TUTORIAL: CHA CHA CHA

 

  Embellishments Home       Basic Tap       Circles       Flick       Cha Cha Cha       Foot Exercises       Workshops        

Dancer in Videos: Jennifer Bratt

Comme il Faut shoes available here at MalevaShoes.com


Any time the leader leads a movement on the beat ("slow"), your single step can be replaced with a triple step or "cha cha cha". Instead of taking one big step, you are taking three fluttering baby steps and you are still winding up in the same place the leader wanted you to go, and on the same foot the leader is expecting you to be on. You are doing these small, very quick steps up on your toes so you can be fast and light.


Timing 


Count out each beat as '1,2,3,4' with '1' being the downbeat which we are being led to step on, '3' being the upbeat, and '2' and '4' being the syncopated accents in between. The "cha cha cha" adds two extra steps in between the downbeats. Its is typically done on the '1,2,3-1' rhythm, but there are other possibilities:

Rhythmic Combinations for "cha cha cha"
'1,2,3-1'
'1-3,4,1'
'1,2-4,1'

Where to do Cha Cha Cha

This embellishment works really well in forward steps, especially anytime the leader has you walk forward continuously on the beat. Remember it only works when the leader has you step on the beat, not during a double-time ('quick, quick' ) step. You can replace the forward step in the first half of the ocho cortado with a "cha cha cha", as well as the forward cross step at the end of the ocho cortado. 

You can also use "cha cha chas" in side steps (including side steps in turns), ochos forward and back (great for when the floor is sticky and you can't pivot well!), in the cross.... the list goes on... The place that it is very tricky to put this embellishment is when you are walking backwards and the leader is walking forward in line with you. Although I've even seen it done here!

"Cha cha chas" are also great 'fix-it' steps: Anytime you step slightly off (or the leader knocks you off) balance, correct the mistake with two little flutter steps to put yourself back on axis!

Exercises for Home

-Walk forward around a room, stepping on the beat. Now practice replacing every step forward with your right foot with a "cha cha cha", while keeping your forward step with the left smooth and on the whole beat. Switch sides and replace every step forward with your left foot with a "cha cha cha". Then do both sides at once so that you have a continuous string of "cha cha chas" around the room, with the rhythm '1,2,3-1,2,3-1,2,3-1,2,3'....

-Do a box step in place. Replace each step your right foot does with a "cha cha cha". Then replace each step with the left with a "cha cha cha". Now do every step with a "cha cha cha".

-As an advanced variation on the box step exercise above, do every step on the right foot with a "cha cha cha" and every step on the left with a tap on the upbeat. Switch sides. Your rhythm will be "1,2,3--1,3-- 1,2,3-- 1,3-" ...


Cha cha cha embellishment during the forward step and the forward "cross" step of the ocho cortado. You are replacing each "slow" step of the "quick, quick, slow - quick, quick, slow" pattern with a cha cha cha.




Cha cha cha embellishment during ochos. 


Demo after a ladies' technique workshop with Jennifer Bratt. Variations on the "milonguero dip" forward ocho are shown. Embellishments include cha cha chas on the forward walking steps, a flick on the back cross step of the the half turns and taps on the forward ocho.