Which is harder: Latin or Standard?

Lyra said:
Examples being? I'm not saying it never happens, but I wouldn't say commonplace. How do you define basics in this context?
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Well, last time I was going to Blackpool, they included Timothy Howson and Joanne Bolton, who won that dance, and Alan and Donna Shingler.

"Basics" is generally defined as "syllabus figures for the dance". My own definition in this case is slightly stricter in that I wouldn't include syllabus foxtrot figures with syncopated timings; without that additional restriction, there might have been one or two more couples in the final doing only basics.
 
A better question would be:
Which interests you more, standard or latin?
You will tend to excel in the one you like the most, or the one for which you have a great mentor to help you find that spark.
 
not exactly my situtation...i always liked standard, but I cannot say that I have ever loved it, except for waltz...and the occasional tango or QS....

in actuality, I enjoy all four styles, but I love open smooth, foxtrot notwithstanding

but I have not noticed alot of correlation btwn what I find hard or easy, or what I am good at or what my mentor/instructor excels at
 
I have had a lot of discussion with various professionals & students and still do not have a straight answer. Is there one? or is it just personal preference? I am looking in terms of technique, characterisation and rhythm here.
 
Welcome, CameronH746.
I think that question needs more context. If you are talking about competition, the style with the most competitors will be the hardest to win. Because if one is easier to learn at the beginning, the competition will raise the level of technique to the limits of what people can do, anyway.
 
Ballroom is harder because there's always this partner in my way. Latin is harder because I have to do things with less (or sometimes no) physical connection with my partner. Ballroom is harder because I have to move smoothly across my feet. Latin is harder because I have to be centered over my feet. Ballroom is harder because it's so structured, it's hard to let go and be expressive. Latin is harder because I feel silly performing sensuality.

You haven't gotten a straight answer, because there isn't one that's true for everyone. Though there may be one for a particular individual, depending on their body type, previous experience, and personality.
 
bia said:
Ballroom is harder because there's always this partner in my way. Latin is harder because I have to do things with less (or sometimes no) physical connection with my partner. Ballroom is harder because I have to move smoothly across my feet. Latin is harder because I have to be centered over my feet. Ballroom is harder because it's so structured, it's hard to let go and be expressive. Latin is harder because I feel silly performing sensuality.

You haven't gotten a straight answer, because there isn't one that's true for everyone. Though there may be one for a particular individual, depending on their body type, previous experience, and personality.
Click to expand...

Precisely.

IMO, you haven't gotten a straight answer, and you most likely won't, because there isn't one.
 
Every 10-dance champion I've posed this question to had the same answer: Standard is harder.
 
Couldn't that just potentially mean that people with an inclination toward Latin are more likely to do 10-dance?
What happens if you ask a Standard competitor this question? (Assuming they aren't inflating the difficulty of Standard to make themselves look better.)

For me, personally, Standard is easier.
 
IMO

Ballroom Standard (aka MODERN) is the hardest of them all.
And in Modern, the Waltz is the hardest.

That includes Int'l, American, Night Club, Social, and AT (all of which I've danced extensively for many many years).

When the merits of each style is compared to another, the other style will typically have a complementary or equivalent level of ease or difficulty that matches the former style (as BIA wonderfully illustrated).


There is one point in Modern, however, that cannot be matched by the other styles: MODERN DEMANDS MORE PRECISION.

One must be exceedingly more precise in Modern in order to produce the same level of expression when compared with other styles (other styles require less precision in order to look good--there is less tolerance for error than in the other styles).

Not convinced? Try being off by 10 CM in footwork in Latin and Modern. And your Latin would still look good.

Be off by 10CM on the hold or contact and see how quickly the movement will unravel 2-4 steps downstream...





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