Among all the turns, I think the spot turn is the most essential.
Spot turn is used in underarm turn, alemana turns, open hip twist to fan, open out, three three. The spot turn itself can end differently in order to create various effects.
A spot turn is basically a step-turn-step, with one foot staying on the same spot. If you only dance the first two steps, it becomes a pivot turn (aka military turn or step turn).
Weighing the same importance would be the natural turn and the reverse turn together with the foot change. Once you manage these two well, you can shine on floor whole night, and congratulation that you are on the way to a good Waltz-er, a good Vanesse Waltz-er, a good quick-stepper, a good foxtrot-er, and a good tango-er.
The natural turn and the reverse turn are the common basic in smooth dances. Except tango posture requires a longer touching area, all others demands quote the same.
3/4 or 4/4 does not change the fact that natural / reverse turn consists of three steps. In three beats it is three steps over three beats evenly; in four beats it is three steps over four beats taking beat value 2-1-1 or counting slow-quick-quick.
Different from the spot turn which takes a step before the turn, Nat/Rev takes the turn before the step. How to? Apply CBM before the first step.
Okay, the spot turn (or the pivot turn) and the Nat/Rev turn are the easiest yet the most fundamental turning figures. Without working on these you properly can't pass the exam.
Btw, because of the COVID-19, the exam is pulled off again. There's a chance that we may need to take the exam through internet. Aiya aiya troublesome! Delayed for more than half year! (But staying safe is important... ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ
The Walks and The Turns (part 1)- breaking the figures
The Walks and The Turns (part 2)- there is something called Walking Technique
The Walks and The Turns (part 3)- the walking turns
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