Ballroom Dancing - General Information
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD & INTERNATIONAL LATIN
Generally speaking, the term ‘Ballroom Dancing’ refers to the International Standard dances of Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Tango plus the International Latin dances that comprise Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble. In essence, these are the dance ‘Top Ten’ although in the U.S.A. both the American Smooth and American Rhythm are included.
There are many other highly popular styles such as Lindy Hop, Salsa, Argentine Tango and Rock ‘n’ Roll, to name but a few, that also feature in both social dancing and competitive events.
PURCHASING APPROPRIATE MUSIC
Each dance style has its own well-defined tempo range (BPM), as follows:
| *BPM | **Time | |
| Waltz | 28-30 | 3/4 |
| Vienesse Waltz | 58-60 | 3/4 |
| Foxtrot | 28-30 | 4/4 |
| Quickstep | 50-52 | 4/4 |
| Tango | 31-33 | 2/4 |
| Cha Cha Cha | 30-32 | 4/4 |
| Rumba | 25-27 | 4/4 |
| Samba | 48-52 | 2/4 |
| Jive | 42-46 | 4/4 |
| Paso Doble | 60-62 | 2/4 |
*BARS PER MINUTE
Bars Per Minute refers to the actual number of bars that can be counted within each minute of music. Ideally, the CD cover of Ballroom and Latin dance music will list the BPM of each track title. Dancing to a Jive at much more than 46 BPM and you may need a life support machine standing by and, although professionals sometimes Waltz at less than 28 BPM, much slower than this and most dancers could become comatose!
Please note: BPM can also refer to Beats Per Minute – a musician’s term – and this is totally different from Bars Per Minute.
**TIME
Without getting too technical, ‘Time’ refers to the number of beats to the bar. For example, the Waltz has three beats to the bar with the main accent occurring on the first beat.
THE DANCES
For convenience, each music track on a CD cover should indicate the dance style, such as Foxtrot, Jive, etc. Experienced dancers are often familiar with the music for each dance but beginners often can’t distinguish a Foxtrot from a Quickstep or a Rumba from a Cha Cha.
If the dance styles are not listed alongside the track titles then, even if you are able to distinguish between a Foxtrot and a Quickstep, you will be forced to listen to each track until you find the dance style that you require. And all because someone at the record company didn’t understand the importance of listing the relevant dance style alongside each music track!
STRICT TEMPO
For further reassurance, the CD should also make it clear that the dance music it contains is ‘Strict Tempo’, which means that the beat of the music remains constant throughout; it is extremely difficult to dance to music that suddenly changes tempo. In fact in dance terms this could cause the equivalent of a major traffic pile-up and even mass hysteria!
Unfortunately the music on many so-called Ballroom and Latin CD’s can be too fast or too slow to dance to, may suddenly change tempo, has introductions that make it difficult to know when to begin to dance and endings that make it equally difficult to know when to stop!
If the tempo of the music suddenly varies, even very slightly, dancers can be thrown into all kinds of confusion. Sometimes a wonderful Waltz can be destroyed by a momentary lack of ‘Strict Tempo’ and, rather than the Rumba being the ‘dance of love’, it can instantly turn into a quickie divorce! So don’t always blame your lack of expertise if things go wrong: it could be the actual music, especially if confusion always occurs at the same point of the same piece of music.
SHODDY GOODS
Due to either ignorance and/or purely commercial reasons, record companies often use age-old compilations of music recorded up to 70 years ago that bears little relation to what can be danced to by those who follow the conventions of modern Ballroom and Latin dance. In fact there’s a CD that features a world famous and highly respected dance band leader that thoughtfully lists the dance style with each track. Unfortunately most of the music tracks are linked to the wrong dance; the Jive is actually a Quickstep and so is the Waltz! Very confusing if you’re a complete beginner but highly entertaining if you’re watching! Unless you are extremely unlucky it is not likely that you will be disappointed by CD’s that contain the words ‘Strict Tempo’ and also list the relevant BPM plus dance style alongside each track title.
SUMMATION
If there is no mention of Strict Tempo and/or BPM on a Ballroom and Latin dance music CD then, whatever its price tag, it could well be impossible to dance to. Therefore the Dance Style, BPM plus the reassurance of ‘Strict Tempo’ are important details that should be mentioned on any self-respecting Ballroom and Latin music CD.
The ‘flavour’ of each dance is also important. It’s not much good trying to add fire and passion to a Tango if the musical arrangement pours a lot of cold water on it by sounding like something from a happy holiday in Ibiza! And why dance to the same old standards time and time again? ‘Old standards’ were once new and original, therefore be adventurous and also buy music with titles that you don’t know. You might grow to like them at least as much as the ‘good old standards’!
DANCE STUDIOS
Fortunately once you have convinced your partner that you should both learn to dance there are usually plenty of professionally-run studios available to help. Group lessons are a wonderful way of learning to dance as when starting out you will be joining a group of other enthusiastic novices.
If you miss the occasional group lesson due to holidays or illness, a private lesson or two will probably bring you back up to speed again.
Practice between each weekly lesson can be difficult due to the fact that most people don’t possess a full size dance floor at home! Certain dances such as the Rumba and Cha Cha do not require as much space in which to practice as do for example the Foxtrot and Quickstep, but the various elements and sequences of each dance can usually be broken down to facilitate a reasonable degree of home practice.
The main thing is to have fun. But various people’s idea of ‘fun’ can differ; for some, fun is the weekly dance lesson with no practice at all; for others it wouldn’t be fun without the practice. Different people have different priorities.
MEDALS
Medals are a first class method of confirming that you have attained a certain degree of proficiency in any or all of the ten Ballroom and Latin dances. There are many levels that you can attain including Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each of these can be further sub-divided into either two or four separate parts.
If you attend group lessons it may be a good idea to have a few private lessons running up to medals day to make sure that you receive the individual time and attention that may be necessary to ensure that any weaknesses are corrected and refinements achieved.
Taking medals is by no means essential. However, they provide an important goal to aim for and, when achieved, will most likely add that extra touch of confidence and personal satisfaction as well as perhaps inspire you to achieve even greater heights. By the way, each partner is marked separately!
DANCESPORT
Competitive dancing is sometimes referred to as Dancesport. Indeed, at the present time the International Olympic Committee officially recognise it as a sport. Although not currently included in the Olympic Games, if it was it would certainly add a whole new meaning to Bronze, Silver and Gold!
SHOES
Whether Ballroom or Latin, in order to allow your feet to move freely on the dance floor a pair of comfortable dance shoes is vital. Shoes must fit snugly with each part of them covered by the feet and with no free movement inside.
Dance shoe soles consist of suede that should be wire brushed frequently in order to ‘rough them up’ and prevent them from becoming too smooth and slippery on the dance floor.
For both men and women there is an amazing number of styles and colours available, from practical practice shoes to the ultimate in Ballroom and Latin decadence!
CLOTHING
Dance is the perfect excuse to dress up in anything from simply smart and casual to kaleidoscopic luxuriance and delightful decadence! Dance attire not only provides a feel good factor for those who both wear and observe it but also helps the dancer to get into the character and atmosphere of the dance. If you’re going to spend the evening dancing Ballroom and Latin, neutral clothing that looks good for both styles is probably a good idea. For men, ‘Top Hat and Tails’ may be highly elegant for a Waltz but is hardly suitable for a Samba. Likewise, for the ladies a sexy little number for the Cha Cha may reveal more than a total lack of taste when dancing the Quickstep!
REFERENCE MATERIAL
For a good reference guide to Ballroom and Latin Dance go to www.wikipedia.org and search for ‘Ballroom Dancing’.
Freddie Astor
London - 2007
