Ballroom dancing in details

Ballroom dancing is a refined dance of all the peoples of the world, adapted to modern times and included in the program of championships. Due to the popularity of sports dancing, there are many types of sports ballroom dances. What kinds of sports dances exist and how do they differ from each other?

General information

Currently, ballroom dancing includes 10 different dances, divided into two programs. Competitions are divided into two programs. Sometimes all types of ballroom dance together are called a dozen dances.

Standard: the Viennese waltz

This type first appeared in Bavaria in 12-13 centuries. At this time, it was still called German. However, there is another theory of its origin. The Parisian magazine Fatherland claims that this dance was first performed in France, but under a completely different name. Specialists concede that it was a dance in rhythm 3/4.

The first melody of the Vienna Waltz was known in 1770, and in 1775, it was being danced to in pairs, but the dance did not immediately become popular. There was a time when the Viennese waltz was considered unsuitable (from about 1813 to 1833).

It is a kind of analogy to the simple waltz, yet it is danced a little faster and more vigorously.

Standard: Slow waltz

This type was borrowed from the Americans back in 1874. It was noteworthy that the manner of the dance was somewhat more restrained than we can observe now, in modern interpretations. The dance became more intense after World War I.

It is the golden classics of the dance, which is always accompanied by appropriate music in three quarters. For each measure, dancers take three steps, with the first being the main step, the second determining the angle of turn, and the third being an auxiliary step that allows weight to be shifted to the other foot.

Standard: Foxtrot

The slow foxtrot is one of the most natural types of dance, by the performance of which the jury can determine whether the couple has the ability to dance. This dance has many variations. The characteristic of the performance is that the movements are true and natural to the normal stride.

It is a fast and vibrant dance that is performed both in pairs and in groups. Harry Fox invented it in the early 20th century, and its popularity has not diminished since then.

Standard: Quickstep

This dance appeared in a very strange way. In 1920s, some musical groups performed the slow foxtrot too fast, which caused a storm of condemnation and discontent. As a result, there was a new kind of sports dance, which we know under the name Quick Step.

This is the fastest dance of the European classics. It is performed in the rhythm of 4/4, and at the same time for every minute there are as many as 50 steps. It is important that all the movements look easy, relaxed, and performed with incredible accuracy.

Standard: Tango

This type of dance was borrowed from the Argentines, but the “dandies” from Buenos Aires changed it slightly. In particular, they replaced the Polish rhythm with the Habaner rhythm, and actually came up with the name that we all know now.

It was originally an Argentine folk dance, but later became incredibly popular around the world and moved into the category of European classics. Its essence is that the two partners move energetically and rhythmically to the corresponding music.

Latin: Samba

This Brazilian dance resulted from a fusion of African and Portuguese traditions. It is danced in 2/4 time, with up to 54 steps per minute. In the classical version, it is performed to the beat of drums or other Latin instruments.

There are many versions and ways of performing samba, but there is the most important rule that unites all variants of interpretations: dancers must present the number in a fun, somewhat flirtatious and expressive manner. Performing the dance is extremely difficult, as many compositions and figures require constant tilting.

Latin: Rumba

It is the slowest and most intimate dance, which is always performed in pairs. Accuracy is not important here, as in other types of choreography. It is crucial that the partners’ poses are very beautiful, that they form unique figures, and at the same time, each of their movements should be as smooth as possible.

Latin: Pasodoble

This dance has its roots in the Spanish bullfighting. Here, one partner often depicts a bullfighter, and the other portrays the cape. The essence of the choreography is a double step.

Latin: Cha-cha-cha

The dance is considered a Latin American dance, but in fact, it is a kind of symbiosis of dances from Haiti and Cuba. Its national identity is noticeable by the special repetitive rhythm. Due to the presence of maracas in the music accompanying the dance, the atmosphere around instantly transforms: it becomes light, carefree and a little loose. This mood is inherent in all Latin American dances.

The cha-cha-cha has its own specific nuances: partners take a step for every beat, which in the cha-cha-cha counts 120 per minute. The movement of the hips is strong, knees are always in motion and never stay bent. Every step is performed starting with a toe. Dancers move along the floor without rising and falling.

Latin: Jive

Afro-American choreography emerged in the 20th century and became widespread in the United States. Jive is danced in swing mode, but it is very different from its modern counterpart of the same name. The size is 4/4, the number of beats per minute is 44.

Competition Programs

Today there are several international competition programs in ballroom dancing.

The firs program is the Standard Dance that consists of the following dances:

• Waltz;
• Tango;
• Viennese waltz;
• Quickstep;
• Foxtrot.

There is another program known as the Latin Dance. It includes the following dances:

• Samba;
• Cha-cha-cha;
• Rumba;
• Pasadoble;
• Jive

There is a program that combines Standard and Latin programs and is referred to as “Ten dances”. Such competitions are very complicated and require a lot of endurance, since the World Championship finalists perform up to 30 dances in a day.

There is also a Team competition. It is the most spectacular and exciting sport, which involves synchronous performance of 8 dance couples (16 dancers) to specially written music. In team performances, alignment, synchronicity, rhythm are of the highest importance.

Competitions

All ballroom dancing competitions can be subdivided into several groups based on various criteria. There are classification competitions and ranking competitions. Competitions of the first type mean that dancers participate in their category, often referred to as class. However, ranking competitions are different: dancers of different categories and ages can take part in them.

The competitions may differ in character:

• Individual competition involves determining the results of each pair involved in the competition separately.
• Team competition determines the results of certain pairs of participants, and several pairs receive a place on the pedestal as a team.
• Individual-team competitions imply that points or scores will be awarded to specific pairs of competitors, as well as to all teams individually.

When judging the competition, judges take many details into consideration.

• It is important to observe how the partner leads, whether the balance and volume corresponds to the total amplitude of the movement.
• Musicality is an important factor, The harmony of the performing pair, their artistry and the ability to emphasize the strongest parts of the dance depend on the music.
• The appearance of participants, their behavior on the floor, as well as the beauty of costumes and hairstyles is assessed.
• Sometimes dancers can win the favor of the judges with the help of so-called shape, i.e. the ability to present the partner correctly.
• Judges emphasize that the emotionality of partners, the distance they keep during the performance, the vision of the parquet and many other factors can also greatly influence their evaluation.

As for the costumes of the athletes, there are special requirements. It is clear that the costume of the partner will wholly depend on her imagination and can be incredibly beautiful and erotic. The main thing is that it should not restrict the movements. All clothes must be made of stretch material to fit the partners’ bodies and allow them to perform the elements in which it is necessary to demonstrate the splits and good stretch.

If we are talking about the European program, a tailcoat with a bow tie or just a vest with a shirt will be an obligatory element of the partner’s clothing.

Speaking of the musical accompaniment, the dance tunes must be appropriate to the volume of the room, must not have any distortion or noise. The tempo of all music pieces must comply with internationally accepted norms, and the duration of melodies must be in accordance with the rules as well.

All in all, ballroom dancing is an exciting sport that involves many disciplines. Being able to perform them all requires a lot of training and talent. It comes as no surprise that ballroom dancing is considered one of the most beautiful types of sports.