4 dance categories based on typical groupings of dancers:
- alone is group - on same dance floor but one doesnt relate to another
- partners.
- dances done in a line or line dances. – line dancing: no contact. dancing in line - steps in unison, can hold hands.
- dances done in a circle – circle engage dancers as social community.
role of social dance
create a sense of community
difference btw waltz and viennese waltz
waltz = first partner dance where couple faced each other. viennese = couple spun while making circular floor pattern. first step is movement, 2nd/ third steps are pivot
etiquette based on tradition, culture
- jewish – males and females cannot hold hands if they are not related. use handkerchief between the two.
- middle eastern, women only dance in front of other women or male relatives.
origin of foxtrot
american form of ballroom dance.
Henry Fox.
time/rhythm of foxtrot
accent?
4/4 time.
four quarter beats per measure.
accent on 1&3 = slow beats.
style of foxtrot
- without stylized arm, foot, head, torso movement.
- body erect, foot pattern relaxed.
- little up&down movement.
- glide along floor, no bobbing/jerking
- long reaching steps from hip. only as much knee bend as needed to transfer weight.
waltz origin
german & austrian - by johann strauss.
waltz: fast vs slow tempo - when are they used?
fast = viennese waltz slow = american style in the box pattern.
rhythm for waltz
accent?
3/4 time - 3 beats per measure.
1st beat.
style of waltz
smooth dance. gliding quality. pulsating feeling.
step of waltz in detail
* what should you never do?*
1st step knees bent
2nd - body rises on ball of foot
3rd - feet come together and body lowers.
rise and fall action.
** never scrape foot on floor. move in silent pattern.
Merengue - origin
carribbean. national dance of Dominican Republic.
what is merengue music like?
peppy, marchlike rhythm.
rhythm of merengue
4/4 time. pronounced beat of music
style of merengue
feet flat but weight on ball of foot for easy balance
controlled hip movement from bent-knee action (one knee bent, one knee straight)
sassy and breezy quality
slight rock sideways with shoulders to accompany foot pattern
lively movement - delightful touch of humour.
feet squarely forward and close together.
cha cha origin
cuba
cha cha rhythm
4/4 time.
undeniable latin flavour
3 basic positions of cha cha
latin social, 2-hand joined, & the challenge (never talked about)
cha cha style mood? arms free? cuban motion? feet and knees? head?
light breezy mood. forearms firm = resistance.
when arms and hands free = held up and parallel to floor.
cuban motion = hip action and expressive arm gestures.
forward foot nearly flat
knee bent over stepping foot.
back step = toe step.
cha-cha triple = small steps keeping contact with floor.
head focus on partner. eye contact brings dance to life.
tango origin
beunos aires - argentina
rhythm of tango
4/4 time. (sometimes 2/4 time)
accented beat easily distinguished
contrast between slow promenade beats of first measure and staccato of tango break in 2nd measure.
style of tango
deliberate glide. no sliding foot on floor. long reach from hip. ball of foot on floor, knees straight.
“tango break” = quick quick slow - where slow = subtle draw of feet together.
stylized break = disciplined and sophisticated.
idea of floating. avoid stiffness.
draw executed slowly
follows left hand - reach around right shoulder. fingers straight.
swing origin
umbrella term for? list 2/3
america.
lindy hop from harlem.
west coast swing, east coast swing, jive, jitterbug, shag, lindy hop.
