BALLROOM DANCE
Ballroom Dance
Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances,
which are enjoyed both socially and
competitively around the world.
Ballroom dance may refer, at its widest
definition, to almost any type of partner
dancing as recreation.
2 Styles of Ballroom Dance
1. Smooth or Standard – focuses on
elegance, grace and fluidity of movement
2. Rhythm or Latin – focuses on display of
vibrant energy and a personal flair
Brief History of Ballroom Dance
The term 'ballroom dancing' is derived
from the word ball which in turn originates from
the Latin word ”ballare” which means 'to
dance' (a ball-room being a large room
specially designed for such dances).
Early Modern Age
The first authoritative knowledge of the
earliest ballroom dances was recorded toward
the end of the 16th century, when Jehan
Tabourot, under the pen name "Thoinot-
Arbeau", published in 1588 his Orchésographie,
a study of late 16th-century French
renaissance social dance.
Early Modern Age
Toward the latter half of the 17th century,
Louis XIV founded his 'Académie Royale de
Musique et de Danse', where specific rules for
the execution of every dance and the "five
positions" of the feet were formulated for the
first time by members of the Académie.
19th century
The waltz with its modern hold took root in
England in about 1812; in 1819 Carl Maria von
Weber wrote (Invitation to the Dance), which
marked the adoption of the waltz form into the
sphere of absolute music. In the 1840s several
new dances made their appearance in the
ballroom, including the Polka, Mazurka, and
the Schottische.
Early 20th century
The first was a movement away from the
sequence dances towards dances where the
couples moved independently. This had been
pre-figured by the waltz, which had already
made this transition.
The second was a wave of popular music,
such as jazz, much of which was based on the
ideas of black musicians in the USA.
Early 20th century
The third event was a concerted effort to
transform some of the dance crazes into
dances which could be taught to a wider
dance public in the US and Europe.
Here Vernon and Irene Castle were
important, and so was a generation of English
dancers in the 1920s, including Josephine
Bradley and Victor Silvester. These professionals
analysed, codified, published and taught a
number of standard dances.
Types of Ballroom Dances
1. Cha Cha
• Is widely recognizable by its catchy rhythm
one, two, cha, cha, cha.
• It originates from Cuba
• It was developed by the Cuban composer
and violinist Enrique Jorrin in the middle of
1950’s
Types of Ballroom Dances
1. Cha Cha
• Originally it was known as a slowed-down
mambo or “the triple mambo” because of
the steps.
• In time it evolved into a separate dance that
was originally known as cha-cha-cha, the
name was shortened to cha-cha.
Basic Steps
Cha cha music is composed in 4/4 time (four
beats to a bar of music). For each bar of music
there are 2 slow and 3 quick steps, which may
be counted as – one, two, cha, cha, cha or
step, step, step, quick step, quick step.
The footwork is simple and mostly focuses on
just shifting weight from one foot to another.
Types of Ballroom Dances
2. Foxtrot
• Named after its originator, Harry Fox, who was
a Vaudevile performer in New York in the
1910s.
• Because he was having a hard time finding
female dancers capable of performing the
difficul two-step, he added trotting steps to
ragtime music.
Types of Ballroom Dances
2. Foxtrot
• The basic rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick.
The slow steps use 2 beats of music and the
quick steps use one.
• The slow steps are long and elegant, and the
quickstep are short and energetic. The music
is played in 4/4 timing.
• It is dance in a normal closed position.
Types of Ballroom Dances
3. Salsa
• Is one of the most popular Latin American
dances, the main reason being – it is easy to
learn.
Types of Ballroom Dances
4. Jive
Jive is a ballroom dance style that originated
in the United States from African-Americans. It is
a lively form of Swing dance and a variation of
the Jitterbug.
Types of Ballroom Dances
5. Lindy Hop
The Lindy Hop is the ballroom dance
considered to be the father of all Swing
dances. It is known for its unique, athletic style,
and often contains aerial jumps, twists, and
flips.
Types of Ballroom Dances
6. Mambo
The Mambo is one of the most sensual and
emotional Latin American ballroom dances.
Swaying hip movements, facial expressions,
arm movements and holds all add to the
sensuality of the dance.
Types of Ballroom Dances
7. Paso Doble
The Paso Doble is one of the liveliest ballroom
dances, originating in southern France. It is
modelled after the sound, drama, and
movement of the Spanish bullfight.
Types of Ballroom Dances
8. Quickstep
The Quickstep is a quick version of the Foxtrot.
It is a ballroom dance comprised of extremely
quick stepping, syncopated feet rhythms, and
runs of quick steps. The Quickstep is exciting to
watch, but among the most difficult of all the
ballroom dances.
Types of Ballroom Dances
9. Rumba
The Rumba is considered by many to be the
most romantic and sensual of all Latin ballroom
dances. It is often referred to as the
"Grandfather of the Latin dances."
Types of Ballroom Dances
10. Samba
Possibly the most popular of all Brazilian
ballroom dances, the Samba is popular with
young people as well as older generations. The
Samba can be performed solo or with a
partner.
Types of Ballroom Dances
11. Tango
The Tango is one of the most fascinating of all
ballroom dances. This sensual ballroom dance
originated in South America in the early
twentieth century.
Types of Ballroom Dances
12. Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz is a quick rotating
ballroom dance with a subtle rise and fall. It is
considered by most to be one of the most
difficult dances to learn. The simple and
elegant rotational movement characterizes the
Viennese Waltz.
Types of Ballroom Dances
13. Waltz
The Waltz is one of the smoothest ballroom
dances. It is a progressive dance marked by
long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and
"rise and fall." The dance is so graceful and
elegant; Waltz dancers appear to glide around
the floor with almost no effort.
