Rolling Count vs Straight Count (Skippy)

In March of 2018 I was able to spend a full day with WCS legend Skippy Blair. At the time of my visit Skippy had just turned 94 years old.

Skippy was instrumental in naming west coast swing in the 1950’s, with helping it become the state dance of CA in the 1980’s and was the co-founder of the WSDC.

During my visit she said to me “Brian, I didn’t plan on living this long but as long as I’m here I’m going to try to contribute.” To that end she allowed me to share some of her work with you through our website. Below is one of the papers she gave me to share with you. Best wishes, Brian B

Wanna learn more about Skippy?
Click here to learn more about here and read our Skippy Series in order.

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Skippys words… 

Rolling count vs Straight count

First – learn to count to 8 and be able to identify the Downbeats and the Upbeats.  The Downbeats are 1-3-5-7.  The Upbeats are 2-4-6-8.  Each individual Dance Rhythm is composed of one Downbeat and one Upbeat.  Downbeats always come FIRST.

For many years, with the exception of West Coast Swing and Samba, most other dances were taught with a Straight Count– GSDTA.  Teachers and students had danced West Coast Swing with a rolling count since 1958 (Samba, even earlier than that).

A discovery…

During a GSDTA intensive in 1993, we discovered that using a rolling count raised the level of EVERY social dance.  To date, every dance tested has been performed at a higher level, simply by using rolling count – no exceptions.  Could there BE an exception?  Of course!  Sooner or later there is always an exception – if not today – tomorrow.  Well, tomorrow is here.

A change?

After a gradual insertion of Hip Hop music into West Coast Swing – one crucial discovery was the fact that Straight Count not only feels okay with this music, but hip hop music actually encourages straight count.  While that’s not always a bad thing, continual use of Hip Hop music can put a ceiling on your level of musical development.  A staccato “7 & 8” is frequently very strong (sometimes demanding) in the music.  Dancers accustomed to a Rolling Count still use that count because the music allows it.  

Caution: 

Hip Hop music DOES NOT ENCOURAGE Rolling Count, and so, many new dancers do not get the chance to develop advanced, rolling movement, based on the fact that the music does not encourage advanced movement.  Upper level dancers are able to move their bodies with a rolling count and still dance straight Count with the feet, if necessary.  Newer dancers are not currently developing that skill.

Rolling Count

Rolling Count is “&a1 &a2 – &a3 &a4” – “&a5 &a6 – &a7 &a8” in an 8-beat Mini-phrase.  The dancer is the VISUAL part of the Music. Each Dance Rhythm starts on the “&a” before the Downbeat – and ends precisely on the Upbeat.   This is crucial in developing Critical Timing

In Classic West Coast SwingCritical Timing and Rolling Count create the Magic that separates the amateur from the professional. It is this magic that thrills an audience and excites a performer.  Many TOP performers are unaware of what creates their own Magic.  Those who aspire to make Magic of their own are delighted to hear that it is a learnable skill.

 Whether we use Straight Count or Rolling Count, the separation of Dance Rhythms into 2-Beat increments allows the dancer to feel a connection to the heartbeat of the music.  The study of 2-Beat rhythms allows for greater understanding of musical interpretation.  In partner dancing, the leader starts with body movement on the “&a” prior to the beat.  Even in solo dancing, movement of the body starts on the “&a”.  Movement of the Center Point of Balance (CPB) starts on the “&a” to gain more fluid movement prior to stepping on the beat of the music.

Single Rhythm

One step to 2 beats of music.  Single Rhythm steps ONLY on the Downbeat (Count 1) and does something else on the Upbeat, (Count 2 – brush, touch, hold, freeze, etc.) The call could be “&a-step &a touch”.

Syncopated single

Steps ONE time on the “a” count before Count -1 OR on the “a” count before Count-2. (Still only 1 step to 2 Beats of music).  The “Call” is: “&a-Kick-&-step-point” or “&-Step-Kick &a-point”.

Important note:  Without the “&” – count the “a” count is impossible to place correctly.  There is no time slot for an “a” count unless you include (and say out loud) the “&” before the “a”.  Counting correctly leads to measured movement.  Measured movement leads to “body flight” and more professional, superior dancing.

In order to count seconds, we say “One-one thousand, two-one thousand etc.”  By saying “one-thousand” between each count, we set up a rhythm that occupies a “Time Slot”.  It is necessary to feel that rhythm in order to use the time slot to your advantage.  Practice counting without dancing.   Count: “&a1 &a2 – &a3 &a4”, emphasizing Count-2 and Count-4.  When that comes free and easy, try each of the following syncopations. 

Syncopated Single Rhythm:

Straight Count:  Step on the “&” count before count-1, kick on count-1, kick again on count-2.  Count “&1 & 2” Call is: Step-Kick & Kick.

Rolling Count:  Lift the knee slightly on the &-count.  Step on the “a” count and Kick on count-1.  Retract the kick on the &-count and kick again on Count-2.  The “a” count adds fluidity.  Same step – different feeling – Count: “&a1 &a2”.  CALL: &-step-kick &a-kick.

Here is an experiment: 

First:  Do “Out-Out & In-In” while counting out loud “& 1 & 2” (Straight Count)

Second:  Do “Out-Out & In-In” while counting out loud “& a 1 & a 2” (Rolling Count)

Lift the knee on the “&”, step on the “a” and step again on Count -1.  Repeat for 1&2.

There are really 2 levels of performance here.  The first example works, and is on TIME.  However, the second one is the Rolling Count- great for classic WCS and most other social dances, as well as Tap and Jazz.  Count “&a1 &a2”. CALL: &-step-step &a-step.

Triples in West Coast Swing (2 Examples)

Standard Rolling Count Triple: Step on Count -1. Hold the &-count, step on the “a” count, and step again on count-2.  Count: &a1 &a2”.  CALL:  “&a-step & step-step”.

Syncopated Triple: Step on the “a Count before Count-1.  Step on Count 1 and step again on Count-2.  Count: “&a1 &a2”  CALL:  “&-Step-Step &a-Step”.

Note:  More and more Musicians – particularly those who teach – are discovering the use of Rolling Count when teaching budding performers how to feel the music.  “Lift the hands” for piano – “take a breath” before making the sound on a wind instrument or a vocal.  The discovery of Rolling Count is playing an important role today in the development of BOTH music and dance

The Piano Player vs the Drummer

The Piano Player’s sheet music is far different from that of the drummer – and many times neither can read each other’s sheet music.  However, both of them can play the same piece of music at the same time and they are both in time with each other.  It works!  The dancers have their own sheet music that allows them to either match or counter the rhythms of the other players in the band, but still be critically in time with the other players.  It’s fascinating to watch a dancer who has mastered the art of being the lead instrument in the band – maintaining both a solid beat to the music and a good connection to a partner.

“Please don’t tell me how LONG to hold the beat.  Just tell me what the COUNT is – can I can place my feet” -Skippy

Edited: Skippy Blair©2002, Revised 4/03, 8-03, 9-04, 4-05, 12-07, 1-16

8 thoughts on “Rolling Count vs Straight Count (Skippy)”

  1. It’s great you are letting people know about how to use the rolling count. I started taking lessons at Skippy’s Intensives several years ago, and I continue to go when I can. She’s great.

    • Thanks. I loved getting to spend time with Skippy. She is such a valuable resource and I want as many people to benefit from her knowledge as possible. Best wishes, Brian

    • I’m super happy that you’re funding it helpful. Skippy and rolling count is very interesting. It applies in other dances as well! Best wishes,
      Brian

  2. I have been told by one of Skippy Blair’s was a controversial figure in WCS – does anyone have any insight on why this might be so? Otherwise, I find it interesting that Skippy Blair states that they “discovered” the Rolling Count (basically she nor the other WCS dancers invented it). If anyone did invent it, I would think it would have been tap dancers. If anyone interested is more in so-called Rolling (or syncopated) Counting they should study Tap Dancing; an interesting early book on tap dancing rhythm was written by the late Camille Long Hill is “Rhythm Time” (copyrighted in 1977). It covers a lot on syncopated sounds or rhythms, i.e. single rhythm (&), double rhythm ($a), triple rhythm (a&a) as well as 4 sound (ea&a) and 5 sound (Aea&a) rhythms.

    • Hi Allan,
      While I’m no expert… I have had several conversations (long ones lasting several hours) about the subject. To not mix up the message Skippy graciously allowed me to share her words on the subject.

      think in the above article she states “During a GSDTA intensive in 1993, we discovered that using a rolling count raised the level of EVERY social dance.”

      I don’t think that she said that she discovered it. I may be mistaken though. I do know she has spent the better part of 6+ decades teaching, sharing and continually redefining her descriptions.

      She showed me an amazing dance manual that she had created. I though it was astounding and would be useful to any of us dance teachers. She said she wasn’t ready to share it because she had new discoveries and wanted to update it. She was 94 when she told me this.

      I’m just the messenger but I personally think Skippy is a treasurer so I wanted to share as much of her stuff with people as I could!

      Head on over to her site. https://www.swingworld.com/

      I hope you find it helpful.

      Best wishes,
      Brian

    • Thanks for sharing Allan. I’m not sure why Skippy would be a controversial figure in WCS. She does have her opinions so perhaps that’s it. She’s also a sweet kind person who has served the WCS community for 6+ decades! As for rolling count… I think she certainly put a lot of time and effort into sharing the concepts with WCS dancers.

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