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Ballroom,. Latin & Sequence Dancing

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The Rumba - - -

A Rumba is generally considered to be a medium-tempo Latin ballad in 4/4 time, although ballroom style Rumba can be slightly more upbeat and rhythmical, at a tempo of 30-32 measures per minute. The Latin percussion section often punctuates the music with syncopated accents, while bass, guitar and piano keep a steady beat and fill in the harmony. A singer or instrumental soloist may take the melody. Ballroom style Rumba is danced to a variety of musical genre from the most traditional of Latin sounds to modern day pop hits. The most sensual and sexy of the Latin Dancing favourites, the Rumba is often regarded as "the vertical expression of horizontal desire".

The Samba - -

The Samba is a bright, lively dance, with something of the flair of the "Carnaval" from South America. Samba is one of the most popular forms of music in Brazil. It is widely viewed as Brazil's national musical style.

The name Samba most probably originally comes from the Angolan semba (mesemba), a type of ritual music. Samba can feature multiple changes of timing and accents, and is one of the harder Latin dances to perform well

The Jive - -

"Ballroom Jive" is the UK name for the specific competition style of the original American Jitterbug developed by the dance-teaching establishment. Characterised by a ´chassé´ from side to side and a back replace, this style accentuates the pumping action of the knees, as dancers shift their weight in the chassé. Included as the "American" part of the general "Latin American" dance categories, it is widely danced today.

Simplified versions are taught all over as basic Lindy Hop and Jitterbug, (which it isn´t), or as East Coast Swing. Variations such as LeRoc, Ceroc borrow elements from Jive, Jitterbug, Rock and Roll, and are becoming very popular as hi-energy young people's partner dances. Social dancers may dance a simplified self taught version often called the Palais Jive, developed as a close, small step sequence in the halcyon days of the large crowded dance halls.

The Paso Doble - -

The Paso Doble originates from Spain. It is developed on the basis of movements performed by the matadors during the bull fights, and borrows also from the flamenco and Sevillana tradition. In Paso Doble the man (matador) is in focus more than in any other dance. The lady is left with playing the role of the cape ("cappa"), the red canvas of the toreador or the bull, depending on circumstances. The dance first came into fashion around 1920. It's probably the last dance you would learn if you take up Latin American dance classes.

The Paso Doble (literally translated "Double Walk") is based around previously agreed choreography (arranged precisely to the music) and is far more difficult to lead and improvise with fixed sequences and ´breaks´ fitted to very traditional music. The only Social variation of the Paso is danced in Spain itself, made up of attractive but still fairly simple moves with no set tableaux or exteneded variations.

All of the five Latin Dances, plus Salsa, Bossa Nova, Beguine, and Merengue are also used as bases for Modern Sequence dancing. Click here for more information about Classical and Modern Sequence dancing generally.

News and Updates

22/11/2012

Our NEW dedicated Dance Enqury number is - - 07811 896866 - - for all Dance Queries.If there's no immediate answer, we may be teaching, leave a message or call back again.

Mel & Ella Evans, 15 Gracemount Avenue, EDINBURGH EH16 6SJ Tel:-07811 896866