I can see an obvious difference between American smooth and International Standard. Besides having some different dances, I dont see much difference between American Rhythm and Intern'l latin. What is the difference between american and internation cha cha and rumba for instance. As a social dancer looking to buy some of the DVDs on this site, should I get the american or International cha cha and rumba? Is it hard for someone knowing internation cha cha to dance with an american cha cha partner? Thanks

If you are going to dance socially, then the Amer. style in both would be advisable.

The differences ?.... Amer. style Rumba is still taught in the orig. form--- a Square. The Intern style resembles a Bolero ( its template )

As to Cha.... the differences , by and large are style.
The amer. is taught to commence back and the Intern, is taught to break fwd.

That is a simplification...many of the steps are the same .The names in most cases have been changed ( by the english, dont ask why-- no one knows !! )

Terence . Never having done the Square Rumba or having ever seen it. Can they do a Hip Twist then out to the Fan Position and from there an Alamana Turn. I can't imagine being able to do those Basics whilst dancing in a Square. I think I might have seen Philip Mayhew give a Demonstration including a Rumba at the Olympic Ballroom in London way before Latin ever took a hold. I can remember the Paso. I seem to remember he dressed for the part

Of course, one can adapt almost anything.... But, its not in the syllabus .
One could develop a hip twist from a cucaracha , but a fan would not follow ( a rev top would be one exit )

Natural top ( back spot turn ) New York. ( crossover breaks ) are all pretty much the same.

They do have some really nice moves at the social level, and do remember, this is what we danced in the 30s, 40s into the 50s .
The leg action is also different .

Paso and Samba are also similar in content .

Social latin was developed for those who were not interested in the too fine details of the competitive style....... and yet, it has turned into that, at all levels !!

I would be exact opposite of Serendipidy, having learned only the square Rumba and not being exposed at all to the International style, though I realize that is what I am mostly seeing in competitions on TV.
But I find the square rumba very open to variations and lots of fun and interesting moves -- the open cuban walk, grapevine, progressives, crossovers, block turns, etc. I couldn't say for sure if the square style is easier to learn, but it appears to be far more stationary, and the small steps and hip action are tricky for beginners. They like to take bigger steps, as if doing a waltz or Fox Trot.

Terence. Thanks for the information. Being that the International Style of Rumba just about every step is either a Forward or Backward Walk. A Basic Forward Walk is a Checked Walk , as is a New York. a Spot Turn is a Forward Walk Turning. Are the Walks identical in both styles. You know , Feet turned out . No gap between the thighs. From the front only one leg can be seen ( that's if it is done correct ). Using the (and) count to bring the hip under the body before starting the next step.. Mustn't forget also that over two bars on a Forward and Back Basic there is a Quarter of a Turn.The reason I have put in all of the above is for the less informed who dont realise that from a few simple Walks the moves that can be made are limitless. And this is why Karen Hardy when asked how long do I do practise these Walks, she answered forever. Karen was Brian Watson's former partner.

The differences are primarily in style.

There is NO concious turning out of the feet ( remember, this genre was developed on the way the natives danced ) and , in closed position, as was the way Sq. was danced, that would be impractical .
The amounts of turn are not precise, which I prefer, it makes it look more natural ( isnt that the point ? ) .
Let me refer you to what Scrivener once quoted " there can be no exact technique " .
Watch a Bolero danced, and then compare it to an Intern style Rumba.... ask an audience which they prefer ( the answer might surprise you ! )
Also remember, we, the english, were, for the longest time ( and still do ! ) dancing latin dances to Pop tunes !!!!!!!!
If you ever get the chance to go to Cuba, Miami,Tampa, ..go, watch how the " natives " dance .
You will never see latin in the same " light " .

Music reccom. for you.. Boleros and Rumbas by La Lupe .

Terence. Did you happen to have ever seen George Raft and Ray Milland in the film Bolero. George Raft who incidently was a dancer from way back danced the Bolero in it. More up to date Slavik and partner . Now that is a Bolero in my opinion.

Yes, I am fortunately ( or not ? )am old enough to have seen many of the "old " time dancers, ( many in live performances ).

You should also put these in the " show " dance style, which is a lot removed from the social level.

Many American patterns for rumba are different from International, but the American style is very flexible. It can and does change from the box step to the same pattern as the International basic on many steps. While in that pattern, many of the International steps can be done. Sure they may not be on a syllabus (then you have to ask which syllabus, there are several). As with all the American dances, you can mix in International steps. That works really well if you dance socially with the same partner. It may not work well if you try to lead those with someone who is unfamiliar with them and doesn't follow very well. It also may not work if you do them in a competition where the judges are expecting to see American steps.

All the other techniques such as foot turn-out, and the method of doing turns are the same. Of course, beginners at the social level may not have many of these techniques.

The largest technique difference between American and International Latin is in the Cuban motion. This will become very obvious when the two partners are doing different styles. Another other large difference is the timing. There are two accepted timings for American style, Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire, and these are both different from International. The Arthur Murray style is by far the most popular (box step, forward slow on 1-2). International breaks on 2. When the Arthur Murray American style transitions from the box step to the International pattern for the basic, you will find that the Arthur Murray American style breaks on 3. In the case of rumba, the speed is also a significant factor. For some of the slow International rumbas, American dancers have the feeling they should be doing bolero.