The dances in the Ballroom group of dances are: -Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango and, although not often used, the Viennese Waltz. In addition there is Social rhythm, which is used for very new dancers to get used to being on a ballroom floor, and by experienced dancers to socialize on very crowded floors.
WALTZ
The waltz is danced to music with three beats to each bar, and is fairly slow. It is normally the first ballroom dance most people learn. Because of the three beats to a bar format, most bars of music are two steps and close. This means that each group of three starts on a different foot. “Easy” you say after all that’s how we walk, and we’ve all heard that dancing is only walking to music. And so it is. We’ll see, shall we?
Tempo (Speed of music) 30 BPM (bars per minute)
Time signature (beats in a bar) 3/4 (3 beats to a bar)
QUICKSTEP
Quick and light, four beats to the bar. Slow steps taken on the heel, quick steps, in the main, taken on the ball of the foot. Most closes of foot are on the quick steps. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?
Tempo 50 BPM
Time signature 4/4
FOXTROT
Four beats to the bar again, but this time much slower. Very few closes of the feet. The control needed to make it seem light and easy, whilst moving so slowly, is tricky. Perhaps the most difficult dance in the ballroom group, but the most satisfying when you get it right.
Tempo 30 BPM
Time signature 4/4
- When dancing these three dances (Waltz, Quickstep and Foxtrot) and later the Viennese Waltz, the overall feel is the same. To travel across the floor as freely and as lightly as possible is the simplest way to describe it. Technically its called body flight.
TANGO
The feet are picked up and placed in the Tango. The need for each step to flow into the next is less. Movements often end with a complete stop, giving it a very different feel to all the other dances in the ballroom group.
Tempo 33BPM
Time signature 2/4
VIENNESE WALTZ
Historically the first dance in closed hold. Three beats to the bar but much, much faster. As a result, it’s the fastest dance over the ground. Tricky to take the corners in a smaller room. Simple but quick makes it demanding.
Tempo 60 BPM
