Ballroom and Latin dance are both enjoyed all over the World. These types of dances originate from different traditions and use different music and slightly modified movements. In this article, you will find out what are the main difference between Ballroom and Latin dance styles.
What is the difference between Latin and ballroom dance? Latin and Ballroom dance differ in so many ways. Ballroom dance is more formal and structured; whereas, Latin dance has a faster pace, has high energy, and lots of hip action.
Here are four main differences between Latin and Ballroom dance:
- Position. In Latin dance, partners can switch from open or closed positions or even a freestyle where partners don’t touch each other. However, in Ballroom dance, one position is maintained throughout the dance.
- Footwork. The main focus in Ballroom dance is on the heel and the toe while dancers are parallel. On the other hand, dancers in Latin dance use the ball of their feet while turning their feet out.
- Timing. Latin dance is fast-paced, fun, and energetic. Ballroom dance has a slower pace while maintaining gracefulness.
- Music. Latin and music for the Ballroom dance are very different. Latin music is fun, energetic, sexy, and lighthearted. Music for Ballroom dance is more sophisticated and classical.
What Is Latin Dance?
There are two meanings for Latin dance. There are social Latin dance styles and formal Latin dance styles.
Formal Latin dance styles are:
- Jive
- Cha Cha
- Paso Doble
- Samba
- Rumba
Social Latin dance styles:
- Salsa
- Bachata
- Merengue
- Reggeaton
- Kizomba
- Cumbia
- Argentine Tango
Social dance styles are primarily danced in clubs or social gatherings.
Although the roots of Latin dance are extensive, they all share main characteristics such as rhythm that makes everyone uniquely move their body.
Most Latin dances that originate from South and Central America involve lots of hip action and can be danced in an open or closed position between partners.
Both dancers stand upright with weight on the balls of the feet. Partners are dancing slightly apart. The dance frame is firm and fixed, but the steps and movements are quick and have a particular flow and structure.
Geographic areas greatly influence different Latin dance styles.
What Are Different Latin Dance Styles?
- Salsa. Salsa is a Latin dance that originated in the 1960s and combines Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican dances. It was mainly developed by Dominicans and Puerto Ricans in New York between the ’60s and ’70s.
- Bachata. Bachata is a beautiful and romantic dance from the Dominican Republic that originated in the early 20 century. The music is very similar to Bolero.
- Merengue. The Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic that was established in mid of 19th century. It also accompanies the merengue style of music. Besides Merengue being very popular in the Dominican Republic, it also dominates in South America and Carrebeans.
- Mambo. Mambo is a Latin dance style that originated in Havana, Cuba, in the 1940s. It became very popular in New York a few decades after. It is often called New York Salsa style.
- Kizomba. Kizomba is a partner dance that originates from Angola, a country on the West Coast of Southern Africa. Lots of people confuse Kizomba with Zumba, which is not the same.
- Reggaeton. Reggaeton is Latin music and dance style. Reggaeton originates from Puerto Rico in 1990s. It is influenced by Latin American, hip hop, and Caribbean music.
- Argentine Tango. Argentine Tango is the most popular Tango style. Argentine Tango is a music and dance style that originated in the 19th century in Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
- Samba. Samba originates from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and it became very popular in the United States and Europe in the 1940s. Samba is characterized by simple forward and backward steps and tilting, rocking body movements. It is danced to music in 4/4 time with a syncopated rhythm.
- Rumba. Rumba originated in Cuba in the 19th century. African dance traditions and music influenced rumba dance. The basic rhythm of Rumba is quick-quick-slow with side-to-side hip movements.
- Cha Cha. Chacha is a Latin dance style and originates from Cuba. Cha Cha was influenced by Cuban Mambo and became popular in the US and other parts of the World in the 1950s.
- Jive. Jive is very lively and the fastest dance style of all Latin dance styles. Jive and East Coast swing share many similar characteristics as well as the same music style and tempo. It originated in the United States from African Americans in the 1930s.
- Cumbia. Cumbia is a music and dance style that originates from the Columbian Caribbean coastal town of San Basilio. Cumbia is closely related to Swing dance because many similar steps are found in these dance styles.
What Is Ballroom Dance?
Ballroom dance is a type of social dance that was danced initially in Europe and the United States. Ballroom dance is danced between two people. It is one of the most popular dance styles in the World.
Back in the day, Ballroom dance was primary for the higher class where, the lower class had to satisfy their dancing desires with folk dancing.
Nowadays, Ballroom dancing is a parent of many dance styles in which followers and the lead dance in close proximity.
What Are Different Ballroom Dance Styles?
- Waltz. Waltz originated from Germany in the 18th century and is a ballroom dance performed in a closed position, typically in 3/4 time.
- Tango. Tango dance is one the most famous partner dances that emphasizes the vibrant and playful style of movement, rich expressions, improvisation and requires close connection and passion between dancers. It originated in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay.
- Foxtrot. Foxtrot is a beautiful and romantic dance composed of relatively simple walking steps and side steps. The dance combines slow steps, which use two beats of music, and quick steps, which use one beat of the music. The slow foxtrot is a favorite among many ballroom dancers.
- Quickstep. Quickstep is a ballroom dance style composed of extremely quick stepping and syncopated feet rhythms in time to fast-paced music. Quickstep originated from New York City in the 1920s.
- Viennese Waltz. The Viennese Waltz is the original style of Waltz. It is the first ballroom dance performed in the closed hold position. It is distinguished from other Waltzes in that it is danced to a fast tempo and is strongly characterized by the circular motion of the partners rotating around each other as they progress down the line of dance. Viennese Waltz is danced 3/4 times.
