12 Types of Ballroom Dances and Their Definition

Are you curious about the different types of ballroom dances? There are many of them, and each has its unique characteristics.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most popular ballroom dances. Stay tuned – we’ll cover each one in detail in future posts!

Types of Ballroom Dances

Ballroom dancing is an umbrella term for various partner social dances.

The dances differ in techniques, costumes, and rhythm, but they all have common elements such as control and cohesiveness, elegance, and flow.

The different styles make it a dance for people of all dance levels, including beginners.

Because of the rise of dance sports today, the scope of ballroom dance has become narrow and now denotes the internationally-recognized two styles:

1. The standard ballroom dance
2. Latin ballroom dance

Standard Ballroom Dance Styles

The World Dance Council and the World DanceSport Federation regulate the types of ballroom dances.

Below are the ones characterized as standard styles of ballroom dancing.

1. Waltz

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Waltz was first danced as a country-folk dance in Bavaria and Austria in the 17th century and later introduced in England in the 19th century.

It is the smoothest type of ballroom dance, consisting of uninterrupted turns, rise and fall, and long, flowing moves.

It involves postures where the man holds the woman close to his body.

While dancing, the upper body is maintained to the left side throughout all stances.

On moves where the woman leaves the man, she must be on his right side while her head extends to follow the elbow.

The movements in the waltz involve rotations with a slight rise and sways on the second step.

2. Tango

Tango came from Buenos Aires in the late 19^th century.

It involves movements where the women dance harmoniously with the tango male leader.

The dance is like walking to music, but you keep your feet grounded.

On every step, your knees and ankles brush against each other.

3. Foxtrot

Foxtrot is an American ballroom dance first performed by Harry Fox in 1914.

It is easy to learn, making it the ideal ballroom dance for beginners.

It involves long, smooth, and flowing movements through the dance floor.

4. Quickstep

The quickstep is an English dance developed in the 1920s.

Fast movements, including runs, characterize it, walks, chases, and some combinations of the Charleston and quicker foxtrot tempo.

Latin Ballroom Dance Styles

The Latin styles of ballroom dancing usually have more complicated steps and forms, which are suitable for advanced ballroom dancers.

1. Pasodoble

Originating from Spain, pasodoble is basically a dance that portrays bullfights.

It has many choreographic instructions, so it is popularly performed in competitive ballroom dances.

2. Cuban Bolero

Fashioned from the form of trova and using the traditional song in eastern Cuba, the Cuban bolero is the most loved ballroom dance in Latin America.

It is a dramatic dance of couples falling in love with which the movements involve a combination of other ballroom dances, including slow salsa, rhumba, waltz, and foxtrot.

3. Spanish Bolero

The Spanish bolero was formed out of seguidilla in the late 18^th century and was popularized by famous court dancers like Sabastian Cerezo.

It was widely performed in the 19^th century but became outdated in the 20^th century.

It was replaced by Cuban bolero, another bolero style danced along with a Cuban music genre.

4. Samba

As the national dance of Brazil, samba is widely enjoyed by Brazilians of all ages.

It can be danced socially with a partner or solo during the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

It is also performed in many parts of the world, such as Paris, the U.S., and Latin America.

5. Rumba

Rhumba involves movements such as figure-eight hip rotation, revolving foot action, knee-lengthening, and other Cuban bolero dances.

It originated in Cuba and arrived in the U.S. in the 1920s.

Among the ballroom dances, Rhumba is the most sensual and romantic.

6. Mambo

Mambo is also a Cuban dance.

In fact, it is the spin-off of danzon, the national dance of Cuba.

It was developed by brothers Orestes and Cachao Lopez in the 1930s.

It became very popular in the 1940s and 1950s in Cuba and New York.

Mambo is considered the most emotional ballroom dance.

It involves arm movements, facial expressions, and hip movements that make up the overall sensuality of the dance.

7. Cha-cha

Cha-cha involves flirtatious movements with many hip rotations and synchronized partner movements.

It is also performed by curving and straightening the knees.

Enrique Jorrin developed cha-cha in the 1950s as a sluggish version of Mambo.

Box Step, The Foundation of Ballroom Dance

The foundation of all ballroom dances is the box step.

You can practice this movement before you enroll yourself in a ballroom dancing class so you would get the feel of it all.

In performing a box step, you basically move your feet in a square.

You start with your feet together while putting your weight on the right foot.

Then, move your left foot forward in only a small step while you transfer your weight on this foot.

Forward your right foot through the side of your left foot, ensuring a small space between your feet.

Finally, shift your weight on your right foot and join your feet together by moving your left foot beside your right foot.

Do the second sequence, only backward.

Always remember to move the outside leg, instead of the inside leg, around the square.

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