There are two main styles of ballroom dancing -- American and International. American style is danced primarily in the USA. It's also not as standardized as International style, which is danced and known worldwide. Here in the USA, American style is practiced more for social dancing while International style is primarily seen in competitions.
There are two categories in each style. The categories included in the American style are called Smooth and Rhythm and in International style they are called Standard and Latin. For the most part, the Standard and Smooth categories contain the same dances and the Latin and Rhythm categories contain basically the same dances. These are listed in the order that they are danced in competitions.
American Style
- Smooth - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz
- Rhythm - Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo, Samba
International Style
Standard - Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot , Quickstep
- Latin - Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive
There are also other social styles of dances that are not ‘strictly ballroom’ which include: Hustle, Merengue, West Coast swing, Argentine tango, Salsa and lindy.
The five most popular Ballroom dances in the world are Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing. Dancers skilled in these five dances can dance with partners from any part of the world.
To distinguish between International and American styles, look for two points: the dance position used is probably the easiest way to tell apart the Standard and Smooth dances. International Standard is danced almost exclusively in closed dance positions while American Smooth allows more open work where the partners can separate from each other and dance in open positions.
The Latin and Rhythm dances tend to be a bit harder to tell apart. The dancers' leg action is probably the best clue as to which style they're dancing. In American Rhythm, the dancers will use a bent leg action allowing them to delay their change of weight on the step, so you will frequently see them with bent legs. However, in International Latin, the dancers usually have the look of two straight legs which comes from the faster change of weight on the step.
WALTZ
The Waltz is a dance that originated in Germany in the 17th century and is a familiar favorite among dances in the ballroom. The dance moves are smooth and precise as the couple dances in a side to side motion, usually in a circular pattern. The waltz is a very popular dance in weddings and special events and is considered to be one of the most romantic dances.
TANGO
The tango has its roots in Argentina, with the current version incorporating European, American, Hollywood, and competitive (dancesport) influences into the style and execution of the dance. Soon after the Argentine tango arrived in Europe, it started gaining popularity, especially in Paris. The Europeans liked the seductive music and the passionate dance, and thus slowly their style and technique became entwined with the original version. In order to have a standardized format which would be taught in dance schools and used in competitions, the English codified their own version, which took on the name International style. This is the version used in international dancing competitions.
FOXTROT
The Foxtrot is a graceful and romantic dance that is more challenging than other forms of ballroom. It is one of the most deceiving dances, as it looks very easy, but is one of the most difficult dances to do. During the swing era, the Foxtrot was the most popular dance in the ballroom, until the ballrooms started teaching swing. The Foxtrot is a popular dance today because it is recognized by long and flowing movements which are a characteristic of the slow-quick-quick rhythm. The Foxtrot is an American dance consisting of short and long steps with the occasional glides and slides.The Foxtrot is a dance with fixed expression; it is creative and joyful, while improvising within the tempo of the music. It is one of the only dances noted for being one of the first dances to incorporate both quick and slow movements into the rhythm of the dance.
VIENNESE WALTZ
The Viennese Waltz, so called to distinguish it from the Waltz and the French Waltz, is the oldest of all ballroom dances. It emerged in the second half of the 18th century from the German dance and the Ländler in Austria and in the beginning was disapproved-of on account of its "lasciviousness", e.g. because the ladies' ankles were visible. Later it gained official acceptance and even popularity due to the Congress of Vienna at the beginning of the 19th century. The Viennese Waltz is a dance performed to music with three beats to the bar. This means that the dance steps can be very difficult for starters because when a step is taken on each beat, then the next bar will have to start on the opposite foot. However, when this technique is mastered, the dancer acquires an enchanting and romantic rhythm.
CHA CHA
Originally known as the Cha-Cha-Cha. Became popular about 1954. Cha Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo. Eventually it evolved into a separate dance, known today as the Cha Cha.The dance consists of three quick steps (triple step or cha cha cha) and two slower steps on the one beat and two beat.
RUMBA
The Rumba is a dance that demonstrates the unique love and attractions between a man and woman. It is based around the concept of a lady's pursuit of the man, with the steps representing the woman's charm. Often, the woman dances around the man and has quick and withdrawn steps, as the man pursues her. This is a Latin-based danced and is considered to be a very sensual performance in ballroom dancing.
SWING
The Swing has a lot of twirling around, with the girl being lifted up and it also involves intricate footwork. It was born in New York at the Savoy Ballroom in the 20s and is still very popular, especially when there is jazz being played. It hasn’t changed at all over the years and still has the same steps as when it began.
BOLERO
Bolero is an "American Style" Dance, which was introduced to United States in the mid-1930's. At that time, it was danced in its classical form, which was performed, to a constant beat of drums.Originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba initially into 2/4 time then eventually into 4/4. It is now danced as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. The music is frequently arranged with Spanish vocals and a subtle percussion effect, played at a tempo of 20 to 25 mpm (measures per minute).This is a left turning dance based on a "slip pivot" (a slip pivot is a rotation of the body on the ball of the supporting foot creating a pivot either forward or backward). Bolero has body rise only (no foot rise). This coupled with the slip pivot and slow dreamy music gives Bolero a very slow, smooth, powerful, romantic look and feeling. The foot patterns are similar to Rumba but have a very different feeling. The Bolero is often called the Cuban "Dance of Love", because of its slow and dreamy tempo, and it's beautiful melodies.
MAMBO
The mambo is a very popular and sensual dance, with African and Cuban rhythms.Mambo's origin lies in the early 1900's in Cuba. Oresta Lopez, a composer and cellist, created a piece known as the "mambo" mixing everyday Cuban rhythms with the African and south American aspects on the street. The result was a new fusion, and one that supported a continuous beat.This popularity spread to the United Stated very rapidly. It was actually not the first Cuban-African dance to achieve popularity in the United Stated. The rumba was introduced in the 1930's to the American public. Mambo is written to music in 4/4 time, but some of these beats call for the partner to hold. The first step on every 4/4 beat has no movement, followed by quick-quick-slow beats. Mambo is characterized by the hip movements that it entails. While moving forward and backwards to the beat, dancers "sway" with the hips, creating a fluid motion that flows with the music.
SAMBA
Samba is a musical form whose origins can be traced back to the early days of Brazil. Samba developed out of a combination of rhythms and musical traditions brought to Brazil by West African slaves as well as those belonging to South American Indians and the Portuguese people. The Samba dance is very different from other formal dance forms. Samba is a unique and specialized dance form using groups of four to six step movements incorporating side-to-side, forward-and-backward, and circular motions. Men and women dance Samba differently and together, yet with minimal touching. The dance for the women can be characterized by high energy symmetrical foot movements accompanied by elegant hip, shoulder, and arm gyrations creating a dance that includes the entire body. Men also perform the same characteristic foot movements, but with limited hip and shoulder gyrations. Men dance around the women, gracefully incorporating emphatic hops, flamboyant jumps, and graceful spins.
QUICKSTEP
Much like a fast version of the Foxtrot, the Quickstep is a ballroom dance style composed of extremely quick stepping and syncopated feet rhythms in time to fast-paced music. Although difficult to master and perform, the Quickstep is lots of fun to watch. Quickstep dancers are energetic while appearing extremely light on their feet. It should appear that the feet of the dancers barely touch the ground. Much like the Foxtrot, dancers should strive for elegance. Upper body posture must be straight and strong throughout each movement.
JIVE
The Jive is a very popular form of ballroom dance that is closely related to the swing. It involves several of the same steps and techniques, but is more fast-paced and involves more movements of the arms rather than the legs and feet. Although considered to be a Latin dance, the jive became very popular in America during the 1950's "rock and roll" era. The basic concept of the jive involves changing the weight from one foot to another and is best performed to classical and upbeat music, such as oldies or jazz.
PASO DOBLE
The Paso Doble is a Spanish dance that has become a favorite among ballroom dancing. This particular dance probably contains the most meaning and sentimental value among all ballroom dances. In the paso doble, the male represents the bull fighter while the female represents the cape of the matador. The dance is a symbolic representation of the bravery of bull fighters and their ability to tame the wild beast. It is dramatic in nature and the steps are quick, concise, and forceful.
