Ballroom Basics for Social Dancers

[pygmalion]

I have a couple friends looking to start ballroom dance, just for social purposes. You know -- the danceing at a wedding type. If you were to recommend to them a few basics to learn, what would you recommend? Any particular dances or step patterns that you think are essential for ballroom social dancers?

[Sagitta]

Waltz and foxtrot. This is played often enough to be worth learning. Also waltz moves can be translated into foxtrot fairly easily, I think!! One should know enough to be able to move around the room in the line of dance. Other then that it depends on where their interests lie, how well it comes to them, and how much are they willing to invest (time and money).

[pygmalion]

Hmm. I was thinking whatever dances you learn, learn a box step first. That can be adapted to and danced to anything in any time signature.

[jon]

I have a couple friends looking to start ballroom dance, just for social purposes. You know -- the danceing at a wedding type. If you were to recommend to them a few basics to learn, what would you recommend? Any particular dances or step patterns that you think are essential for ballroom social dancers?

For dancing at a wedding, Waltz, Foxtrot, and Nightclub Two-Step and East Coast Swing to have something to do with the pop music.

[pygmalion]

Yes, they do. And I like a little rumba too.

[pygmalion]

Oh yeah. And cha cha. And occasionally samba (Mark Anthony, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Lou Rawls,Basia, etc.)

[pygmalion]

Oh yeah. And West Coast Swing. And a little salsa and merengue and even some macarena. Hmm.

[twodance]

Learning one slow, one med. and one fast dance gets them set for anything. Rumba for slow dances ( can't go wrong with learning a box step ) can turn into waltz or fox trot. Swing and / or cha cha for a med tempo. Hustle or salsa for the fast tempos. The hardest part for new dancers is to recognize the music for each dance. The first three steps of each dance is a good place to start.

[Sagitta]

I just realized the similarity between triple step swing and cha cha?!? :oops: :doh: :) That's a good idea of learning a slow/medium and fast dance, twodance. In terms of salsa/hustle I would say hustle simply because I have seen it danced to a wider variety of music then salsa. I, of course can dance salsa to almost anything, and I do at times, but that's me. :)

[MadamSamba]

Jenn, I'd go cha cha, rumba and, maybe a basic waltz...that'd definitely get them through a night's dancing and pretty much any type of music that get's thrown at them.

Dunno about the foxtrot though, I reckon a real dancing teacher couldn't help dropping in the rise, fall and swing and that'd confuse the hell out of a beginner who's only learning for social reason and not the love of dance.

You could also throw in some basic rock 'n roll or jive.

[pygmalion]

I was thinking about this while I should have been sleeping. I would drop the foxtrot too. I've only been to one wedding in my whole life where foxtrot was played, and that was the wedding of some ballroom friends who hired a ballroom DJ and requested foxtrots (and tangos, too).

Most weddings I've been to, you could get by with a minimum of a little waltz and rumba. Some triple swing or cha cha would be nice. And beginners could sit out the sambas.

Or maybe it depends on your goals. If you want to get by in a nightclub, is different than if you're a smooth jazz supper club type, is different than if you're in the big band older crowd. Hmm.

[KevinL]

The answer will vary based on what the begining dancers will be doing. My answers are based on American style, and what I can teach new dancers in 30 minutes.

Waltz isn't that common on the radio, but there isn't anything else you can do with 3/4 timing, so you should learn to waltz. A box, a progressive, and a left turning box would be the minimum.

Foxtrot is extremely easy to learn, and since most music is in 4/4 time it would definitely be on my list. A progressive basic, and a left rock turn would be the minimum, then I'd add in either a sway step or a promenade step.

Everyone knows swing, or at least recognises it, so that would make my list as well. A basic, in and out of closed position and an underarm turn would probably be enough.

Merengue is really easy to learn, and it's good for fast music, so that would make my list as well. I don't know what I'd teach though.

[pygmalion]

Merengue is a good one. Just a basic marching step, side to side, forward, back, and maybe an underarm turn for the lady would be plenty, I think.

[DancingMommy]

Here's my list:

Waltz - most slow country music is in 3/4 time
Foxtrot - it's just a good basic to have and can be danced slow or "quick"
Cha Cha - lots of top 40 has the beat and you can't go wrong with it. :)
Rumba - If it's slow, 4/4, and *not* a FT, chances are it's a Rumba or *could be*. ;)

Optionals based on the theme of the event:

Hustle
ECS
Merengue

As far as steps go, I'd probably do 3 steps in each one and piggy back them to show how the steps can be used across the different dances. IE box w/UAT in Waltz, FT, Rumba. The only thing that changes is the timing. It's a "three-fer", LOL!

[pygmalion]

Why does everybody keep recommending foxtrot, I wonder. Do you hear a lot of foxtrot music socially?

Not to be or sound bigoted (although I probably am LOL), but I think it depends on the demographic of the students in question. The music most of my Black friends grew up with had absolutely nothing to do with foxtrot. Rumba? Yes. Swing? Yes. Waltz? Sometimes. Foxtrot? You must be kidding.

On the other hand, Black or no, I grew up with an eclectic musical background, and I spent much time as a little girl listening to good old Frank Sinatra belting out some classic foxtrots. So maybe it depends. *shrug*