Rhythm, Smooth, Standard, Modern... WHAT?!?!?

[Sakura]

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Mooouuuuuuuu!!!!! I'm back for help again guys, 'cause my head's SWIMMING!!!

Browsing the topics that I have been, as of late, I've been seeing different terms for dance styles, and I've *no* idea what they are/entail!

So, I was just wondering if I could get some help! :D

The " :shock: " terms are as follows:

Rhythm Dancing:

Smooth Dancing:

Standard Dance (I'm sure I know what this is, but then I saw someone giving an idea that Smooth could be something under it {like a sub-category}, so I thought I'd get a difinitive definition) :

Modern Dance (I thought I saw someone say that Standard has been called this, and it didn't seem right...)

Then, there are some others that I believe are related to competition levels:

Pro-AM:

...And that's the only one that comes to mind right now! :doh: I know I'll think of some later though...

So, if anyone wants to copy these into another post and put the definitions after them, that'd be great! :D Thanks guys!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Purr]

The terms Rhythm, Smooth, Latin & Standard refer to styles of dancing. Rhythm and Smooth are American style; Latin and Standard are International style. Specific dances for each are listed below:

American Style Competition Dances

Rhythm: cha cha, rumba, swing, bolero, mambo, merengue, samba, hustle, west coast swing (and occassionally salsa and paso doble are possible entries)

Smooth: waltz, tango, foxtrot, v. waltz

International Style Competition Dances

Latin: cha cha, rumba, samba, paso doble, jive

Standard: waltz, tango, foxtrot, v. waltz, quickstep

Pro/Am, or professional/amateur refers to a teacher/student entry.

:kitty:

[Porfirio Landeros]

Rhythm and Smooth dancing are covered in American Style (vs. International style).

Competitive Rhythm dances are Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero and Mambo. The technique for the dances that share the name of the International style cousins is different, as well as the music tempo.

Smooth dances are Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz. The key difference between Smooth and Standard is that smooth has figures that allow underarm turns, shadow positions, and other "open" work, which is usually reserved for shows on the Standard circuit, but in America, this grouping is done as a competitive style.

Pro-Am is a partnership consisting of a professional and an amateur. This is a very important part of the US dancesport circuit, as this is where pro's make most of their money.

[Sakura]

Wow, thanks Purr! :D 8)

...Can some of the Rhythm dances you gave be figured as Latin though? I was a little suprised to see Mambo and a few others in Rhythm but not Latin!

Again, thanks for the information; I'd only thought I was doing Latin and Standard before!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Sakura]

Many thanks to you as well, PF! I didn't know that about Pro/Am... Very interesting! :D

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[SDsalsaguy]

Porfirio makes a good point that there's a distinction to be made between the dances considered part of the competitive rhythm "group" vs. all the other dances that get included (and competed) in social & pro/am rhythm.

Also, just FYI, Standard is also commonly called Ballroom or Modern, largely depending on who/where/when.

[Sakura]

Also, just FYI, Standard is also commonly called Ballroom or Modern, largely depending on who/where/when.

*nod nod* That's a good point to know, 'cause it was getting *really* confusing to me! Thanks SD!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[SDsalsaguy]

Also, just FYI, Standard is also commonly called Ballroom or Modern, largely depending on who/where/when.

*nod nod* That's a good point to know, 'cause it was getting *really* confusing to me! Thanks SD!

No problem SK...

Also keep in mind that some people therefore reference Smooth as American Ballroom or American Modern since it (Smooth) is considered the American counterpart to Standard/Modern/Ballroom.*



*NOTE: No one uses all of these terms in regular conversation. Everyone seems to have their own basic set, it just happens to be that as you travel and/or talk to people from different places different sets tend to get used. Try thinking of this thread more as a translation guide than a dictionary and you should be fine.

[Sakura]

*filing away information* Gotcha. =^_^=

Sakua Kitty :kitty: