cherokeemom06

I've been practicing my straight step and my sidestep but I honestly am not 100% sure when a song is straight or side. The biggest reason is that you very very rarely see a side step around here. As a matter of fact, this weekend was the first time I'd seen one in this area. They started the song and everyone knew it was a sidestep without it being announced. Any tips on being able to tell without looking a little lost as everyone else starts sidestepping? LOL

soopashinaab

Let someone else take the first step... J/K it was too good to pass up! Resume what you were doing...

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Kaina1128

if you are a jingle dress dancer it is your responsibility to know the songs that accompany your dress. many would say the side step is the most important song. i was at a small tradish powwow once where i was the only adult jingler, the rest were juniors and little girls. they played us a side step for the exhibition and all the little ones danced it straight. the emcee chastised their parents (tactfully) for not teaching them how to dance properly in their dresses.

ok with all that being said, sidesteps are really distinctive. if you can't tell the difference by now, you probably need more time to practice and listen to the songs. watch vids on youtube or tv.powwows.com. i guess you could say a straight song carries the same beat strength throughout (besides the third push-up and honor beats) while a side step uses one soft beat and one hard beat that alternate. im not sure if that helps, but this is something all women who wear the dress need to know!

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cherokeemom06

Thanks a bunch. I thought that was the difference. I can hear a difference but I was just making sure I was hearing it correctly. There just aren't many drums around here that have a lot of jingle songs so it's hard to learn the songs.

I know the side step is very important. I would never disrespect the dress by being out there and not knowing what I was doing or what it meant. Thanks for reassuring me that I was thinking correctly in what I was hearing. I guess I'm getting nervous and just questioning myself on some things. Thanks again!

Czechy

True, you don't see sidestep much outside of contest powwows and events in the Upper Midwest. I think Northern Wind has a cd of only sidestep songs. That would be good to listen to along with watching videos.

Sidestep songs sound a little like a fast round dance beat and most have a tail at the end.

ojibwaysweetie

I agree with this totally.

In my opinion I feel you need to take more time out to watch, listen and learn a lot more. But, thats just me. I always will say brand new dancers need to be extremely patient and go with the flow. If that "flow" is a slow one, then so be it. But one really should TAKE TIME to learn. I can't see anyone going out there with no knowledge of the songs yet. Kind of like putting the cart before the horse. But like I said, that is just me.

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cherokeemom06

I have listened to side step songs before. I practice to a Little Otter CD full of side step songs. I can tell that there is a drastic difference between straight and side, especially since I have been listening to the songs a lot closer now. I respect everyone's opinions on this but I feel like it is meant for me to start dancing this. I have been preparing little by little since last year and I know I will bring honor to this dress. I'm sorry that I don't have hundreds of dollars to make a trip before I start dancing this dress. I am a stay at home mom with two kids. I just don't have that kind of money. A trip like that will not happen for years. We simply can't afford it. I have studied, prayed, meditated, spoke with elders and learned everything I can. I know there is more to learn and I look forward to learning it, but like they say, you are always learning. You will learn till the day you die.

I only wish I could personally meet some of you and let you see how passionate I am about this dress and how much I truly respect it. I guess I'm gonna learn to ask the people I know personally and not post an open question about anything unless it is a very general topic.

On another note, Kim, thank you so much for all of your support and help. I'll be there are Westport for sure.

ojibwaysweetie

Yep Czechy I find the mid and western powwows tend to judge the contemp. style more. But that is because they don't know how to judge the originality of the dress. And thats ok too. When I'm at powwows, I try to talk to some judges about it, but some listen some dont lol. But I try! ;)

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