Kinds of Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dance is a category of dance in which partners move together to a series of pre-set steps. Ballroom dance encompasses a wide range of dances, but the continued popularity of ballroom dance as a sport has led organizations such as the World Dance Council to set forth regulations, including which dances fall under ballroom dance. In the United States, competitors follow International Style Standard Ballroom Dancing, which recognizes the waltz, quickstep, tango, foxtrot and Viennese waltz as ballroom dances.

  1. Waltz

    • The waltz is characterized by a slow tempo, long, liquid steps, and closed body placement. The waltz was once a more upbeat dance, but the tempo slowed when society deemed the quick steps improper for young men and women. The steps of the waltz lay the foundation for other International Style Standard ballroom dances, so it serves as an appropriate style for beginning dancers to start their lessons. The waltz is danced in three-four time, with the accent on the ones.

    Quickstep

    • The quickstep originated from two ballroom dances -- the foxtrot and the Charleston -- and was originally called the quick-time foxtrot and Charleston. As the foxtrot began to develop a quicker tempo, many dancers yearned for the slower pace. Combining the slower foxtrot with some of the lively kicks and moves of the Charleston brought the quickstep into being. The quickstep is danced in four-four time, with accents on the ones and threes.

    Tango

    • The tango provides intrigue and sensuality.

      The tango differs from other ballroom dances because it does not draw steps from the waltz. The tango appears to be a dance of dominance, in which the male is clearly in the lead, sharply twisting, turning and snapping his partner. The tango looks sensual, full of character and emotion, and the audience feels the dance through the intense drum rhythms. The tango is sometimes danced in two-four time but more often in four-four time, with beats of equal intensity.

    Foxtrot

    • The foxtrot originated in the United States in the 1930s on the Vaudeville stage and remains the most popular ballroom dance to date, despite also being one of the most difficult to learn. The foxtrot is typified by a slow rise and fall of the music, in which dancers combine a slow two-step with one-beat quickstep. It is danced in four-four time, with the one and three accented, the one more strongly so.

    Viennese Waltz

    • The Viennese waltz is the waltz people are most familiar with as it appears often in films. This dance is fast-paced, defined by multiple rotations and an understated rise and fall of the beats. Despite its popularity, the Viennese waltz is one of the most complicated ballroom dances to master because the body alignments can be confusing. It is danced in three-four time with the accent on the ones.