Dance Forms

Written by: Steve Rose

In my way of thinking there are three general forms of social couple dancing: stationary dances, traveling dances and set dances. Once a person understands a dance in one of these forms, all other dances in the same form would be much easier to learn because the movements are similar.

  1. Stationary dances are mostly composed of footwork and arm movements, for example:
    • Swing
    • Shag
    • Cha cha
    • Rumba
    • Salsa
    • Latin Waltz
  2. Traveling dances generally have simple footwork, little or no arm movements, and are focused on ways to move across the floor with ones partner, such as:
    • Waltz
    • Foxtrot
    • Tango
    • One Step
  3. Set dances (we don't do any at WaltzPlay) are composed mostly of moving around in various geometric and interweaving patterns, e.a.:
    • Contra dancing
    • Square dancing
    • English and Scottish Country dancing
    • Victorian quadrilles