BALL ROOM DANCE

INTRODUCTION
Since the 16th Century, ballroom dance has been used for courtship, socialization, exercise, and even
competition. Since its inception in medieval England, the dance has been embraced by enthusiastic
audiences and performers all over the world. Development of the ballroom dance is a product of folk
traditions, merging cultures and courtship rituals.

What is ballroom dance?

A Ballroom Dance dance is danced by partners who dance to the rhythm of a specific song. Dancers use
step patterns to maintain the character of the music. The main characteristic of ballroom dancing is that it
is performed by partners. They dance to both recorded songs and musical instruments. Ballroom dancing
includes a wide variety of different styles practiced all over the world, such as cha-cha, foxtrot, quickstep
and tango. The dance is popular worldwide and is performed in various social contexts, such as regular
competitions and public or invitational dance events...

Where did ballroom dance originated?

The foundations of modern ballroom dancing were laid in 18th and 19th Century in England. Dances
before then were performed in respect to folk traditions and dancers performed when facing the king's
throne. Beginning the 19th Century, however, with a relaxation of etiquette, dancers could now dance in
squares or circles across the room and face the ruler only on formal occasions.

The following are types of Ballroom dances:

TANGO

Tango is a lively and playful dance between two people. It has a rich potential for expression,
improvisation and communication and is danced in both contemporary and traditional styles.
It is often described as a passionate dance due to the close connection between the partners, the nature of
the music and also part of the history of the dance.

Tango is an international dance today. In many countries around the world, it is difficult to find a city
without at least one tango club.
Many people think of ballroom dancing when they think of tango. In fact, ballroom tango with
competitions. or the focus and characteristic posture of the viewer is far from the more organic,
improvisational and bond-oriented tango, Argentine tango, which is gaining popularity so quickly
worldwide. One of the most exciting tangos, the tango is a sensual party dance that originated in Buenos
Aires, Argentina in the early 20th century. Tango dance is usually performed by a man and a woman
who express romance in their synchronized movements. Originally, tango was performed only by women,
but as it spread outside of Buenos Aires, it began to include couples.

The tango has been called a "dance of sorrow", it represents frustrated love and human fatality, although
originally the dance was not so deep and serious. The original tango music had no lyrics to it and the
dances were mostly improvised and in some cases were almost

a combination of dance and wordless theater. The Tango 8-Count Basic (sometimes simply called the
Tango Basic) is a simple combination of two slow walks and a "Tango Close". The five steps are counted
"Slow, Slow, Quick Quick Slow", resulting in a total of 8 counts

In the last two decades of the 19th century, the dance known as the tango emerges out of the immigrant
culture of Argentina's dockside slums. The tango fuses New World, African, and European dance styles
and is accompanied first by violin and harp and later by an accordion-like German import, the bandoneon.

The Tango Basic

The Tango 8-Count Basic (sometimes simply called the Tango Basic) is a simple combination of two
slow walks and a "Tango Close". The five steps are counted "Slow, Slow, Quick Quick Slow", resulting
in a total of 8 counts.

RUMBA

The term rumba can refer to several unrelated styles of music. Originally "rumba" is used as a synonym
for "party" In northern Cuba and in the late 1800s, it was used to describe a complex of secular musical
styles known as Cuban rumba.andquot;Rumbreaandquot;. Definition: Spanish verb meaning to feast, have
fun and dance. Sound familiar? This is where the rumba dance style got its name. Today, the rumba is a
fun and intelligent Latin-style ballroom dance that goes well with most types of contemporary music.
Here on the blog, we look at the history of rumba and even learn the basic steps and nuances of this
smooth and intelligent Latin dance.

Simply put, Rumba was born anywhere in the West Indies and grew up in Cuba. Multiple styles. evolved
on various islands including Son, Danzon, Guagira, Guaracha and Naningo. In addition to the Latin
influence of Spanish culture, African folk dances, where women danced to protect their male partners,
played a large role in creating the noise. American Rumba is adapted from the popular Cuban
andquot;Bolero-Sonandquot; a dance that involves the dancer's small steps and hip movements as a result
of bending the knees. Thanks to the film industry, rumba became popular in 1930-1939. even better
known in the years. It represented the essence of Latin American dance through romantic subtleties and
rhythmic body movements.Rumba dancers usually embody a brutal, fluid and sensual nature. The
mobility kit is very accurate in details, but the most important feature is to keep in touch with your
partner. The toes should be slightly angled to achieve our favorite hip move, the cuba move, like in salsa.
Fun fact, rumba is the slowest of the competing international Latin styles.

The music in rumba is usually in an even 4/4 time signature. Traditionally, Cuban rumba music is used
with strong percussions and a smooth, steady heat. Luckily, the rhythm in rumba is very widespread in
today's pop music and it is fairly easy to find a contemporary pop song without latin beats that would
work nicely for dancing the rumba. This makes rumba highly versatile and super fun to learn and dance..

The hasic rhythm in rumba is slow-quick-quick, with the first step taking 2 beats and the last two steps
each taking one beat. It is done as a box step, just like waltz! However, that's where the similarity ends.
Since rumba is a latin style, the hips are active and always moving in "cuban motion". It also borrows
some of our favorite steps from salsa such as cross-body leads and shoulder checks.

The arms are held in a traditional frame position to connect the two dancers in rumba. However, similar
to other latin styles, the leader's left arm is held at a 90 degree angle to the floor. This creates a tighter
frame between the dancers and adds a pinch of intimate flavor to the dancing.

WALTZ

Waltz (from German Walzer( valtse) is a festive and ballroom dance, usually in triple (auxiliary) time.
performed mainly in the closed position.

The romantic waltz is one of the most popular ballroom dances of all time. Some consider the "mother of
modern dances; and "spin dance" ballroom waltz is the basis of many dances. Developed in Germany, the
waltz is popular all over the world. A waltz is a truly romantic dance consisting of soft, round, flowing
movements. Waltz is an elegant and graceful dance designed for large dance halls. dance, with its long,
flowing movements, constant turns, and rising and falling technique, makes the dancers glide through
space as if effortlessly. A waltz can be performed to any music at a slow tempo in % time. Our favorite
waltzes include andquot;Moon Riverandquot; Audrey Hepburn and "Come Away with Mean" By Norah
Jone.

Although we think the waltz is elegant, the form was originally considered vulgar and immoral. was
introduced in English ballrooms in the early 1800s. It was the first time anyone had seen men holding a
woman so close! It began as a folk dance of 444 countries in the suburbs of Austria and Bavaria. While
the upper class danced the minuet , the bored aristocrats crept up to their servants and #039; balls where
they found the waltz.

Soon after, the waltz was brought to the United States, where dance and music were slower to develop.
Waltz is a progressive dance that moves and sways. It is characterized by large smooth movements and
turns with an ascent and descent technique. Waltz is similar to the Foxtrot because it has a similar frame.
The foxtrot is performed in even beats, while the waltz is performed in triple beats.
The time signature of the waltz is 3/4. The basic waltz can be counted andquot;1,2,3; 1,2,3" Waltz can
only be played to music with this time signature. Check out our list of waltz songs here! In the West, the
general waltz is danced at approximately 90 beats per minute and each beat has 3 beats. If the piece is
faster (around 180 beats per minute), a Viennese or modified waltz would be more appropriate

. In the waltz, the dancers maintain a wide and extended stance, which helps them move and navigate the
floor more effectively.
.

CHA-CHA

It is a type of ballroom dance that uses more hips and legs.

Cha-cha-chá, or simply cha-cha in the United States, is a dance of Cuban origin. It is danced to the music
of the same name, introduced in the early 1950s by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrin. latin
rock The cha-cha-cha music of the international ballroom is energetic and steady. ➤ Chacha is danced by
both men and women; can have partners.

Dancer costume is for women: can be flowing dress, heels with 2 or 3 inch heels; for men: long-sleeved
polo shirt, wide-leg pants, light heeled shoes Music is usually upbeat, such as "Chilly Cha Cha" Jessica
Jay, Sway,Michael Buble

Cha-cha-cha is danced to authentic Cuban music, although it is danced in ballroom competitions often to
the tune of Latin pop music or Latin rock. International ballroom Cha Cha Cha music is energetic and
smooth. Music can contain complex polyrhythms. Cha-cha-chá dance styles can differ from the chase
position in the rhythmic structure. the original Cuban and ballroom cha-cha number is "two, three,
chacha", andquot;four and one, two,three andquot; or "one, two, three, chacha" The dance does not begin
on the first beat of the beat, although it may begin with a shift of weight to the lead and to the right.
However, many ballroom dancers count "one, two, cha-cha-cha" and adjusting to the correct time of the
dance can be difficult, andquot;two, three, cha-cha, one andquot;.

In the basic pattern, the leader (usually a man) steps forward straight on the left foot and holds weight on
the right foot. The knee of the right leg must remain bent and close to the back of the left knee, the left leg
is straightened just before the partial weight is taken. This step is done on the second beat of the measure.
Full weight is returned to the right foot on the second step (kick three).

The fourth beat is divided into two parts, so the next three steps are cha-cha chasse. A step to the side is a
semi-closed tack foot towards the left foot (usually leaving the robots together) and finally the last step is
to the left with the left foot. The length of the chassis steps depends largely on the impression the dancer
makes.

The partner takes a step back with the right leg, the knee is straight with full weight. The other leg is
allowed to remain straight, perhaps shooting a little, but no deliberate bending of the free leg is attempted.
It is quite different from the technique associated with salsa, for example. On the next stroke (stroke
three), the weight is shifted back to the left leg. Then we dance chasse RLR

QUICK STEP

Quickstep is a light dance for regular ballroom dances. The dance movement is fast and strongly flowing
and sprinkled with syncopations. Quick tunes Quickstep is danced to suit both formal and informal
occasions.

Quickstep History

It was developed during World War I in suburban New York and was originally performed by Caribbean
and African dancers. It later debuted on American variety show stages and became an immediate success
in ballrooms. Foxtrot and Quickstep share a common origin. In the 20s many bands played the slow
Foxtrot too fast. Later they evolved into two different dances. The slow speed of the Foxtrot slowed down
and the Quickstep became a fast version of the Foxtrot. In 1925 the Charleston fever started, it had a lot
of influence on the development of Quickstep. The English developed the Quickstep of the original
Charleston into a progressive dance without kicks and mixed in the fast Foxtrot. They called this dance
the QuickTime Foxtrot and Charleston. At and#039;Starandquot; In the championships, (1927) the
English couple Frank Ford and Molly Spain danced a version of the QuickTime Foxtrot and the
Charleston without the knee movements of the Charleston and made it a separate dance for two.
Discussed why this dance became so popular in Britain. The Quickstep is thought to have been Britain's
answer to keeping indoors warm in winter. It is a proven fact that energy. A 60-second Quickstep is the
same as running a mile in record time.
That dance could be called "joy" dance of modern dance. Although the basic figures are quite simple, the
tempo of the music and the whole character of the dance seem to invite a careless interpretation of its
bright rhythm. For a beginner, the basic steps are easy to learn and easy to adapt to music. The advanced
dancer finds that the music fits an infinite number of steps. A dancer who masters the basics of Quickstep
has mastered a dance that never gets old—a dance that is arguably the most powerful expression of
rhythm the world has ever known. Quickstep is undoubtedly the most popular dance today.

Suit

Classic party dress, but women's; dresses probably have floaty panels and a layered skirt that creates
movement around the dancers; the legs emphasize the speed of the dancer and; movement

Characteristic Quickstep steps

Quickstep is characterized by a swinging movement that rises and falls quickly. Notable QuickSteps
include:
Rise and Fall Lockout
Natural Hairpin
Running End
Outside Shift
Body
Case
Quickstep is usually danced slower than round dance in modern ballroom where music is played at 48-
52 beats per minute (bpm), 200-208 beats per a minute Quickstep music includes Big Band or Ragtime,
show music, jazz or swing, and often syncopation. The music is in 4/4 time (four beats to a beat), usually
emphasizing the first and third beats.

Examples:
Viva las Vegas - Elvis Presley
The Mountain Sound Of Monsters And Men
I Just Can't Wait To Be King Elton John:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered Iand#039;m Yours Stevie Wonder
DOUBLE PASS

.JIVE

Jive is a lively, unstoppable variation on the jitterbug. Many of its basic patterns are similar to East Coast
Swing. Jive is one of the five international Latin dances, although its origins are African-American.

Characteristics of Jive Dancing

Jive and East Coast swing share many characteristics, as well as the same musical style and tempo. The
basic look and feel of the Jive is that it is done with a lot of energy and the legs represent a pumping
action. Both the East Coast swing and the basic jive consist of two triple dips and a stone step. Jive differs
in that the count begins with a stone step that reads "1, 2." Two triple phases are numbered "3 and 4" and
"5 and 6." In competition, it is danced at 176 beats per minute.

History of Jive

Jive was first introduced by Cab Calloway in 1934. It spread in the United States in the 1940s and was
influenced by Boogie, Rock and Roll, African/American Swing and Lindy hop. The name comes from
both jive, form. of monotonous speech, or of African dance terms. Jive became a general term for swing
in Britain.In the International Style dance competition, jive is grouped with Latin dances, but is danced to
Western music, 42 beats per minute in 4/4 time.

Jive Action

Jive is a very happy, drunken, energetic dance with lots of knee lifting. pelvic flexion and sway. The
fastest of the Latin dances, the jive includes lots of kicks and punches, even women's cycling, and it
doesn't move around the dance floor like other dances. Although jive dancers may appear to move their
legs randomly in all directions, the legs are well controlled under the body, with the knees close together.

Differentiation of Jive Dance Steps

Jive Basic is a 6-beat pattern:

A man and a woman face each other with their hands clasped together and the man leads.

Stone steps (1 and 2): Step one foot behind the other and lift the front foot. The man steps back with his
left foot, while the woman steps back with her right foot.

Chasse to the left (3 and 4) the man goes to the left, the woman to the right.

Chasse to the right (Calculations 5 and 6) the man goes to the right, the woman to the left.

Jive Music and Rhythm

Jive can be danced for swing and blues at about 200 beats per minute. Depending on your favorite style,
Jive can be danced to various optimistic music, including Bugie-Woogie, Swing and Rock and Roll. For
beginners, the most important thing is to learn the rhythm of the music. Listen to the drum line instead of
the tune, the drum provides the rhythm.

Jive Dresses

For girls, any beautiful dress is much better when ladies wear a skirt and shoulder.

For men, long pants or trousers, polo shirt or long/short sleeves.

.
Practice Schedule for ballroom dances (standard)

1. Try out for all interested students wish to join the team

Final try-out in order to determine the final list of the team

3. Orientation to all qualified dancers.

Briefing with regards to their discipline and importance of the training program.

4. Health and medical check-up for all qualified dancers in order to know if they are physically fit in
engaging in the sports activity,

2nd week

1. Communication and partnering

2. Warm up-Exercise

3. Familiarize the music, rhythm and timing.

Practice the basic steps of Viennese waltz

5. Styling and Interpretation

6. Practice the dance with progressive movement

7. Cool down (walk (normal walk) around the practice room 1-2 times and stand up for 2 minutes)

3 week

1. Warm up-Exercise

2. Familiarize the music, rhythm and timing

3. Practice the basic steps of foxtrot

4. Styling and Interpretation

5. Practice the dance with progressive movement

6. Cool down (walk (normal walk) around the practice room 1-2 times and stand up for 2 minutes)

4 week

1. Warm up-Exercise

Familiarize the music, rhythm and timing

3. Practice the basic steps of Quickstep

Styling and Interpretation

5. Practice the dance with progressive movement

6. Cool down (walk (normal walk) around the practice room 1-2 times and stand up for 2 minutes)

5 week

1. Warm up- Exercise

2. Familiarize the music, rhythm and timing

3. Practice the basic steps of Tango

Styling and Interpretation

5. Practice the dance with progressive movemen
6. Cool down (walk (normal walk) around the practice room 1-2 times and stand up for 2 minutes

Abbreviations of Steps
A/Ag-Against

B-Backing Ball of foot

BCT Body completes turn.

BF-Ball flat

BII-Ball Heel

BTL Body Turns Less

btw between

C-Center/Counter

CBM-Contra Body Movement

CBMP Contra Body Movement Position

CCW Counter Clockwise

Com-Commence

Con-Continge

CP-Closed Position.

CPP-Counter Promenade Position

ct-Count

CW Clockwise

DC-Diagonal Center

DHH Double Handhold

DW Diagonal Wall

c/o end of F-Facing

FacP Facing Position

FallP Fallaway Position:

FF-Foot Flat

H-Heel of foot

HB-Heel Ball
HT-Heel Toe

L-Left

LF-Left Foot

LOD Line of Dance

LOP Left Outside Position

LSP-Left Side Position.

mpm Measures per minute

NER No foot rise

OCPP- Open Counter Promenade Position

OE-Outside Edge

OP Outside Position

OFP Open Facing Position

OPPOpen Promenade Position

OTPP-Overturned Promenade Position

P-Pointing

Prep Preparation

PP Promenade Position

O Quick

R-Right

RF- Right FootROP Right Outside Position

RSP Right Side Position

SHIH-Single Hand Hold

ShP Shadow Position

8 Slow

T-Toe of Foot
TH-Toc Heel

UA-Underarm
HAT-Underarm Tum
IE Inside Edge
IEB Inside Edge of Ball of foot
IEBH Inside Edge of Ball Heel
IET-Inside Edge of loc of foot
W Wall
WH Whole Foot
wt weight
we-without
XHH-Croiss Hand Hold

Alignment Diagram
Stand facing Wall (window of the room), when turning left 45 degrees at a time, a dancer going
through the following alignment (assuming the next step is along the normal travel direction):
 Facing Wall (FW)
 Facing Diagonal wall (DW or FDW) (next step is forward)
 Facing Line Of Dance (LOD or FLOD) (next step is forward)
 Facing Diagonal Center (DC or FDC) (next step is forward)
 Facing Center (Center, FC)
 Backing Diagonal Wall (BDW) (next step is back)
 Backing Line Of Dance (BLOD) (next step is back)