The five dances used in International Ballroom competitions
Waltz
– also known as Slow or English Waltz from the meaning to “roll or revolve”.Waltz is a smooth and graceful swing dance characterised by rise and fall and sway as the dancers progress around the floor. Danced to music in 3/4 time.
Quickstep
– another swing dance – this one is lively, quick and light hearted. Danced to a 4/4 rhythm at 50 bars per minute. Dancers progress around the floor moving lightly on their feet with syncopations, chasses and snippets of Charleston
Foxtrot
– danced to the same rhythm as Quickstep at a slower 30 bars per minute.With smooth and long gliding movement across the floor and tight turns enhanced by extensive use of heel turns the Foxtrot is often considered to be the most challenging of the Ballroom dances to execute well.
Tango
– sharp, stylish and staccato.The Tango has a more dramatic attitude than the swing dances, with a more compact poise and hold, extensive use of the edges of the feet and no rise and fall. Danced to 2/4 time music – stalk across the floor with your best Tango face on!
Viennese Waltz
– smooth, continuous and flowing – a rotary dance progressing around the floor as the dancers turn clockwise (“natural”) and then counter clockwise (“reverse”) with change steps to switch between the two.Swirl around the ballroom at 60 bars per minute in 3/4 (or 6/8) time.