My husband loves to dance with me, but he hates classes. So I keep looking at the DVD instructions offered on this site and thinking it might be good for us. I have been to dance classes, and have a partner, but want to get my new husband dancing so we can go out together and have fun.

Any suggestions between International and American Smooth? I think the classes I took were basically American Waltz with some International in the workshops I took--but for the life of me, I haven't done enough to have any feel for the differences.

I'd like to choose one, and teach my hubby.

Can anyone recommend one over the other?

What are the differences between International and American?

Thank you all so much!

--Ann

I'be bought 3 of the american style DVDs and I like them alot. For social dancers who are beginers (basically me), I think the american style smooth and rythm is alittle simplier and easier to pick up.

I keep reading how there is more technique training in International, and how American fits the smaller dance floors better. So now I am still confused.

I want technique. For me, 3/4 of the pleasure is in fewer moves done beautifully. I would like to make my basics sing with beauty. I believe my instructor taught us mostly American, but also some International. She put emphasis on technique for those of us who wanted it; so when I look at the American Bronze and Silver DVD's most all the movements on both are familiar.

Yet, hubby is not exactly a dancer. I've way more experience than he has, and he needs things broken down so he can learn it correctly the first time--again, perhaps technique is more important for him as well.

I am willing to put in the time and effort to get really good at the basics.

And I am no closer to deciding between the videos than before I went all over this board reading.

To restate the question: Given that I intend to purchase one of the Bronze level DVDs shown on this site--which one has the better instruction? Which is clearer for the raw beginner (my hubby) yet gives enough detail to help me improve as well?

I appreciate input!

Hi Kaiara
If your hubby is still fighting to learn basic figures, i would recommend a video/DVD which shows the leg and footwork very clearly. Not too much emphasis on technique except correct footwork.
International style, with its closed hold, will 'force' you to develop your technique, since it is less forgiving than American style. (I know many will disagree with this).
In the past i bought tapes by Augusto Schiavo and Caterina Arzenton (http://w-w-w.dancesport.uk.com/video/index.htm.)
They're a little dated, but i think you'd find them useful. I'm sure there are lots of good ones out there which i've not seen.
Just one other tip - work on your hubby's posture from day 1. This is much harder to get right than any footwork

Since you just want to "go out and have fun", I'd suggest American style. There is no way you can do an international foxtrot in social setting, for example. Your hubby needs to learn basic steps and floorcraft.He has to feel like he is dancing and drillling technique with the basic steps gets boring. We had an instructor that taught that way and, sure our basic chacha was awesome but since we could do nothing else we died of boredom on the dance floor. And as Phil said, work on posture. It is very easy to learn to dance in your living room looking down at your feet the whole time, but quite a different thing when you are on a dance floor with people around you.

It depends on where you live. I dance international which is fine for were I live ,but on my trips down south I find that most people dance American style. The problem is not the style but the Music. The Waltz and foxtrots are to fast for international, the tango's are ok, no quicksteps. The Bolero to slow for Rumba and the square Rumba to fast for international Rumba. Cha Cha's and jives are fine.

I think Phil was the only one who mentioned the closed hold in the International Style of Ballroom dancing.
To make it clearer In the American Smooth there are steps where the man and lady are apart. Solo Turns and whatever.
In the International Style Standard there is no seperation at all.
In the Latin of both styles is a different story.
If you go to Learn the Dances on this site and go between the International Style and the American Smooth you will see the main differences.

Actually, I have gone to the Learn the Dances on this site and am confused still.

Hubby is a physicist and Engineer--he wants it all broken down and the physics of the moves explained--I keep telling him that is unlikely to be out there at all.

On youtube I found a couple of videos that show the steps, but there was nothing on posture in this and honestly, if all I want is to stop around the floor I can get lots of partners for that! I mean, our Square dance group is fun--but mostly just rhythm and following directions. The Round Dance group is fun but lacks those things that set ballroom apart from the called dances.

Hubby has agreed to learn to do this properly so that dancing with him will be fun for me--he doesn't care. What is fun for him is reading blogs on politics and science then discussing the readings for hours.

I read blogs, think and discuss--HE is going to learn to dance a good Waltz!


So I guess I now go purchase the American Bronze level DVD and hope that it helps him....

But the Alex Moore book breaks things down better and does not seem to follow the American...

Diagrams....are there diagrams out there?

Doesn't ANYONE do a video that gives close-up instruction on the footwork for the steps, and separately handles the posture?

Ah well, thanks for the help, I'll be back to check for more advice because I haven't purchased the DVD yet!

Kaiara. The main advantage to learning international style is that it is easy to later switch to American style but the reverse is not so, also if you plan on spending any length of time in another country or like to travel a lot you will always find somewhere to dance international style .

Youve been given a lot of " mixed " info here.

Have trained numerous Prof. and amat in both styles .

Your 1st consideration should always be usage. If you are only interested in the social aspect ( tho there are comps in Amer. ) then the Amer style Br. will suit your needs .

Also -- there is as much " techn. " involved in the execution of this standard if taught and danced correctly.

I have a HUGE disagreement with the non contact approach in the smooth. My staff were always trained ( as are my students ) to dance in closed position, and taught to lead with the body, from day one .

The reason that Amer. smooth Br. was taught in an apart position was due to the social climate that existed when first introduced in the 30s/40s .It still persists in most " chain " schools to this day . (I always changed the concept when I coached in them )

As to open work, which someone mentioned , that really does not need to come into play for quite sometime .

NOW the most important thing for you to know- you will NEVER learn how to dance from a video. They are made to ASSIST your practical application , and knowledge gleaned from lessons, a tool , if you will .

There is no substitute for the class or private lesson-- a video cannot answer questions !