Post date: Dec 03, 2010 9:29:46 PM
When one thinks of ballroom dancing, it conjures up in yourmind a beautiful and exquisite ballroom, with elegantlydressed ladies with gentlemen dancers in tuxedos. But haveyou ever wondered how the dance started? Ballroom dancingstarted in England in the late 18th century or early 19thcentury. Initially the dance was performed solely by theupper classes, however, the lower classes adopted this artform as well some time later.The Quickstep is a popular dance at many ballroom dancecompetitions and started in the 1920s in England. The danceevolved from the Foxtrot, the Charleston and a couple ofother dances, and has undergone many changes over theyears. Although some dancers still perform the dance slowly, nowadays the dance is faster than it was at its outset. Infact, it is danced to the fastest tempo of the ballroomdances. A further change since the inception of the dance isthe usage of more syncopation in the steps. Threecharacteristic dance figures of the Quickstep are the
chasses, where the feet are brought together, the quarter
turns and the lock step. Distinctive to the Quickstep is an
up and down, rise and fall swinging motion performed at a
fast pace.
First Basic Step. The lead dancer steps forward on their
right foot - slow, then step to the side on the left - quick
(the feet should now be paralle), the right foot is brought
togather with the left - quick, finally stepping out to the
side with the left foot again - slow. It continues, step
back with the right foot and step to the side on the left
(feet again in a parallel position), the right foot is
brought together with the left, and then step out again
with the left foot. To allow progress around the dance floor
the lead dancer would initiate the step out, adding further
variety with turns and runs.
When observing the Quickstep, it may appear similar to the
whirling figures common in a waltz. However, listen to the
music, and you will be able to recognise that it is not the
waltz, but the Quickstep performed at 4/4 time rather than
the waltz at 3/4 time. Another indication that you are
seeing the Quickstep is the jazzy fast beat of the songs
compared to the slow waltz song.
Today most ballroom dance lessons not only include the
Quickstep but also the tango, fox trot, samba, rumba, the
jive, the cha cha cha and the paso doble. The tango has 4/4
meter and uses medium tempo orchestral type of music. The
foxtrot also has a 4/4 meter and its basic rhythm is slow
quick quick, performed with medium or slow jazz music. The
Samba boasts an exhilarating Latin beat with 2/4 meter and
has approximately 100 beats per minute, whilst the cha cha
cha is usually to a Latin beat but, unlike the samba, has a
medium tempo with 128 beats per minute. On the hand, or
should I say foot, the rumba is to a slow Latin ballad and
its tempo is 104 beats per minute with a meter of 4/4. The
jive is a fast moving swing type music with 176 beats per
minute. Lastly, there is the paso doble, its meter is 2/4
and rhythm is similar to a march with one-step beat and
dramatic likened to bullfight music.
About the Author:
Keith Faunch is a novice at dance, but attempting to get
better whilst encouraging others to take up the challenge,
to get fit or to have some fun.