Menu
homeMakeup

All dances are in ballroom dancing. Ballroom dancing: existing types, features of classes

Ballroom dance, as a form of art, sport or active leisure, continues to arouse interest among many people from different countries and nationalities. There are a lot of ballroom dances, but only 10 of them have gained worldwide popularity. These dances are included in the international dance program with uniform requirements for their performance.

See how many of the following dances are familiar to you.

Slow waltz

Waltz is the most airy and lightest ballroom dance due to gliding, belonging to the European group of dances. The dance is characterized by long, smooth movements, continuous turns, as well as rises and falls. The dance is very graceful and elegant; from the outside it seems that the dancers move on the floor easily, almost effortlessly.

Viennese Waltz

This is a fast European ballroom dance with a subtle rise and fall. A simple and elegant rotational movement characterizes the Viennese waltz. This dance, according to most dance school students, is considered one of the most difficult dances to learn.

Tango is considered one of the most exciting ballroom dances in the European program. This sensual dance originated in Latin America in the first half of the twentieth century.

Slow foxtrot

Foxtrot is very similar to a slow waltz, as it uses many of the waltz figures. The fundamental difference is in the rhythm. The main figures are danced in the rhythm of “slow fast fast.” The nature of the steps is sliding and smooth, with ups and downs, like a waltz. Dance from the European program.

Quickstep

Quickstep is a fast version of the slow foxtrot. This is a very fun and rhythmic dance, consisting of very fast steps, syncopated rhythms and runs. Quickstep is fun to watch, simple figures are not difficult to perform. Therefore, acquaintance with ballroom dance begins with it. The same applies to European ballroom dancing.

Samba, as one of the most famous Brazilian dances, is popular among young people and the older generation. Samba can be danced alone or in pairs.

The Cha Cha Cha is one of the five Latin American dance groups. This is a lively, flirty dance filled with passion and energy. Classic “Cuban moves” give the cha cha cha dance its own unique style. Partners work coordinatedly and synchronously, trying to perform every movement clearly and beautifully.

According to the majority, rumba is the most romantic and most sensual dance of the entire group of Latin American dances. Due to its ancient origins, this dance is often called the “grandfather of Latin American dances.”

Paso Doble

The Paso Doble is considered one of the most spirited and lively ballroom dances of the Latin American program, once created in the south of France. This is a kind of fusion of music, drama and movements of Spanish bullfighting.

Ballroom dance must be performed in pairs. Such dances today are usually called standardized sports dances performed at dance competitions and special events. Today in the world of dance there are two main classifications, together consisting of ten dance styles: European and Latin American programs. Read more about dancing below.

History of ballroom dance

The origin of the concept of “ballroom dance” comes from the Latin word “ballare”, meaning “to dance”. In past times, such dances were secular and intended only for high-ranking people, while folk dances remained for the poor. Since then, such a class division in dance, of course, no longer exists, and many ballroom dances are actually ennobled folk dances. In particular, modern ballroom dancing has been greatly influenced by the culture of African and Latin American peoples.

What is called ballroom dance depends on the era. At balls at different times, various dances were presented, such as polonaise, mazurka, minuet, polka, quadrille and others, which are now considered historical.

In the 1920s, the Ballroom Dancing Council was founded in Great Britain. Thanks to his activities, ballroom dance then acquired a competition format and began to be divided into two groups - sports and so-called social dances. The program included: waltz, tango, as well as slow and fast types of foxtrot.

During the period of the 30s - 50s, the number of dances increased: the program included such paired Latin American dances as rumba, samba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble and jive. However, in the 60s, ballroom dancing ceased to be an ordinary entertainment, since it required certain technical training from the dancers, and was supplanted by a new dance called the twist, which did not need to be danced in pairs.

European program dances

The program of European dances, or Standard, includes: slow waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep and Viennese waltz.

Slow waltz

In the 17th century, the waltz was a folk dance in Austrian and Bavarian villages, and only at the beginning of the 19th century was it introduced at balls in England. It was considered vulgar back then because it was the first ballroom dance where a dancer could hold his partner so close to him. Since then, the waltz has taken many different forms, but each of them is united by a unique elegance and romantic mood.

The peculiarity of the waltz is the musical size in three quarters and a slow tempo (up to thirty beats per minute). You can master its basic figures at home on your own.

Tango is a ballroom dance that originated in Argentina at the end of the 19th century. At first, tango was part of the Latin American dance program, but then it was transferred to the standard European program.

Perhaps, having seen tango at least once, subsequently everyone will be able to recognize this dance - this assertive, passionate manner cannot be confused with anything. A feature of tango is a sweeping step over the entire foot, which distinguishes it from the classic “flow” from heel to toe.

Slow foxtrot

Foxtrot is a relatively simple ballroom dance that gives beginners an excellent foundation to build upon. Foxtrot can be danced at a slow, medium or fast tempo, which allows even beginners without special skills to move gracefully across the floor. The dance is quite easy to learn from scratch.

The main feature of the foxtrot is the alternation of fast and slow rhythms, but always the smoothness and lightness of the steps, which should give the impression that the dancers are fluttering over the hall.

Quickstep

Quickstep appeared in the 20s of the XX century as a combination of foxtrot and Charleston. Musical groups of that time played music that was too fast for the foxtrot movements, so they were modified into the quickstep. Since then, as it has evolved, this ballroom dance has become even more dynamic, allowing dancers to show off their technique and athleticism.

The quickstep combines many different elements such as chassis, progressive turns and steps, to name a few.

The Viennese Waltz is one of the oldest ballroom dances, which is performed at a fast tempo that characterizes the first waltzes. The golden age of the Viennese waltz in Europe occurred at the beginning of the 19th century, when the famous composer Johann Strauss still lived and worked. The popularity of this waltz rose and fell, but it never went out of fashion.

The size of the Viennese waltz is the same as that of the slow one, it is three quarters, and the number of beats per second is twice as large - sixty.

Latin dances

The Latin American dance program is usually represented by the following sports ballroom dances: cha-cha-cha, samba, rumba, jive and paso doble.

Samba

This ballroom dance is considered the national dance of Brazil. The world began to discover samba in 1905, but this ballroom dance became a sensation in the United States only in the 40s thanks to the singer and movie star Carmen Miranda. Samba has many varieties, for example, the samba danced at Brazilian carnivals and the ballroom dance of the same name are not the same thing.

Samba combines many of the movements that distinguish other Latin American ballroom dances: there are circular movements of the hips, “springy” legs, and measured rotations. However, it is not very popular for learning: the fast pace of performance and the need for physical preparation often deprive beginning dancers of enthusiasm.

The name of this dance is a reference to the sounds that dancers make with their feet while dancing to the maracas rhythm. The dance evolved from rumba and mambo dance. Mambo was widespread in the United States, but its fast music was very difficult to dance to, so Cuban composer Enrique Jorin made the music slower - and the cha-cha-cha dance was born.

A special feature of the cha-cha-cha is the so-called triple step on two counts. This feature made the cha-cha-cha a separate dance, distinguishing it from mambo, although other movements are quite similar to this style. The cha-cha-cha is also characterized by minimal movement around the hall; basically, this ballroom dance is performed almost in one place.

Rumba has quite a rich history - it emerged both as a musical genre and as a dance style, the roots of which go back to Africa. Rumba is a very rhythmic and complex dance that has given rise to many other dance styles, including salsa.

Previously, this Latin American dance was considered too vulgar due to its relaxed movements. It is still called the dance of love. The mood of the dance can change during its performance - from measured to aggressive. The performance style is reminiscent of mambo and cha-cha-cha styles. The main measures of rumba are QQS or SQQ (from English S - “slow” - “slow” and Q - “quick” - “fast”).

"Paso doble" means "two steps" in Spanish, which defines its marching nature. It is a powerful and rhythmic dance characterized by a straight back, eyebrow gaze and dramatic poses. Among many other Latin American dances, Paso Doble is notable for the fact that you will not find African roots in its origin.

This Spanish folk dance was inspired by bullfighting, with the man invariably portraying the matador tamer and the woman playing the role of his cape or bull. However, when performing a paso doble at dance competitions, the partner never portrays a bull - only a cape. Due to its stylization and large number of rules, this ballroom dance is practically not performed outside of dance competitions.

Jive

Jive originated in African American clubs in the early 40s. The word "jive" itself means "misleading chatter" - a popular slang word among African Americans of the time. US military personnel brought the dance to England during World War II. There, jive was adapted to British pop music and took the form it has today.

A characteristic feature of jive is the fast pace of the dance, thanks to which the movements come out springy. Another feature of jive is straight legs. This sporty ballroom dance can be danced on either a six-beat count or an eight-beat count.

Dancing is one of the most amazing forms of artistry. They make it possible to be in unity with your body and soul, and also to be content with the freedom you have gained. In dance, a person can show all his feelings, emotions, love, passion. This type of art conveys to the audience the complete inspiration of the artist and composer, all the activity and even the hidden light.

Modern dance is contemplation of the splendor of the surroundings and the power of movements during dance literally enchant and can penetrate into the depths of the heart, since only here is stored the greatest happiness for humanity - the absolute experience of love. After all, love, without any doubt, works miracles!

Types of modern dances

Such dances are simply born for those people who cannot imagine their existence without the rhythms of today's music, who are ardent admirers of various discos and parties. And for those who want to achieve the perfection of their body. You can master the skill of excellent performance in dance styles such as:

  • Hipe - a combination of different people in a dance.
  • Disko.
  • Hip-hop - small jumps.
  • Slide man - moon steps.
  • House.
  • Plastic - plastic movements.
  • X-D is a program of modern club styles for young people.
  • Break - floor dance.
  • Club dance is a club performance that contains many basic movements from different styles.

You need to try and not be afraid

Dance is life. Only in this form of art are all potentials revealed. Dance is not only a sequence of automatic body movements, it is, first of all, a reflection of the soul and a demonstration of temperament. In dance, a person shows his small world and gives the subconscious a chance to express itself.

There are people who are ashamed of their movements. This especially applies to people. But children feel confident in dancing, and they can succeed the first time. They are not afraid that they may look ridiculous or funny. After all, dancing is also natural.

Benefit for health

Practicing any type of dance has a positive effect on human health. They produce plasticity, strengthen all types of muscle mass, develop coordination of movements and create good posture. In addition, dance lessons give determination and allow you to strengthen your will, which is of great importance in the current difficult world. Dancing is an ideal means for your own spiritual and physical development. They help relieve tension and help overcome depression. It’s not for nothing that psychologists recommend dance group physiotherapy.

Dancing for slimness

Ballroom dancing is perhaps the most beautiful and flexible sports variety. This is a real sport, regardless of what is called dancing. This sport requires a lot of energy and effort. Various competitions and championships keep dancers slim and toned, prepare them for self-control and perseverance, and develop confidence in victory and strength of character. At the same time it is enchanting and beautiful art.

Watching a dancing couple is a real pleasure. Dance is life that can be shown during performance. This is also a book that you can’t wait to read, and music that draws you in and carries you deep into the world of dreams and dreams. Ballroom dance is a performance in which only two dancers are involved - a woman and a man. The performance conveys the experiences, emotions and relationships of the couple. And therefore it is always in demand and modern.

Types of ballroom dances

A necessary accessory for this type of dance is a parquet floor. Only on such a floor covering, polished to a mirror finish, are the smooth movements of the dancers possible. Please note that parquet is very slippery and will require certain skills and experience. It is sometimes difficult for a beginner to maintain his balance and not lose his balance during each step.

Ballroom dancing championships contain two types of disciplines:

  • Latin American dances (“Latin”) - rumba, samba, jive, cha-cha-cha, paso doble;
  • European dances - slow and Viennese waltz, tango, quickstep (fast foxtrot) and slow foxtrot.

Slow dancing

This type of dancing has been valued at all times and was popular at any party, prom or wedding. As a rule, good and calm music is played under it; the gentlemen choose their partners to slowly spin around in the movement of pleasant sensations. But it’s not always the men who invite you to dance. After all, there is also a white dance. This is when ladies choose their own partners.

It is not always easy for a representative of the fairer sex to take the first step - to approach and invite a young man to dance. But slow dancing can be an opportunity to start a conversation and get to know each other better. The main thing is not to be too annoying, but rather to present yourself as slightly indifferent and not show your passion. The ideal is to present your proposal so that it does not turn out to be uncompromising. And perhaps then the white dance can turn into a further family life for the partners.

Movement and dancing mean health and a beautiful body!

This type of art is a very useful activity for a slim body and healthy body. What results can be achieved thanks to:

  • strengthen the lower muscles;
  • improve coordination of movements;
  • form an even posture and;
  • remove excess weight and correct your figure;
  • relieve stress and learn to cope with depression;
  • develop muscle plasticity and relieve them from cramps;
  • be able to keep your body in good shape.

In this combination, all the central muscles of the body are worked out; there is no need to perform monotonous, uninteresting body movements, as during ordinary exercises. All you have to do is turn on rhythmic music and enjoy the dance movements.

First, you should knead for five minutes, doing it with your pelvis, arms, body and head. Then do some squats and bends. Now that your body is warmed up, you can try to learn a few common dance moves. Ideally, you need to perform them in front of a large mirror to control the accuracy of the dance steps.

Newlyweds dance

The first dance is one of the most important and touching components of a wedding celebration for newlyweds. It brings back memories of the first meeting, a tender kiss and romantic evenings that the newlyweds had before the wedding. And just with the dance of the newlyweds, the entertainment program at the wedding party begins.

Music is usually ordered by the bride and groom. As a rule, this is “their melody”, which makes it possible to remember something wonderful that happened to them before. What direction of the first dance - waltz or fiery samba, energetic rock and roll or stormy foxtrot - is chosen only by the spouses.

There is only one important condition - the dance should not be ordinary, boring stomping of feet or ridiculous and funny body movements. After all, dancing is an revelation of the soul, a manifestation of looseness and freedom of action at any entertainment event. And that’s why young people often go to dance groups before their wedding to learn some unusual movements so that they remember their first dance for the rest of their lives.

We tried to make a classification of dance types with the ability to describe each dance direction (links with the name of the dances are clickable). This classification of dance types will be updated and supplemented over time and with the addition of new styles and types of dance.

Main directions

Among the various dance styles and directions that exist today, the following, the most popular and well-known, can be named:

Ballet

● classic;

● romantic;

● modern.

Ethnic (folk) dances that reflect the essence and rituals, traditions and ceremonies of certain peoples. Among them the following groups are distinguished:

● European;

● Asian (Eastern);

● African;

● Latin American.

Each of them contains different types of folk dances: group, individual, pairs and others.

Historical dances

These are dances popular in past eras and performed today, for example, ballo, contradanse, polonaise and others.

Ballroom dancing

Includes two main programs: European And Latin American.

Here are the names of the types of dances included in the Latin program:

The following types of dances are performed in the standard European program:

Let us dwell in more detail on each of them, as they had a great influence on the formation and development of many styles and directions of modern dance art.

Free dance

This is, first of all, a special worldview of the performer, formed under the influence of Nietzsche’s ideas. The performer, denying the canonical rules of ballet choreography, sought to combine dance and real life, manifesting himself as a liberated creative spirit. It was on the basis of free style that such movements as modern and butoh, jazz-modern and contemporary arose and developed.

Modern

Originating at the beginning of the century, this dance style is very popular today and is one of the leading ones in the Western choreographic school. Just like free dance, modernity denies any ballet norms and strives to embody a variety of forms on stage, using new original methods. It is characterized by semantic content, a wide range of movements, high jumps and flexibility, “broken” poses and movements, unusual for ballet choreography, and various twists.

Contemporary dance

It is quite reasonable to say that styles such as free dance and modern, popular at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, served as the basis for the formation of such a movement as contemporary dance. This dance, as an art form, offers the dancer, through various choreographic styles, to demonstrate as fully as possible in improvisation all his internal emotions and resources.

Jazz Modern

The main feature of this direction is the combination of jazz improvisational rhythms and energy, coordination and work with the body and breath of a modern performer, as well as movements inherent in the classical ballet school. Thus, the body of a modern jazz dancer becomes another musical instrument, manifesting melody through the plasticity of its own body.

Butoh

This is one of the youngest dance techniques, which appeared in the fifties of the 20th century in Japan. Butoh, despite its rather long existence, remains the most difficult to understand for people in the Western world today. It is based on the cultural, philosophical, religious and aesthetic values ​​of the Land of the Rising Sun. This dance seeks to show the mundane nature of everyday life for the average person, as well as to conceptualize and demonstrate the body and its capabilities in space and time.

Contemporary dance of the late 20th and early 21st centuries

The whole variety of modern dances can, of course, be divided into two large groups:

● street;

Street dance

Hip-hop and Krump, popping and locking, breakdancing and C-walk - all these are the names of types of dances that were “born” not on stages and in choreographic studios, but on the streets and courtyards of megacities, discos and clubs.

Most of them are based on hip-hop. In street style, the performer is not limited to any form and can safely improvise and experiment, creating an individual and unique pattern of movements, as well as interact with both other dancers and the audience. They are extremely rare in their “pure” form, and for the most part they began to be performed in clubs rather than on the streets, which is why they often fall into the club category.

Here are the most popular and common directions:

● Ragga (ragga) and many others

It is impossible to list all types of dances. The list of names of modern styles and trends is constantly changing and supplemented. Today, dancing is not only a plastic art, but also a fairly common sport.

Dance Sport

If in earlier times dancing was perceived only as an art form, then the complication of technical and choreographic requirements for performance has led to the need for excellent physical fitness for those who do it.

Today, the main types of sports dances are, first of all, ballroom. Their peculiarity is that partners perform a set of certain mandatory movements and figures to predetermined music. Ballroom dances evaluated at competitions consist of European and Latin American programs, as well as double-event (competitions of 10 dances).

Over time, new musical and choreographic styles and directions appear. And now such modern types of sports dances as breaking or locking, jumpstyle or pole dance (pole dancing) are attracting more and more fans from different age groups. To participate in competitions in these areas, athletes need not only excellent choreographic, but also physical preparation.

Representatives of this direction are a type of dance craft that exists within the framework of a ball or dance evening in the form of competitions. The direction combines collective, group and pair numbers, as well as movements that are created by the creativity of performers and professional trainers.

In most cases, the sources of direction are such things as the old traditions of ancient cultures and nationalities. Most of the numbers originated in Africa and South America, and today they have spread throughout the world.

It is believed that the first ballroom dances originated in the Middle Ages, and most compositions also appeared in the Renaissance. It was during this time period that special sentiments existed among the people, due to the stratification of public art. They were divided into common and elite areas. Although before this time, both peasants and townspeople sought to perform the same type of dances in a round dance.

The first ballroom dances were court dances, and they can safely be considered as such. They included formal costumes, graceful bows and curtseys, and the ability to emphasize the vertical and even position of the body.

Ballroom dancing was also distinguished by a proud head posture, smooth steps and soft jumps, and a rounded position of the arms. Despite the fact that a lot of time has passed since then, most of the details are still relevant for this area.

Initially, at balls of honorable people, dance processions were common, which had jumping elements and many other details. Then they were turned into ceremonial compositions in the form of ALLEMAND, PAVAN, SALTARELLA. They were subsequently joined by dance patterns of a smoother nature. Almost all court compositions were borrowed from commoners. In the 18th century, their number was replenished with polonaise, country dance, and minuet.

A new era in cultural development

More modern trends began to take on a sporty character; more jumps, dynamic movements, and bright rhythms appeared in them. In the 18th century, the waltz appeared, and since then a new era in the development of the movement has begun. The court compositions performed earlier were relegated to the second line. As a result, each public points program included the following areas as mandatory elements:

  • polonaise;
  • polka;
  • waltz;
  • mazurka;
  • gallop;
  • quadrille;
  • cotillion.

In the first half of the 20th century, the world of dance faced a new revolution. Dances with American roots began to appear in fashion. So, the following list of directions appeared:

  • tango;
  • foxtrot;
  • Charleston;
  • Boston;
  • quickstep;
  • Viennese waltz.

The latter trends were officially approved in the 1920s, when they were tailored to the competitive style. As for the subsequent time, in particular the 1960s of the last century, during this period colossal changes in dance fashion again occurred. Dancers began to give preference to linear formations; the new dances lacked the standard of a closed position. This time was marked by the emergence of the following trends:

  • Madison;
  • twist;
  • HALLY_HALLY;
  • Cossack;
  • shake;
  • SALSA.

In the 70s, discos became fashionable, and along with this, special disco moves became popular. These were sports ballroom dancing in a new arrangement and to new music.