Ballroom dancing has often had a reputation as being a dancing outlet for the upper class. It’s a lot of fun, but before you can start any program of ballroom dancing, TV shows and movies have proven that theory wrong and have actually shown how easy it is to look good knowing some basic ballroom dance steps.
People may not have realized it, but when swing was popular a few years ago, they were actually doing a formal ballroom dancing. It brought ballroom dancing to the public’s attention as a younger generation was having an absolute blast dancing the night away to rockabilly style music. The triple step is the key step in most swing dancing forms. This is a fast three-step move with the count off of quick-quick-slow or 1&2.
East Coast swing was probably the most popular form of swing. This step uses the triple step in the rock step together. The rock step is a two step sequence with a slow-slow count. It would be counted literally as 1&2, 3&4, 5, 6. If you have not yet figured out, when you see a step listed as 1&2, it is a quick step.
The triple step is also featured in the Carolina shag. It is similar to the East Coast shag, but replaces the rock step with the kick ball change. You will seeing that it is very common to interchange the different basic steps, thus creating a new step.
There are many different types of ballroom dance steps involved in ballroom dancing. Other ones include the anchor step, sailor step, coaster step, lock step and the grapevine step. You will find them all in various combinations in the many different forms of ballroom dancing. A little coordination and good timing will go a long way in successfully learning them.
It may seem a little intimidating at first, but once you learn the basics, ballroom dancing can actually be quite easy. Keep in mind that you are not attempting to become a professional dancer. In actuality, it is merely that everyone is the timing of the steps and can quickly blend in without any disruption to anyone else’s dancing.
Ballroom dancing is not something that you really want to jump right in and do, but after a few lessons you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can pick it up and be well on your way to mastering basic ballroom dance steps. There is no reason for anyone not to be able to enjoy the beauty and elegance of ballroom dancing.
