Ballroom dancing is an umbrella term that encompasses a captivating array of dance styles, each with its unique rhythm, technique, and character. Whether you’re taking your first steps onto the dance floor or are a seasoned dancer, exploring the different types of ballroom dance can greatly enrich your dance journey. From the passionate Tango to the energetic Jive, the world of ballroom dancing offers something for everyone. This guide will walk you through 19 distinct ballroom dance styles, categorized to help you understand their origins and key features.
International Latin Dances
Originating from social dances in Latin America and standardized for international competitions, International Latin dances are known for their energy, rhythm, and expressive movements. These dances are a vibrant display of partnership and individual flair.
1. Cha Cha
The Cha Cha is a lively and flirtatious dance with Cuban roots. It’s characterized by a playful “cat and mouse” interaction between partners. Unique to the Cha Cha, Rumba, and Mambo is the breaking action on count “2” and syncopated steps on counts 4&1, often counted as “cha-cha-cha.” In the International style of ballroom dancing, the Cha Cha distinguishes itself from the American style with its straight-leg action, maintaining a sharp and precise aesthetic throughout.
2. Samba
Inspired by the vibrant Brazilian carnival dances, the ballroom Samba is full of energy and rhythmic actions. While traditional Brazilian Samba is often a solo dance, the International Latin Samba retains the high energy and intricate rhythms of its heritage but is adapted for partnership. A signature of the Samba is its bouncy quality, achieved through specific techniques and timings, making it an exhilarating ballroom dance style.
3. Rumba
Often called the “dance of love,” the International Rumba is the slowest of the International Latin dances, yet it’s rich with expression and storytelling. This ballroom dance style beautifully portrays romantic narratives between partners through its fluid movements and passionate connection. Although slower in tempo, the Rumba incorporates quick moments within its rhythm, adding dynamic contrast. Similar to the International Cha Cha, the International Rumba is also performed with a straight leg action, contributing to its elegant and controlled style.
4. Paso Doble
Surprisingly originating in France, the Paso Doble is a dramatic and captivating ballroom dance inspired by the Spanish bullfight. Many of its terms, like “apel” (a weight replacement with full foot articulation, often creating a stomping sound), are French, reflecting its historical roots. In Paso Doble, partners embody the roles of the Spanish Bullfighter (Matador) and either the Matador’s cape or a Spanish Dancer, bringing the intensity and drama of the bullfight to the dance floor.
5. Jive
Concluding the International Latin category with a burst of energy, the Jive is a joyful and fast-paced ballroom dance. Born from various Swing styles, including East Coast, West Coast, Lindy Hop, and Jitterbug, the Jive is characterized by its quick footwork, exciting tricks, and infectious energy. This high-spirited dance is sure to get both dancers and audiences on their feet, cheering for more.
International Ballroom Dances
Also known as Standard, International Ballroom dances are characterized by elegant movements, continuous floor patterns, and a closed dance hold, where partners maintain constant connection. These dances emphasize grace, posture, and seamless partnership.
6. Waltz
The International Waltz is the quintessential “ballroom dance,” often evoking images of classic elegance and romance, like a scene from Cinderella. Recognizable by its characteristic “1-2-3” rhythm, the Waltz is danced in a closed hold throughout, a defining feature of all International Ballroom dances. This style of ballroom dancing is admired for its flowing movements, rise and fall action, and graceful turns across the floor.
7. Tango
The Tango in its International Ballroom form is fiery and passionate, marked by sharp, staccato movements and powerful leg actions. Unlike other International Ballroom dances, Tango dancers maintain a flatter posture without “body rise,” creating a more grounded and linear appearance. This, combined with varied dance positions and distinctive footwork, sets the Tango apart technically within the ballroom dance repertoire, offering a dramatic and intense experience.
8. Viennese Waltz
Originating from Vienna, Austria, the Viennese Waltz is a fast-paced and exhilarating ballroom dance, significantly quicker than the traditional Waltz (often called “Slow Waltz” to differentiate). Limited to just seven figures, the Viennese Waltz focuses on continuous, sweeping turns and voluminous movements that seem to race around the dance floor. This style emphasizes momentum, rotation, and stamina, creating a whirlwind of elegance and speed.
9. Foxtrot
The International Foxtrot embodies a smooth and jazzy character, gliding across the floor with an ebb and flow reminiscent of ocean waves. Known for its intricate rise and fall actions, achieved through precise footwork, the Foxtrot is often considered one of the most challenging ballroom dances technically. Its sophisticated rhythm and graceful movements make it a delight to watch and a rewarding dance to master.
10. Quickstep
Quickstep is a dynamic and playful ballroom dance characterized by leaps, kicks, and rapid movements across the floor, all while maintaining a closed hold. Dancers navigate the floor with agility and precision, weaving in and out of patterns and “traffic” with apparent ease. The Quickstep is a testament to skill and coordination, blending speed and elegance in a captivating display of ballroom dancing.
American Rhythm Dances
American Rhythm dances are social ballroom dances that evolved in the United States, influenced by Latin and swing styles. They are known for their versatility, musicality, and expressive freedom, often danced to a wider range of music tempos and styles compared to International Latin.
11. Cha Cha
The American Rhythm Cha Cha differentiates itself from its International counterpart with a bent-to-straight leg action, providing a different feel and styling. While sharing similar figures with the International Cha Cha, the American style often uses different names for steps and incorporates slightly varied techniques. This version of ballroom dancing allows for a more relaxed and social approach to the energetic Cha Cha rhythm.
12. Rumba
The American Rumba blends elements of International Cha Cha and Rumba, resulting in a dance that is more upbeat and allows for faster tempos and steps than the International Rumba. Characterized by a bent-to-straight leg action and strong “Cuban Action”—accentuated hip movements—the American Rumba is a rhythmic and sensual ballroom dance style that is popular in social dance settings.
13. East Coast Swing
The East Coast Swing, also known as American Swing, emerged in the early 20th century on the North American East Coast. While less bouncy and grounded compared to the Jive, it retains a fun and invigorating energy, making it a crowd-pleasing ballroom dance. This style is characterized by its simpler patterns, rhythmic footwork, and adaptable nature, perfect for social dancing and enjoying a wide range of music.
14. Bolero
Bolero is a unique and expressive American Rhythm dance that combines elements of American Waltz and International Rumba. Merging the rise and fall of the Waltz with the romantic rhythm of the Rumba, Bolero creates a dance with exceptional flow and lyrical quality. Think of Bolero as a slower, more controlled Rumba with added vertical movement, resulting in a beautifully fluid and romantic ballroom dance experience.
15. Mambo
Time for a fiesta with the Cuban Mambo! This lively and rhythmic ballroom dance features shimmies, shakes, and dynamic movements. Typically breaking on count two, Mambo shares roots with Salsa and Cumbia, making it a versatile and adaptable dance. In social dance settings, Mambo interpretations vary widely across different regions and cultures, adding to its vibrant and improvisational nature.
American Smooth Dances
American Smooth dances blend the elegance of International Ballroom with the freedom of movement found in jazz and contemporary dance. Allowing dancers to move in and out of closed positions, Smooth styles emphasize fluidity, expression, and continuous movement around the dance floor.
16. Waltz
In the American Smooth Waltz, dancers are freed from the constraints of a closed frame, allowing for breaks and varied holds. This style merges International Waltz techniques with elements of Jazz and Contemporary dance, seamlessly transitioning between closed, shadow, side-by-side, and other positions while maintaining the traditional “1-2-3” Waltz rhythm. The Smooth Waltz offers a more versatile and visually dynamic ballroom dance experience.
17. Tango
The Smooth Tango is an expressive and passionate ballroom dance that combines International Tango techniques with classic Argentinian Tango elements. Characterized by staccato movements, sharp lines, and sudden changes in direction, the Smooth Tango retains the intensity of Tango while incorporating the flowing movements and varied holds of the Smooth style, creating a dramatic and engaging performance.
18. Foxtrot
Made famous by Harry Fox, the American Smooth Foxtrot is known for its jazzy character, smooth transitions, and charming elegance. With a slightly faster tempo than the International Foxtrot, the Smooth version offers a more upbeat and energetic feel. Evoking the style of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the Smooth Foxtrot is full of bright energy, enthusiasm, and sophisticated grace, embodying the golden age of ballroom dancing.
19. Viennese Waltz
Rounding out the American Smooth dances is the Smooth Viennese Waltz, a billowy, emotional, and fast-paced dance. Significantly slower than the International Viennese Waltz, the Smooth version allows dancers to explore a wider range of dance positions and styling, focusing on storytelling and nuanced expression. This style of ballroom dancing emphasizes fluidity, connection, and emotional depth, creating a captivating and romantic experience.
Ballroom dance is more than just steps; it’s a vibrant world of connection, expression, and joy. Whether you are drawn to the structured elegance of International Ballroom or the improvisational freedom of American Rhythm, there’s a style of ballroom dancing to ignite your passion. Ready to take the next step? Explore the diverse world of ballroom dancing and discover the styles that resonate with you. Dance Vision offers a wealth of resources to support your dance journey, from on-demand instruction to expert guidance. Create an account for free and begin exploring hundreds of dance classes today, or upgrade to Premium to unlock over 5,000+ classes and dive even deeper into the art of ballroom dancing.
Happy Dancing! 🙂
