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Ballroom Dances

Foxtrot

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.

Music Examples:

  • The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra (132 bpm)
  • Call Me Irresponsible - Bobby Darin (125 bpm)
  • When I'm Sixty-Four - The Beatles (140 bpm)

Tutorials:

  • Common patterns, music and related dances.
  • Learn How to dance the Foxtrot – beginner box lesson - Basic #1 - The Box Step
  • How to Dance the Foxtrot - the Box - Basic #1 - The Box Step
  • Foxtrot dance steps: Ballroom dance for beginners - Basic #2 - Progressive Step
  • How to Do Basic Foxtrot Steps - Basic #2 - Progressive Step
  • How to do a Foxtrot Corner Step - Basic #3 – Rock Turn Left
  • Wedding dance steps using Foxtrot basics - Combining Basic #2 with Basic #3
  • How to do a Foxtrot Promenade Step - Basic #4 – Promenade Step
  • Foxtrot: Promenade Outside Under Arm Turn - Promenade Outside Under Arm Turn
  • Foxtrot: Promenade Inside Under Arm Turn - Promenade Inside Under Arm
  • Foxtrot Basic - Basics 1-4 plus 22 other patterns

American Tango

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.

Music Examples:

  • Hernando's Hideaway - Amerimambo (121 bpm)
  • Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson (124 bpm)

Tutorials:

  • Common patterns, music and related dances.
  • Tango dance steps – Tango basic steps for beginners - The Basic Tango Walk
  • American Tango – Tango Walk - The Basic Tango Walk
  • American Tango lesson 1, Basic - The Basic Tango Walk
  • American Tango lesson 2, Extended Basic
  • American Tango – Left Turn
  • American Tango – Promenade
  • American Tango lesson 3, Promenade w/ Left Turn
  • American Tango Lesson 4, Corte 

Cha-Cha

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.

Music Examples:

  • Marc Anthony – I Need to Know – 115 bpm
  • Santana – Black Magic Woman – 124 bpm 

Tutorials:

  • Common music, patterns and related dances.
  • How to Cha Cha Dance for Beginners - Basic #1 - "The basic in place" and Basic #2 - "The side basic"
  • Cha Cha Basics with Rob and Melissa - The Basic in Place, Underarm Turn, and Cross-Overs
  • How to Settle Your Hips in the Cha Cha - How to do the Hip Motion
  • Top 3 Cha Cha Dance Tips - Tips to make a better dancer
  • Cha Cha Underarm Turn - Cha Cha dance lessons for beginners
  • How to Count Cha Cha Dance Steps - Counting Cha Cha Beats - Learn how to count the Cha Cha dance beats in this video tutorial. The Cha Cha count is 1,2,3,Cha,Cha. It's a 4 beat dance with 3 full beats and 2 half beats
  • How to Dance a Cha-Cha Spot Turn
  • Cha Cha Spot Turns To Left & Right - Full Lesson
  • How to Dance a Cha-Cha Open Break
  • Dance Cha-Cha Open Break w/ Underarm Turns
  • Cha Cha Forward Lock Step
  • Cha Cha Dance For beginners - Dance Positions, Cross-Overs, Turns, and other Patterns
  • Cha Cha - Sweet Heart (Best Ever!) - The Sliding Door in Sweetheart Position 

Rumba

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.

Music Examples:

  • Andrea Bocelli – Besame Mucho – 134 bpm
  • Linda Ronstadt - Blue Bayou – 115 bpm

Tutorials:

  • Common music, patterns and related dances.
  • How to do a Rumba Box Step - Basic #1 - Box Step
  • Rumba Dance Steps – Rumba Box Step - Basic #1 - Box Step
  • Rumba dance steps for beginners – Rumba basic steps - Basic #1 - Box Step and Basic #2 – Side Step
  • How to do a Rumba Cross Body Lead Basic Rumba TOP TEN STEPS & Routine - 10 Different Patterns  


Salsa

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.

Music Examples:

  • Celia Cruz –La Vida Es Un Carnaval – 206 bpm
  • Sonora Carruseles – Micaela – 180 bpm

Tutorials:

  • Common music, patterns and related dances.
  • Basic Salsa Pattern (Suzie Hardt - The Basic
  • Salsa Supplementary: Hip Movement and Weight Transfer - Hip movement and weight transfer are big part of Latin dancing, and they're probably the biggest factor in making your salsa dancing look more authentic.
  • Salsa Dancing Walk-Through - 36 Movements - Follow these simple steps to learn basic elements of salsa dancing- 36 different patterns
  • Beginner Salsa Lesson - Open and Closed Positions - The Basic, Side Step (Cucaracha), The Classic Step (or Back Rock), On the Spot, Ladies and Men Right Turn Variations, Ladies and Men Left Turn Variations, Cross Body Lead.
  • Salsa timing song. With counts - Learn how to keep the salsa rhythm
  • Understanding Salsa Rhythm for Absolute Beginners - Learning how to find and hear the salsa beat. Clave demystified. Graphical Representation of the tumbao rhythm. Easy way to count salsa dance beats on1 and on2. Understanding salsa timing.
  • How To Find The Salsa Beat: Practice Counting Salsa Music With This Song! - If you need help with finding the 1 when you're listening to the salsa rhythm, practice listening to this song.
  • Lead and Follow Lesson - How to Dance Salsa

Viennese Waltz

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. 

Music Examples:

  • The New 101 Strings Orchestra - The Blue Danube – 173 bpm

Tutorials:

  • Common music, patterns and related dances. 

Saddlebrooke Ranch Social Dance Club

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