Ballroom Dancing: its Types and Definition

Ballroom dancing has been enjoyed by people through the years. It has been a form of entertainment on stage, film and on television; but what is ballroom dancing?

The term “ballroom dancing” is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare which means “to dance.” In the past, ballroom dancing was a “social dance” and performed only by the privileged, and “folk dancing” for the lower classes. However, through time, differences between folk dances and ballroom dances shrank and the prototype of ballroom dances being only for the privileged diminished too. Ballroom dancing’s definition depends on the era. Today, it can be defined as a dance between a “leader” and a “follower.” The two must have a physical contact.

Ballroom dancing, like any other dances have different styles of its own. These are divided into two categories: the Latin and the Standard/International dances.

Under Latin dances are Samba, Rumba, Cha Cha, Paso Doble, and Jive. Samba is a dance characterized by having gay, flirtatious and exuberant interpretations. Having the same characteristics with Samba, Cha Cha on the other hand, differs with its “unique,” addicting movements and tempo that offen involves the famous “step, step, Cha Cha Cha” beat. Rumba and Paso Doble have its similarities because they both represent or symbolize something and use it to form steps. The former represents “tease and run” between a man and a woman; the man being lured and rejected. Paso Doble on the other hand, represents a bull fight where the man acts as the matador and the woman being the cape. Lastly, Jive is an energy consuming dance often performed last in competitions.

International dances involve Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. Waltz and Viennese Waltz have many similarities, except that they differ in tempo and Viennese Waltz being danced by the royalties. Foxtrot and Quickstep have a common origin; but in the twenties, many bands played the slow-Foxtrot too fast, which gave rise to many complaints and give birth to Quickstep. Lastly, Tango is a unique dance because of its tempo with 36 bars per minute. It was 1st danced in Europe before World War 1 and gained popularity through the years.