Kinds of Standard Ballroom Dance:

1. Waltz
Definition:
 The Waltz is a smooth dance that travels around the line of dance. It provides the origin
of modern ballroom dance that moved it away from a group sequence of movement to
the independent movement of an individual couple. The popularity of the Waltz dance
grew with the music of Johann Strauss and exploded to great popularity in the 20th
century. It is the “backbone dance” of the ballroom and is the basis for many dances. A
truly romantic dance, the Waltz is comprised of soft, round, flowing movements.
Originated In:
 Southern Germany in the 17th century.
Basic Steps:
Men
 Step forward with the left foot
 Right foot step sideways to the right
 Bring your left foot next to your right foot
 Step back with the right foot
 Step back sideways with the left foot
 Bring your right foot next to your left foot
Women
 Step back with the right foot
 Left foot step sideways to the left
 Bring your right foot next to your left foot
 Step forward with the left foot
 Step forward sideways with the right foot
 Bring your left foot next to your right foot
Time Signature:
 3/4
Costumes:
 Women variously dressed in jeans, slacks, skirts, or even long dresses; men wear jeans
or chinos paired with a t-shirt, dress shirt, or even suit coat and tie.
Importance:
 Waltz helps to learn how to control the body and the momentum in dancing. It develops
balance, along with the leg and ankle strength. In addition, it is a great first ballroom
dance to learn a perfect backbone dance before learning other dance styles. All ages can
benefit from learning this easy but sophisticated dance.
 2. Quickstep
Definition:
 The quickstep is a light-hearted dance of the standard ballroom dances. The movement
of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat
melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal
events.
Originated In:
 Quickstep was developed in the 1920s in New York City and was first danced by Black
Americans. Its origins are in combination of slow foxtrot combined with the Charleston,
a dance which was one of the precursors to what today is called swing dancing.
Basic Steps:
 The speed of the dance is around 200 beats per minute and is one of the five standard
ballroom dances. Quickstep consists of a partner ballroom hold in closed position. Its
basic step is at a nearly running pace with hops, skips, points, flicks, crossing of the feet,
kicks and more.
Time Signature:
 4/4 music of 48 to 52 measures per minute.
Costumes:
 Ladies’ dresses are likely to include floating panels and a layered skirt to create
movement around the dancers’ legs to emphasize the speed of the dancers’ movement.
Men on the other hand, wear jeans or chinos paired with a t-shirt, dress shirt, or even
suit coat and tie.
Importance:
 Increase Your Agility: With most of the dance involving quick and syncopated steps, the
body will learn to keep up with abrupt changes smoothly and precisely.

3. Foxtrot
Definition:
 The foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing
movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band music. At its inception, the
foxtrot was originally danced to ragtime. From the late 1910s through the 1940s, the
foxtrot was the most popular fast dance, and most records issued during these years
were foxtrots. The waltz and tango, while popular, never overtook the foxtrot. Even the
popularity of the Lindy hop in the 1940s did not affect the foxtrot's popularity, since it
could be danced to the same records used to accompany the Lindy hop.
Originated In:
 The Foxtrot is an early 20th Century American dance that has its origins in the one-step,
the two-step, and syncopated ragtime dances (Norton). It was popularized in the USA by
dancers Vernon and Irene Castle in 1914, and it is believed to be named after Harry Fox,
who was an entertainer (Bedinghaus).
Basic Steps:
Men
Basic forward
 Step forward with your left foot (slow step)
 Step forward with your right foot (slow step)
Princess Stephanie P. Samson 12-STEM Del Rosario
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot (quick step)
 Move your right foot to your left foot (quick step)
Basic backward
 Step backward with your left foot (slow step)
 Step backward with your right foot (slow step)
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot (quick step)
 Move your right foot to your left foot (quick step)
Women
Basic forward
 Step backward with your right foot (slow step)
 Step backward with your left foot (slow step)
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot (quick step)
 Move your left foot to your right foot (quick step)
Basic backward
 Step forward with your right foot (slow step)
 Step forward with your left foot (slow step)
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot (quick step)
 Move your left foot to your right foot (quick step)
Time Signature:
 4/4
Costumes:
 The Foxtrot costumes for women normally have long sweeping sleeves or skirts, to help
elongate the moves of the dancers, making the dance look smoother. The bodice is a
tighter fit, with the skirt flaring out at the waist, the costumes normally have floor length
skirts, but on the rare occasion may fall a bit shorter. Men on the other hand, wear jeans
or chinos paired with a t-shirt, dress shirt, or even suit coat and tie
Importance:
 The Foxtrot was the most significant development in all of ballroom dancing. The
combination of quick and slow steps permits more flexibility and gives much greater
dancing pleasure than the one-step and two-step which it has replaced.
 4. Tango
Definition:
 Tango is a vibrant and playful dance between two people. It has very rich potential for
expression, improvisation and connection and is danced in both modern and traditional
styles. It is often described as a passionate dance, because of the close connection
partners can have, the character of the music, and also relating to some of the dance's
history.
Originated In:
 Buenos Aires.The tango evolved about 1880 in dance halls and perhaps brothels in the
lower-class districts of Buenos Aires, where the Spanish tango, a light-spirited variety of
flamenco, merged with the milonga, a fast, sensual, and disreputable Argentine dance; it
also shows possible influences from the Cuban habanera.
Princess Stephanie P. Samson 12-STEM Del Rosario
Time Signature:
 4/4
Costumes:
 Men dancers usually prefer to wear anice and elegant shirt and pants combination
(straight cut), made from materials that best fit the need of the dancer. For women, one
piece with a tight-fitting top and a swinging bottom slit high to reveal the leg. Stretch
materials are used to guarantee a tight silhouette. The dance dress is often highly
decorated with rhinestones, beadings, glitter and paillettes.
Basic Steps:
 T (slow): the lead steps forward with the left foot, the follow mirrors by stepping back
with the right.
 A (slow): the lead steps forward with the right foot, mirrored again by the follow's right.
 N (quick): the lead steps forward again with the left, a slightly smaller step, preparing to
step to the side with the right.
 G (quick): the lead steps to the right with the right foot, using a technique known as
"collecting" the foot. This simply means that the right foot comes up alongside the left
before stepping to the right, and doesn't move in the diagonal.
 O (slow): probably the most sultry step in the basic, this is a slow almost-drag of the left
foot towards the right, ready to begin the basic again. For the follow, it's the joining of
the right foot to the left with a slow, deliberate motion.
Importance:
 tango can significantly improve physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being:
decrease symptoms of depression, and possibly other dimensions of psychological
functioning such as anxiety, stress; promote self-esteem and selfesteem, life satisfaction,
body image, social interactions; improve balance, coordination, body posture, strength,
endurance, range of shoulder movement and body mechanics.
 5. Viennese Waltz
Definition:
 The Viennese Waltz is the oldest of all ballroom dances. It is known for its distinctly
graceful and constant, wide sweeping turns along with its fast tempo. It’s the dance that
is usually featured in dizzying ballroom dance sequences in period films set in 18th and
19th century Europe.
Originated In:
 Vienna. First waltzes were danced in the location of today's Germany and Austria, back
in 13th century. The style was immediately picked up by other nations, who each
created its own form and style of the dance. The form known today was born in the
suburbs of Vienna and Austria's mountain regions.
Time signature:
 6/8 time with a tempo of about 180 beats per minute.
Costumes:
 The most common dress code for Vienna balls is black tie. This means gentlemen should
arrive wearing a black dinner jacket, black trousers, black shoes, white wing-collar shirt
and black bow tie. Women are required to wear full-length formal dresses and opera-
length gloves

Princess Stephanie P. Samson 12-STEM Del Rosario

Basic Steps:
 The basic Viennese Waltz movement consists of just three steps: Right Turns (called
Natural Turns), Left Turns (called Reverse Turns) and Change Steps which change from
one of those turns to the other. Both partners dance the same steps, taking turns doing
the forward and backward movements.
Importance:
 Viennese Waltz allow dancers to drop their composure and free their emotions. It
strengthens and tones your legs and glutes, in addition to being a great cardio workout.
Kinds of Latin American Ballroom Dance:
1. Cha Cha
Definition:
 is a lively, flirtatious ballroom dance full of passion and energy. The classic "Cuban
motion" gives the Cha cha cha its unique style. Partners work together to synchronize
each movement in perfect alignment.
Originated In:
 The Cha Cha dance originated in Cuba and grew out of the Cuban Triple Mambo.
Time Signature:
 4/4
Costumes:
 Women wear a two-piece dress with a tight-fitting top and a wide off-the-shoulder
neckline, while the skirt is full and flounced at the bottom. Rhinestones are usually
attached to the fabric to give a glamorous effect. Men usually wear a white undershirt
and dress shirt with black dress pants, socks, vest, and men’s dance shoes.
Basic Steps:
Men
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot
 Step backward & left with your right foot
 Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
 Move your left foot to your right foot
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
 Step forward & right with your left foot
 Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot
 Move your right foot to your left foot
Women
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
 Step forward & right with your left foot
 Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot
 Move your right foot to your left foot
 Sidestep to the right with your left foot
 Step backward & left with your right foot
 Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
 Move your left foot to your right foot
Importance:
  It's a great workout; has documented physical and mental health benefits; can enhance
your social life and self-confidence; reduces stress and depression; promotes relaxation;
is a wonderful outlet for self-expression and creativity, and it's fun.

2. Mambo
Definition:
 is one of the most sensual and emotional Latin American ballroom dances. Swaying hip
movements, facial expressions, arm movements and holds add to the sensuality of the
dance.
Originated In:
 Originating from Cuba in the 1930s, Mambo is enjoyed throughout the world at both the
social and competitive dance levels.
Time Signature
 4/4
Costumes:
 Men usually wear a white undershirt and dress shirt with black dress pants, socks, vest,
and men’s dance shoes. While women wear long, flowing, medium in fabric style dress
or skirt with tights and women’s closed toe dance shoes.
Basic Steps:
 Mambo dancing is basically a 4/4 steps dance form. There are no movements on the first
step of every 4/4 beat. This is followed by quick-quick-slow beats. When moving
forward and backward, dancers sway their hips, which looks like a fluid motion flowing
with the music. The fast-stepping mambo gave rise to another form of dance known as
the ‘cha-cha’ dance.
Importance:
 It's a great workout for your brain and body, and a great way to make new friends. It is
helpful to relieve stress.

3. Jive
Definition:
 Is an American dance that evolved from a dance called the Jitterbug by removing the lifts
and acrobatic elements. Dancers use a bouncier type of movement using the balls of the
feet. A lot of kicks are used in jive. Jive is a very fast, energy-consuming dance.
Originated In:
 The jive is a dance style that originated in the United States from African Americans in
the early 1930s. The name of the dance comes from the name of a form of African-
American vernacular slang, popularized in the 1930s by the publication of a dictionary
by Cab Calloway, the famous jazz bandleader and singer.
Time signature:
  4/4
Costumes:
 Men usually wear a white undershirt and dress shirt with black dress pants, socks, vest,
and men’s dance shoes. While women wear long, flowing, medium in fabric style dress
or skirt with tights and women’s closed toe dance shoes.
Basic Steps:
Men
 Step back with your left foot (Rock step)
 Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot (Chasse to the left)
 Move your right foot to your left foot
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot
 Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (Chasse to the right)
 Sidestep to the right with your left foot
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
Women
 Step back with your right foot (Rock step)
 Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot (Chasse to the right)
 Move your left foot to your right foot
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
 Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (Chasse to the left)
 Sidestep to the left with your right foot
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot
Importance:
 Jive has important advantages. It means the dancers can relax more, feel the music more,
know the moves more thoroughly, and this inspires confidence, and confidence is so
important to the quality of a person’s dancing.

4. Rumba
Definition:
 considered by many to be the most romantic and sensual of all Latin ballroom dance. It
is often referred to as the "Grandfather of the Latin dances." A moderately slow Latin
dance with plenty of wraps, under arm turns and a truck load of flirtation. It is often
called as the “Dance of Love”.
Originated In:
 Cuba. The Afro-Cuban rumba developed in the black urban slums of Cuba in the mid-
19th century. It encompasses vocal performance, drumming, and improvisational
dancing.
Time Signature:
  4/4
Costumes:
 Men usually wear a white undershirt and dress shirt with black dress pants, socks, vest,
and men’s dance shoes. While women wear long, flowing, medium in fabric style dress
or skirt with tights and women’s closed toe dance shoes.
Basic Steps:
Men
 Step forward with your left foot
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
Princess Stephanie P. Samson 12-STEM Del Rosario
 Move your left foot to your right foot
 Step back with your right foot
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot
 Move your right foot to your left foot
Women
 Step back with your right foot
 Sidestep to the left with your left foot
 Move your right foot to your left foot
 Step forward with your left foot
 Sidestep to the right with your right foot
 Move your left foot to your right foot
Importance:
 The Rumba is the best dance for developing the feet, legs, hips, and arms for all other
latin dances. Other people love the Rumba because it is romantic, others love it for the
skill development.

5. Samba
Definition:
 is popular with young people as well as older generations. Samba can be performed solo
or with a partner. Possibly the most popular of all Brazilian ballroom dance,
Originated In:
 Brazil. The history of Samba takes us back to Brazil, though the origins are deeply rooted
in African culture; Samba music is closely intertwined with Brazil's colonial history.
Time Signature:
 2/4
Costumes:
 Passistas. Dancers wear elaborate costumes based on a theme chosen by their Samba
school; looks are made up of jewel-encrusted bikinis, colorful sky-high headdresses,
feathered wings and heeled boots for looks.
Basic Steps:
Men
 Step forward with your left foot (count 1)
 Move your right foot to your left foot (uh)
 Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 2)
 Step backward with your right foot (count 3)
 Move your left foot to your right foot (uh)
 Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 4)
Women
 Step backward with your right foot (count 1)
 Move your left foot to your right foot (uh)
 Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 2)
 Step forward with your left foot (count 3)
 Move your right foot to your left foot (uh)
Princess Stephanie P. Samson 12-STEM Del Rosario
 Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 4)
Importance:
 In the context of 'World Music', samba offers a powerful fusion of rhythm, dance and
spectacle and, beyond its popularity on record and in performance, samba has become a
staple popular music for parades, processions and even protest marches around the
globe.

6. Paso Doble
Definition
 is one of the liveliest ballroom dances, originating in southern France. It is modelled
after the sound, drama, and movement of the Spanish bullfight.
Originated In:
 French-Spanish Fusion. Still, this popular dance style is widely considered to originate in
France.
Time Signature:
 2/4
Costumes:
 The traditional Paso Doble costume features the male dancer in a matador's costume. A
matador outfit usually consists of pants and matching bolero jacket, white shirt and tie.
A traditional woman's Paso Doble costume should include a full skirt, often red, that
represents the matador's cape.
Basic Steps:
 If you are portraying the role of a leader, you would start by standing on your left foot.
The follower would stand on their right foot. The leader would always step off with their
right foot. While the one portraying the role of the follower would always step off with
their left foot. The next step would be to take small steps with the ball of your feet. Count
to yourself, one – two, one – two. That is just how simple the Paso Doble is.
Importance:
 The dance has connections to bullfighting: Fast-paced paso doble music originally
served as an introductory theme for Spanish bullfighters entering the ring. The
movements of the matador and the bull inspired the dance, according to Spanish legend.
 KINDS OF
STANDARD
BALLROOM DANCE
AND
LATIN AMERICAN
DANCE

SUBMITTED BY: NICOLE A. FORROSUELO GRADE 12 – STEM

SUBMITTED TO: EDWARD CALISING