Hi,

I would like to know if there is a dance to start with when you begin to learn the dance (ballroom dances)

Is there a dance wich can be a base to master before learning the others ?

With other words, what dance can help dancers to master the other dances ?

Thanks to yours answers.
Happy Christmas and Happy new year !
Patrick

I don't know if I am qualified to answer...just experience...

First, what country are you from? It will determine whether or not you will want to learn Latin, Standard, Smooth or Rhythm.
American Style=Rhythm and Smooth
International=Latin and Standard

The differences in American and International are numerous but for a beginner boil it down to American allows seperation of the partners and is slightly less technical. The dances aren't all the same, for example you only see a Quickstep in Standard.


Most people learn a grouping of either all five of the latin/rhythm or standard/smooth, or they learn all ten within the group.

You can lose your versatility and get confused and set in your ways if you don't learn more then one. Also, the steps often overlap from one dance to the other but the rhythm foot and body positioning changes the appearance, you don't want to create a kinesthetic block that allows you to perform a step in only one way. You are running that risk if you just learn one dance.

HOWEVER, if you are determined to learn only one then...Foxtrot or Rumba.

They are considered in their seperate categories to be the most important to master as they each require a technical proficiency that can and does often cascade into your other dancing, improving everything.

If you can, learn many dances and start with the most basic steps. In a few lessons you should be able to have an understanding of the basics of multiple dances and that will mean you can go to social events and practice.

The 1st Q to be asked.. for what purpose are you learning ?..and where do you live ( country )

only then can a more definitive answer can be given

Hi,

I am from France.

My question is for someone who wants to learn latin and standard dances.

Some of this dances are slow the others are quick. I think it is more difficult to master quick movements when you learn dancing. So I wonder if it is a better beginning to learn quick dance or not ?

Thank you for your answers

If you are in Europe ( there are some exceptions ) then the International style is what you may choose.. there is, however, a social standard if you do not want to get into the Medal test style ( its my most popular class )

If you start with the smooth dances Quickstep is fun, and Cha cha for latin .

You can of course go to structured classes, which rotate all dances thru the class system.... try both and then decide .

Instruction for beginners can start with something as simple as a box step, and how to turn in that box step. The theory being, learn the box step, and then it is fairly easy to adapt to Fox Trot and Waltz. I have seen instructors like Tony Meredith start with that on PBS ballroom dance shows. It makes sense, I suppose, for the vast majority of beginners who don't stick with it -- at least they've learned a basic box step that can be used for quite a few dances.
It is more difficult to master the quick steps when you are beginning, but only because you need time to master the balance and weight transfer that is so important. I wouldn't think too heavily in terms of what steps are easier or harder when starting, think more in terms of getting comfortable with the basic fundamentals of posture, partner connection, balance, weight transfer and the concept of heel-toe as needed.

Patrick. It is no accident that the Quickstep comes first in two of the oldest technique books. The comes Waltz second. The Foxtrot third The Tango fourth. If your ambition is to dance at Blackpool you will not need the V. Waltz. The Basic Quickstep is far easier to learn than any of the other dances. The timing is also much easier. The dance balance wise is also easier for a beginner. Learn the Heels and the Toes and the Toe Heels in the Quickstep. By the time you get to the Waltz you will have a good idea what footwork and rise and fall is all about.

That sounds like fun, quickstep first, then waltz, foxtrot and tango.

Quickstep is also the best for aerobic work!

Fun fun fun.

It may seem strange to you at the moment but the slow dances can be more difficult to learn than the quick ones because they need better control of your balance and body movement. You will develop this as you dance more.

I would strongly suggest you learn from a qualified teacher and a group class is probably best to start with. Each dance has some similarities to other dances. What you learn in one dance will be useful when learning another so it is usual to learn a few dances at about the same time.

Your teacher will have a preferred order to teach the dances and the figures within them so I would go with the flow. Personally I would start with waltz, social foxtrot and cha cha, followed quite soon by quickstep and rumba. These can be developed together for quite a while before adding any others.

Do not wait to master one dance before learning the next. It can take forever to really master a dance.

Whichever way you choose, enjoy yourself!

Of course there is also Argentine Tango which isn't a ballroom dance at all but is hugely popular in France and Italy from what I've heard.