To see overall details about Ballroom Dance and its style

BALLET DANCE

Dance and Dance >> Ballroom Dance

Derivation of word :

The word Ballroom dance is derived from the word ball.

Definition :

The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the era. Balls have featured Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Pas de Gras, Mazurka, and other trendy dances of the day, which are deemed to be historical dances.

Reference :

Ballroom dance refers as a group to a set of partner dances, which instigated in the Western world and are now enjoyed both publicly and competitively around the globe. Its performance and entertainment facets are also broadly enjoyed on stage, in dance film, and on television. It is for young and old.

During the 20th century these dances came to be performed broadly in competitions, which thrived in Britain and America following the First World War. In 1929 the Official Board of Ballroom Dancing was found and by the 1930s consistency of training and levels of know-how expertise had been established. As most men are right handed dancers, it was conventional to wear the sword and scabbard on the left hand side of the belt, to facilitate the drawing of the sword with the right hand. It is hard to draw a sword with the right hand with the scabbard on the right. Thus if a man was to put his arm around a lady is back,she would have to be on his right, or she would keep tripping over the sword dance.

For a simple promenade around the floor, the man would naturally take the inside of the circle, so that his sword did not hit the legs of the audience around them, and the woman would be on his right arm on the outside of the Circle Dance. They would then have to promenade anti-clockwise which is probably the origin of the anti-clockwise progression of the ballroom dances around the floor.

The various ballroom dance types are: International Standard styles:

Waltz: Waltz is a dance style which involves both ballroom and folk dances. Waltz means to move or advance easily in a lively manner. This dance style was born in Vienna and Austria. The basic steps of this dance style can be learned quickly within a short period of time when compared with other court dances which made dancing masters to think that this style may be a threat to their profession.

Tango: Tango dance was originated in Argentina. Tango has its influence from Spanish and African culture. Initially it was known as tango criollo or tango. Tango consists of a variety of dance styles like Argentine Tango, Uruguayan Tango, Ballroom tango, Finnish tango and vintage tangos.

Viennese Waltz: Viennese Waltz is a ballroom dance style which was the first style to be performed in waltx position. It's danced at 180 beats a minute. In this style, the dancers constantly turn towards their left or right with turns and changing steps. Viennese Waltz are danced at a faster tempo compared to other Waltz types.

Foxtrot: Foxtrot was premiered in 1914. From the day since it's introduced, it became the most popular dance and majority of records were received. Even the most popular dances waltz and Tango couldn't overtook this dance style.

Quickstep: Quickstep is a ballroom dance style which is similar to a fast Foxtrot dance. Though this dance evolved from Foxtrot, Quickstep is a separate dance style which has a lot of dance movements on the floor with quick steps and rotation.