"How-to" Misirlou
"How-to" Introductory Materials.
Basic Dance
Rhythm: S Q Q; 4/4 time; 16 beats per pattern (12 counts).
Arms relaxed with bent elbows (W hold). Usually danced in long
lines; leader is on the R end of the line. The leader calls
variations for the line to dance.
Weight on R foot, facing center.
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q &:
Repeat, or do a variation....
Dance Variations
Fandango
Leader signals this variation by calling "Fandango".
Weight on R foot, facing center.
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
Repeat from * as many times as leader desires.
Return to Basic after count (9):
Swivel (10), touch (11), R (12): Back Up (Greek Fandango)
Leader signals this variation by dropping arms to the V hold (straight arms).
Weight on R foot, facing center.
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q:
If leader drops arms to V hold: repeat another Back Up variation.
If leader raises arms to W hold: return to Basic
Point Step
Leader signals this variation by pointing toward the floor.
Weight on R foot, facing center.
S, S:
S, S:
S, S:
Q, Q, Q, Q:
If leader points toward floor: repeat another Point Step variation.
If leader signals for Basic (horizontal wave toward floor): step
L on L (weight on L), point R toe forward, step back on R (weight
on R), then begin the Basic step.
Grapevine
Leader signals this variation by crossing middle finger over index finger.
Grapevine variation should be done an even number of times (2 or 4).
Weight on R foot, facing center.
S, Q, Q:
S
Q, Q, Q, Q:
S:
Q, Q, Q, Q:
Repeat the Grapevine variation until the leader signals for the
Basic step (horizontal wave toward floor); then point R toe
forward, step back on R (weight on R), and begin the Basic step.
Four In
Leader signals this variation by extending four fingers.
Weight on R foot, facing center.
S, Q, Q:
S:
S, S, S:
S, Q, Q:
S, Q, Q. Q:
S, S, S:
S, Q, Q:
If leader extends four fingers: repeat another Four In variation.
If leader signals for Basic (horizontal wave toward floor): return to the
Basic step.
Tap (1), L (2), R (3):
point L toe toward center; circle L behind R & step on L;
face LOD (right, counterclockwise) & step on R.
Pivot (4), R (5), L (6):
cross L in front of R, step on L, &
Pivot 180 degrees on ball of L foot (to face left, opposite LOD);
step on R (now moving left, clockwise); step on L.
Lift (7), back (8), back (9):
step on R, lift on ball of R, &
raise L foot (bent knee); step back on L foot (moving backwards);
step back on R.
Swivel (10), touch (11), R (12):
step back on L & swivel body
to face center; touch R toe forward (toward center) & step back
on R foot (feet together, weight on R).
Tap (1), L (2), R (3):
same as Basic.
Pivot (4), R (5), L (6):
same as Basic.
* Lift (7), pivot (8), R (9):
step on R, lift on ball of
R, & raise L foot (bent knee); step back on L foot & pivot 180
degrees to face LOD(right, counterclockwise); step on R.
Pivot (10), R (11), L (12):
Step on L & pivot 180 degrees on
ball of L to face left (clockwise, opposite LOD); step on R (now
moving left, clockwise); step on L.
Step back on L & swivel body
to face center; touch R toe forward (toward center) & step back
on R foot (feet together, weight on R).
Tap (1), L (2), R (3),:
same as Basic.
L (4), back (5), L (6):
cross L in front of R, step forward
(counterclockwise) on L; step back on R (beginning to back up,
moving clockwise); step back on L.
R (7), pivot (8), back (9):
Step back on R; pivot 180 degrees on
R heel (to back up counterclockwise), raising arms; step back on
L foot (moving backwards); step back on R.
Swivel (10), touch (11), R (12):
Step back on L & swivel body
to face center; touch R toe forward (toward center) & step back
on R foot (feet together, weight on R).
Point, Point:
point L toe to front, then point L toe to L side
(weight remains on R); turn head in same direction as foot.
Point, Point:
repeat.
L, R:
Step forward on L, crossing L over R; step forward on R,
crossing R over L; weight on R.
4 step Grapevine to R:
Step to L on L, cross R in back of L
(weight on R), step to the L on L, cross R in front of L (weight on R)
Tap (1), L (2), R (3),:
point L toe toward center; circle L behind R & step on L; side step on R.
Cross: cross L in front of R, step on L (weight on L);
Grapevine to L:
Cross R over L (weight on R), step to L on L,
cross R in back of L (weight on R), step to the L on L, cross R
in front of L (weight on R).
Cross:
Cross L in front of R, step on L (weight on L);
Grapevine to R:
Step to R on R, cross L in back of R (weight on
L), step to the R on R, cross L in front of R (weight on L), step
R on R (weight on R).
Tap (1), L (2), R (3),:
point L toe toward center; circle L
behind R & step on L; side step on R.
Cross (4):
Cross L in front of R (weight on L, moving toward center).
Cross, cross, cross :
Cross R in front of L; cross L in front of
R; cross R in front of L (weight on R).
L, point, back:
Step on L, point R toe forward; step back on R (beside L).
Tap, L, R, L:
moving backwards, point L toe forward; bring L
behind R (weight on L), rock forward on R, rock back on L (weight on L).
Cross, cross, cross:
Moving backwards, cross R behind L; cross L
behind R; cross R behind L.
L, point, back:
L behind R (weight on L), point R toe forward;
step back on R (beside L).
