LESSON 4 Flashcards
- is a formal social dancing for couples, where one person leads and the other “ball” is from the Latin word ballare , which means dance.
Ballroom dancing
are smooth, flowing ballroom dances that move around the entire dance floor in a counterclockwise movement.
Standard dances
It is an elegant dance whose objective is to travel smoothly around the dance floor.
Foxtrot.
. It is a smooth, progressive dance that travels around the line of dance, characterized by its “rise and fall” action.
Waltz
It is a sensual ballroom dance that originated in South America during the early 20th century. The word “tango” maybe African term for “closed space” or “reserved ground,” or it may be from the Latin verb “tanguere” which means “to touch.”
Tango
It is the first ballroom dance to be performed in the closed hold position. It is danced about twice as fast as the waltz and is rotary dance where dancers are continually turning either in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction and placing change steps at intervals to shift direction of rotation (reverse).
Viennese Waltz.
. This pattern resembles a box. The partners perform opposite movements. When the lead moves forward, the follower moves backward.
Box step
It is an up-and-down, rise-and-fall swinging motion performed at a fast pace. Distinctive quickstep steps include the following: rise and fall, lock step, natural hairpin, running finish, outside change, chasse, and hover corte.
Quick step.
These dances stay in one place on the dance floor. They are energetic dances and reflect the shift in rhythm of the music being danced to.
Latin Dances
. It is derivative of the mambo and also a stepchild of the swing. It is danced with a triple step and a break and check. Cha-cha-cha is passionate, energetic, lively and flirtatious.
Cha-cha-cha
. Originating in the US, this dance was influenced by the boogie, rock ‘n’ roll. African / American swing and Lindy Hop. It is a very happy, boppy, energetic dance with plenty of knee-lifting, bending, and rocking of hips
Jive
. It is one of the five international Latin dances developed in Brazil during the 19th century. It is considered the dance of celebration and joy. In Brazil, a samba dancer is called a sambista.
-quick, quick, slow, repeat
Samba
. It originated in southern France. The dance is lively and dramatic with long full steps and forceful movements.
paso doble
. Considered the sexiest of the ballroom dances, it tells the story of love and passion between a strong man and a teasing woman
Rumba
It is a closed position, with the feet forming a plus or cross sign. The moving foot must pass through or slightly close to the supporting knees. The movements include forward, backward, sideward left and sideward right.
Closed basic movement
is a very popular figure in basic Cha Cha. In the more advanced levels, you will still see many variations of this figure from the Three Cha Chas in side-by-side position to the Split Cuban Breaks, and more.
New York
The basic position of the body has the head, shoulders, hips, and legs stacked up and connected, but not tight. Also, the stomach muscle must be pulled in.
Posture
The mechanics of Latin dancing involves the following:
- Posture 4. Feet Position
- Hold 5. Twisting
- Leg Action 6. Walk
The man’s left forearm connects to the lady’s right forearm by closing the man’s left hand around the lady’s right hand. With his right hand, the man holds the lady’s back while lady’s left arm and hand rest on the man’s right arm and shoulder.
Closed hold.
2Keep tone in the arms and the elbows should be “out” and “down”. The man should hold the lady’s hands by placing his thumbs on the back of her hands and the first two fingers on her palms, with a grip tight enough to clearly lead and communicate his position.
Open hold.
The pair should stand at about an arm’s length from each other. The man offers his left hand and puts the lady’s right hand on top.
Lead at lady’s waist level.
- Keep legs together, minimize space between the thighs.
Leg Action
The feet should be lined up with knees.
Flat foot.
The LF or RF is pointed forward or backward, with the legs straight and the arch flexed.
pointe
