standard vs. latin

[waltzguy]

What's your opinion on popularity of standard/smooth vs. latin/rhythm? What do you prefer? Do you think there's a preference with age groups?

I like both styles, and dance both socially, but much prefer standard. I am concentrating on standard in private lessons, especially the standard swing dances (not referring to swing as in ECS/WCS).

I gotta believe that young people like latin/rhythm more. If this is true, then I am an exception!

No flames please.

 

[fascination]

I dance all 4...I find that age isn't the deciding factor...I do find that no one dances standard socially, and that makes a certain but sad amount of sense...most folks around here are strictly social dancers and prefer rhythm, regardless of their age....but we smoothies know who we are and find each other...we standard folks, we have a secret handshake....and meet privately

 

[Me]

I think for dance exhibitions, people really want to see the Latin. But, not that freakish cancerous, blinding white teeth, wearing next to nothing snarl at your partner type of Latin. I think this preference transcends age groups. Maybe, MAYBE, I've noticed older dancers being into swing just a tad more than the younger dancers.

 

[tanya_the_dancer]

Well, I dance pretty much everything socially with a few exceptions. I compete in smooth and standard, and I focus on those in my lessons. I think, however, that older social dancers tend to prefer foxtrots and swings, and younger social dancers gravitate towards salsa.

 

[DennisBeach]

What's your opinion on popularity of standard/smooth vs. latin/rhythm? What do you prefer? Do you think there's a preference with age groups?

I like both styles, and dance both socially, but much prefer standard. I am concentrating on standard in private lessons, especially the standard swing dances (not referring to swing as in ECS/WCS).

I gotta believe that young people like latin/rhythm more. If this is true, then I am an exception!

No flames please.

Social dancers around here like all 3 stlyles. For us it is smooth/standeard, latin, than swing. But we like all 3 categories.

There is one ballroom around here that exposes a lot of young people ( teens ) to all 3 styles and gives them a place to dance. Their favorites are waltz, vienese waltz, chacha and hustle/single time swing.

We have what I call big band dancers and they prefer 40's music and do this schuffle type dance to all rythyms. Older ballroom dancers, like the mix of all 3 and tend to continue to learn additional dances. There big 4, basixcally what they learn forst are waltz, foxtrot, swing and chacha.

 

[tanya_the_dancer]

Standard isn't danced socially here, in general, with exception of quickstep. Mainly because there are not enough people who know it. When they play quickstep, those who know it - do it, and the rest sit out or try doing swing to it, but when they play international tempo waltz, tango or foxtrot, most people do smooth to it.

 

[Movement]

I'm a junior and I haven't the time to dance socially because of sports and school and such. =( But I know how to dance(keep in mind knowing how is different from dancing well) all 4 styles. I love smooth/standard, it just feels nice. It took me a little while to actually like rhythm and latin because I was a bit shy and moving my hips didn't seem "manly" to me. And I just hated swing even though it was supposively my best dance. The only thing I liked about it was that leading it was easy for me, with the exception of something called a tuck in. Now I like all the dances and I kind of like swing in moderation. I just don't like doing it a bunch of times, especially in a row.

Edit, I'm still shy about rhythm/latin but I like it. I'm skinny and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing one of those tight shirts and pants. I've been told being thin is supposively an attractive shape for dancing but I'm still self concious about it. Do you have to wear those for competitions?

 

[latingal]

I enjoy both smooth and standard, and - of course - latin.

 

[Joe]

Competitively, I'd say that Latin is youth dominated. You don't find that many older competitors, whereas you do in Ballroom.

 

[marktheshark]

Here in Southern Florida smooth is dominant, which can be partially attributed to the average age of ballroom dancing Floridians.

In Greece latin/rhythm takes up like 70~80% of music played during socials. In a 2,5 hour social you might get to dance one foxtrot.

 

[fascination]

chuckle...I am also finding that it depends upon the studio owners...the new studio I have been frequenting is owned by folks who prefer ryhthm...so the smooth stuff is few and far btwn...and when it is, the music...well...

 

[dTas]

i think people to prefer the rhythm/latin more than the standard/smooth. i think it is largely due to the popular music we hear. most music is fast moving with heavy beats. the number of artists that produce foxtrots and waltzes are greatly outnumbered by those who make swing and sambas.

slow popular songs tend to be rumbas, boleros, WCS, or Nightclub.

its all a shame because i really find a nice foxtrot or waltz to be WAY more romatic and emotional.

 

[NielsenE]

I think part of it also comes down to the situation where a lot of people who prefer standard/smooth still socially dance or recreationally compete in rhythm/latin. While I've known a lot of latin dancers who will only dance latin, socially or competitively.

 

[helloman]

I dance swing, smooth, rhythm but also incorporate some latin steps in my rhythm.

I like watching good smooth/standard performances, but only in small doses.
I definitely enjoy watching rhythm/latin exhibitions longer and more often.

I think for dance exhibitions, people really want to see the Latin. But, not that freakish cancerous, blinding white teeth, wearing next to nothing snarl at your partner type of Latin.

I agree that some of those seem quite ridiculous, i.e.
over-the-top facial expressions in latin; fish lips for guys while dancing standard; chocolate tan for latin & lily white for stadard; open-chest latin shirts for guys; lightning-fast multiple syncopated steps between long poses, etc.

Chocolate tan is not exclusive to latin dancers though.
The bodybuilders in my gym all wear that for competitions.
I guess each sports has it own set of ridiculous practices/traditions.

 

[dancesportgirl21]

I agree that popularity of dances at a studio generally depends on what the owners and teachers in the area tend to specialize in.

Also, about youth dancers, there are many more youth geared programs/studio for latin.