1: A Beginner's Guide

This is where to start if you want to learn about Ballroom Dancing. 

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the variety of dances, the jargon, or the overall complexity of ballroom dancing, don't worry. This series is designed to simplify and demystify the art of partner dancing, addressing most, if not all, of your queries.

This series is specifically for those interested in social dancing, where the emphasis is on enjoying the dance and the company of your partner. It is not geared towards one-time learning for choreographed dances, such as those performed at weddings, which often involve a set routine and less interaction between partners.

This series is your comprehensive guide to the world of partner dancing. We'll take you on a journey through the fundamentals of movement, partnership, and music, ensuring you're well-equipped with the knowledge you need to embark on your own dancing adventure.

Our series kicks off with a practical guide to differentiating between various dances, based on the music they're typically danced to. We'll cover everything from social dancing for beginners to the high-stakes world of championship competitions, empowering you with a broad understanding of ballroom dancing.
And it all begins by defining ballroom dancing.

We will start with how we can differentiate the different dances—there are quite a number of them—based on the type of music we typically dance them to. We will explore the various aspects of ballroom dancing, from beginning social dancing to world-level championship dance competitions. Then, we will look at how different lessons are held. We will even tackle shoe selection! (Yes, at some point, you might consider getting dance shoes. But we get ahead of ourselves here.) Then, venture into deep ballroom territory. Hopefully, you will find this series informative. So, enjoy the journey!

In common contemporary usage, ballroom dancing equates to partner dancing. This can include a wide range of styles, from the elegant Waltz to the lively Salsa. There are many ways to categorize ballroom dances, but for simplicity, we can divide partner dancing into roughly three families of styles: Traveling dances, Rhythmic dances, and Nightclub or Social.

Traveling dances are danced in a circuit—usually counter-clockwise—around the dance floor. These are many and varied. There is the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Polka, Mazurka, etc. These are typically danced in a closed-hold position. 

Rhythmic dances are typically danced in fixed or defined areas, although there are those that move greater distances, similar to the traveling dances, like the Samba or the Paso Doble. Dances in this category tend to have a strong Latin beat, like the ChaCha, Rumba, Mambo, and Salsa.

The third category is the Nightclub, Social, or simply "Club" dances. These are Dances that one usually finds in Nightclubs and similar venues. Dances in this category are generally danced on tiny floors in very tight quarters. Salsa, Mambo, Nightclub 2 Step, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Lindy come to mind. Argentine Tango can fit into the Club or the Traveling Category, depending on who you are talking to.

Now that you understand these categories, you know what to expect when visiting specific venues or studios. The dances that will be offered in dance places will depend on the size of the floor. Larger ballrooms can host Traveling, Rhythmic, and Nigh Club. In contrast, smaller venues will focus on more intimate dancing offered by the Rhythmic and Night Club dances.

Up next: How to start ballroom dancing.

Note that Rhythmic dances do not necessarily have a Latin flavor to the music or its beat.

This series is an expanded version of sections discussed in Master Ballroom Dance Technique, Volume 1, Partner Technique, by Robert Cura and posted with permission of the author.