Associate American Smooth
Sample Study Questions
For study and preperation of the Theory Section of the Professional Exam
Instructions
Below, you will find 20 random questions related to the Dance Vision Bronze American Smooth Syllabus that may be asked by an examiner during an Associate Smooth exam. Please read each question and think about how you would answer and/or demonstrate. To prepare, the Candidate should study the Dance Vision Videos and/or App and Manual: American Style Syllabus, Dance Vision AM Bronze: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, V. Waltz.
After you have gone over the questions, select “Check Your Answers” at the bottom and each answer will be revealed underneath the question.
- Have another person question you as you demonstrate / explain your answers.
- Each time you take this practice exam, all questions are randomized; You may retake this quiz as many times as you'd like to prepare for your exam by refreshing your browser window.
- Almost all answers require a demonstration. This should be understood by the Candidates training and the examiner should not have to remind the candidate to demonstrate their answers.
Resources
- WALTZ
1B. Box w/UAT
2. Progressive
4A. Balance Steps
5A. Simple Twinkle
7. Face to Face, Back to Back
8A. Reverse Turn
9B. Natural Tun w/UAT
10. Progressive Twinkles
12. Grapevine
13. Promenade Chasse
- TANGO
1A. Basic (Straight)
1B. Basic (Curving)
2A. Promenade Turning Left
2B. Promenade Turning Right
3. Single Corté
4. Progressive Rocks
5A. Open Fan
8A. Reverse Turn
11A. Change of Places†
12. Twist Turn to the Right
- FOXTROT
1. Basic
2. Promenade
3A. Rock Turn to Left (Left Rock Turn)
3B. Rock Turn to Right (Right Rock Turn)
4. Sway Step
6B. Zig Zag Outside Partner
8A. Twinkle
9. Promenade Twinkles
11. Grapevine
13. Promenade Pivot
- VIENNESE WALTZ
1. Balance Steps
2B. Fifth Position Breaks w/UAT
3. Left Turn (Reverse Turn)
5A. Cross Body Lead
5B. Cross Body Lead w/UAT
6. Hand to Hand
7A/B. LF and RF Forward/ Backward Progressive Changes
8. Right Turn
9. Change of Place. 4B. Man's Chasse'
10. Curtsey & Bow
The following techniques and principles will be covered in the questions on the following pages And are designed for Candidates to understand these terms in the context of where they appear in the figures.
- Music Terminology
- Time Signature, Tempo and Beat Value
- Counts-Multiple methods
- Slows and Quicks (Rhythm Count)
- Numbers (Timing Count)
- Beat Value
- Beats and Bars
- Teaching counts
- Dance Positons and Holds
- Closed Position
- Outside Partner (on the Right Side)
- Outside Partner (on the Left Side)
- Promenade Position
- Open Counter Promenade Position
- Open Facing - One or Two Hand Hold
- 90 Degree Angle
- Left Side Position (Left side by side)
- Right Side Position (Right side by side)
- Inverted Prom. & C. Prom.
- Back to Back
- Right Shadow Position (Tango Rocks only)
- Holds
- Traditional Ballroom Hold
- Alternative/Traditional Hold
- Frame Hold
- Double Hand Hold
- Single Hand Hold
- *Handshake (Waltz) Waterfall only
- *Combination of Frame Hold and Hand Holds
- Foot Positions
- Forward, Back, Side etc.
- Across in CBMP
- CBMP
- Pivoting Action
- Pivot(s)
- Brush Tap
- Replace
- Swivel (Fan)
- Leg extended with the toe pointed (forward, back, side)
- Twist Turn
- Toe Turned Out (TTO)
- Position Held
- Close slightly forward or back (3rd foot positon)
- Alignments
- Facing , Backing or Pointing:
- LOD Line of Dance
- Diagonal Center
- Center
- Diagonal Center Against LOD
- Against LOD
- Diagonal Wall Against LOD
- Wall
- Diagonal Wall
- Facing , Backing or Pointing:
- Amount of Turn and Terms
- Body Turns Less (BTL)
- Outside and Inside of Turn
- Underarm Turn
Overall - Up to
between - On
- Commence
- Pivots (under Foot Position in the manual)
- Rise and Fall
- Gradual Rise (main Rise and Fall for Waltz)
words used - commence, continue - Quick Rise (Main Rise and Fall for Foxtrot)
words used - Riese e/o , Up - NFR (No Foot Rise)
- Body Rise
- Gradual Rise (main Rise and Fall for Waltz)
- Footwork
- Heel, Toe, Ball etc.
- Flat
- Pressure
- Body Actions
- Contra Body Movement (CBM)
- Sway
- Side Lead
- Free/Styling Arm
What is the Alignment of the Basic in Bronze Foxtrot?
Facing LOD throughout
What is the Foot Position of Step #1 for the LEADER in the Grapevine in Bronze Waltz?
Left foot diagonally forward, Left side leading.
Dance as LEADER and give a Summary of the Open Fan in Bronze Tango.
Steps 1 and 2 of Promenade Turning Left (SS), Forward check releasing R hand hold to end in Left Side Position and Flick (Brush Tap) (QQ&S), Open fan from Open Counter Promenade Position to Open Promenade Position (S), then lead Follower to Closed Position. S Tango Close QQS.
Demonstrate & Explain Promenade Position.
Leader’s right side and the Follower’s left side are in contact (or in a close or extended Proximity for Open Promenade Positions) with Follower behind Leader’s right hip; the opposite sides of their bodies are open in a V-shape,, Leader looking left and Follower looking right.
Progressive Twinkles in the Bronze Waltz is shown in the Traditional Ballroom (closed hold). What other Hold can be used?
A Double Hand Hold (left to left and right to right).
As LEADER, give the Foot Positions of Steps #1-2 in Zig Zag Outside Partner in Bronze Foxtrot
1. Left Foot diagonally forward, Left Side Leading (preparing to step outside partner) 2. RF forward in CBMP.
How many Beats does it take to complete the Tango Basic?
Eight Beats. (Candidate should demonstrate and count out the 8 beats.)
What are the new elements introduced in the Open Fan of the Bronze Tango?
Flick (Brush Tap), the Open Fan, Left Side Position (explosion), Open Counter Promenade and Open Promenade Dance Positions.
Give the LEADER’S starting and ending Alignment for Promenade Turning Left in Bronze Tango.
Commence Facing Diagonal Wall (F DW), End Facing Diagonal Center (F DC) (or DW of new LOD if danced at a corner)
Demonstrate the Box with Underarm Turn in Bronze Waltz as Leader or Follower
Demonstration: Remember to give Starting and ending Dance Position(s) and Alignments. Demonstrate giving the counts.
As LEADER, give the Foot Positions of steps 1 to 3 of the Progressive in Bronze Waltz.
1. LF forward, 2. RF side and slightly forward, 3. LF closes to RF
How are the Foot Positions of the forward walks as LEADER different when the Basic Step is Curved in Bronze Tango?
1. LF forward will be in CBMP, 2.RF forward curving to L (NOTE: can add right side / RS leading) . 3. LF forward in CBMP.
The Tango Walk is different than the walk in the Swing dances (Waltz, Foxtrot, V. Waltz). Please explain the Tango Walk
The Tango Walk has no Rise & Fall as in the swing dances (Waltz, Foxtrot, V. Waltz). The feet are placed in a staccato action unlike the swing dances where the feet glide along the floor. The walks are flatter (lower in the legs) and the footwork will be “Ball” as opposed to “Toes” in the swing dances. Side steps will often use and inside edge (ex: “IE”)
Give the definition of a Pivoting Action.
Pivoting action is a rotation usually on the right foot as in a pivot, however the left foot is not held in CBMP but moves to an open positon of the leg (usually back and slightly to the left or leftwards). In a pivot the free foot is held in CBMP.
What is the Time Signature of the Bronze Waltz and the Beat Value for each step of a Box Step for example?
3/4 is the Time Signature; The Beat Value is one beat per step. A Box Step is one beat for each weight change.
How does the LEADER achieve Left Side Position (LSP) in Change of Places (Man’s Chasse) in Bronze Tango?
Dance steps 1 to 5 of the Open Fan.
As LEADER, Give the Footwork of the twist (steps 4,5,6) in Twist Turn to the Right in Bronze Tango
4. B, 5. B of RF pressure on H of LF, 6. RF flat, I.E of B of LF
