Types of Ballroom Dance Styles: International & American
If you've ever watched Dancing With The Stars, you would realize that the contestants are always dancing ballroom.
There are many types of ballroom dance styles and they are divided into two main dances which are the International and American style. The international styles (Latin and International Standard) are performed all around the world while the American style is popular in the United States.
Each ballroom dance is further broken down into two sub-styles and each style encompasses four to five ballroom dances.
Confused? Let's break it down.
International vs American Styles
International Styles
Latin
- Cha Cha
- Rumba
- Paso Doble
- Samba
- Jive
International Standard
- Waltz
- Foxtrot
- Viennese Waltz
- Tango
- Quickstep
American Styles
Rhythm
- Cha cha
- Rumba
- East Coast Swing
- Mambo
- Bolero
Smooth
- Waltz
- Tango
- Foxtrot
- Viennese Waltz
International Latin ballroom dancing does not allow partners to break hold, a term that mean partners have to remain in the ballroom stance until the dance is finished. On the contrary, the American style allows partners to break free and dance separately.
Some dances may overlap in both styles such as the Cha Cha and the Waltz. That's because they are the same dance but expressed differently.
It must be confusing with so many types of ballroom dances to choose from. Fret not, because we are going to break down each dance style for you.
So strap on your heels and put on your coat. We're going ballroom dancing.
The 10 Dances in International Ballroom Dancing
1. Cha Cha
Not to be confused with Mr C The Slide Man's 'Cha-Cha Slide', the Cha Cha is one of the sexiest dances.
This ballroom dance has Cuban roots. It is made up of two slow steps and three quick steps which follow the beat of 'cha-cha-cha'. Its easy-to-follow footwork makes it a popular social dance, but its potential for more complex steps makes it perfect for competitive ballroom dancing.
Under the American Rhythm style, the hip movements are achieved through the bending and straightening of the knees. Alternatively, the weighted leg is almost always straight in the Latin style.
2. Samba
If you've seen Carmen Miranda in action, you would know the Samba. However, ballroom Samba is very disconnected from Brazilian Samba!
Brazilian Samba was created by African slaves in Brazil that added African music and dance to it.
Today, it is the national dance of Brazil and is widely celebrated every year during Carnival, where hundreds of performers will parade proudly in feathered and glittered costumes. Brazil is rich in natural jewels and minerals, so you bet that their outfits are glitz and glamour.
On the other hand, ballroom Samba is performed with a partner. It is a fast and lively ballroom dance style. Samba has a slight bounce to the steps which is achieved through the bending and straightening of the knees and includes lots of hip movements.
Ballroom Samba is most commonly danced to Samba music.
As a social dance, Samba can be performed as a solo, duet or group.
3. Rumba
Rumba is recognized under both styles of ballroom dances, but both dances have distinct differences.
The International dance style was developed by a dancer named Monsieur Pierre who visited Cuba to learn their dance. It is similar to the cha cha, and danced in a quick-quick-slow manner on the of 2, 3, and 4 counts of the music.
However, the Rumba dance we know today has departed from its Cuban roots to become its distinctive dance style. Today, Rumba is a dance of love, full of emotions and passion. It is also the slowest of the five International Latin ballroom dance styles.
On the other hand, the American style is commonly danced in a box step. It is danced on the 1, 3 and 4 counts of the music in a fast-slow-slow manner.
4. Paso Doble
Have you ever wondered why the Paso Doble is such an intense and fiery dance?
That's because it was modeled after Spanish bullfights.
It is a roleplay between partners. The male dancer represents the matador, while the female dancer plays the cape or the bull.
To fully embody the routine, dancers have to carry themselves confidently with their chins high and their chests up. With an air of arrogance and dignity, dancers move in sharp and quick movements to represent a bullfight.
The male dancer will stamp his feet twice, much like the matador to get the attention of the bull.
It is a progressive dance, which means dancers travel along a path, or known as the line of dance, that is in a counter-clockwise direction on the dance floor.
5. Jive
During the Second World War, the Americans introduced a quick, energetic and fun dance to the British. A variation of the swing dance, it is known as the Jive today. The popularity of Rock 'N Roll music also gave rise to the demand of the Jive.
There is plenty of knee lifting, flicking and swinging of the hips. Dancers' legs need to be well controlled and under their body at all times to master this dance.
6. Waltz
The Waltz is the foundation for many ballroom dances. It started as an Austrian folk dance in the 17th century, and since then, has been developed into one of the most popular competitive ballroom dances.
The Waltz was the first dance where men and women danced in close contact. As society was more conservative back then, it was initially opposed and labeled as immoral.
However, there is nothing like a scandalous dance to launch it into popularity. Soon, it gained momentum and was danced internationally.
The Waltz is the most romantic of all Latin ballroom dances with smooth, soft and round qualities.
The Waltz is performed under both International and American Ballroom dances.
7. Tango
The Tango was born in brothels and seaports of Bueno Aries and Montevideo in the 1880s. It has African, Native American and European influences.
Due to its rich and longstanding history, the Tango is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
The Western world was not used to a dance that requires close contact between men and women. Much like the Waltz, Tango was shunned in the beginning.
Eventually, it gained popularity before the First World War in New York.
Today, there are many variations of the Tango. It has made its way into pop culture, as you can see the tango performed in movies like Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
It is performed with close upper body contact but the lower half is danced further apart to make room for sharp and syncopated footwork.
The Tango is also performed under the American Smooth style.
8. Foxtrot
On a fine summer evening in 1914, Harry Fox danced to ragtime music on a rooftop in New York. Or should we say trotted to ragtime music.
Harry Fox is the creator of the Foxtrot and the original dance was fast and jerky.
The dance showed potential, but most dancers couldn't keep up with the demanding trotting routine. Thus, the step was later changed to a walking or gliding motion without a rise and fall motion.
The Foxtrot was propelled into popularity by legendary artists Fred Astaire and Ginger Roberts.
9. Viennese Waltz
One of the International Latin and American Smooth dances, the Viennese Waltz is performed on a quick tempo - twice as fast as the Waltz - and bolsters a rise, fall and sway motion. Dancers have to keep up with the quick footwork, as well as sweeping turns that circles across the dance floor.
The Viennese Waltz appeared in Vienna around the 18th century and was considered the oldest ballroom dance. The popularity of this dance is due to Johann Strauss, a composer who created light classical music for dance.
10. Quickstep
The Quickstep was developed in New York in the 1920s. This quick and energetic dance is the fusion of the Charleston and the Foxtrot.
Dancers appear light on their feet, and when done correctly, their feet don't seem to touch the floor. Quickstep is one of the dances where partners are not allowed to break hold.
Imagine the stamina and connectedness that partners need for this dance!
American Rhythm
1. Swing (East Coast)
The swing from the East Coast originated from the Lindy Hop and dates back to the 1940s.
The Lindy Hop was considered too unstructured and informal for dance studios to teach. Taking matters into their own hands, the Arthur Murray dance studio developed various swing variations and the East Coast Swing was born.
It is an energetic dance with a spring to its step and is commonly performed to swing or jazz music.
There's no right or wrong way to perform it, although certain styles have been documented by the National Dance Council of America (NDCA).
2. Mambo
Hot and spicy, the Mambo was developed in the mid 1940s.
In Cuba, the Mambo was considered to be an expressive and freeing dance. When it was introduced to the Americans, they decided to add more structure to the ballroom dance. With that, they replaced the Rumba with Mambo.
The modern mambo is known as Mambo 'on 2' because of the break or change in directions on the second count.
3. Bolero
What do you get when you put the Tango, the Waltz and the Rumba together?
You guessed it!
The Bolero is the slowest of the American Rhythm dances. It bolsters contra body movements, the rise and fall of the Waltz and hip movements from Cuban dances.
Dancers take the first step on the first count, hold on 2, and take two consecutive steps after, putting together a slow-quick-quick rhythm.
Conclusion
We hope this article cleared up some confusion on the various types of ballroom dance.
It all depends on the types of ballroom dancing you choose for your interest, physical level and personality. No matter which ballroom dance you choose, you're going to have tons of fun on the dance floor.