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Quickstep

arts Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The quickstep is a light-hearted ballroom dance.

Ballroom
Ballroom

It feels very fast and powerful. Dancers move with a smooth and glamorous style. They should look very light on their feet. This dance works well for formal events. It also works for informal parties. The upbeat music makes it very fun to dance to.

Quick Step dance pattern
Quick Step dance pattern

People love it because it is so energetic.

Learning the dance involves many special moves. One move is called a chassé. In a chassé, the feet are brought together. Dancers also use quarter turns to spin. Another move is called a lock step. Some advanced dancers use even harder patterns. They might do hops or quick runs. These moves create a lot of momentum on the floor. Dancers use rotation to keep the dance flowing.

The quickstep has a long history. It began in England during the 1920s. It grew from many different dances. These include the foxtrot and the Charleston. The Charleston helped lead to swing dancing. Other dances like the shag and peabody helped too. The quickstep was made into a standard in 1927. It is now quite separate from the foxtrot. In the quickstep, the leader often closes his feet.

Music plays a huge part in this dance. It was made for ragtime era jazz music. This music is very fast-paced. The dance uses 4/4 music. The tempo is usually 48 to 52 measures per minute. Advanced dancers use syncopated steps. These are steps that land on unexpected parts of the beat. They might count beats as "quick-and-quick-and-quick." This makes the dancing very complex and exciting.

You might see this dance on television. It is performed on the show Dancing with the Stars. It is also on the show Strictly Come Dancing. Different groups have rules for the dance. The ISTD and IDTA have very similar rules. The American Style does not include it in competitions. However, some people still dance it socially in America. It remains a famous part of ballroom culture.

Ballroom
Ballroom
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File:Ballroom.jpg
Ballroom.jpg
File:Quick Step dance pattern.png
Quick Step dance pattern.png
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