Dance Lexicon

Cha Cha ChaListen

Originally a Cuban dance that developed out of the Mambo, it was first called 'Triple Mambo,' meaning, the mambo plus three steps. The three extra steps were entitled 'cha cha cha' and are syncopated on beats 1 and 4. The dance expresses happiness and mischievousness, and contains elements of reciprocated seduction. The music contains a rich rhythm, marked with percussion instruments. The emphasized hip movements in this dance are a direct effect of the leg work.

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RumbaListen

A Cuban love dance, this dance forms the basis for many other Latin dances. The dance incorporates hip, waist and pelvis movements that express sensuality (especially by the lady), and contains elements of seduction and love. The music is relatively slow and allows much room for self-expression and individual style.

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SambaListen

The samba originated in Brazil, of course, but the modern Ballroom technique is utterly different from the carnival. The samba as a couples' dance is characterized by up and down, greatly energetic movements that match the rhythmic coursing music. The movement is composed both of steps that move forward and steps that don't, and is accompanied by bending and straightening knee movements ('Bounce Action').

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JiveListen

This is the most modern, inclusive and rich dance in the family of Rock and Roll dances. The movement is composed of eight steps instead of six, making the dance look lively and animated. The dance expresses gaiety, happiness and sometimes even mischievous play between the partners. There are a few systems of counting for jive; we use the method of counting eight steps in a bar and a half.

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PasodobleListen

This dance represents a Bull Fight – the man is the matador and the lady his airy cape. The dance originated in Spain and is somewhat reminiscent of Flamenco dancing. The name Paso Doble comes from the words for step (Paso) and double (Doble). The man's role is conspicuous in its leading and in the movements which suggest a bull fighter in the arena. At times the man stamps his right foot before going into the next step, just like the movements of a matador to arouse the bull. The role of the lady is to represent the matador's cape – to be light and to respond quickly and swiftly to the man's leading.

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English WaltzListen

The English Waltz is also known as the slow waltz (mainly because it is half the speed of Viennese waltz). The steps are large, with a downward emphasis on the first beat and an upward emphasis on two and three. This creates a rise and fall 'wavy' action, which is combined with a sway to create a beautiful flow. Just like in all standard dances, it is danced counterclockwise around the Line of dance. The couple can complete 3/4 of a turn every 2 bars.

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TangoListen

The tango known today is divided into two main styles, both in music and in technique: Modern tango and Argentinean tango. The tango originates in a dance called the Habanera (named after the city of Havana) which was imported by immigrants to Argentina around the year 1880. In Argentina the dance took on the features of sensual seduction and the club ambience of the time. The tango returned to Europe as a ballroom dance, with different music and technique but with its dramatic quality unaltered. In every form of tango the steps go by counts of 'slow' and 'quick,' knees slightly bent in order to stay at the same height and to allow catlike movements.

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Viennese WaltzListen

The Viennese waltz is the oldest of the Standard ballroom dances. The Viennese waltz is always danced counterclockwise around the Line Of Dance. Couples are supposed to complete half a turn every music bar (1, 2, 3). Since a strict tempo Viennese Waltz is 60 bars per minute, the dancers are turning at a rate of 30 turns a minute; therefore, the waltz is danced right and left – 8 to 16 bars in each direction. The change of direction prevents dizziness even when dancing for a long time.

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Slow FoxtrotListen

A slow Standard dance which is thought to be the most elaborate and detailed dance of all standard dances. The distinct thing about the dance is that there are three steps in the basic step while the music count is 4/4, which requires special precision and punctuality. The basic step has 2 different parts: a 3-step and a feather-step. There is an inside partner action as well as outside partner action on each basic step. Each half basic step starts with a strong change of sway, on the first step, which has a 'Slow' count.

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QuickstepListen

A fast standard dance, which combines elements of jazz dancing (Charleston, tap, swing, etc.) with highly stylized technique. The quickstep requires the use of a large dance floor and watching one's dance space, especially because of the variations which are composed of quick chasing (or hovering) steps. The Basic rhythm is S, S, Q, Q but any combination of Slows and Quick steps will do, as long as the music bar structure is followed.

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SalsaListen

Salsa is a Cuban dance, which spun off the Mambo (Cha Cha Cha is another spin-off). While the Mambo was danced on the 2nd beat, the Salsa is danced usually on the first one. Some dancers will choose to dance on the 2nd or 3rd beat, which is perfectly acceptable, as long as they maintain it throughout the dance. There are two kinds of salsa music: 'Romantica' (romantic) – slow and sensual; and 'Caliente' (hot) – quicker and more rhythmic.

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MerengueListen

The Merengue is a Latin nightclub dance, which is also used in Ballroom parties and social dance events, mainly because it is the easiest dance to perform. It originated in the Dominican Republic, and it is very diverse regarding its musicality and speed. It is danced using small steps and delayed hip movements after each step. The upper part has very little action, which supports the extended actions done by the lower part. The Merengue can be danced in place, while turning, or while advancing.

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BachataListen

Bachata is one of the newest Latin nightclub dances, originating in the Dominican Republic. The rhythm has a 4/4 structure and it is relatively slow. There is a unique emphasis on the 4th beat, inviting the typical wiggling pelvis action done on that beat. Some dancers will choose a close hold (the lady almost sitting on her partner's leg) which will create a very sensual dance style. Other dancers will choose an open hold (resembles Merengue or Cha Cha Cha) and more open and turning variations.

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SwingListen

The swing is the earliest dance version from the Rock and Roll family. The music of swing dancing is rhythm and blues. The dance is composed of swing action to the left and to the right and swing action forward and backward (hence the name, 'swing'). Swing has three main styles: West coast, East coast and Lindy Hop. Another version of swing is the triple swing, which is somewhat like the jive. There are many swing clubs that specialise in this style.

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Slow Rock / BluesListen

Slow Rock developed out of the Blues, similar to the development of Rock and Roll out of R&B. As in Swing, in Slow Rock there's a shifting of weight from right to left, but the space between the partners remains constant. In addition, this dance is usually danced closely, as in ballroom dancing, and hip movements from Latin dancing may be added. The pace can be slowed down or doubled, by counting the beats differently. Because singers sometimes stretch out parts of the song during a pause in the rhythm, it is customary to incorporate pressure turns or turns by the lady, and 'dips'. The sensuality and romance attributed to this dance can be increased sevenfold by adding variations, leading in response to changes in the music, and animated movement.

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HustleListen

A version of disco danced as a couple. The origin of the hustle is in the 70s, when Disco was very popular. There is an influence of the Jive / Swing on the Hustle. For example, the 3rd and 4th steps resemble the 'Back Replace' steps in the Jive. Both partners dance with the same footwork, in a circle, turning clockwise.

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