Classifications of Dances

Classifications of Dances: 8.
Country and Western: Country and western dance is a

1. Ballet: Ballet originated in the 15th century, first in Italy and broad category of many dance styles, incorporating influences from
then in France. Over the centuries, ballet has influenced many other contra, folk, and even jazz, set to country or western-themed dance
styles of dance and become a fine art form in its own right. There music. Waltzes and two-steps are the most common forms of
are three basic styles: partner-style dancing, but you'll also find variations on polkas and
Classical: This form reached its peak in 19th-century France and other folk dances brought to the U.S. by German and Czech
Russia. It is often story-driven and orchestrated ("The Nutcracker" is immigrants. Square dances and line dances, where people dance in
a great example), with fantastical sets and costumes. The movement tight, choreographed movements with a number of partners or as
emphasizes point work (dancing on toes), graceful expressions, and part of a group, have their roots in contra dancing. Clog dancing, a
symmetry among dancers. form of footwork-heavy dance rooted in the jigs of Britain and
Neoclassical: This is an evolution of classical ballet, which emerged Ireland, is most frequently associated with bluegrass music.
in the early to mid-20th century. Movements are faster and more 9. Belly Dancing: Belly dancing emerged from the folk
urgent, with less emphasis on symmetry, and simple sets and traditions of the Middle East, but its precise origins are unclear.
costumes. The plot is often nonexistent. Orchestras, bands, or Unlike most forms of Western dancing, which emphasize complex
soloists may accompany the dancers. footwork and partner choreography, belly dancing is a solo
Contemporary: Like neoclassical, the plot is cast aside in favor of performance that focuses on the torso and hips. Dancers combine a
pure movement and physical expression, which may not appear to series of fluid movements to emphasize rhythm, isolated flourishes
be dancelike at all. Costumes and set designs are frequently simple like hip twists for percussive punctuation, and shimmies, spins, and
or abstract. Music or sound work, if used, is often contemporary or torso vibrations to add variety and detail.
experimental in nature. 10. Flamenco: Flamenco dance is an expressive dance form that
2. Jazz Dancing: Jazz is a lively dance style that relies heavily on mixes percussive footwork with intricate hand, arm, and body
originality and improvisation. This style often uses bold, dramatic movements. It emerged from the cultures of the Iberian Peninsula in
body movements, including body isolations and contractions. Jazz the 1700s and 1800s, though its precise origins are unclear.
dance has its roots in African traditions kept alive by slaves brought Flamenco consists of three elements: cante (the song), baile (the
to the U.S. Over time, this evolved into a style of street dance that dance), and guitarra (guitar playing). Each has its own traditions, but
soon moved into the jazz clubs of the early 20th century. the dancing is most often closely associated with flamenco, with its
3. Tap Dance: Like jazz dancing, tap evolved from the African flamboyant gestures and rhythmic foot stamping that calls to mind
dance traditions preserved by slaves in the U.S. In this exciting dance tap dancing.
form, dancers wear special shoes equipped with metal taps. Tap 11. Latin Dance: Latin dance is a broad term for any number of
dancers use their feet like drums to create rhythmic patterns and ballroom and street-style dance forms that evolved in the 19th and
timely beats. Music is rarely used. 20th centuries in the Spanish-speaking Western Hemisphere. These
4. Hip-Hop Dance: Another descendant of jazz dance, hip-hop styles have roots in European, African, and indigenous dance and
emerged from the streets of New York in the 1970s in the city's ritual. Many styles of Latin dance have their origins in a specific
African-American and Puerto Rican communities at the same time as region or country. Tango, with its sensual, close partnerships,
rap and DJing. Breakdancing—with its popping, locking, and athletic originated in Argentina. Salsa, with its hip-swaying beat, evolved in
floor movements—is perhaps the earliest form of hip-hop dance. the Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban communities of 1970s New
Often, "crews" of teams of dancers would hold competitions to see York City. Other popular forms of Latin dance include Mambo, which
which group had bragging rights as the best. originated in 1930s Cuba; bomba, a folk-style of rhythmic dance
from Puerto Rico; and meringue, a Dominican style of close partner
5. Modern Dance: Modern dance is a dance style that rejects dancing with tight hip movements.
many of the strict rules of classical ballet, focusing instead on the
expression of inner feelings. It emerged in Europe and the U.S. in the 12. Folk Dance: Folk dance is a generic term that can refer to a
early 20th century as a rebellion against classical ballet, emphasizing variety of dances developed by groups or communities, as opposed
creativity in choreography and performance. to being made up by a choreographer. These forms often evolve
over generations and are learned informally, usually at communal
6. Swing Dancing: Swing dance is yet another offshoot of gatherings where the dances are performed. Music and costuming
traditional jazz dance that became popular as swing bands became often reflect the same ethnic traditions of the dancers. Examples of
the dominant form of popular entertainment in the late 1930s and folk dances include the rigid uniformity of Irish line dancing and the
early '40s. Unlike other forms of jazz dance that emphasize the call-and-response interplay of a square dance.
individual, swing dance is all about partnership. Athletic couples
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swing, spin, and jump together in syncopated time to the beat of the
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band, usually with a fixed number of choreographed steps repeated
in a specific sequence.
7. Contra Dance: Contra dance is a form of American folk
dance in which the dancers form two parallel lines and perform a
sequence of dance movements with different partners down the
length of the line. It has its roots in similar folk dances from colonial-
era Great Britain. Although contra dancing is partner-based, it's a
communal arrangement; you don't need to bring your own partner,
because you'll be dancing with everyone down the line at some
point. Dancers are led by a caller, who calls out specific steps and
directions to change partners. Folk music from the British Isles or the
U.S. is the most common form of accompaniment.

Classifications of Dances

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Classifications of Dances

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Classifications of Dances: 8.

Country and Western: Country and western dance is a

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