The Foxtrot originated in 1914 and was originally danced to fast ragtime music. Over time the Foxtrot split into a fast dance (Quickstep) and a slow version which today is called the Foxtrot. Foxtrot is danced to 4/4 time signature with a recommended speed of 112 – 140 bpm. It is a smooth dance, traveling around the line of dance. The most common footwork timings are slow-quick-quick and slow-slow-quick-quick.
Tango in general has a long and complicated history starting in the 1880s in Argentina. However, the development of Social (American) Tango is a fairly recent phenomenon. Entertainers in both the United States and in Europe began to take portions of Argentine Tango and mold them to fit their needs in the early 1900's.
The main purpose of the Ballroom Tango branching off from its Argentinian mother was to make it more standardized for competition. With more standardized steps, judges could better score the dance. One of the pivotal people in the creation and establishment of American Tango is Arthur Murray. He is largely responsible for the standardization of Tango in America through his dance schools.
Today, American or Ballroom Tango is significantly different than Argentinian Tango.
Most can identify American tango steps by the acronym of the word itself, with each letter representing a specific movement within the 5-step basic. The “T” and “A” are the first two slow steps done by the couple. The remaining “N’, “G” and “O” are the steps that when combined are known as the “tango close”.
American Tango is danced to 4/4 time signature with a recommended speed of 120 – 132 bpm.
This is a Latin dance from Cuba that became popular in the United States in the 1950s and remains popular today for social and country dances in addition to other social events.
The time signature for Cha-Cha is 4/4 with a recommended speed of 112-128 bpm.
This is a Cuban dance that became popular in the United States in the 1930’s and remains one of the most popular social dances today.
The time signature for Rumba is 4/4 with a recommended speed of 110-140 bpm.
This is one of the most popular Latin dances that is today practiced worldwide. Salsa dance emerged in Cuba during the late 19th and early years of the 20th century. This dance is not as heavily standardized as other social dances but very energetic and sensual. Salsa uses a 4/4 time signature typically at 150-220 bpm. It's often played in groups of eight beats. Of the two measures, you will use one for each side of your body. There are no steps with the fourth beat.
This is a much faster version of the waltz and is usually only seen on social dance floors. The preferred speed of the music at 150 -180 bpm.
Saddlebrooke Ranch Social Dance Club
...and Dance like no one is watching