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DANCE
STYLES
Basic Dance Info
What's the difference between Ballroom Dance, Modern,
Standard, International and Dancesport?
Ballroom is the most general and the oldest term that has
been used sometimes to describe Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep and
Viennese Waltz and sometimes it was also used for Latin American dances,
namely Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. Sometimes it was also used
to refer to Old Time and Sequence dances. So the term "Modern
Ballroom" (in short "Modern") was introduced in Britain later to indicate clearly that
the speaker was not referring to Old Time, Sequence or Latin-American dances.
But in Europe the term "Modern" was already frequently used to
describe a totally different type of dancing (eg. jazz or other form of solo
dancing), so the Europeans called it "Standard" instead. However, "Standard"
had an unclear meaning in America, where there is an American
version of it (called American Smooth). Therefore, Americans introduced the
term "International Standard" to make the difference clear.
What is meant by
European, American and International style?
American Style = American Smooth + American Rhythm
International Style = International Standard + International Latin
American Smooth = Waltz + Tango + Foxtrot + Viennese Waltz
American Rhythm = Cha Cha + Rumba + Mambo + Swing
International Standard = Waltz + Tango + Foxtrot +
Viennese Waltz + Quickstep
International Latin = Cha Cha + Samba + Rumba + Paso Doble + Jive
American styles are only danced in America. International styles are in fact
European styles. The term "International styles" are practically
only used by Americans where the speaker makes it clear that he/she is not
talking about American styles.
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International Style - Standard
Slow Waltz:
Danced in European courts in the mid-1700's, the romantic Slow Waltz is an
offspring of the faster Viennese Waltz in 3/4 time. The rhythm was gradually
slowed down over time as songwriters of ballads and love songs chose to
compose in a slower and more comfortable tempo. This dance has continued to
rise in popularity at anniversaries, graduations and weddings!
Tango:
The Tango originated in the bordellos of Buenos Aires, Argentina and is done in a slightly
different manner to the other dances. The hold is very different , with the
lady's arm under the mans, which creates a tighter hold for a quick staccato
action and stylized poses. (Not to be confused with Argentine Tango).
Viennese Waltz:
The Viennese Waltz is a fast Waltz which originated in Austria. Joseph Lanner and Johann Strauss
wrote the first waltzes in the early 19th century. In the middle of the 20th
century, the German, Paul Krebs choreographed the Viennese Waltz style to
which we dance today. The dance enjoyed a great deal of popularity not only
in Europe but also in America, and has been used in many Hollywood productions.
Foxtrot:
The Foxtrot is
one of the most deceiving dances, it looks very easy, but is one of the most
difficult dances to do. The dance originated in 1913 when a vaudeville
performer by the name of Harry Fox performed a little trot which appealed to
the social dance teachers in New York and thus the Foxtrot was born. It
has gone through many changes since that time and is now comprised of more
soft and fluid linear movements.
Quickstep:
As the name implies, the Quickstep is a very quick and lively dance,
comprised of hops, skips and kicks. The dance began as a quick version of
Foxtrot mixed with the Charleston, and musical "Jazz"
influences.
International Style Latin
Cha Cha:
During the 1950's, the Cha Cha was made famous by many Latino bands such as
Xavier Cugat the Prez Prado. Cuban in origin, the Cha Cha rhythm is found in
much of today's popular music.
Samba:
The Samba originated in Brazil and, unlike other Latin dances
that are stationary, it has a traveling action around the floor with lots of
spins and controlled bounces.
Rumba:
The Rumba is Cuban in origin and is often referred to as the "dance of
love". Sultry and romantic, the music is a mixture of African and Latin
rhythms.
Paso Doble:
The Paso Doble is a theatrical Spanish dance that characterizes the man as
the matador and the lady as his cape. Based on Flemenco dancing, the
character of the dance is arrogant and passionate.
Jive:
The Jive is a very fast, acrobatic, and lively dance made popular during
World War II by the swing music of Mr. Goodman, Artie Shaw, tommy Dorsey and
Glen Miller.
American Style - Smooth
Foxtrot:
The Foxtrot remains the most popular social dance in the world today. Little
did Harry Fox realize that his trotting on a New York stage in 1913 would become an
overnight success. The Foxtrot is the foundation for many of the social
dances that followed. It is enjoyed by all age groups for its ease of
movement and smooth style. Foxtrot music is played by most social dance
orchestras and is one of the easiest dances to learn in the American Style.
Waltz:
As a fashionable dance, the Waltz appeared in Bohemia, Austria, Bavaria and various parts of Europe in the late 1700's. Danced in
timing, the recurring even beats of music send the dancers whirling around
the floor enjoying the thrill of the Waltz movement.
Tango:
The American Style Tango is a progressive dance moving along the line of
dance and uses body movement. A staccato movement of the feet and flexed
knees highlight the dramatic style of the Tango.
Viennese Waltz:
This dance originated in Mid-Europe back some 400 years ago. The music is
fast in tempo and sends the couples whirling around the floor-first one way
and then another.
American Style - Rhythm
Cha Cha:
An exciting syncopated latin dance which originated in the 1950's as a
slowed-down Mambo. The Cha Cha gathers its personality, character, rhythm,
basis and charm from two major dance sources. It is a derivation of the Mambo
through its Latin music, it is also a step-child of the Swing, as it is
danced to its 1-2-3, step -step rhythm. The Cha Cha
gets its name and character from its distinct repetitive foot rhythm.
Rumba:
The Rumba was originally a courtship, marriage and street dance that was
African in origin. The Rumba met some opposition from society's upper crust
because of the suggestive body and hop movements. The characteristic feature
is to take each step without initially placing the weight on that step. Steps
are made with a slightly bent knee which, when straightened, causes the hops
to sway from side to side in what has come to be knows as "Cuban
Motion".
Samba:
The Samba is a
lively Brazilian dance and known to Brazilians as their native dance. This
Brazilian dance was first introduced in 1917 but was finally adopted by
Brazilian society in 1930 as a ballroom dance. It is sometimes referred to as
a Samba, Carioca, a Baion or a Batucado. The difference is mostly in the
tempo played, since the steps in all three dances are very similar. The style
is to bounce steadily and smoothly in 2/4 meter. They say that the Samba was
introduced in the United States in 1939 by the late Carmen
Miranda.
Bolero:
Originally a
Spanish dance in 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba initially into 2/4 time, then
eventually into 4/4. It is now present as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm.
The music is frequently arranged with Spanish vocals and a subtle percussion
effect, usually implemented with Congas or Bongos.
Mambo/Salsa:
The spicy Mambo/Salsa as we know it now, grew out of the Danzon (national
music of Cuba) and grasped the imagination of
the American dance scene at the close of World War II. Later, the fast
Swing-Jazz and upbeat Latin music joined to form the updated and uninhibited
Mambo/Salsa. The Mambo/Salsa is a spot dance and steps are quite compact.
Merengue:
The Merengue is a popular dance of Haiti and the Dominican Republic - a truly lively Latin dance.
There is an old tale about the very brave and famous military officer who was
wounded in battle and developed a limp. A celebration dance was given for the
great hero returning from the wars. He got up to dance and limped on his
wounded leg. All the other men present, rather than embarrass the hero,
accordingly favored their legs as they danced. Thus the Merengue was born.
Swing
East Coast Swing:
This dance is frequently referred to as Triple Step swing due to the rhythm
of the basic triple step. This dance consists of six and eight count
patterns, which require a rock step back by both the man and woman to begin.
It is a circular dance that is danced with a bound and is very grounded and
not high in the legs. This bounce requires the dancer to stay very smooth and
not jump around much. East Coast swing is the base for all swing dances.
Hustle:
The Hustle (Disco) is a member of the Swing family and is like the West Coast
Swing in pattern. It has a distinct flavor utilizing the Disco style music.
It brought partner-style dancing back into vogue among nightclub dancers in
the 70's. Hustle is danced to contemporary pop dance music of the last 20
years. It is a fast, smooth dance, with the lady spinning almost constantly,
while her partner draws her close and sends her away.
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