The 3-count (also called waltz or tic-tac) is not as widely known as it should. It requires some left hand passes, which jugglers are afraid of at the beginning. Don't be scared, this is not as difficult as it seems, and it paves the way for more passing fun (see below the 3-count advantages).
Explications:
In 3 count, passes are made alternately by both hands: if a pass is made from
the right hand, the following pass will be done from the left hand. A simple
way to ease up the pattern is to use 2 clubs from a different color and to use
them for doing the passes, because in 3-count, it's always the same 2 clubs
that are being passed back and forth between the 2 jugglers.
From a more practical point of view, here is how you go (Ti being throw number
i):
- T1 : RH pass
- T2 : LH self (to catch the incoming pass: say you have
used red clubs for passes)
- T3 : RH self
- T4 : LH pass (with the red club)
- T5 : RH self
- T6 : LH self
You can check: a pass is being made every 3 counts (T1, T4, T7, .... T3n+1).
6 clubs, 3-count : <3p 3 3 | 3p 3 3 >
What is good in 3-count ?
- You still have a few selfs to play with (as in a 4-count)
- Each RH trick (in 2 and 4-count) can now be done with both hands. To name
only but a few:
- It's more convenient for solo tricks that follows a 3-count throws rule (such
as Mill's Mess).
- It's less tiring for your right arm, and allows you to use your left arm equally,
making you a more balanced juggler.
- It opens the doors of the realm of ambidextrous rhythms, which it is the base
pattern. You now can choose between 10 times more patterns to play with !