U4RIA HIP HOP DANCE Keri Hilson- Slow Dance

Latin Paso Doble Dance: The Bullfights in Ballroom

Latin Paso Doble dance identifies a dance with a basis on music that is commonly played during bullfights especially during the paseo (bullfighters’ entrance) and during the faena (passes) prior to the kill. The dance leader plays the matador’s part while the follower plays the general part of the cape, or the role of representing a flamenco dancer or the bull. The origin of Paso Doble can be dated backwards to a military march namely”Paso Redoble“which was performed by the French. This march was rather fast paced hence attributing to the fast pace of this Latin American dancing style. The modeling of the dance was put to effect after the bull fight in Spain.

Paso Doble is similar to Samba in that it is an internationally progressive Latin dance. The Latin Paso Doble dance is the one that most resembles the International style, in regard to the forward steps which are usually taken using the heel’s lead, while consisting of a wider frame that has to be firmly kept up and a significance reduction and difference in hip movement. Paso Doble is a name that means two steps in Spanish and is differentiated from the name ‘Paso a Dos’ which refers to a dance for two. “Two Steps” is used in reference to the steps’ marching nature which is commonly counted ‘one, two’ for ‘Left and Right’. The name’s alternative description as a ‘Spanish one Step’ contrasts this notion and it is so called owing to the fact that for each music beat, only a single step should be taken.

The dance’s popularity is relatively limited amongst the English speaking people. In Sydney, the only place where the Latin Paso Doble dance is regularly played during social dances is at Italian clubs as well as various European clubs. Paso Doble’s competition version is danced while positioning the chest high, shoulders wide but down, and the head slightly kept aback but somewhat inclined forward but downwards.

The weight has to be kept forward, although a majority of the forward steps comprise heel leads. Usually, the dance is choreographed in regard to the Espana Cani’s tune which is a Gypsy dance of the Spanish, and comprises three music crescendos. The highlights are generally matched using dramatic poses for the choreography through an addition to the spectacular nature of the Latin Paso double dance.

A considerable number of these songs are modifications of Espana Cani and the song consists of breaks in the song’s fixed positions of two breaks per syllabus levels and three breaks with a relatively longer song for the Open levels. Traditionally, the routines of Paso Doble are choreographed in a bid of matching these breaks and the music phrases. Consequently, most of the other ballroom tunes for Paso Doble make use of similar breaks when being written while those that lack this are basically avoided during most competitions. Due to its intrinsic and choreographed tradition, ballroom Latin Paso Doble dance is largely danced for competition purposes only, very rarely socially-whilst at least sticking to a certain sort of routine, previously-learned.

In Spain, Vietnam, France, Colombia as well as certain Germany parts to the western side of River Rhine, it is socially danced in the manner of a lead but not a choreographed dance. This dance involves one person taking the role of the bull or the cape while the other person becomes the person comprising the cape or the matador. The Latin Paso Doble dance generally entails possessing power, aggression, anger and force.

Paso Doble

The Paso Doble is a stirring and passionate dance. Its figures are patterned after actions done in Spanish bullfights with the man as the matador and the lady as his cape. Paso Doble means “Two Step” in Spanish which is reminiscent of the 1-2-1-2 … rhythm of the marching processions that preceded corridas (bullfights). Although Spanish in nature the Paso Doble was developed in France in the 1930s and thus the French names for many Paso Doble figures.


The Paso Doble is one of the only dance rhythms where the MAN is the center of attention. It is he who stands proud and defiant, directing the actions of his cape, arrogantly daring the bull, or moving sharply to the attack. The lady is also proud and fiery. Her strength combines with the man’s. Together they are masters of the ring.

Here are some characteristics of dancing Paso Doble:

* Use marching type steps.
* Move sharply.
* Hold head high.
* Hold chest up.
* Use staccato movements.
* Use ball of foot on most steps.
* Heel leads when progressing.
* Use Paso Doble Hold.
* Body moves before foot.
* Often start with trail foot.
* Often one step on every beat.
PASO DOBLE HOLD — Use this when you need a larger frame such as for doing “The Cape.”

The Paso Doble Hold may be used to modify Closed Position or Semi-Closed Position. Change man’s trail hand to rest on lady’s left upper arm. Change lead hands to be more vertical. Elbows are still the same height off the floor.

APPEL — Minimize the noise (i.e. the “thump”)

Appel is a stamp usually with trail foot, which takes weight. It is the first step of many Paso Doble figures. Relax knees and lower to a flat foot and then strongly go into the following step. Don’t stamp so loud that it hurts.

THE CAPE (also called “Huit”) — Man may hold for 6.

There are 8 steps in “The Cape” (Huit is French for 8). Starting in Semi-Closed Position, both step thru with trail foot, man then closes turning to face partner while lady makes a sharp left-face turn. Now the book says the man marches in place 6 steps. However, it is okay to simply HOLD instead. The lady in the meantime takes her third and fourth steps across in front of the man, and then on the fifth step sharply turns right-face. The lady then steps forward on her sixth and seventh steps to face man and finally closes on her eighth step.