Ballroom Dance Types

The basic requirement for a dance to fall into the category of ballroom dancing is that it has to be a partner dance. The dances that fall under the umbrella of ballroom dancing have undergone constant change with additions and subtractions to the list over time. The list that exists now only pertains to the current time. Some dances that were accepted in the past, such as polka, schottische, one-step, and the peabody, no longer find a place on this list of dance style.

There are currently two lists referred to when people talk of ballroom dances. One is the international style, that is further divided into International Standard and International Latin. In the US, the American Style consisting of American Smooth and American Rhythm is widely accepted. While both these lists share a number of dances, and the techniques used are pretty similar too, International Standard allows only closed dance positions, whereas American Smooth allows closed, open and separated dance movements.

The categories and dances are as follows.

International Style

International Standard	International Latin
Slow Waltz	Cha-Cha-Cha
Tango	Samba
Viennese Waltz	Rumba
Slow Fox Trot	Paso Doble
Quick Step	Jive

American Style

American Smooth	American Rhythm
Waltz	Cha-Cha-Cha
Tango	Rumba
Foxtrot	East Coast Swing
Viennese Waltz	Bolero
	Mambo

Tango
The tango has its roots in Argentina, with the current version incorporating European, American, Hollywood, and competitive (dancesport) influences into the style and execution of the dance. Soon after the Argentine tango arrived in Europe, it started gaining popularity, especially in Paris. The Europeans liked the seductive music and the passionate dance, and thus slowly their style and technique became entwined with the original version. In order to have a standardized format which would be taught in dance schools and used in competitions, the English codified their own version, which took on the name International style. This is the version used in international dancing competitions.

Viennese Waltz
The contemporary Viennese waltz is the original form of the waltz, and is a ballroom dance in the closed hold position. The waltz, which is alternately known as the English waltz and the slow waltz, is usually danced at about 90 beats per minute with 3 beats to the bar (the international standard of 30 measures per minute). In comparison, the Viennese Waltz is danced at about 180 beats (98-60 measures) a minute. An authentic Viennese waltz consists only of turns and change steps. In this dance the couple frequently turn in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, interspersed with regular steps.

Slow Foxtrot
While there is ambiguity surrounding the exact origins of the foxtrot, the name is attributed to its presumed creator, the vaudeville actor Harry Fox. In 1914, the dance caught the attention of the famous dancing couple Vernon and Irene Castle, who contributed to its popularity. However, it was Arthur Murray who was responsible for the standardized version that emerged a little later. The foxtrot steadily gained popularity and peaked in the 1940s as the most popular fast dance. The slow version of the foxtrot is now accepted in International style.

With a large number of televised dance competitions, ballroom dancing is becoming increasingly popular. People are learning these dances as a means of exercise as well as recreation. Famous on-screen couples such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers have contributed a great deal to the special place that ballroom dancing holds in our hearts. The grace and romance associated with these dances will never fade away.