Pattern list for Richard's ABD Classes
(I, II, & sometimes III)
Brief explanation of format.
The patterns are listed roughly in the order taught, although this may be highly variable. Colors and fonts indicate the probable range of any given class, although the actual progress depends entirely upon the performance of a given class. The level II class will start wherever the level I class finished, for better or worse; any overlap between levels I and II (italics) indicate the typical range of variation among classes, and so level II will probably start somewhere in the overlapping region. A more solid point cannot be given as these classes are fairly organic and grow to a different shape each time they are taught. Not all patterns in the level II range will be taught every time, but a variety of those shown; exceptional classes might be introduced to all of the skills for the patterns, though. ( ) Parenthesis indicate that the pattern is only rarely done, or not usually given a big effort, although it would be done if the class really showed an interest.
N.B. The skills and techniques taught in each level are expected of students in any class above that level. Since Don and Richard teach different syllabi and different skill sets, students should not assume that one teacher's level one class will serve as an adequate preparation for the other's level II.
Level ILevel II
Either I or II
Usually III, but might show up in II
- Foxtrot
- Basic
- Direction change, turning left
- Turning basic
- Direction change, side rock
- (Direction change, turning right)
- Promenade basic
- Promenade under-arm turn
- Box basic
- Twinkle
- Triple twinkle
- Fallaway twinkle
- Promenade pivot
- Running steps
- Waltz
- Box basic
- Natural under-arm turn
- Progressive basic
- Balance steps, forward & back
- Balance steps, left & right
- (Balance steps, 5th position)
- Left turning box, ¼ turn
- Left turning box, 3/8 turn
- Right turning box, ¼ turn
- Right turning box, 3/8 turn
- Twinkle
- Promenade chassé
- Progressive twinkles
- Fallaway and rocks
- Tango
- Basic
- Medio corté
- Transition to promenade
- Promenade turning left
- Promenade turning right
- Rock and corté without & with turn
- Open fan variation
- Progressive rocks
- Left turning rocks
- Right side fans
- Running steps
- Three fan combination
- Contra rocks
- Viennese Waltz
- Balance steps, forward & backward
- Balance steps, side to side
- Progressive balance steps
- Left cross turn
- Right turns
- Cross-body lead
- Open side balance steps
- Back spot turn
- Peabody
- Walks
- Gallop
- Running steps
- Walking swivels
- Six-count left turn
- Eight-count right turn
- Grapevines from left & right turns
- Four-count left turn
- Six-count right turn
- Spin turn
- Check & hop
- Rumba
- Box basic
- Natural under-arm turn
- Fifth position breaks
- Cross-body lead
- Progressive rock steps
- Left-turning rocks
- Closed Cuban walks
- Open Cuban walks
- Offset breaks
- Back spot turn
- Forward spot turn
- Wrap around
- Cha Cha
- Split box basic
- Progressive basic
- Natural under-arm turn
- Single cross-over breaks
- Double cross-over breaks
- Two-way under-arm turn
- Chase turns--half
- Chase turns--full, double
- Cross triples
- Double natural under-arm turn
- 1½ reverse under-arm turn
- Back spot turns
- Parallel breaks
- Inverted Turkish towel (Peek-a-boo)
- East Coast Swing
- Triple basic
- Single basic
- Release break
- Natural under-arm turn
- Reverse under-arm turn
- Reverse under-arm turn with man turning
- Cuddle
- Back passes, a.k.a. Easy turn & sleazy turn
- Closed tuck-in turn
- Open tuck-in turn
- Continuous tuck, closed & open
- Lindy rhythms, in place, right (&left)
- Slingshot
- Bolero
- Split box basic
- Open break
- Natural under-arm turn
- Reverse side pass
- Open cross-body lead
- Fifth position breaks
- Cross-over breaks
- Slow lunge
- Back spot turn
- Contra rock
- Back spot turn to ripple cuddle
- Attitude tornillo
- Back to back line
- Break combinations
- West Coast Swing
- (Basic to throwout)
- (Link to closed basic)
- Sugar Push
- Left side pass
- Under-arm side pass
- Right side pass
- Tuck-in turn
- Right hand tuck-in turn
- Surprise tuck-in turn
- Natural whip
- Whip with natural under-arm turn ending
- Whip with reverse under-arm turn ending
- Whip with natural free turn ending
- Whip with natural hand-change turn ending
- Continuous whip
- Right side pass with 1½ reverse underarm turn
- Right side pass with over-tuck turn
- Syncopated walks
- Mambo
- Split box basic
- Progressive basic
- Break steps forward & back
- Break steps, side to side--with & without turn
- Cross-body lead
- Natural under-arm turn
- Two-way under-arm turn
- Chase turns--half, full, double
- Reverse under-arm turn
- Cross-over breaks
- Fifth position breaks, with twinkle ending
- Back spot turn
- Cross-over swivels
- Samba
- Basic, forward and back
- Basic, left turning box
- Fifth position breaks
- Progressive fifth position breaks
- Triple chassé
- Traveling chassé
- Copacabana / Promenade conversa
- Left cross turn / Samba roll
- Open Copacabana / Reverse Conversa
- Copa / Conversa combination
- Back spot turn
We occassionally do dances in the International style, such as Quickstep, but I am listing only the American style dances on this page.
Keep in mind that the figures are just tools to be used in developing skills and techniques that carry across many different dances.