DANCETONES Dances

Modern Ballroom

Slow Waltz; The Slow Waltz (also known as the ‘Modern Waltz’ or, simply, the ‘Waltz’) was derived from the Viennese Waltz (see below). It was originally danced in the early 1800’s in Germany and Austria, and also evolved in America in 1834 (where it was called the ‘Boston’). It is danced at a slower tempo than the Viennese (danced at 84-90 beats per minute, as opposed to 180 beats per minute), which allows for more figures and picture steps to be used. It was also the first ballroom dance to have feet parallel to each other, rather than turned out, as in ballet. The slower tempo allows the dancers to rise and fall in rhythm, which makes the dance appear elegant and graceful.

Tango; The Tango originated in Argentina in the mid 1800’s and was derived from a mixture of a number of other dances; the Flamenco dance from the Spanish conquesters, the Tangano from African slaves and the Habanera from Cuba. Originally only danced in the slums of Buenos Aires, it achieved more popularity by the early 1900’s and appeared in Europe for the first time in Paris in 1910. From there it exploded onto the dancing scene and was danced in ballrooms throughout the western world in a matter of months. The original Argentian Tango is a soft private dance, with the emphasis on leg movements, kicks and flicks. The Modern Tango (developed in Paris in the 1930’s) combines the proud torso of other ballroom dances and a staccato action, which moves the emphasis from the legs, to the torso and head. This gives the dance its light and shade, and embodies passion and desire.

Viennese Walt; The Viennese Waltz has its origins in Provence, France (not Vienna, Austria) where it was called the ‘Volta’, in the mid 1500’s. As the dance gained popularity throughout Europe, it caused uproar because the dancers had to hold each other closer than other dances of the time. A pamphlet from the late 1700’s warned against the dance and was entitled ‘Proof that Waltzing is a main source of weakness of the body and mind of our generation’ - just as well they didn’t have the Rumba in the 1700’s!! The dance became hugely popular in Vienna in the 1800’s, with massive dance halls opening to accommodate its popularity (the Apollo, opened in 1808, was able to accommodate 6,000 dancers). With the music of Josef and Johan Strauss, the dance continued to gain in popularity throughout Europe. The dance is currently danced at a tempo of 180 beats per minute, with a limited number of steps.

Slow Foxtrot; The Foxtrot is danced at a tempo of 120 beats per minute, and originated in the early 1900’s. It is commonly believed that the name derives from the motion of a horse, of the same name. A normal trotting horse has all four legs off the ground at one time, which has a jarring action when the horse lands. However a fox-trotting horse has one leg on the ground at all times, which allows for a smoother ride and is less tiring on the horse and rider. It is believed that this smooth action was the reason for the dance been linked to the name. Around 1922, the trotting movements were replaced with a less energetic step called the ‘Saunter’. By 1927, it was called the Slow Foxtrot, and was characterised by smooth gliding movements, which remain as the basis for the modern Slow Foxtrot.

Quickstep; The Quickstep is the newest of the Modern Ballroom dances, appearing in 1923 for the first time. It evolved from a combination of dances; the ‘Foxtrot’ (see above), the ‘Charleston’ (originated in the Cape Verde Islands and made popular in New York in 1923 by the Ziegfield Follies), the ‘Black Bottom’ (originated in Detroit and made popular in 1926 by George White) and the ‘Shimmy’ (originated in Nigeria and made popular in 1922 by the Ziegfield Follies). Danced to a tempo of 200 beats per minute.

Latin American

Cha Cha Cha; The Cha Cha Cha has its origins in Cuba, through the music of composer and violinist Enrique Jorin. It is a recent dance (1950’s) and can be danced in contact or separated. The common introduction dance for students of Latin American dancing, the basic steps are easy to learn and fun. The three most important things to remember in Cha Cha Cha - hip action, hip action and hip action!!

Samba; The Samba was developed in Brazil, through a combination of other dances, mainly African dances from the Congo and Angola region. In the early 1900’s it started to become popular in Rio De Janerio. The Brazilian Samba, is actually a term for a collection of several different dances (Samba no pe, Samba de Gafieira, Samba Pagode, Samba Axe, Samba Reggae, Samba rock and Samba de roda) , all of which differ significantly from the Ballroom Samba. The Ballroom Samba is based on the same steps, regardless of the type of samba music being played. It has also been developed for dancing with partners, whereas most of the Brazilian Samba dances are danced individually. Nowadays, the Samba is mainly associated with Rio De Janeiro Carnival, with its colourful costumes and lively movements. A favourite dance with the kids, as it involves a lot of bouncing!!

Rumba; The Rumba originated in Cuba in the late 1800’s, where it known as the Bolero-Son. As with most of the other Latin dances, it is based on a fusion of dance and music styles brought together by the Spanish conquesters, African slaves and natives. Similarly to the Samba (above) the Rumba is actually a term for a collection of different dances in its native Cuba (Rumba Yambu, Rumba Columbia and Rumba Guaguaco). What the Ballroom Rumba does have in common with its Cuban form, are the main features of the dance - hip sway over the standing leg and the use of free arms in figures. it is the slowest of the Latin dances (120 beats per minute) and is known as the ‘dance of love’.

Paso Doble; The Paso Doble originated in the south of Spain and is based on the national sport of Spain - the bullfight. This dance portrays the man as a matador and the woman as his cape. This tends to be a highly choreographed dance and, therefore, is not danced socially. However, it can be a striking show piece, which evokes passion, emotion and strength.

Jive; The Jive originated in the USA in the 1930’s. Its original name was the Jitterbug Jive, which it actually got from a Disney cartoon where Mickey and Minnie Mouse danced it!! American soldiers brought the Jive with them to Europe during the second world war, where it quickly caught on among the youth of the time. For a long time, the ballroom establishment viewed the Jive as a vulgar foreign dance, but, it was developed over time into a more elegant dance with slightly slower music. In 1968 it was associated as the fifth Latin American dance for competitions. It’s a popular social dance, as the basics can be picked up quite easily and it is fun and lively.

Other Dance Genre

Salsa; The Salsa, originated as a term for a number of Latin dances in New York in the 1970’s. The dances were mainly from Cuba and Puerto Rico (Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Guararcha, Changui, Palo Monte, Abakua and Comparsa). It has now developed to a stage where any number of steps can be incorporated into the basic movement.

Line Dancing; Line Dancing is associated with Country & Western music from USA. It has been growing in popularity since the 1970’s, but didn’t come to prominence in Europe until the early 1990’s. As the name suggests, people dance in a line of individuals, rather than as couples.

Hip Hop; Hip Hop dancing is part of a larger Hip Hop culture, that started in New York in the 1970’s. The initial dancing was characterised by Breakdancing, Popping and Locking (these forms are sometimes called Old School Hip Hop). During the 1990’s various new styles of Hip Hop dancing evolved, mainly as upright dancing as opposed to the ground movements of Breakdancing. Hip Hop dancing now incorporates steps and movements from various dance styles including tap, jazz and salsa.