BALLROOM DANCING I. Introduction: Ballroom dancing sometimes called social or popular dancing is usually performed by couples, for their pleasure and satisfaction either at private function or in public dancing halls. Dance steps are created from man’s basic movements: the walk, run, jumps, hop, skip, slide, leap, turn and sway. Combinations of this have become traditional dance steps have been used often in stylized manner, for folk and ethnic dances, social or ballroom dances, ballet and modern expensive dances. Ballroom dance refers collectively to a set of partner dances, which originated in the Western world and are now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television. While historically ballroom dance may refer to any form of formal social dancing as recreation, with the distinction of dance sport in modern times the term has become much narrower in scope, usually referring specifically to the International Standard and International Latin style dances such as the Cha-Cha, Jive, Samba, Paso Doble and Rhumba. Social Dancing Core Values A. Personal Values 1. Develops grace and poise. 2. Helps to break down excessive reserve and shyness. 3. Affords and opportunity to meet new friend and develops mutual respect interest. 4. Provides challenges of learning steps and executing them successfully to musical accompaniment. B. Physical Values 1. Helps improve coordination, balance, rhythm and grace. 2. Offers a moderate form of exercise that may carry or regularity without strain and danger of injury. 3. Encourage individuals to dress neatly and attractive. C. Social Values 1. An excellent way to new friends. 2. Provides a constructive and healthy answer to a leisure time dilemma. 3. Provides a means to develop appropriate social behavior, good etiquette and thoughtful consideration for others. II.
History: Ballroom dancing has a unique history that has contributed to its current popularity as a recreational and competitive spirit. It has its origin in England during the late 18th century and early 19th century primarily among the upper class who participated in social events at balls. During the 19th and 20th century, ballroom dancing becomes popular among the working class who attended public dance balls or “popular assemblies”. Ballroom Competitions gained popularity during the early 1920’s. In 1924, the Ballroom branch of imperial society of traders of dancing was formed at its mission was to standardize the music, step and technique of ballroom dancing. Throughout the years, ballroom dancing gained popularity throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americans. Ballroom dancing is a Western European and American social dancing performed by couples. It is a specific type’s of social dancing that has been variously used to mean all dances designed to bring people together for group participation and enjoyment. III.
Different Ballroom Dancing Position:
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Back cross position Couple position ‘Escort position Varsovienne position Closed position Butterfly position Open position Promenade position
9. Right reverse open 10. Swing out position or Flirting position 11. Conversation position 12. Facing position 13. Left reverse open position 14. Shoulder-waist position 15. Star position 16. Wrap position
IV. Social Etiquette in Dancing: 1. Careful thought to personal grooming, including appropriate dress for the occasion, makes it possible for an individual to feel secure and confident in appearance. 2. Giving proper attention to a partner makes the person feel good. 3. Encouragement builds confidence. 4. Cooperation creates a feeling of working together. 5. A gentleman and a lady must graciously accept any partner with whom he or she may be paired. 6. It is poor taste to sing or show off in any way. 7. It is not good taste to smoke or chew gum while dancing. 8. The gentleman should take the lady’s hand, arm or hold his arm for her to take, and in this manner, guides her into the floor. 9. A gentleman always thanks the lady after dancing with her and she acknowledges the courtesy. 10. A lady never refuses the dance without having a very good reason. If she refuses an invitation, she doesn’t accept other partner for the same dance. 11. A lady never refuses to change partner when a gentleman “cuts in” and “cutting in” is permitted in the dance. 12. Partners should not dance continuously for an entire evening. 13. When colliding with one’s partner or other dancers, an apology should be made by the offender. 14. A gentleman always rises when a lady is standing or when she enters a room. 15. One should also remember to bring along with a smile. Competitive dancing • Competitions, sometimes referred to as DanceSport, range from world championships, regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC), to less advanced dancers at various proficiency levels • In competition ballroom, dancers are judged by diverse criteria such as poise, the hold or frame, posture, musicality and expression, timing, body alignment and shape, floor craft, foot and leg action, and presentation Standard Ballroom 1. Waltz- It is one of the smoothest ballroom dances. It is a progressive dance marked by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and "rise and fall." The dance is so graceful and elegant; Waltz dancers appear to glide around the floor with almost no effort. 2. Tango – It is one of the most fascinating of all ballroom
Latin Dance 1. Cha-cha-cha It is a lively, flirtatious ballroom dance full of passion and energy. The classic "Cuban motion" gives the Cha Cha its unique style
2. Rumba- It is considered by many to be the most romantic and sensual of
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dances. This sensual ballroom dance originated in South America in the early twentieth century. 3. Foxtrot - The Foxtrot is a ballroom dance that is lots of fun and simple to learn...an excellent dance for beginners. The Foxtrot is a smooth dance in which dancers make long, flowing movements across the floor 4. Quick Step - It is a quick version of the Foxtrot. It is a ballroom dance comprised of extremely quick stepping, syncopated feet rhythms, and runs of quick steps. The Quickstep is exciting to watch, but among the most difficult of all the ballroom dances
all Latin ballroom dances. It is often referred to as the "Grandfather of the Latin dances.
3. Samba- It is an animate dance with
the strong and characteristic rhythm. The dance gradually lost its ritualistic nature and eventually became the Brazilian national dance.
4. Jive - It is a ballroom dance style that originated in the United States from African-Americans. It is a lively form of Swing dance, and a variation of the Jitterbug.
Techniques of Leading and Following 1. An alert, which move a couple as one 2. A basic position which gives security and support 3. Consciousness of various musical tempo and style. 4. Knowledge of the basic steps and simple variations General Rules in Leading 1. Hold partner firmly but not tensely 2. Listen to music to get the beat before starting step out on the accented beat 3. Start with a new step with a left foot lead 4. Give the lead for the new step or direction just before stepping out of it. 5. Start with the easy steps before going into variations, be sure your partner can follow General Rules In Following 1. keep the man’s rhythm 2. Be alert to partner’s lead. 3. Support one’s own weight. Learn to keep good balance when moving backwards. 4. Step straight backward and reaching motion so as to give him room to reach straight ahead. 5. Pass the feet close together. 6. Try not to anticipate partner’s lead but move with the action. 7. Become familiar With the basic steps a partner is likely to lead. 8. Give careful thought to a proper body alignment and good posture. Social Etiquette in Dancing 1. Careful hought to personal grooming, including appropriate dress for the occasion, makes it possible for an individual to feel secure and confident in appearance. 2. Giving proper attention to a partner makes the person feel good. Security develops from a friendly smile, a cheer word or an alertness to a partner rather than boredom or looking around the others.
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3. A gentleman and a lady must graciously accept any partner with whom he or she may be paired. 4. It is not good taste to smoke or chew gum while dancing. 5. The gentleman should take the lady’s hand, arm or hold his arm for her to take, and in his manner, guides her into the floor. If there is a crowd at the edge of the dance floor, the gentleman should proceed with the lady and make way to the crowd. 6. A gentleman always thanks the lady after dancing with her and she acknowledges the courtesy. 7. A lady never refuses to change partner when a gentleman “ cuts in” and “cutting in” is permitted in the dance 8. The lady never refuses the dance without having a very good reason. If she refuses the invitation, she doesn’t accept other partner for the same dance. 9. Partners should not dance continuously for an entire evening. He also arranges to exchange partners frequently so that the evening may become a social occasion 10.When colliding with one’s partner or the other dancers, an apology should be made by the offender 11.One should always remember to bring a long with a smile.
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Cha-Cha-cha It is a Latin American dance of Cuban origin. It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953. It was spread to Britain, Europe and North America. It has roots from the Mambo and Rumba It is the vocal imitation of what the feet are doing in the dance
Movement: • Feet remaining close to the floor (toe steps) • Hips are relaxed to enable movement in the pelvis. • Latin walk, lock & rock step, Hip movements Counting: • 2,3, 4 and 1 • 2,3, cha, cha, cha Cha Cha Cha music is 4/4 time (4 beats to a bar of music, and therefore four dance steps to a bar of music. Some teachers count the Cha Cha Cha movement as slow, slow, quick-quick, slow. For some, they preferred 2 & 3, Cha-Cha, 1. Mood of the Dance: The cha cha is a lively, sassy dance. Basic Dance Steps: There are two basic movements to the Cha Cha - the Forward Basic Movement and the Back Basic Movement. The Lady facing the man will perform steps complimenting his. So if the man moves his left foot forward, the lady will move her right foot back and visa versa. In the Forward Basic Move, the man will perform the Forward Basic Movement, followed by the Back Basic Movement. Whereas, the Lady will do the exact opposite. She will perform the Back Basic Movement, followed by the Forward Basic movement. The Basic Cha Cha Cha: Man’s Part
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Step forward with the L foot (ct.1) Step in place with R foot (ct. 2) Three steps or cha cha cha starting with your L foot (cts. 1, 2, 3) Step backward with R foot (ct.1) Step L foot in place (ct. 2) Tree steps or cha cha cha starting with your R foot (cts. 1, 2, 3)
Lady’s Part 1. Step backward with your R foot (ct. 1) 2. Step L foot in place (ct. 2) 3. Three steps or cha cha cha starting with your R foot (cts. 1, 2, 3) 4. Step forward with your L foot (ct. 1) 5. Step R foot in place (ct. 2) 6. Three steps or cha cha cha starting with your L foot (cts. 1, 2, 3) Samba History: The New American Dictionary of Music describe Samba as “a very lively Brazilian couple dance of African origin in 4/4 time). Samba originated in Brazil. It was and is dance as a festival dance during the street festivals and celebrations. First introduced in U.S. in a Broadway play called “Street Carnival’ in the late twenties. The festive style and mood of the dance has kept it alive and popular to this day. Samba is a fun dance that fits most of today’s popular music. Rhythm/ Timing: Samba is a very rhythmical dance where the rhythm of the music is expressed in the whole body, rather than just in the feet and the hips. Samba music is 48-52 BPM. Generally, Samba is counted in 2/4 time (2 beats to a bar of music). The only important thing to remember is that the dance is done in triple time- meaning, three steps are performed in two beats. (step, close, step) or change step. Glossary of Terms Back Cross Position- Couple stand side by side with arms interlocked behind them. Butterfly Position- Couple facing with arms out and to the side grasping each other by the hand. Change of Weight- Transfer of the standing foot (one with weight on it to the free foot. Chasse’- Sliding steps used to maneuver around dance floor. Closed Position- Partners facing with the man's right hand on the lady's back, man's left and lady's right interlocked, and lady's left on the man's shoulder. Conversation Position- Partners are side-by-side, lady’s left hand rests on man’s right shoulder, his right hand at lady’s waist. Man’s left hand and lady’s right are not closed. Costume- The Dress for Dancing, whether Formal for Social Dancing or the dress of people in "Ritual" Dances. Couple Dances- Dances that are usually performed in Closed Position in which only the couple interacts with each other. Couple position- Partners in a side by side position facing the same direction join hands with elbows flexed at shoulder. Draw Step- Free foot brought together with the standing foot with usually a change of weight. Escort position - Proper way to bring partner on and take partner from the dance floor, with the lady slipping her left arm through the man's right. Facing Position- Partners face each other and holds hands
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Feet Together- Drawing of the Free Foot to the Standing Foot with or without a change of weight. Forward Step- Walking Step, usually in Smooth Dances. Free Foot- Foot without the weight on it. Full Turn- Turn 360 degrees. Half Turn- Turn 180 degrees. Heel Lead- Step with the heel of the foot being place before the toe. In Place- Remaining in the same place, but usually with a shift of weight from one foot to the other. Jump- Leaving the floor from both feet and landing on both feet with no weight on just one or change of weight to one. Leading- Term usually referring to the male in reference to the maneuvering of the couple about the dance floor with the use of increasing and decreasing of pressure upon the females' hand and back. Left-Reverse Open position- The lady is placed to man’s right side arms as in closed position. Open Position- Man’s right hand holding lady’s hands with palms turned down. Free hands are held out about shoulder height with palms turned down, partners are open out. Pivot- A turn made in place. Position- Place in which each partner stands or the series of steps to be taken. Promenade Position- Partners stand side by side with hands joined in front of them. Quarter Turn- Turn of 90 degrees. Rest- Stop in the music for an undetermined amount of time. Right-Reverse Open position- The lady is placed to the man’s left side. Rock Step- Quick shift of weight to one foot then a quick shift back. Roll- Turn completely around. Shoulder-Waist Position- Man's hands on the lady's waist, and the lady's on the man's shoulders. Spin- Turning of usually the female with the man's lead the show off her and her partner. Star Position- Partners face each other and stands with the right shoulder facing each other. Joins right to right hands bent at the elbows. Step- Movement and transfer or weight from one foot to another. Also termed for the Basic Step. Swing-out or Flirtation position- Partners face each other. Man’s left hand holding lady’s right hand with his left, freehand in position to second position. Tempo- Speed that the music is being played at. Time Signature- Musical notation expressing the number of beats per measure over the length of the note that gets one beat. Toe Lead- Step with the Toe placed before the heel. Touch- Bringing together of the feet without a transfer of weight from one to the other. Variation- Change in the basic configuration of a dance sequence. Varsovienne position- Sometimes known as “Skating position or Cuddle position”. The lady is at the man’s right left side both facing in the same direction. Man has one arm across the back of his partner while the position of his other arm depends on method of arriving in cuddle position. Walking Step- Step to each beat in a forward manner usually in line of dance to maneuver around dance floor. Wrap Position- Couple stands side by side with the man's arms wrapped around the lady.
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