed Hip Twist, Hockey Stick 22. (16m) Fan, Alemana, Closed Hip Twist, Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic, Natural Top (3), Opening Out R and L, Natural Opening Out, Spot Turn L 23. (20m) Alemana (from basic) / Closed Hip Twist / Hockey Stick / 1-3 Open Basic / Progressive Walks Back / Natural Top x3 / Closed Hip Twist / Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / Switch Turn to L 24. (24m) Alemana (from basic) / Closed Hip Twist / Hockey Stick / 1-3 Open Basic / Progressive Walks Back / Natural Top x3 / Opening Out to R and L / Closed Hip Twist / Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / Progressive Walks Fwd in R Side Position / Switch Turn to L 25. (34m) Alemana (from basic) / Closed Hip Twist / Hockey Stick overturned / New York x 3 / 4-6 Alemana / Closed Hip Twist / Hockey Stick / 1-3 Open Basic / Progressive Walks Back / Natural Top x3 / Opening Out to R and L / Closed Hip Twist / Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / Progressive Walks Fwd in R Side Position / Solo Spot Turns x3 26. (8m) Cuban Rocks x2 (LR) / Alternative Basic for Man and Lady / Basic / Cucarachas x2 27. (8m) Cuban Rocks x2 (LR) / Basic / Side Step L / Cucaracha L / Side Step R / Cucaracha R 28. (12m) Basic / Progressive Walks Forward / 1-3 Basic / Progressive Walks Backward / 4-6 Basic / Side Step L / Cucaracha L / Side Step R / Cucaracha R 29. (8m) Basic / 1-3 Basic / Natural Top x3 / Natural Opening Out Movement / 4-6 Basic 30. (14m) Cuban Rocks x2 (LR) / 1-3 Basic / Progressive Walks Backward / Natural Top x3 / Natural Opening Out Movement / 4-6 Basic / Side Step L Cucaracha L / Side Step R / Cucaracha R 31. (16m) Basic / Fan / Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / 4-6 Alemana / New York x3 / 4-6 Alemana / Basic 32. (20m) Basic / Shoulder to Shoulder - Simple x3 / 4-6 Alemana / Side Step L (L and R) / Cucarachas x3 (LRL) / 4-6 Alemana / 1-3 Basic / Progressive Walks Backward / Natural Top x3 / Natural Opening Out Movement / 4-6 Alemana 33. (8m) Basic / Fan / Alemana / Side Step 34. (10m) Basic / Fan / Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / 4-6 Alemana 35. (10m) Basic / Fan / Alemana / New York x3 / Spot Turn L 36. (10m) Basic / Fan / Hockey Stick / Open Basic to Progressive Walks Backwards / 4-6 Basic 37. (12m) Basic / Fan / Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / Spot Turn L / Side Step 38. (8m) Cucarachas x3 (LRL) / 4-6 Alemana / New York x3 / Spot Turn L 39. (8m) Basic / 1-3 Basic / 4-6 Alemana / Hand to Hand x2 / Cuban Rocks 40. (10m) Basic / Shoulder to Shoulder - Simple x4 / Basic to Progressive Walks Back, 4-6 Basic 41. (10m) Basic opening to CPP / New York x3 / Spot Turn L / Side Step / Cucarachas x2 42. (20m) Fan / Alemana / Fan / Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / Spot Turn L / Fan / Alemana / New York x3 / Spot Turn L 43. (10m) Basic / Fan / Hockey Stick / Basic to Progressive Walks Back / 4-6 Basic *44. (14m) Alemana, Opening Out R and L, Natural Opening Out, Cucaracha RL, 4-6 Basic, Syncopated L Cuban Rocks, L Cuban Rocks, Syncopated R Cuban Rocks, R Cuban Rocks, Fan (UNSETTLED STATUS OF SYNCOPATED ROCKS) Silver/Licentiate 1. Open Hip Twist - similar to the Closed Hip Twist, but an Open Basic is used instead of a Natural Opening Out Movement 2. Reverse Top - you need the plain Natural Opening Out to get into the full Reverse Top. Circling goes counter-clockwise. With LF in place, man goes RF side and then swivel on LF to end LF in front in a Cuban Cross. Woman makes a Cuban Cross with LF behind and steps RF side. This is repeated, in rhythm, up to 3 full measures. steps 4-6/9 can be entered via the the Hip Twist figures or Spiral or Curl when properly turned for Contact Position. 3. Opening Out From Reverse Top - this replaces the last measure of the Reverse Top and ends in Fan Position 4. Aida - curving steps to open out and away from partner into LSP. typically after Hand to Hand in RSP. There are several endings available, but the most common is a LF fwd cuban Rock and spot Turn R (L) turning, over all, 1 3/4 turns 5. Spiral - there are two diffrent things called Spiral. The first is a figure from closed position. The other is the turning action. The Spiral action is the more important, and can be inserted all over the syllabus. With weight on RF (or LF) turn L (or R) allowing the other foot to loosely cross the anchor foot. This is the spiral action. It is usually performed by the follower. The syllabus figure "Spiral" is a Natural Opening Out followed by the spiral action on the RF and ended with two curved fwd walks, pivot and LF back (the guy does Opening Out to Fan) - other ending positions possible 6. Curl - as the Open Hip Twist is to the Closed Hip Twist, so to is the Curl to Spiral. Open Basic Movement as opposed to Natural Opening Out Movement as the first half of the figure. 7. Rope Spinning - Here, the spiraling action takes place between the previous figure (ended LF for Lady) and the Rope Spinning. After the spiraling action to the R, woman takes six fwd walks around man as he does cucarachas (LF side - RF back book style) Routines Master of Syllabus Routine (34m) Open Hip Twist, Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic, Natural Top (1), Spiral, Hockey Stick, Curl to OP, 1-3 Open Basic, Natural Top (1), Natural Opening Out, Reverse Top (2), Opening Out from Reverse Top, Alemana, Natural Opening Out, Reverse Top (3), 1-3 Closed Basic, UAT R, Hand to Hand R, Aida with Rock and Turn ending, Hand to Hand RL, Rope Spinning 1. (12m) Fan, Hockey Stick, Open Hip Twist, Hockey Stick, Open Hip Twist, Alemana 2. (6m) Open Hip Twist to OP, 1-3 Open basic to Natural Top (1), Closed Hip Twist to OP 3. (6m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Natural Opening Out, Reverse Top (3) 4. (10m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (3), Opening Out R and L, Natural Opening Out, Reverse Top (3) 5. (8m) Fan, Alemana Natural Opening Out, Reverse Top (2), Opening Out from Reverse Top 6. (8m) Fan, Alemana, Natural Opening Out, Reverse Top (2), Aida with ending 1, 2 or 3 7. (8m) Fan, Hockey Stick, Open Hip Twist to contact position, 4-9 Reverse Top 8. (8m) Closed Basic, NY L, H2H LR, Aida, ending 1 2 or 3 9. (6m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Spiral, Hockey Stick 10. (4m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Spiral to OP 11. (6m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Spiral to contact position, 4-9 Reverse Top 12. (6m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Spiral to contact position, 4-6 Reverse Top, Spiral action to OP 13. (4m) Hand to Hand R, with or without spiral action to Aida, ending 1 2 or 3 14. (4m) Open Basic, Curl to OP 15. (6m) Open Basic, Curl, Hockey Stick 16. (6m) Open Basic, Curl to contact position, 4-6 Reverse Top, spiral action to OP 17. (6m) Closed Basic, NY L, H2H L, Rope Spinning 18. (12m) Fan, Alemana, Rope Spinning x2, Opening Out R and L, Natural Opening Out Movement, UAT R 19. (6m) Curl, Hockey Stick, Open Hip Twist to OP 20. (28m) OHT to OP, Curl, Alemana, Natural Opening Out, Reverse Top 1-6, Opening Out from Reverse Top, Hockey Stick, 1-3 Open Basic to Nat Top (3), Natural opening Out, Reverse Top (2), spiral action to Aida (ending 1-3), Hand to Hand RL, Rope Spinning, Closed Hip Twist to OP 21. (40m) Open Hip Twist, Hockey Stick, check and Top, Opening Out R and L, Spiral to Aida, rocks and spot turn, Butterfly L, Butterfly R, Fan, Alemana, Closed Hip Twist, Hockey Stick, Natural Top to Hockey Stick, Open Hip Twist to open, Alemana, Shoulder to Shoulder LRL, UAT R 22. (3m) Progressive Walks Back / Syncopated Cuban Rocks 23. (6m) Open Hip Twist / Alemana / Spiral to open facing 24. (8m) Alemana / Rope Spinning / Opening Out to R and L x3 (RLR) / Spiral action to fan **25. (6m) 1-3 Basic / Natural Top (1-3 normal, 4-6 with Lady's L turn, 7-9 for lady as 4-6 Alemana) / Rope Spinning 26. (8m) Curl / Alemana / Opening Out R and L / Closed Hip Twist 27. (14m) Curl / Hockey Stick / New York x3 / 4-6 Alemana / Hand to Hand x3 / Lady's Spiral action to Aida / Cuban Rock Forward / Spot Turn L 28. (4m) Alemana / Rope Spinning 29. (12m) Open Hip Twist / Hockey Stick / 1-3 Basic / Progressive Walks Backward / Natural Top x3 / Spiral 30. (14m) Spiral / Alemana / Closed Hip Twist / Hockey Stick / New York x3 / 4-6 Alemana / Hand to Hand x2 31. (8m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Natural Opening Out, 1-6 reverse Top, Spiral to Aida, ending Gold/Fellow 1. Sliding Doors - not the same as the swing move of the same name. Closer in feel to swing's shifting of side to side in wrapped position. 2. Fencing - from fan position, the Fencing itself is (after normal Fan position part), a swivel into PP and lunge with RF (LF) - somewhat like a NY to RSP with L2R hold maintained. There are three spin endings available for use, although one can opt to go straight into a NY to LSP, Spot Turn R(L) or UAT L. 3. Three Threes - this one took a while to figure out, but it isn't that hard - if you don't read the manual (very confusing until the moment of crystalization). The figure takes place over four measures of music. Measure 1: do a normal 1-3 Open Basic, but post the L hand for the woman to push off of at the end. This is similar to American spin, but the best example is American Cha Cha's UAT to R with Spin. Lady will spin 1/2R on the half beat. Catch her by the shoulders. Measure 2: very small back rock-together while the lady does a seductive cuban rock with feet together (she may lower slightly by bending knees if desired). At end of measure, use hold on shoulders to spin her completely around to L (let go - but catch again). Measure 3: LF diag fwd Cucaracha, turning body slightly R. She does RF back break, then RF fwd. Use shoulder hold to cause her to spin 1/2R on RF and let go. Measure 4: RF back rock and close. Lady performs an Alemana-style turn with three fwd walks (track under body) to complete a full turn to the right and face man. Alternative ways of dancing 9-12 exist, including doing spot turns and turning Cucarachas. 4. Three Threes with Fan Ending - first three measures as above, but then lead woman across like the ending to hip twist figures. 5. Three Alemanas - normal Alemana, ended with her going to his R side, ended in RSP. Now she performs a Spiral turn to the L (RF slight left), then walks two steps to move towards his left side. finish with another (4-6) Alemana turn. 6. Advanced Hip Twist - Similar to Closed Hip Twist, but 5/8L rather than 1/2L is done after step 2, and the RF is taken fwd OP on 3. 1/4R twist, then curving two fwd walks (1/8L) and 1/2L pivot with LF back. Guy does a back hook on step 3. 7. Continuous Hip Twist - perform 1-3 of Advanced hip Twist. Woman then does three fwd steps with twists (3/8R, 3/8L, 1/8R) and a final 1/4R. Guy has a 1/4R after step 6. You are obliged to perfrom another Hip Twist Figure (alt, Rope Spinning is possible) 8. Circular Hip Twist - start as per Advanced Hip Twist. Then woman will alternate three times twists of 1/4R with LF fwd and 1/2L with RF close. Man will peform lady's part of the reverse top (LF hook, RF side) maintaining as square as possible. Finish as per the Advanced Hip Twist 9. Kiki Walks - Progressive Walks Fwd in Right Shadow Position Routines Mastery of Syllabus Routine (44m) Three Threes, Fan, Sliding Doors, Kiki Walks with 4-6 Fan ending, Three Alemanas, Circular Hip Twists, 4-6 Advanced Hip Twists, Fencing with Spin Ending, Fan Alemana, Advanced Hip Twist to OP, Three Threes with Fan Ending, Alemana, Continuous Hip Twist x2, Advanced Hip Twist, Hockey Stick 1. (10m) Fan, Hockey Stick, Three Threes, 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1) 2. (12m) Open Hip Twist to OP, 1-3 Open, PWB, 4-6 Open, Three Threes with Fan ending, Alemana 3. (12m) Fan, Sliding Doors, 7-12 Sliding Doors, Kiki Walks, (LRL) 4-6 Fan 4. (14m) Curl, Sliding Doors, Kiki Walks with spiral action, ended facing, Aida, ending 4 (Cuban Rock and kiki Walks), 4-6 Closed Basic 5. (10m) Fan, Fencing, NY L, 4-6 fan, Fencing with Spin ending, Closed Basic 6. (8m) Three Threes, Advanced Hip Twist, Hockey Stick 7. (10m) Fan, Three Alemanas, Opening Out R and L, Natural Opening Out, 4-6 Closed Basic 8. (8m) Hand to Hand RL, Rope Spinning, 7-12 Sliding Doors, Spiral 9. (14m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Advanced Hip Twist, Alemana, Advanced Hip Twist, Three Alemanas, Spiral to OP 10. (16m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Continuous Hip Twist, Advanced Hip Twist, Three Alemanas, Continuous Hip Twist x2, Advanced Hip Twist to OP 11. (14m) 1-3 Open, Continuous Hip Twist, Advanced Hip Twist, Alemana, Circular Hip Twist, 4-6 Advanced Hip Twist, Fencing with Spin ending 12. (10m) 1-3 Open, Natural Top (1), Continuous Hip Twist, Circular Hip Twist, 4-6 Advanced Hip Twist to CPP, NY LR 13. (8m) Open Hip Twist / Hockey Stick / Alemana from Open Facing / Advanced Hip Twist 14. (14m) Three Threes / Three Alemanas / Continuous Hip Twist x2, Advanced Hip Twist ***15. Continuous Hip Twist with extra twists for lady (2&34) 16. (10m) Three Alemanas / Opening Out to R and L x3 (RLR) / lady's Spiral turn, man pivots to L taking shadow hold / 4-9 Kiki Walks spiral ending 17. (8m) Alemana with R to R Hand Hold / Advanced Hip Twist with R to R Hand Hold / Three Threes 18. (8m) Curl / Hockey Stick / Three Threes 19. (4m) Alemana with R to R Hand Hold / Advanced Hip Twist with R to R Hand Hold 20. (7m) * Rope Spinning / Opening Out to R and L x3 (RLR) / lady's Spiral turn, man pivots to L taking shadow hold / 4-9 Kiki Walks ended side 21. (8m) Three Alemanas / Continuous Hip Twist / Advanced Hip Twist 22. (4m) Alemana overturned / 7-12 Sliding Doors to open facing