Would Like to Learn The Foxtrot and have a question.

M

morrobaylindyhop

New Member
I have danced lindy hop and blues for a while now and have a good concept of lead follow technique. I would now like to expand me dance knowledge and learn foxtrot. By what I’ve seen it seams like there are two forms of it, social or bronze foxtrot and gold foxtrot; one being slow slow quick quick, and the other slow quick quick. It seams bronze is something the teach new dancers and the gold is more advanced and looks way cooler. With my current knowledge of lead follow dancing do I need to learn social or can I take the Gold class? I might not completely know the difference between the two either so if could help me out I would appreciate it.
 
One way to think about it is that there are 3 kinds of foxtrot -- 1) social/American style bronze, as you've described -- mostly SSQQ, with the feet closing at the end of each pattern; 2) American style silver and higher, mostly SQQ, called "continuity style," because the feet pass each other, making the movement more continuous; 3) international style slow foxtrot -- somewhat slower than American style, with passing feet, mostly SQQ timing. Often considered the hardest of the international style standard ballroom dances.

I agree that the social/bronze version isn't as cool as the other two. However, it makes sense to learn it first anyhow. It teaches you some of the basic technique that you'll need as you move on to the others, and it's often the most useful for social dancing. With your dance background and motivation, though, you may be able to pick up what you need quickly and then move on. Whether you then want to move on to American style silver or to international style slow foxtrot will depend a lot on where you are. American style will likely be more socially useful overall; you won't get a chance to dance international style socially anywhere except major metro areas on the coasts (or abroad). But it's gorgeous (IMO).
 
Some random video examples:

American style smooth foxtrot:
bronze: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZA88adagRY
silver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRd-DLrRh8A
pro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D9Pi5Mmyx4

international style standard foxtrot:
bronze: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfbQArZfQ4c
pro:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXrqYsG0ZCw

A main difference that I forgot to mention, but I'm sure you noticed -- in international style, you stay in closed frame the whole time; in American style, not.
 
There also are slow foxtrot and quickstep. But as an experienced swing dancer this should not baffle you. In ballroom everything is meticulously separated what actually belongs together.

Hi and welcome, by the way
 
OK. Social foxtrot, in the basic steps, has something in common with quickstep. And there the similarity ends, as quickstep has much more in common with international waltz.

In order of importance for social dancing, unless you are dancing somewhere where International Ballroom is the standard, you should probably learn social foxtrot, and then american continuity style.

I find myself cycling through four styles of foxtrot at dance socials. I start with international, then if necessary downshift to american continuity, and american social. In some cases, I do a continuity style that is all quicks (bleaarrghh!!) when I can't lead the difference in quicks and slows for a particular follower.
 
Are you lead or follow? Do you have a partner to practice with?

I just recently started training international and it's quite the beast. There's not a whole lot of room for fudging it. While I don't know how it works out for a follow, getting the hips, shoulders, and head to turn independently as a new leader is a nightmare. Leading it socially? Fuggetaboutit. I'm a couple months from that happening.

Personally, given what you've cited for experience, I'd say start with American Bronze. You can use it after your first lesson and build from there. It's easier to start learning to drive with an automatic than it is a manual. If it's too easy, you can always step it up with nothing lost. Pride and ego take a hit should you start with International and find that clutch and shifter a bit too much to handle.
 
Thank you Everyone

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome to the forum and the information given; it really helped. I will take the bronze lessons to get a foundation but I eagerly await to learn continuity. Bia I agree international is gorgeous! Can not wait to glide across the ground like that. I will dance foxtrot socially but I do have a dance partner so international will be my ultimate goal to learn with my follow. Thanks again.
 
international foxtrot...for me, is the place where I am most cognizant of my many sins :)...but is also the most sublime form of foxtrot...while enticing, it is a thing that should not be taken lightly, and will require a good deal of study to replicate in the manner that attracts so many to it...in international, the difference in techniqure from bronze to gold is not so obvious, with bronze being critical to doing gold well...american, IMO, is a different beast ALmost entirely
 
morrobaylindyhop said:
I have danced lindy hop and blues for a while now and have a good concept of lead follow technique. I would now like to expand me dance knowledge and learn foxtrot. By what I’ve seen it seams like there are two forms of it, social or bronze foxtrot and gold foxtrot; one being slow slow quick quick, and the other slow quick quick. It seams bronze is something the teach new dancers and the gold is more advanced and looks way cooler. With my current knowledge of lead follow dancing do I need to learn social or can I take the Gold class? I might not completely know the difference between the two either so if could help me out I would appreciate it.
Click to expand...

There's INTERNATIONAL and SOCIAL Foxtrot styles. In "International" style, a dancer NEVER closes the feet. International is used for competitions and Social is used for umm, social dancing. It really depends if you want competitive or Social dancing.
 
not exactly...in social, there are steps, depending upon level, that close feet or are continuity....in international, the majority of the fooxtwork passes feet but there is certainly work where the feet come together and then switch weight...and that concept is important...the degree to which international is also done socially greatly depends upon where one is located
 
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