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Ballroom dance involves ten primary dances. Each is classified as either
being a Smooth (Ballroom) or Rhythm (Latin) dance. Use the navigation below
for a brief description of each of the ten dances which have been delighting
the world for generations.
Harry Fox, a vaudeville star who trotted around the stage with various partners, is accepted as the initiator of the Foxtrot. Mr. Fox was believed to be the first to use the "slow step" around 1912. Prior to this time, the Polka, Waltz, and the One-Step were popular. By 1915 another change
took place, a new and melodious type of music was written. The public
was quick to appreciate the change to a smoother, more rhythmic style
of music, and their dancing began to absorb the better attributes of the
older dances. From 1917 up to the present time, the accent has been on
smoother dancing and individualized expression.
The Cha Cha is a favorite dance for many people. Danced not only in Latin nightclubs but also at wedding receptions, reunions, or just about anywhere playing fun upbeat music. The diversity of musical styles makes the dance exciting for people of all ages. The Cha Cha is a geographical half-breed,
springing up Latin American roots in Cuba, and flowering under North American
influence. Each country has used a slightly different styling and pattern
form. Little has been written about the history of Cha Cha, possibly because
it is so closely identified with the Mambo. The tempo can be slow and
staccato, or fast and lively. It is so much of an "on the beat"
dance that you can't help but feel the rhythm and inject your own feeling
into it. It is a real "let yourself go" type dance.
The Waltz dates back to the country folk dances of Bavaria, but it was not introduced into society until 1812, when it made its appearance in the English ballrooms. Prior, it was danced as a round dance called the "Volte." When the Waltz was introduced into the ballrooms in the early 19th Century, it was met with outraged indignation. A man dancing with his hand around the lady's waist? No proper young maiden would compromise herself in such a way! Immediately upon its introduction to the United States it became one of the most popular of all American dances, and was the only dance to survive the "Ragtime Revolution." To many the Waltz signifies grace and elegance, always a favorite for wedding couples. Every lady feels like Cinderella at the ball while dancing the Waltz. The latter part of the 19th Century found composers writing Waltzes to a slower tempo than that of the original Viennese Waltz style. Then an even slower tempo came into prominence in the early 1920's, with the result that today we have three distinct tempos: the fast "Viennese" style, a medium tempo Waltz, and the slow Waltz, the last two being of American invention.Waltz music is written in 3/4 time and should be played at
a tempo of about 36-40 measures per minute for most social dancing. The
Waltz is a progressive and turning dance moving around the dance floor.
The figures are designed for both a larger ballroom floor and the average
nightclub floor. A swaying motion and Rise and Fall highlight the smooth,
lilting style of the Waltz.
There is not a clearly defined country of origin to which the Tango may be credited. It is claimed to have originated not only in Argentina, but also in Brazil, Spain, and Mexico. The earliest traces of the Tango date back to the 19th Century, to the folk dances of Argentina. Then called the "Milonga", it was thought to have Moorish, Arabic and Spanish ancestry. Years later, the Argentinean plainsmen, the "Gauchos", danced a modified version of the "Milonga" in the bawdy cafes of Buenos Aires. The youths of Argentina and Cuba changed the name to "Tango", and the style to one that was more acceptable to society. The Cubans danced it to Habanera rhythms which are syncopated, and obscured the basic Milonga rhythm. It was not until after it went to Paris, and was re-introduced to Argentina, that the music was restored to its native style. For the last 60 years or so, the 4 beat Tango rhythm has endured, and has continued to enjoy undiminished favor everywhere. The music is now universal, with many types of different styles depending upon the customs of the country. Of all the dances, which came into being the early Twentieth Century, only the Tango has continued to enjoy so much popularity. Tango music is written in 4/4 time (also 2/4 time) and played at a tempo
of 30-33 measures per minute. It is a progressive dance which moves around
the dance floor rather than staying in one spot. A staccato movement of
the feet and flexed knees highlight the dramatic style of this dance.
Perhaps one reason for its widespread popularity is that it is danced
close to the partner.
The Eastern Swing was born in the United States, and represents the most famous American folk dance. The best forms of Swing include Charleston, Black Bottom, Shag and Lindy Hop. In the early 40's these forms consolidated into what is called the Lindy. The shuffling movement of the original Lindy can be linked to today's
single rhythm in Swing. As the shuffling, or single rhythm progressed,
it evolved into both the Double and Triple Lindy, and today all three
form the basis of good Swing dancing. In the 40's the Swing was danced
in the Harlem section of New York City, at a time when such band greats
as Chick Webb, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman were holding sway. It
was in Harlem where the Swing took on most of today's popular steps and
styling. Swing music is written in 4/4 time and should be played at a tempo of
36-45 measures per minute. The Swing is danced in a spot rather than moving
around the room, and free, rhythmic interpretation using single, double,
and triple rhythms is characteristic of the dance. Relaxed, shuffling
movements and the use of counter sway highlight the style of dance.
Western Swing has quickly gained popularity across the United States because of its sophisticated style and easy adaptation to today's modern rock style music. Originally popular in the west and southwest regions of the U.S., the Western Swing made its bid as a nationally accepted Swing style in the late 1950's and has been gaining in popularity ever since. The Western
Swing incorporates many forms of Swing including the Lindy, Shag, Whip,
and Push. Versatile dancers are always creating new and interesting movements
in the Swing. Western Swing can be danced in a relatively small area;
ad-libbing and complete freedom of expression can be applied to the dance.
The Rumba, which originated with the African slaves of Cuba more than 400 years ago, is a tantalizing rhythm that first invaded the U.S. in the early 30's, and remains one of our most popular social dances. The earliest form of the Rumba was an expressive pantomime danced by natives under the spell of elemental music. Our modern Rumba is far removed from its primal roots. Danced properly, the Rumba is a delightful favorite, characterized by a smooth, subtle hip motion and a rather heavy walking step. Of the three style of Rumba introduced to the U.S. the Bolero-Rumba,
the Son-Rumba and the Guaracha-Rumba, only the Bolero-Rumba (shortened
to Bolero) and the Son-Rumba (Shorted to Rumba) has survived the test
of time. The Guaracha-Rumba quickly faded from vogue when the more exciting
Mambo was introduced to Americans in the late 1940's. The Rumba is danced in a spot rather than moving around the room. The
steps are quite compact. A smooth, subtle, Latin Hip Movement is used
throughout the Rumba. Latin Hip Movement is the authentic rolling lateral
motion of the hips, which occurs as each step is taken. Although Rumba
is not danced with the same body contact that is used in some of the smoother
dances such as Foxtrot, there may be times when partnership looks and
feels more attractive when a closer contact is used.
The Samba was imported from Brazil and was introduced to the Dance Masters Association of New York in 1929. Like many Brazilian dances, the music is based on African rhythms combined with an expressive melodic line, usually in 2/4 time and written in a major key. It is a serenade in form, with repetitions of the melodic pattern continually interrupted by strumming of a stringed instrument. It first become famous in Rio de Jeneiro and later the fascinating form was taken up by serious Latin American composers. The Samba is danced in a moderate to slow tempo in South America but
usually to a faster tempo in the United States. However, at a slower pace,
one has more control and the tantalizing elements of the dance may be
more easily achieved. The basic spring-like knee action, a fall and rise
movement called the "Samba Pulse", must be continuous, with
emphasis on the downward rather than the upward movement. Samba is a spot dance, however, some progression along the Line of Dance
is seen. Steps are generally quite compact, although slightly larger steps
are sometimes taken with progression. The spring-like knee action of the
Samba Pulse can be danced smoothly with only slight flexing and rise;
or with a more pronounced and spirited flexing and rise. This dance has
a forward and backward movement of the upper body called the "Pendulum
Motion", as well as a rolling effect executed on some turning figures.
Today, in the dance world, one thing is certain. . . there is no escaping the Mambo. The extent of the Mambo's popularity may be attributed to the fact that its rhythm, not restricted only to Latin melodies, has invaded the popular music market, adding Mambo's distinctive flavor to mainstream culture. Across the nation, dancers who may never have progressed beyond the Waltz
or Swing are clamoring wildly for Mambo instruction. More dancers are
realizing that this is one of the most fun-filled dance crazes of any
era. But they would surely be surprised to learn that it is almost completely
the work of one man-Perez Prado. Mambo music tempo is written in 4/4 time and is played at a tempo of
45 measures per minute. The following timing is mandatory: 2, 3, 4 hold
1. Mambo is a spot dance not moving along the Line of Dance. Steps are
quite compact and a more staccato Hip Movement is characteristic of the
Mambo.
Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim that the Merengue originated in their country. The Haitian story is that an early ruler of the country had a lame son who liked to dance. So that he would not feel embarrassed about his affliction, the entire government took to dancing the Merengue as if they, too, were lame. The Dominican story differs only slightly; they claim there was a dance given for a great hero returning from the war. When he got up to dance and limped on his wounded left leg, all the other men present also favored their left legs as they danced, so as not to embarrass the hero. Regardless of who claims to have originated the Merengue, it continues
to enjoy favor with American dancers, who find its music lively, spirited,
and fun to dance to. Originally introduced to America in the early 50's,
the Merengue is one of the easiest of the Latin dances, and now experiencing
the same dance craze as Mambo. |
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