Fall on the Log: Move of the Week

This week we are looking at a move called Fall on the Log as the name implies there is a falling action. As you fall onto the standing leg, the other leg tucks behind to reveal the sole of the foot.

There are four transitions of weight, so if you begin on jumping onto your right leg, then turn sideways as you hop onto the left leg, then switch right, left.

The head should stay level and there is a sense of disconnection between the upper and lower body. From the hips down something fancy is happening but from the waste upwards you are hardly moving and looking relaxed.

The challenge in this move is practising it slowly but familiarise yourself with the weight changes and you can soon speed up and start to think about the style.

The initial jump or 'fall' should involve a twisting of the hips in mid air. It is this lock movement and the head not bobbing up and down which makes this move distinct from it's very close relative in the Hip Hop world which has exactly the same foot work but is called the top rock.

It's a really fun and fancy move and well worth taking the time to master.

Everything you need to know about The Black Bottom

The next course routine Black Bottom, has a fascinating history so before you learn the MyCharleston version, here is some background on the dance and a great selection of video clips for you to enjoy along with a sneak peek of the next course routine.  

The Black Bottom was the next dance fad to hit America after the Charleston became popular in the 1920s.  The dance itself consists of a number of moves the most iconic being the one where you slap the floor and then slap both bum cheeks. You would be forgiven for thinking this cheeky bit of choreography is how the dance got it’s name but it was in fact named after a district in Detroit. 

MyCharleston have been dancing the Black Bottom for many years the routine we originally learnt was by The Dance Jubilee Troupe and was filmed in the 1950s. I suspect the original dance was nothing like this, in fact it’s more of a foot shuffle. However in this routine you see a move where you jump between four contrasting postures, it’s like an exaggerated version of “Itches” and has become iconic within the Black Bottom catalogue of moves. 

Like the Charleston this is a dance which originates from African Americans and was then adopted by mainstream American Culture. The dance is so steeped in history that I could write a whole thesis on it but I won’t. Let me finish by saying there are many versions of the dance and the tune Black Bottom. For the next course we’ve selected the Spike Jones version. So pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy these clips of dancers, musicians and singers all performing the Black Bottom …

Black Bottom from the film The Best Things in Life Are Free

Singing Black Bottom - Judy Garland in A Star is Born

To book your spot on the MyCharleston courses, head over to our classes page

Original photos from 1920s

Original posters from 1920s

Fall on the Log: Move of the Week

This week we are looking at a move called Fall on the Log as the name implies there is a falling action. As you fall onto the standing leg, the other leg tucks behind to reveal the sole of the foot.

There are four transitions of weight, so if you begin on jumping onto your right leg, then turn sideways as you hop onto the left leg, then switch right, left.

The head should stay level and there is a sense of disconnection between the upper and lower body. From the hips down something fancy is happening but from the waste upwards you are hardly moving and looking relaxed.

The challenge in this move is practising it slowly but familiarise yourself with the weight changes and you can soon speed up and start to think about the style.

The initial jump or 'fall' should involve a twisting of the hips in mid air. It is this lock movement and the head not bobbing up and down which makes this move distinct from it's very close relative in the Hip Hop world which has exactly the same foot work but is called the top rock.

It's a really fun and fancy move and well worth taking the time to master.