For the first half of the 20th century, Foxtrot was one of the most popular dance forms around the world. If you ask dancers who danced then what they actually danced, Foxtrot is usually high on the list. Relative to its historical popularity, however, Foxtrot is grossly under-appreciated today: most dancers know little more than the Box Step and Magic Step.
When we look at the sources from the time, however, a lot of other interesting variations were described. The goal of this page is to expand the world's Foxtrot knowledge by reviving these lesser known but equally exciting forms.
The 1910s
Introduction
While there are many stories about the origin of the Foxtrot, this one, written by Charles J. Coll in 1919, seems the most plausible:
While I have heard many versions of its origin, have listened to many of its self-styled originators, I have credited Captain Vernon Castle as its originator and preceptor. The story has it that on one of his quests for innovations his attention was called to a certain exclusive colored club. At the time he attended, the members were dancing the Fox Trot, even at that time so-called, and he became enthusiastic over it and determined to bring it out for a little fun for a few, hardly realizing that the dance was to win for itself a high place in the favor of the many.
"But what about Harry Fox," you ask? (The most popular story today goes that the vaudeville actor Harry Fox originated the dance, which bears his name.) I've searched extensively through periodicals from the 1910s and have yet to see a single primary source that connects Mr. Fox and the dance that he supposedly invented. (But if you know of one, I'd love to see it.) While the phrases "Fox Trot" and "Harry Fox" often appear on the same page of a newspaper (it was a popular dance, and he was a popular man), I've yet to see them appear together in the same article.
In any case, here's what Vernon Castle had to say about the dance in 1914, the year it became known to the masses:
So far as the music for this dance is concerned, if you will play an ordinary 'rag' half as fast as you would play it for the one-step you will have a pretty good idea of the music and tempo. And now for the dance itself. Before teaching you the steps I should like you to listen to the music. You will find absolutely no difficulty in dancing to it, but the natural inclination is either to dance very fast steps double time to the music or very slow steps with it. The latter is what most people do, and what is more they seem to enjoy it. But it seems to me that, as to keep up the dance one way is too fast and the other too slow, the only real solution is to combine the two. By doing this you not only make the dance comfortable, but you also make it possible to do a great variety of easy and amusing steps.
Interestingly, if you search for the phrase "fox trot" in periodicals pre-dating the dance's debut in 1914, you'll find that it referred to a kind of horse's gait in which walking and trotting steps are combined. While I've yet to see a primary source that makes this connection between the name of the gait and the dance which both combine walking and trotting steps, it's certainly an interesting coincidence, at the very least.
In the early days of the Fox Trot, a wide variety of slow and quick combinations were piloted. The reconstructable variations are described below:
The Steps
The Castle Fox Trot (1914): This is a family of steps described by Vernon and Irene Castle that combine two slow steps with four quick steps (SSQQQQ):
Basic: Simply back the Follow six steps in this timing (1, 2, 3, and, 4, and) [VC14].
Back Kick: Two slow steps (1, 2), then a quick hop on the second foot (3), a raising of the first foot 90° behind (and), and two quick steps (4, and) [VC14].
Drag Step: Small hop on second foot (&), slide first foot to the side, keeping the second pointed to the floor at side (1), then draw the second up to the first without weight (and). Repeat opposite (& 2 and). Then four quick steps as usual (3, and, 4, and) [VC14].
Promenade and Reverse: Promenade two steps in tango position (both forward towards the hands) (1, 2), then four quick promenade steps (3, and, 4, and). The second time, promenade one slow step toward the hands (5), then turn towards the elbows to take one slow step over the elbows (6), and continue with four quick steps over the elbows (7, and, 8, and) [VC14].
Joan Sawyer's Fox Trot (1914): In Joan Sawyer's version of the Fox Trot, you do a variety of figures from other dances of the time, then back the Follow four or eight quick steps:
The Walk and "Trot": Simply back the Follow in SSSSQQQQQQQQ timing (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and, 6, and, 7, and, 8, and) [JS14].
The Drag Step and "Trot": Two steps of a grapevine toward the center of the room, Lead crossing behind and Follow in front (1, 2), then back the Follow four quick steps along LOD (3, and, 4, and) [JS14].
The Maxixe-Glide and "Trot": Four Maxixe two-steps without turning (QQS x 4), then back the Follow eight steps (Q x 8) [JS14].
Zig-Zag Step and "Trot": Three step grapevine diagonally forward to center, Lead crossing behind as Follow crosses in front (1, and, 2), then repeat diagonally forward to the outside (3, and 4), and back the Follow (an unspecified amount, but probably eight quick steps) [JS14].
Maurice's Fox Trot (1915): Maurice Mouvet's version is similar: do a variety of other steps of the day, then finish up by backing the Follow. But in this case, the back-the-Follow ending can be either quick or slow:
Figure I: Starting Lead's right, back the Follow eight slow steps, swaying very slightly [MM15].
Figure II: Starting Lead's right, back the Follow three quick steps, then eight slow steps [MM15].
Figure III: Four slide galop to the right, four slide galop to the left, then four slow walking steps. It is noted that you can change into the slow walking steps whenever you get into a corner or when the floor is crowded [MM15].
Figure IV: Polka four times, then four slow walking steps. Repeat twice or four times [MM15].
Figure V: Back the Follow eight quick running steps, dancing smoothly on your toes. "This is the real fox trot step," Maurice says [MM15].
Tango (and Maxixe) as Foxtrot: Maurice also writes, "For the accomplished dancer, most of the Tango steps are easily applied to the fox trot by a slight change of rhythm. The Cortez, the Promenade, and the Scissors can all be done with good effect. For that matter, many people use of of the Maxixe figures very well, and truly it does not matter much what actual steps one uses if one has the true musical instinct. An intuitive sense of rhythm and time will make the most ordinary step seem a marvelous achievement" [MM15].
Edna Stuart Lee's Fox Trot (1916): Edna Stuart Lee's self-published guide to the Fox Trot, Thirty Fox Trot Steps, is an absolute treasure trove of early Fox Trot steps. While the timing of some of her more complicated steps can be odd (like Maurice's), they all provide valuable pieces of early Fox Trot vocabulary and a variety of ideas about how to combine them.
The Straight Walk: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4) [EL16].
The Plain Turn: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then circle each other counter-clockwise with four slow steps (5, 6, 7, 8) [EL16].
The Pony Trot: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), followed by four quick steps (5, and, 6, and) [EL16].
The Meditation Glide: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), followed by a smooth four slide galop diagonally forward to the left (5, and, 6, and, 7, and 8) and a smooth four slide galop diagonally forward to the right (9, and, 10, and, 11, and 12). Similar to the Zig Zag Glide below, but more forward [EL16].
The Catch Step: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), followed by a smooth two-step diagonally forward to the left (5, and, 6), and a step forward with the right foot (7) [EL16].
The Scissors Catch: Back the Follow five slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), followed by crossing two-step diagonally forward to the left with the right foot (6, and, 7) [EL16]. The crossing two-step can also be done on the other foot, or one crossing two-step can can be alternated with the other [EL16]. The placement of the Follow's cross step (in front or behind) is unspecified: based on similarly named figures at the time, it's likely meant to cross in front as well, but the Follow crossing behind is also possible.
The Barcarolle: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), followed by four smooth two-steps diagonally forward to the left (5, and, 6), to the right (7, and, 8), to the left (9, and, 10), and to the right (11, and, 12) [EL16].
The Rock-A-Bye: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then quickly rock forward left (5), back right (and), forward left (6), back right (and), slightly raising the free foot, but keeping both feet in the same position, swaying the entire body gently [EL16].
The Viola Dana: Back the Follow two slow steps (1, 2), then two-step diagonally forward left (3, and, 4). Then repeat that on the other foot (5, 6, 7, and 8) [EL16].
The Right Glide: Back the Follow two slow steps (1, 2), then two-step diagonally forward left (3, and, 4), and four slide galop diagonally forward to the right (5, and, 6, and, 7, and, 8) [EL16].
The Left Glide: Back the Follow two slow steps (1, 2), then four slide galop diagonally forward left (3, and, 4, and, 5, and, 6), and two-step diagonally forward to the right (7, and, 8) [EL16].
The Zigzag Glide: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then four slide galop diagonally forward left (5, and, 6, and, 7, and, 8), and four slide galop diagonally forward to the right (9, and, 10, and, 11, and, 12). Similar to the Meditation Glide above, but more sideward [EL16].
The Reverse: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then half of a turning two-step to the right (5, and, 6), to back the Lead four slow steps (7, 8, 9, 10), and then finish the two-step turn (11, and, 12) [EL16].
The Double Reverse Turn: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then a full turning two-step to the right (5, and, 6, 7, and, 8) [EL16].
The Trot Des Artistes: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then two-step diagonally forward to the left (5, and, 6), step forward right (7), and draw the left slowly up to the right without weight (8) [EL16].
The Side Swing: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then run diagonally forward to the left, side, cross, side (5, and, 6), and two-step to the right (7, and 8) [EL16].
The Slow Twinkle: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then slowly rock forward (5), back (6), back (7), forward (8) [EL16].
The Fast Twinkle: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then quickly rock forward (5), back (and), back (6), forward (and) [EL16].
The Newburgh: Back the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4), then walk two steps diagonally forward to left, the second step being a cross-step (5, 6), and two-step to the left (7, and, 8), cross again (9), two-step again (10, and, 11), cross again (12), two-step again (13, and, 14), and step forward right (15). Or finish with a three-slide galop to the left (15, and, 16, and 17) [EL16].
The Hop Turn: Back the Follow five slow steps, opening out to promenade position along LOD on fifth step (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), then cross inside foot through (6), hop on it, kicking the free foot up behind (and), and pivot completely around on two steps (back, forward) (7, 8), to end up backing the Follow along LOD again [EL16].
The Tanguay Turn: Same as the Hop Turn through count 6, then turn completely around with four quick steps (7, and, 8, and) instead of two slow pivots [EL16].
The Minuet Turn: Same as the Hop Turn through count 6, then simply pivot around on two smooth steps (7, 8), instead of hopping and kicking [EL16].
The Castle Favorite: Start by backing the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4) and four quick steps (5, and, 6, and). Then hop on right foot (1), step left with left foot (and), and draw right foot to left (2), then repeat that opposite (3, and 4). Similar to the Castle's Drag Step, but with slightly different timing [EL16].
The Cavalry Charge: Start by backing the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4) and four quick steps (5, and, 6, and). Then back the Follow two steps (1, 2) and a hop (and). Repeat the two steps and a hop twice more (3, 4, and, 5, 6, and), then end with two steps and no hop (7, 8) [EL16].
The Chaplin Trot: Start by backing the Follow four slow steps (1, 2, 3, 4) and seven quick steps (5, and, 6, and, 7, and, 8), then cross right over left (and). Step side left (1), side right (and), and slowly draw left up to right (2) [EL16].
The Coney Island Dip: Back the Follow two slow steps (1, 2) and a two step (3, and 4), rising on the middle of the two step and falling into a dip at the end by bending both knees. The back the Follow three steps (5, 6, 7) and draw left up to right at the end (8) [EL16].
The Kellerman Dip: Back the Follow four slow steps along LOD (1, 2, 3, 4), turning to the left on the fourth step to back the Lead four slow steps (6, 5, 7, 8), bending the knee on the fourth step and extending the free leg pointed straight forward to catch your momentum and prepare to go the other way. Then back the Follow against LOD [EL16].
The Pavlowa Extension: Back the Follow four slow steps along LOD (1, 2, 3, 4), then extend left along LOD, toe pointed (5) and draw it back across right foot, toe pointed down into the floor (6), then two-step to the left (7, and, 8). (While the Lead points his toes, the Follow rises up on hers.) Repeat the toe points and two-step with right foot (1, 2, 3, and 4). Then back the Follow four slow steps (5, 6, 7, 8), and two-step halfway (1, and 2) around to repeat the whole thing opposite, with the Follow doing what the Lead just did and vice versa [EL16].
The St. Denis Spiral: Back the Follow six slow steps along LOD (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), then do six turning two steps in a spiral fashion, bending to the side as in the Maxixe (7, and 8, 9, and 10, 11, and 12, 13, and 14, 15, and 16, 17, and 18), and finish by backing the Follow four slow steps (19, 20, 21, 22) [EL16].
The Music
Here's a sampling of 1910s Fox Trot music:
"The Original Fox Trot" (79 bpm) by Van Eps Trio (1915)
"Bayside Fox Trot" (86 bpm) by Victor Military Band (1914)
"Tip-Top Medley Fox Trot" (91 bpm) by Pietro Deiro (1914)
Note: Everything below this line is still in progress and has yet to be double-checked and organized, so take it with a grain of salt.
Adele Collier's Fox Trot
Here are the fox trot steps described by Adele Collier c. 1919.
Turning Two Step: A slightly turning two-step in QQS timing [AC19]. Can also turn halfway around like a Polka [LH40].
Backing Two Step: Back the Follow three steps in QQS timing, or back the Lead. On the third step, the backing partner's free toe is slightly raised, and the forward partner's free heel is slightly raised [AC19]. Another version has the second step as a close step (arch of foot to heel), rather than a passing step [AC19].
Side Two Step: Side, close, side in QQS timing, closing the free foot without weight on the "and" of the slow. Repeat opposite [AC19].
The 1920s
The Fox Trot Walk: Back the Follow with slow steps. These slow walking steps can be used to rest between more complicated variations [AM22b, AM22c, AM22d, M47, M54, M59]
The Two Step: Side, close, side (QQS), and repeat opposite. [AM22b, M25, M38, BL46, BT54]
Here are a few variations based on The Two Step:
Zig Zag Two Step: Two step diagonally forward in, then diagonally forward out (QQS, QQS) [AM22b, M25, M38, LH40].
The Junior Society Walk: Two-step sideways along LOD, then step back into the center of the room, slightly bending the knee (QQS, S) [AM22d, AM24b].
The Hotel Astor Fox Trot: Two-step sideways along LOD, then slowly close up (QQS, S) [AM24b].
The Three Slide: Side, close, side, close, side (QQQQS), and repeat opposite [AM22b, M25].
Here are a few variations based on The Three Slide:
Walk Two, Three Slide: Walk two, the three slide diagonally forward in (SSQQQQS), then walk two and three slide diagonally forward out [AM22b].
The Three-and-One: Three slide diagonally forward in, then walk one slow step forward (QQQQSS) [AM22b]. "The Shuffle Step" is a version of this step in which the Lead dances with a heel lead on the two-step [AM22d].
Syncopated Step (The Two-and-Three): Walk two, then run three (SSQQS) [AM22b].
Here are a few variations based on the Syncopated Step:
Syncopated Left Turn: Use two syncopated steps to travel in a CCW circle (6 feet in diameter) in place before continuing along LOD [AM22b].
Syncopated Right Turn: Use two syncopated steps to travel in a CW circle (6 feet in diameter) in place before continuing along LOD [AM22b].
The Cut Step: Back the Follow three slow steps, then close the second foot behind (third position) [AM22a, AM22b, AM22c].
The College Rock: Rock forward left, back, forward, then forward right, back, forward (QQS, QQS) [AM22d, AM24b].
Here are a few variations based on The College Rock:
The Two-Step Rock: Walk four steps, then two-step diagonally forward, rock back, and rock forward (SSSS, QQS, SS). Repeat on the opposite foot [AM22d].
The Rock and Change: Rock forward, rock back, step forward, close, step back (SSQQS). This puts you on the opposite foot. Though not explicitly specified, you can repeat on the opposite foot to change back again [AM22d].
The Lift: First three steps of a box step, then lift the first foot (Leads forward, Follows back) [AM22d].
The Murray Rock: Walk one step (1), then two-step toward outside (2-and-3), step back (4), rock forward (5), two-step toward the center (6-and-7), and step forward (8) [AM22d].
Couple's Turns: A variety of different ways of turning as a couple are described:
Advanced Right Pivot Turn: Back the Follow three steps, then pivot halfway to the right, back the Lead two steps, pivot halfway to the right, and back the Follow one step. There are eight steps in total, all slow [AM22d, AM24b].
Cart Wheel Turn: After four walking steps, a slow eight count paddle turn with the right feet in place and the left feet alternating paddling around. These are essentially baby pivots to the right [AM22d].
Right Aeroplane Whirl: Walk four steps, then rock back, forward, back, forward, turning 1/4 to the right with every step [AM22d, AM24b].
Left Aeroplane Whirl: Walk four steps, then rock forward, back, forward, back, turning 1/4 to the left with every step [AM22d, AM24b]. A related step, called the "Advanced Left Turn," starts the turning early, on count 4, and finishes with a close of right foot to left [AM22d]. The "Advanced Left Pivot Turn" starts on count 4, but only pivots twice, stepping forward against LOD on 7, and closing 8, before doing it again to complete the turn [AM24b].
The Conversation Walk (The Army Walk): To the Rear Turn: Walk four steps, turning 1/2 to the left on the fourth step (which will put you temporarily in Right Parallel position). Repeat to face LOD again. [AM22d, AM24b].
The Conversation Walk (The Army Walk): Advanced To the Rear Turn: Same as the above, but turning every two steps, rather than every four [AM22d].
The Tut-Ankh-Amen Fox Trot / Prince of Wales Fox Trot: This is a family of steps involving a hesitation with raised/extended feet:
Tut's Strut: Back the Follow one very slow step (1), slightly raising (2") the free foot forward with full downward extension (2), then run forward three steps (3-and-4) [AM23a].
The Mummy Walk: Back the Follow one step (1), then step forward (2), close with heels together (and), forward (3), and slightly raise the free foot forward (4) [AM23a].
King Tut's Turn: A half-turning box step to the left (1, 2-and), followed by a slow step back (3), leaving the free foot slightly raised (4) [AM23a].
Prince of Wales Fox Trot: Back the Follow three steps (1, 2, 3), then slightly raise the free foot forward (4), then step back (5), slightly raise the free foot behind (6), and take two steps forward (7, 8) [AM23a].
Prince of Wales Fox Trot [No. 2]: Back the Follow three steps (1, 2, 3), then slightly raise the free foot forward (4), then step back (5), slightly raise the free foot behind (6), and take two steps forward (7, 8) [AM24b].
Prince of Wales Hesitation Walk: Forward, side, close, forward, and extend left forward (SQQSS) [AM24b].
Prince of Wales Hesitation Walk No. 2: Forward, extend right forward, forward, side, close (SSQQS) [AM24b].
Prince of Wales [Hesitation Walk No. 3]: Forward, side, close, back, extend left forward (SQQSS) [AM24b].
Prince of Wales Royal Turn: A half-turning SQQ box step, and a step backward. Extension of the free foot isn't specified, but it's likely [AM24b].
The Ritz Fox Trot: Three slide forward, bending the knees on each slide, and extending the right foot forward on 3, then step back with the right and extend the left back [AM24b].
The Ritz Advanced: Back the Follow two steps (1, 2), then two-step forward (3-and-4), extend the right forward without weight (and), and extend it back to step back onto it (5), two-step forward (6-and-7), and step forward (8) [AM24b].
The Lorraine: This is a family of steps involving taps:
The Radio Taps: Step forward left (1), tap to the right (2), and extend the right forward (and), then step forward right (3), tap to the left (4), and extend the left forward (and) [AM24b].
The Murray Taps: Step forward left (1), tap to the right (and), leaning slightly to the left, and step forward right (2) [AM24b].
The Harvard Taps: Back the Lead two slow steps (1, 2), then tap the left toe behind (3). Repeat [AM24b].
The Tango Fox Trot: Technically, these steps are early American Tango, but it is explicitly noted that they were designed so that they could be danced to Fox Trot music:
📽The Tango Walk or Promenade: Half of a box step in SQQ timing, then a slow step forward [AM24b].
📽The Cortez (Corté): Three steps forward (1, 2, 3), close (and), back (4), lifting the free foot in front [AM24b].
📽The Chasse: Two step sideways, then cross the inside foot through (QQSS) [AM24b]. Or flip the halves: promenade two steps and side close (SSQQ) [AM37a].
📽The El Sharon: Three slow steps in Right Parallel position, turning 1/4 left on the third step. Repeat three times to complete a CW square [AM24b].
📽The Single Cortez: Two steps forward (1, 2), then half of a SQQ box forward (3-and-4), half of a SQQ box forward on the other foot (5-and-6), and a step back, lifting the free foot in front (7) and holding (8) [AM24b].
The Sheik Fox Trot: Two steps of Grapevine along LOD, Lead crossing behind and Follow in front on count 2, then side close along LOD (SSQQ) [AM24b].
The Syncopated Waltz-and-Rock: Half of a box step in SQQ time, then a slow step back. Repeat [AM24b].
Polo Whirl: A full reverse pivot to the left (1, 2), resolving with a double chassé diagonally toward the center of the room (3-and-4-and). Repeat two or three times in a row [AM24c].
Polo Whirl: Step forward left along LOD (1), extend right foot pointed forward without weight (2), then step diagonally back right (3), side left (4), continuing to turn left (now facing the opposite direction from where you started), close right to left (and), then chassé two more times to complete the full rotation (5, and, 6, and), then finish with two slow steps along LOD (7, 8) [AM24c].
The 1930s
The Broadway: Along LOD, step side (1), close (and), side (2), close (3) [AM37b].
The Washington and Lee Swing: Back the Follow two steps (1, 2), then side (3), close (and), side (4) diagonally forward toward center with a slight dip at the end. Repeat on the opposite feet (5, 6, 7, and, 8), chasséing diagonally forward toward outside wall with a slight dip [AM37b].
The Western Swing: Promenade two steps (1, 2), then step side (3), close (and), and rock back (with a slight dip) (4) and forward (and) [AM37b].
The Dartmouth Dip: Side (1), close (and), side (2), cross over in front (3), and dip the Lead back (Follow forward), in right-side position (4) [AM37b].
The Corté Dip: Side (1), close (and), dip the Lead back (Follow forward) (2), then rock forward out of it (3). [AM37a].
The Three Step: Starting Lead's right, back the Follow three steps along LOD in QQS timing [MS32].
The Feather Step: Starting Lead's right, back the Follow four steps along LOD in SQQS timing [MS32].
The Natural Turn: Starting Lead's right, step forward right, turning 180° to the right (1), back left (2), back right (and), back left, turning 180° to the right (3), forward right (4), and forward left, brushing the left by the right (5) [MS32].
The Reverse Turn: Starting Lead's left, step forward left, turning 180° to the left (1), back right (2), back left (and), back right, turning 180° to the left (3), forward left (4), forward right (and), and forward left (5) [MS32].
The Reverse Wave: Starting Lead's left, step forward left, turning to the left (1), side right (2), back left (and), back right (3), back left (4), back right (and), back left, turning to the right (5), side right (6), and forward left, brushing the left by the right (7) [MS32].
The Closed Telemark: Forward left, turning to the left (1), side right (2), side left (and), and forward right outside partner (3) [MS32].
The Change of Direction Step: Forward right, turning to the left (1), then brush the left foot up to the right in a sweeping movement (2) [MS32].
The Syncopated Walk: Back the Follow with slow steps, rising slightly on the toes on the first beat and falling to the heels on the second. While the rising and falling motion should be "hardly noticeable," it gives a little more "pep" to your step [AM30a].
The West Point (The Pointer, The Military Hesitation): Back the Follow one slow step (1), then slowly Lead extends the free foot forward with a straight leg, toe pointed, slightly raised, as she extends the free foot backward with same style (2). Repeat with the other foot (3, 4). The West Point can be done "forward, backward, or sidewise" [AM30b].
The Alabama: Side steps in QQSS timing: side (1), close (and), side (2), close (3) [AM30c].
The Georgetown: Step forward left, turning 1/4 to the left (1), then side (2), close (and), side (3), close (and), side (4), travelling straight over the elbows [AM30d].
The Breakaway: Step forward left (1), close right to left (and), then step back left (2) and hold (3), raising free foot slightly off the floor with straight leg, toe pointed. The Follow's first step is unusually long (~18 inches) so as to create more distance between the partners (hence the name "Breakaway" [AM30e].
The Piedmont Pivot: Step forward left, turning 1/4 to the left (1), back right, turning 1/4 to the left (2), then slowly step side (3), close (4) straight toward the hands [AM30f].
The Wesleyan Whirl: Step back left, turning 1/4 to the right (1), step forward right, turning 1/4 to the right (2), then repeat both steps to complete the full rotation (3, 4) [AM30g].
The Syncopated Three Step: Half of a SQQ box step forward (1, 2, and), then half of a SQQ box step forward on the other foot (3, 4, and). The slow steps here are given the same double action (rise, fall) as the Syncopated Walk [AM30h].
The Dartmouth: A full SQQ box step (1, 2, and, 3, 4, and) with the same double action (rise, fall) as the Syncopated Walk [AM30i].
The Roanoke Run: Back the Follow five steps in SSQQS timing (1, 2, 3, and, 4). Then repeat on the other foot (5, 6, 7, and 8) [AM30j].
The Boston Balance: Half of a SQQ box step (1, 2, and), then step side over the elbows (3) and hold (4) [AM30k].
The Michigan: A half-turning waltz to the left (1, 2, and), then a slow step back right (3), and hold (4). It can also be done turning to the right on the right foot [AM30l].
The 1940s
Hesitation Point: Forward left (1), touch forward right (2), back right (3), touch back left (3) [LH40].
Pivot Turn: An Open Ocho in SSS timing, cross, open, open [LH40].
Pivot Two-Step Turn: Two pivot steps turning to the right on right foot (1, 2), then forward (3), close (and), forward (4) along LOD [LH40].
Betty Lee's Latest Step No. 1: Starting right foot, walk five steps forward (1-5), then cross the left behind the right without weight (6), step back onto it (7), and hold (8) [BL46]
Betty Lee's Latest Step No. 2: Starting right foot, walk five steps forward (1-5), then cross the left over in front of the right without weight (6), step onto it (7), and hold, lifting the right foot slightly behind (8). [BL46]
Betty Lee's Most Attractive-Looking Turn of the Season: A full reverse pivot to the left (1, 2), resolving with a double chassé diagonally toward the center of the room (3-and-4-and). [BL46]
Betty Lee's Latest Step No. 3: Forward (1), touch forward (2), back right, turning to the left (3), a triple chassé turning to the left in place (4-and-5-and-6-and), then forward two steps out of it (7, 8) [BL46]
Betty Lee's Latest Step No. 4 [and No. 5]: Forward right (1), forward left (2), chassé right (3-and), forward right, left, right (4, 5, 6), chassé left (7-and), forward left (8). [BL46]
Betty Lee's Latest Step No. 6 [and No. 7]: Forward right, turning 1/4 to the right (1), chassé left (2-and), back left (3), turning 1/4 to the right (4, 5-and-6). [BL46]
Betty Lee's Latest Step No. 8 [and No. 9]: Follow backs four steps in a CCW circle, as the Lead paddle turns CCW. [BL46]
The 1950s
The Dip: Back left, bending the knee and letting the right foot slide back slightly without weight (1), then forward right (2) and side-close (3-and) [DG56].
The Turn-Under: Promenade two steps (1, 2), then an outside turn for the Follow (3-and) [DG56].
The Half Turn: Back the Follow two slow steps along LOD (1, 2), and turn halfway to the left as a couple, the Lead stepping back (3), close (and). Then back the Lead two steps along LOD (4, 5), and turn halfway to the left as a couple, the Lead stepping forward (6), close (and) [DG56].
The Quarter Turn or Zig Zag: Back the Follow two slow steps diagonally forward along LOD toward outside wall (1, 2) and turn one quarter to the right as a couple with a side close (3-and). Then back the Lead two steps diagonally back along LOD toward the center (4, 5), and turn one quarter to the left as a couple with a side close (6-and) [DG56].
The Running Step: Back the Follow two slow steps (1, 2) and two quick steps (3-and), all straight along LOD [MM52, DG56].
The Square: A SQQ box step, collecting the foot on the "and" of the slow [MM52, DG56]. Also described as QQS (side step first) [BT54].
The Left Turning Square: The Square, turning 90° to the left on each half square. Two full left-turning squares will form a diamond pattern on the floor [DG56].
The Twinkle: Back the Follow two slow steps (1, 2), dance half of a straight Square (3, 4-and), then cross the outside foot over in front of the inside foot, toward the center of the room (5), and side-close toward the center (6-and) [DG56].
The Double Twinkle: Dance The Twinkle, then cross the inside foot over the outside foot, toward the outside wall (7), side-close toward the outside wall (8-and), and step back along LOD to get the first foot free (9) [DG56].
The One Step: Back the Follow along LOD with all quick steps [DG56].
The Pivot Turn: Baby pivot steps in place, with the right feet as the stationary axis and the left feet as paddles, turning 360° in 8 counts [DG56].
The Right Turn: Back the Follow four quick steps along LOD (1, and, 2, and), then quickly pivot in place (3, and), rock forward along LOD, and rock back against LOD (4, and) [DG56].
The Step-Out: Back the Follow eight quick steps, two in right-side position (1, and), two in closed position (2, and), two in left side position (3, and), and two in closed position (4, and) [DG56].
The Throw-Over: From half open position facing LOD, the Lead walks forward as he tosses the Follow back and forth across in front of him from his right side to his left side. Each toss is initiated when the current inside foot is free [DG56].
The Peabody: In right-side position, back the Follow along LOD in SSQQ timing, locking the second foot behind (for him) or in front (for her) on the fourth step. The Peabody is danced in Foxtrot timing to One Step music [DG56].
The Peabody Turn: Forward into right-side position (1), pivot forward in closed position (and), pivot back in closed position (2), step forward into left-side position (and), cross forward further into left-side position (3), and cross forward into right-side position (and) [DG56].
The U-Turn: Back the Follow two steps, turning 1/4 to the right on the second step (1, 2), and side-close along LOD (3-and). Then rock back along LOD, turning 1/4 to the right (4), forward against LOD, turning 1/4 to the right (5), and side-close against LOD (6-and), then rock back against LOD, turning 1/4 to the right (7), and step forward right along LOD (8) [JB38, MM52].
Run to the Side and Dip: Forward left (1), side to outside wall (2), both cross in front to outside wall (and), repeat those two steps (3, and), and dip back on the right, lifting the left slightly (4) [JB38, MM52].
Foxtrot Point: Two step to side (1, and, 2), then point forward without weight (back for Follow) (3), and step back with weight (4) [BT54].
The Magic Step: Back the Follow two steps, then side close into the center (SSQQ) [M47, M54, MM52, DG56, M59]. An earlier, identical version was called "The Collegiate Swing" [AM37a, M38]. Also described in SSSS timing [LH40].
Here are a few variations based on The Magic Step:
The Westchester (The Promenade): Promenade two steps, then side close along LOD (SSQQ). [AM37a, M38, BT54, DG56]
The Conversation Step: The Westchester in half closed position [AM37a, M38, DG56]. Later sources use the name Conversation Step for both The Westchester and The Conversation Step [M47, M54, M59].
The Conversation Pivot: The first two steps of The Westchester, then a QQ pivot (a partial turn). Repeat to face LOD again [M59]
The Magic Right Turn: Back (1), forward, turning 1/4 to the right (2), chassé left along LOD (3-and) [M47, M54, DG56, M59]. Another alternative variation steps forward on the first step [DG56].
The Magic Left Turn: Forward, turning 1/4 to the left (1), back (2), chassé left against LOD (3-and) [M47, M54, DG56, M59]. An alternative variation steps back on the first step [DG56]
The Senior Walk: Forward (1), forward, turning 1/4 to the right (2), chassé left along LOD (3-and), back into center of room (4), back against LOD (5), chassé left into center (6-and) [M47, M54, M59]. A later variation, The Junior Walk, specifies Right Parallel (right hip to right hip) position for the first two slow steps, and Left Parallel position for the second two [M59]
The Forward Magic Rhythm: Back the Follow four steps in SSQQ timing (with no side close) [M47, M54, M59].
The Magic Step Backward: Back the Lead with a Magic Step [M59].
Walking Steps: Back the Follow slow steps. Walking steps can be used to rest between more complicated variations [AM22a, M47, M54, M59]
The St. Louis Shuffle: Side, close, side, close without weight diagonally forward into the center, then side, close without weight diagonally forward to the outside (QQQ(Q)Q(Q)) [AM37b, M38]. Later called "The Swing Step" [M54]. An earlier version has side, close, side, forward (without the closes) (QQSS) [M25].
Going to Town: Promenade two steps, then two side closes (SSQQQQ). [AM37a, M38]
The Collegiate Corté: Two step along LOD, then back the Follow one step toward outside wall (QQSS). [M38]
The Corté Turn: Side close along LOD, then step back along LOD, and forward against LOD (QQSS). [M38]
The Cut Step: Side close along LOD, then step back along LOD, and forward against LOD (QQSS). [M38]
Three Slide: Side, close, side, close, side (QQQQS), and repeat opposite. [M25]
Walk and Slide Combination: Walk two steps, then three slide diagonally in, walk two steps, and three slide diagonally out. [M25]
Three Slide and One Walking Step: Three slide diagonally in, and one step forward. [M25]
Two Walking Steps and Three Running Steps: Walk, walk, run-run-run (SSQQS). [M25]
Left Turn: Walk two and run three in a CCW circle with 6 ft diameter. [M25]
Right Turn: Walk two and run three in a CW circle with 6 ft diameter. [M25]
Astor Foxtrot: Side, close, side, close (QQSS). [M25]
The Triple Chassé with Corté: Triple chassé into the center of the room (1-and-2-and-3-and), then step back against LOD, bending knee (4), and forward along LOD (5) [M47, M54]. A later version replaces the Corté with a Magic Left Turn [M59].
The 1930s
The 1940s
The 1950s
Sources
VC14 — Vernon & Irene Castle. (1914, December). "The Castle Fox Trot." Ladies Home Journal. New York.
JS14 — Joan Sawyer. (1914). How to Dance the Fox Trot. New York.
MM15 — Maurice Mouvet. (1915). Maurice's Art of Dancing. New York.
EL16 — Edna Stuart Lee. (1916). Thirty Fox Trot Steps. New York.
D19 — D'Egville, Geoffrey. (1919). How and What to Dance. London.
F22 — Frank, Charles J. (1922). The Latest Method. Philadelphia.
C22 — Coll, Charles J. and Gabrielle Rosiere. (1922). Dancing Made Easy (New and Revised Edition). New York.
AM22a — Arthur Murray. (1922). How To Become A Good Dancer [Correspondence Course]. New York.
AM22b — Murray, Arthur. (1922). The Modern Dances. New York.
AM22c — Murray, Arthur. (1922). The Modern Dances (Introductory Course). New York.
AM22d — Murray, Arthur. (1922). The Modern Dances (Advanced Course). New York.
AM23a — Murray, Arthur. (1923). The Tut-Ankh-Amen Fox Trot. New York.
AM24b — Murray, Arthur. (1924). The Modern Dances (Advanced Course). New York.
AM24c — Arthur Murray. (1924). The Polo Trot. New York.
M25 — Murray, Arthur. (1925). The Modern Dances. New York.
AM30a — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 14). "Stepping in Style [No. 1 of 12]: How to Dance - Slowly - to New Slow Music." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30b — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 15). "Stepping in Style [No. 2 of 12]: A Military Precision Marks Steps of 'The West Point.'" The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30c — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 17). "Stepping in Style [No. 3 of 12]: Languorous Movement Is Feature of 'The Alabama.'" The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30d — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 18). "Stepping in Style [No. 4 of 12]: New Refinement in Dancing Illustrated by 'Georgetown.'" The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30e — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 22). "Stepping in Style [No. 5 of 12]: How to Dance 'The Breakaway.'" The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30f — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 24). "Stepping in Style [No. 6 of 12]: 'Turn to the Left' - In Piedmont Pivot." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30g — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 25). "Stepping in Style [No. 7 of 12]: Wesleyan Whirl Is a Topping Dance - If You'd Like to Go for a Spin." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30h — Arthur Murray. (1930, February 28). "Stepping in Style [No. 8 of 12]: Slow Music, Please - For the Syncopated Three Step." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30i — Arthur Murray. (1930, March 1). "Stepping in Style [No. 9 of 12]: It's Simple, But It Takes Practice." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30j — Arthur Murray. (1930, March 5). "Stepping in Style [No. 10 of 12]: Slow and Fast Steps Are Combined in Roanoke Run." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30k — Arthur Murray. (1930, March 6). "Stepping in Style [No. 11 of 12]: Watch Your Step - In the Boston Balance." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
AM30l — Arthur Murray. (1930, March 7). "Stepping in Style [No. 12 of 12]: Now - It's 'Michigan's' Turn." The Warren Times-Mirror (Warren, PN).
MS32 — Maxwell Stewart. (c. 1932). Maxwell Stewart's Modern Dancing For Children. London.
AM37a — Arthur Murray. (1937). Let's Dance. New York.
AM37b — Arthur Murray. (1937). Let's Swing It, 8 New Fox Trots for Murray-Go-Round Members. New York.
P37 — Parson, Thomas E. (c. 1937). Popular Ballroom Dances. New York.
M38 — Murray, Arthur. (1938). How to Become a Good Dancer. New York.
M38 — Farrow Falcon Press Pty. Ltd. (c. 1940). Dancing Instructions for the Modern Ballroom. Melbourne.
JB38 — Joe Bonomo. (1938). Improve Your Dancing. New York.
LH40 — Lawrence Hostetler. (1940). Teach Yourself the Latest Dance Steps. New York: Home Institute, Inc.
BL46 — Lee, Betty. (1946). Dancing. New York.
MM52 — Marie & Mario Montador. (1952). It's Fun to Dance. New York.
M54 — Murray, Arthur. (1954). How to Become a Good Dancer. New York.
BT54 — Bob Thomas. (1954). Let's Dance with Marge and Gower Champion. New York.
DG56 — Dance Guild, Inc. (1956). Fox Trot Made Easy. New York.
M59 — Murray, Arthur. (1959). How to Become a Good Dancer. New York.
