Ballroom Dance StylesAmerican vs. International

The International Style is primarily a competitive style

of ballroom dancing. It shares many of the same

dances with the American Style, but the International

Style dances are more formalistic and difficult, with

strict technique guidelines.

American Style ballroom dancing is easier for students

to learn, not as strict and more conducive to social

dancing.

Ballroom Dance StylesSmooth vs Latin

Smooth:

These dances move around the dance floor in a counter-

clockwise fashion, also known as LINE OF DANCE

These ballroom dances are elegant, beautiful, and dramatic,

each with its characteristic style.

Latin (or Rhythm):

Feature sensual and romantic Latin dances as well as the

American East Coast Swing.

The Latin dances are “spot” dances, meaning the couples �generally dance in the same spot on the dance floor as opposed

to traveling around the dance floor in a counterclockwise circle

Ballroom Dance Styles

Smooth Dances

Waltz

Foxtrot

Viennese Waltz

Tango

Quickstep

Latin (or Rhythm

Dances)

Cha Cha

Rumba

Swing

Bolero

Samba

Salsa- Club/Social

Merengue-Club Social

Waltz- Description

Style:American Smooth (Ballroom)

Music:Slow ballads or instrumental music in 3/4

time.

Meter:3/4

Tempo:84 - 96 beats per minute

Basic Rhythm:123 123

(strong accent on 1)

Quick quick quick

Waltz- Description cont’ Characteristic Styling:

Smooth progressive dance characterized by long, flowing

movements, continuous turns, and rise & fall and sway on the

side steps, heel leads

Graceful and elegant

The feet remain in contact with the floor at all times, creating a

smooth, gliding look. 

Waltz is a progressive dance down the line of dance (counter-

clockwise)

Waltz frame is the typical Smooth frame essential for balance and

control. 

The American style is punctuated with lavish open movements,

underarm turns, and solo spins. The slow, expressive quality of

the music often

invites very powerful and dynamic movement from dancers.

Waltz- Basic Steps

Basic Box

Rotating Box

Underarm Turn

Fifth Position Breaks

Progressive

Hesitation

Waltz- History The name ‘Waltz’ comes from an old German word walzen,

meaning to roll, turn, or glide.

It evolved from a German and Austrian peasant dance of

the 17th and 18th century called the Laendler and the

Allemande in ¾ time replacing the heavy hopping and

jumping movements with more polished and graceful

gliding. 

Waltz was the first dance in which the man and lady

danced with body contact, and was considered quite

scandalous in its day.

It was immensely popular all across Europe, first with the

lower classes and then with the aristocracy.

The fast Viennese waltz vs the slower “Boston”

Cha Cha- Description Style: American Rhythm

Music: Medium-tempo Latin music,

Meter:4/4 (4 beats per measure)

Tempo:112 - 120 beats per minute

Basic Rhythm: 2, 3, 4&1, 2, 3, 4&1

Slow, slow, slow, quick quick

Consists of triple chasse steps (cha cha cha)

and rock steps

Characteristic Styling: Toe leads, Cuban motion, Staccato in

nature, fun and flirty, very rhythmic and dynamic, hip

movements, flashy and sensual character.

Cha Cha- Basic Steps

Side Basic

Progressive Basic (travels front & back)

Crossover

Pivot Turn

Underarm turn (follower does a pivot under the

leader’s arm)

Locks (could be done on the same foot or alternating)

Cha Cha- History Music of the Cha Cha came from Cuba. It evolved from

mambo, which was very fast and difficult to dance to. Cha

Cha is a slowed down version of mambo, a “polite

mambo,” or a “triple mambo”

The Cha Cha dance is a North American innovation born

from Latin migration to North America (particularly New

York) and an inter-mixing of musical styles from many

parts of the world (especially jazz).

Introduced to the U.S in 1954

Tango- Description Style: American Smooth; moves

in a counter clockwise direction

Music: Medium Tempo Orchestral,

Almost march-like

Meter: 4/4

Tempo:120-128 beats per minute

Basic Rhythm:

Slow, slow, slow, quick, quick

Characteristic Styling: earthy and dramatic; Stalking or

sneaking; can be slow and slithery, can also be sharp and

staccato

Tango- Basic Steps

Basic

Promenade

Rocks

Corte

Side by Side Release

Ochoes

Rumba- Description

Style: American Rhythm (Latin)

Music: Medium Tempo Latin Music

Meter: 4/4

Tempo:128-144 beats per minute

Basic Rhythm:

Slow quick quick, slow quick quick

Characteristic Styling: Toe leads, slow and sensual

with hip movements

Rumba- Basic Steps

Basic Box

Rotating Box

Pivot Turns

Underarm Turn

Cross Overs

Fifths

Cuban Walks

Side Breaks

Foxtrot- Description Style: American Smooth

Music: Medium Tempo Jazz Swing

Music

Meter: 4/4

Tempo:120-136 beats per minute

Basic Rhythm: Slow slow quick quick

Characteristic Styling: Heel leads, Smooth

progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing

movements across the dance floor, using a simple combination

of walks and chasses ideal for social dancing. Signature

dancers include Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

Foxtrot- Basic Steps

Forward basic

Rotating Basic

Promenade

Underarm turn

Sway

Chasse

Swing- Description

Style:American Rhythm

Music: Fast Swing Music

Meter:4/4

Tempo:136-144 beats per minute

Basic Rhythm: 1 a2, 1 a2, a2

(strong accent on 2)

Characteristic Styling: Fun, fast

Lots of turns and flips. It is the typical American

passtime of the 50’s & 60’s. (Toe Leads)

Swing- Basic Steps

Basic- single

Basic- triple

Underarm Turn- Right

(turn is on second triplet)

Underarm Turn- Left

(turn is on first triplet)

Cuddle Wrap

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