Ballroom dance is an umbrella term that encompasses a captivating array of dance styles, each with its own unique rhythm, character, and techniques. Whether you are a complete beginner taking your first steps or a seasoned dancer looking to expand your repertoire, understanding the different types of Ballroom Dance Dancing is essential. This guide will explore 19 distinct ballroom dance styles, categorized to help you navigate this exciting world.
International Latin Ballroom Dancing
Explore International Latin Dance Style in Detail
International Latin dances are known for their vibrant energy, passionate movements, and captivating rhythms. These dances are a thrilling spectacle to watch and incredibly fun to learn.
1. Cha Cha
The Cha Cha is a playful and flirtatious ballroom dance, often described as a game of “cat and mouse” between partners. Originating from Cuba, International Cha Cha is characterized by its distinct breaking action on the second beat and syncopated steps on counts 4&1, often counted as “cha-cha-cha.” A key feature of the International style is the straight leg action maintained throughout the dance, setting it apart from its American counterpart.
2. Samba
Inspired by the exhilarating Brazilian Carnival dances, Samba in the ballroom context is a high-energy and bouncy dance. While traditional Brazilian Samba is often performed solo, International Latin Samba retains the rhythmic complexity and vibrant spirit of its Brazilian roots but is adapted for partner dancing. Known for its intricate combinations of timings and varied beat values, Samba is a true test of rhythm and coordination.
3. Rumba
The Rumba, often called the “dance of love,” is the slowest of the International Latin dances in terms of tempo. However, don’t mistake slow for simple. International Rumba is rich with nuanced movements and tells romantic stories through expressive partnering and alternating rhythms. It’s a captivating dance that showcases both slow, sensual moments and quick, passionate bursts of energy. Similar to the International Cha Cha, the International Rumba is danced with a straight leg action, emphasizing smooth and controlled movements.
4. Paso Doble
Surprisingly, the dramatic Paso Doble originated in France, despite its strong Spanish bullfighting theme. Many of the terms used in Paso Doble are French, such as “apel,” which refers to a weight transfer involving full foot articulation, often creating a stomping sound that adds to the dance’s dramatic flair. Paso Doble vividly portrays the Spanish bullfight, with dancers embodying the roles of the Matador (bullfighter) and either the Matador’s cape or a Spanish Dancer. This ballroom dance is full of character and powerful shaping.
5. Jive
Concluding the International Latin category with a burst of pure joy, the Jive is a high-energy, party-style dance. Born from various Swing dance styles, including East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, and Jitterbug, the Jive is characterized by its rapid footwork, playful kicks, and fun tricks. Its infectious energy often gets audiences on their feet, cheering for more.
International Ballroom Dancing
Discover International Ballroom Dance Style
International Ballroom dances are the epitome of elegance and grace. Often referred to as “Standard” dances, they are characterized by their smooth, flowing movements and close partner connection.
6. Waltz
The International Waltz is the quintessential “ballroom dance,” immediately bringing to mind images of fairy tales and classic romance. Think of Cinderella gliding across the ballroom floor! Recognizable by its signature “1-2-3” count, the Waltz is danced in a closed hold throughout, a defining characteristic of all International Ballroom dances. This closed frame maintains a constant connection between partners, emphasizing partnership and seamless movement.
7. Tango
Passionate and fiery, the Tango stands out with its staccato movements and powerful leg actions. Unlike other International Ballroom dances, Tango dancers minimize “body rise,” creating a flatter, more grounded appearance as they move across the floor. This, combined with varied dance positions and distinct footwork, makes Tango technically unique and visually striking within the International Ballroom category.
8. Viennese Waltz
Originating from Vienna, Austria, the Viennese Waltz is significantly faster than the traditional Waltz, which is sometimes called the “Slow Waltz” in comparison. Consisting of only seven basic figures, the Viennese Waltz focuses on continuous, rotating movements that appear to race around the dance floor. Dancers dedicate themselves to creating full, voluminous movements within these figures, emphasizing speed and stamina.
Learn How to Dance Viennese Waltz
9. Foxtrot
The Foxtrot, with its jazzy origins, takes on a smooth and sophisticated character in the International Ballroom style. It flows across the floor like gentle waves, characterized by intricate rise and fall actions created through precise footwork. Anecdotally, the Foxtrot is often considered the most technically challenging of the ballroom dances, requiring exceptional control and finesse.
10. Quickstep
Quickstep is aptly named for its fast pace and dynamic movements. Imagine dancers leaping, kicking, and running across the floor, all while maintaining a close connection with their partner! Quickstep demands excellent navigation skills as dancers weave in and out of patterns and around other couples on the dance floor. It’s a testament to skill and coordination, often likened to playing Tetris while dancing.
American Rhythm Ballroom Dancing
Explore American Rhythm Dance Style
American Rhythm dances share similarities with their International Latin counterparts but possess their own distinct flavor, often incorporating more freedom of movement and styling.
11. Cha Cha
The American Rhythm Cha Cha differs from the International style with its bent-leg to straight-leg action, a hallmark of the American style. While many figures are similar between the International and American Cha Chas, they often have different names and are executed with slightly varied techniques, reflecting the stylistic nuances of each category.
12. Rumba
American Rumba is often described as a blend of International Cha Cha and Rumba, incorporating elements from both. This style allows for a faster tempo and quicker steps compared to International Rumba. Danced with a bent-to-straight leg action, American Rumba is upbeat and emphasizes strong “Cuban Action,” characterized by accentuated hip movements.
13. East Coast Swing
Also known simply as “American Swing,” East Coast Swing originated on the North American East Coast in the early 20th century. While less bouncy and slower than the Jive, it retains a fun and invigorating energy that makes it a crowd-pleasing social dance. It’s more grounded and emphasizes a relaxed, swinging rhythm.
Learn How to Dance East Coast Swing
14. Bolero
Bolero is a unique and expressive dance that blends aspects of American Waltz and International Rumba. While Waltz and Rumba seem quite different on the surface, Bolero beautifully merges their characteristics to create a dance with exceptional flow and musicality. Think of Bolero as similar to Rumba but with the added dimension of rise and fall, creating a lyrical and romantic feel.
15. Mambo
Time for a fiesta with Cuban Mambo! This energetic dance is all about shimmies, shakes, and infectious rhythms. Typically breaking on count two, Mambo is related to Salsa and Cumbia and shares their vibrant, improvisational spirit. In social dance settings, Mambo interpretations can vary widely depending on regional and cultural influences, adding to its dynamic nature.
American Smooth Ballroom Dancing
Discover American Smooth Dance Style
American Smooth dances combine the elegance of International Ballroom with the freedom and expressiveness of American styles, allowing for open breaks and varied partnering.
16. Waltz
American Smooth Waltz offers a departure from the constant closed hold of the International style. Smooth Waltz allows dancers to move seamlessly between closed position, shadow position, side-by-side arrangements, and various other holds and proximities. It blends the traditional “1-2-3” Waltz rhythm with elements of Jazz and Contemporary dance, creating a more versatile and visually dynamic Waltz.
17. Tango
Smooth Tango merges the passionate character of International Tango with the flair of Argentinian Tango and the freedom of American Smooth. It retains the staccato actions, sharp lines, and dramatic changes of direction characteristic of Tango but expands upon them with more varied partnering and expressive movements.
18. Foxtrot
Made famous by Harry Fox, the Smooth Foxtrot embodies charm, sophistication, and smooth transitions. It incorporates elements of jazz and allows for a more upbeat tempo than the International Foxtrot, resulting in a brighter and more energetic version of the dance. When envisioning Smooth Foxtrot, think of the iconic duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers – full of bright energy and enthusiasm!
19. Viennese Waltz
Rounding out the American Smooth dances is the Smooth Viennese Waltz, a billowy, emotional, and fast-paced dance. Significantly slower than its International Viennese Waltz counterpart, Smooth Viennese Waltz provides dancers with more time to explore a wider range of dance positions and styling, allowing for richer storytelling and emotional expression within the dance.
Learn How to Dance Viennese Waltz
Ballroom dance dancing is more than just a hobby; it’s a passion that enriches lives. At Dance Vision, we are dedicated to enhancing your dance journey with on-demand instruction and unwavering support. Whether you’re practicing at home or in the dance studio, our resources are your perfect partner. Create a free account today and gain access to a wealth of dance classes, or upgrade to Premium to unlock over 5,000+ classes and even more features.
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