Dance relaxes the body, makes the soul have fun, and puts thoughts in order. Even in the absence of skills, talents in dance technique, you can always have fun by turning on music at home.

Each nation has a number of their names, dance styles. Many countries organize entire festivals where smartly dressed participants demonstrate their skills.

Olympiads and competitions in this kind of art are held annually.

To understand different styles and names, it is recommended to find out the benefits, find out classical and modern styles, as well as familiarize yourself with the list of names of the peoples of the world.

Any kind of dance, regardless of the stylistic direction, is a physical activity for a person.

Some doctors advise to devote at least 15 minutes to dance movements - this will strengthen the muscles of the torso, tighten the press, and normalize the functioning of all body systems.

In order to reinforce the confidence of our dance endeavors, here is a list of the beneficial qualities of this art form for human health.

Consider:

1. A positive effect on the joint tissue - a few minutes a day with movements of the booty and buttocks will look much more beautiful.
2. Training of the muscles of the body, back. The formation of a beautiful posture is due to the teaching of Spanish movements, for example, flamenco.
3. Dance gymnastics develops body flexibility: what are erotic maneuvers for girls worth - after a month of classes, the figure looks much slimmer.
4. Reducing the frequency of colds is associated with a general strengthening, hardening effect: actively moving, a person strengthens the immune system.
5. The skills of this art train the respiratory system, improve blood circulation, strengthen the vestibular apparatus and normalize coordination of movements.
6. Complex types, as well as active types, such as disco, improve cerebral circulation and human memory.
7. Dancing affects the mental state of men and women. Their sports types also improve mood, help fight stress.

You can engage in this type of art at any age, there are only restrictions for health reasons.

classic styles

Dance, as a separate art form, appeared at the dawn of mankind. Artistic images through movements were transmitted to other people during the formation of tribes and communities.

Later, such "rituals" resulted in real classes, types of dance movements.

Classical styles are listed below, they are divided into Latin and European groups:

• Slow waltz.
• Tango.
• Viennese waltz.
• Foxtrot.
• Quickstep.
• Samba.
• Rumba.
• Paso Doble.
• Cha cha cha.
• Jive.

The Latin American group is characterized by energetic movements, while the European group is characterized by smooth maneuvers.

Separately, it is worth highlighting ballet, ballroom dancing, which today it is customary to teach girls from early childhood. Most of the classic options provide the opportunity for a pair performance.

Important! The conditions for classical dance are combinations of certain movements: turn, jump, large dance step, flexibility, plasticity of the legs.

Having learned these varieties of art, in the future you can easily master almost any kind of new dance in the studio.

Types of modern dances

Recently, a huge number of new dance styles have appeared.

Such options are chosen by modern youth: they arrange flash mobs, participate in large-scale performances, striking with energy and innovation of movements.

Note! New species are characterized by unusual movements, often they are incomprehensible to people of the old generation.

To understand among the new stylistic trends and types, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a selection of names:

Name	Description
Kizomba	An African variety of street dance, a mixture of Angolan semba and Caribbean zouk
Vogue	Based on a model runway walk
house	Speed, dynamism and drive are the main components
"On Style"	Newfangled type to the song of the group "Time and Glass"
Filthy	Was invented based on the film of the same name, characterized by an abundance of hugs and snuggling
In the nude	Performed by professional pole dancers
Jazz funk	Emotional facial expressions and mannerisms clearly emphasize the expression of style
Contemporary	Art Nouveau look, characterized by storytelling through movement
Hip-hop	Formed in the 70s in America as a way of self-expression
Robot dance	Artistic imitation of the movements of a mechanized robot

List of dances of the peoples of the world

Each country has a kind of business card - folk dance. Arranging nationwide festivals, these types are necessarily performed by professional dancers.

The style of each country is unique and inimitable, and the movements themselves were formed at the dawn of the formation of the nationality.

Consider a list of the most common folk options:

1. Russian folk dances - Birch, Bull, Crane, Kalinka, Tank, Round dance.
2. Irish style - Jiga, Reel, Hornpipe, performed under the flute.
3. Polish - Mazurka, Polonaise, Krakowiak.
4. Turkish - Halay, Hora.
5. Georgian - Kartuli, Lezginka, Shalakho.
6. Jewish - Hava Nagila, Hora, Jewish ballet.
7. Mexican - Volador, Zapateado, Jarabe Tapatio - are performed in puffy skirts with castanets.
8. Cuban - Casino, Danson, Contradance.
9. Oriental - Bellydance, Baladi, Geveyzi.
10. Japanese - Slam drama, Kagura, Para Para.

Ancient traditions are skillfully intertwined with modern innovations, forming new styles and types of dances.

Young people love to have fun with the music of such performers as Yegor Creed, Arkay, Pharaoh.

Dancing relaxes the mind, so a few minutes of activity will help you feel relaxed and put your thoughts in order.

Useful video

Ballroom dance must be performed in pairs. Such dances today are commonly referred to as standardized sports dances performed at dance competitions and ceremonial events. Today in the world of dance there are two main classifications, in the aggregate consisting of ten dance styles: European and Latin American programs. Read more about dancing below.

History of ballroom dancing

The origin of the concept of "ballroom dance" comes from the Latin word "ballare", meaning "to dance". In the past, such dances were secular and were intended only for the highest persons, and folk dances remained for the poorer segments of the population. Since then, such a class division in dances, of course, no longer exists, and many ballroom dances are actually ennobled folk dances. In particular, the culture of the African and Latin American peoples had a great influence on modern ballroom dancing.

What to call a ballroom dance also depends on the era. Various dances were presented at balls at different times, such as polonaise, mazurka, minuet, polka, quadrille and others, which are now considered historical.

In the 1920s, the Ballroom Dancing Council was founded in Great Britain. Thanks to his activities, ballroom dance then acquired the format of a competition and began to be divided into two groups - into sports dances and the so-called social dances. The program included: waltz, tango, as well as slow and fast types of foxtrot.

During the period of the 30s - 50s, the number of dances increased: such paired Latin American dances as rumba, samba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble and jive got into the program. However, in the 60s, ballroom dancing ceased to be an ordinary entertainment, since it required certain technical training from the dancers, and was supplanted by a new dance called the twist, which did not have to be danced in pairs.

Dances of the European program

The program of European dances, or the Standard, includes: slow waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep and Viennese waltz.

Slow waltz

In the 17th century, the waltz was a folk dance in Austrian and Bavarian villages, and only at the beginning of the 19th century was it presented at balls in England. Then it was considered vulgar, since it was the first ballroom dance where the dancer could hold his partner so close to him. Since then, the waltz has taken a lot different forms, but each of them is united by a unique elegance and romantic mood.

A feature of the waltz is the musical time signature in three quarters and a slow tempo (up to thirty beats per minute). You can master its basic figures at home on your own.

Tango is a ballroom dance that originated in Argentina at the end of the 19th century. At first, tango was part of the Latin American dance program, but then it was transferred to the standard European program.

Perhaps, having seen the tango at least once, subsequently everyone will be able to recognize this dance - this assertive, passionate manner cannot be confused with anything. A feature of tango is a sweeping step on the whole foot, which distinguishes it from the classic "flow" from heel to toe.

Slow Foxtrot

The Foxtrot is a relatively simple ballroom dance that provides beginners with a great foundation to build upon. Foxtrot can be danced in slow, medium, and fast tempo, which allows even beginners to move gracefully on the parquet without any special skills. The dance is pretty easy to learn from scratch.

The main feature of the foxtrot is the alternation of fast and slow rhythms, but the smoothness and lightness of the steps are necessary, which should give the impression that the dancers are fluttering over the hall.

Quickstep

Quickstep appeared in the 1920s as a combination of foxtrot and Charleston. Musical bands of that time played music that was too fast for foxtrot movements, so they were modified in quickstep. Since then, as it has developed, this ballroom dance has become even more dynamic, allowing dancers to show off their technique and athleticism.

Quickstep combines many different elements such as chassis, progressive turns and steps, to name a few.

The Viennese waltz is one of the oldest ballroom dances, which is performed at a fast pace, which characterizes the first waltzes. The golden age of the Viennese waltz in Europe fell on early XIX century, when the famous composer Johann Strauss still lived and worked. The popularity of this waltz rose and fell, but it never went out of fashion.

The size of the Viennese waltz is the same as that of the slow waltz, it is three quarters, and the number of beats per second is twice as much - sixty.

Dances of the Latin American program

The following sports ballroom dances usually represent the Latin American dance program: cha-cha-cha, samba, rumba, jive and paso doble.

Samba

This ballroom dance is considered the national dance of Brazil. The world began to discover samba since 1905, but this ballroom dance became a sensation in the USA only in the 40s thanks to the singer and movie star Carmen Miranda. Samba has many varieties, for example, the samba danced in Brazilian carnivals and the ballroom dance of the same name are not the same.

Samba combines many movements that distinguish other Latin American ballroom dances: there are circular movements of the hips, and "springy" legs, and measured rotations. However, it is not very popular to learn: the fast pace of performance and the need for physical training often deprive beginner dancers of enthusiasm.

The name of this dance is a reference to the sounds the dancers make with their feet as they dance to the rhythm of the maracas. The dance evolved from the rumba and the mambo dance. Mambo was widespread in the USA, but its fast music was very difficult to dance to, so the Cuban composer Enrique Jorin made the music slower - and the cha-cha-cha dance was born.

A feature of cha-cha-cha is the so-called triple step for two counts. This feature made cha-cha-cha a separate dance, distinguishing it from mambo, although other movements are quite similar to this style. Cha-cha-cha is also characterized by minimal movements around the hall, basically, this ballroom dance is performed almost in one place.

Rumba has a rather rich history - it emerged both as a musical genre and as a dance style with roots in Africa. Rumba is a very rhythmic and complex dance that has spawned many other dance styles, including salsa.

Previously, this Latin American dance was considered too vulgar because of its uninhibited movements. It is still called the dance of love. The mood of the dance can change during its execution - from measured to aggressive. The performance style is reminiscent of mambo and cha-cha-cha styles. The main measures of the rumba are QQS or SQQ (from the English S - "slow" - "slow" and Q - "quick" - "fast").

"Paso doble" is Spanish for "two steps", which defines its marching nature. It is a powerful and rhythmic dance, which is characterized by a straight back, a look from under the eyebrows and dramatic postures. Among many other Latin American dances, paso doble is notable for the fact that you will not find African roots in its origin.

This Spanish folk dance was inspired by bullfighting, with the man invariably portraying the matador tamer and the woman playing the role of his cape or bull. However, during the performance of paso doble at dance competitions, the partner never depicts a bull - only a cloak. Because of its styling and a large number rules, this ballroom dance is practically not performed outside of dance competitions.

Jive

Jive originated in African American clubs in the early 40s. The word "jive" itself means "misleading chatter" - a popular slang term among African Americans of the time. The US military brought the dance to England during World War II. There jive was adapted to British pop music and took the form it has today.

A characteristic feature of jive is the fast pace of the dance, due to which the movements come out springy. Another feature of jive is straight legs. You can dance this sports ballroom dance both on a six-bar count and on an eight-bar count.

Allemande

(French allemand - "German"). The dance of the 16th-18th centuries, as its name implies, is of German origin. Like the pavane, the allemande is a moderate tempo dance in two beats. This calm dance was usually followed by a lively three-beat chime. In the clavier suite of the 18th century. the allemande comes first; it is followed by the chimes, the sarabande and the gigue. At the end of the 18th century Allemande was a German dance in 3/4 or 3/8 time, the forerunner of the waltz.

Argentine tango.
social couple dance. This story began in Argentina at the end of the 19th century. They say that in the beginning the tango was danced by blacks, former slaves who lived in Argentina. This dance was accompanied by the rhythms of drums. When you dance the Tango, don't get carried away with the steps, because the steps are the less important part of the dance. The most important part of Tango is the music and your feelings...

bass dance

(French basse danse - "low dance"). generalizing name for the sliding "jumpless dances" of the 16th century; they first appeared at the Burgundian court. "Low dance" - contrasted with "high dance" (danse haute), which is characterized by high jumps and bouncing. Bass dance was a ceremonial dance similar to a polonaise, i.e. connected more with walking than with dancing as such. Bass dance is considered the forerunner of estampi. The dance could be performed both in two-part (usually) and in three-part meter. The bass dance consisted of three parts: the actual bass dance, its repetition (retour de la basse danse) and the tordion - a skipping dance. The bass dance disappeared in the 16th century, supplanted by the pavane.

Bachata

Merengue and bachata, two rhythms that originated in the Dominican Republic, have many similarities and just as many differences. Both genres have a folk origin, both have had a hard time gaining public acceptance, and both have transcended their small island homelands to become international genres. But, unlike the energetic and carefree merengue, which is the most suitable for fun parties, bachata was created for a slightly different pastime. No wonder it was called "musica de amargue" - the music of bitterness. The pace is much slower and the lyrics are about suffering. unrequited love. There is an opinion that under bachata it is good to fill the mountain with alcoholic beverages. Therefore, most often these melodic sad songs can be heard in bars and colmados (small shops where you can buy and drink a bottle or two on the spot in the company of a few more visitors).

Bergamasca

Dance 16th–17th centuries in size 2/4 or 4/4, came from the Italian city of Bergamo. Shakespeare mentions the bergamask in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare mentions the bergamask in A Midsummer Night's Dream, so this dance was already known in England in the 16th century. In the manuscripts of that time, the bergamask has a specific melody, which is often a basso ostinato (i.e. constantly repeating bass) with variations. The melody of the bergamasque is reminiscent of the later German folk song Kraut und Ruben, which was used by D. Buxtehude and then introduced by J.S. Bach into his clavier Goldberg variations. A modern, unrelated to the old bergamask, played in a live tempo, in 6/8 time and reminiscent of a tarantella, used by Alfredo Piatti in Bergamasque for cello.

Bolero

Spanish national dance, supposedly invented c. 1780 by Sebastian Cerezo of Cadiz. In the folklore version, the bolero is a dance for a solo couple; several couples can participate in a public performance. Castanets or guitar accompaniment is required if the dance melody is sung. The bolero is inherent in a two-part, occasionally three-part meter; The dance consists of five parts: pazeo, traversion, differentiation, traversion and finale. The piano Bolero (op. 19) by F. Chopin and the orchestral Bolero by M. Ravel can serve as excellent examples of bolero in professional music. Beethoven has Bolero a solo, and K.M. von Weber included the bolero in his music for Preciosa's play. Bolero motifs can be found in the operas The Blind from Toledo by Etienne Megul, The Black Domino, The Silent from Portici by D. Aubert, as well as in the opera by G. Berlioz by Benvenuto Cellini. An accelerated version of the bolero is the seguidilla (it is possible that it was she who served as the basis for the bolero). The Cuban bolero and the Dominican bolero similar to it are characterized by a two-beat rhythm with syncopations and form a Spanish-American variant of the dance.

branle

Generalized name for dances of the 16th–17th centuries. There were different versions of the branle in different provinces of France - Burgundy, Poitou, Champagne, Picardy, Lorraine, Aubara, Brittany. In the 15th century branle completed the bass dance, in the 16th and 17th centuries. became an independent dance, the varieties of which were combined into suites. The order of parts in the branle suite is as follows: branle double, branle simple, branle cheerful, montirande and gavotte; the order may change, but the gavotte always comes at the end. Branle was often included in baroque ballets, even when the dance itself had already fallen into disuse.

Break

Well, of course, all this was invented by American blacks. Or, as they say now, African Americans. How else? With their inborn sense of rhythm, flexibility and ability to move…. And, of course, in the South Bronx - the most dangerous and hooligan area of ​​New York. And certainly not ever, namely at the end of the 60s, when young people of all skin colors Western world rebelled against... Yes, against everything! Against routine, boredom, bourgeois values, money, property and classical art. And much more.

Burre

French dance of the 17th-18th centuries, dating back to the pantomime folk dance of the Auvergne province and in the 17th century. became a court dance. The dance is characterized by dactylic meter, fast tempo, two-beat time signature with a two-eighth beat. Bourret appears in the ballets of Lully and Schmelzer and in instrumental suites, for example, J.S. Bach. Bourre is found in the works of G.F. Handel, Philippe Detouche, André Campra, C. Saint-Saens (Auvernian Rhapsody), E. Chabrier (Fantastic Bourre) and others.

Waltz

Its origin is in the old folk dances of Austria and Southern Germany. The name comes from the German word walzen - "to rotate", "circle". The closest predecessors of the waltz can be considered a fast "German dance" and slow waltzes - landlers, which came into fashion ca. 1800. German dances are found in J. Haydn, W. A. ​​Mozart and L. van Beethoven. The first mention of the waltz itself dates back to about 1770. At first, this dance aroused strong resistance from both the guardians of morality and dance masters. For some time, the waltz existed within the framework of English country dance (country dance), but soon gained independence and came out on top among ballroom dances popular in Vienna, Paris, and New York. Waltz classics were Josef Lanner (1801–1843), who introduced the cyclic form of the waltz, which consisted of an introduction, several sections and a coda, as well as J. Strauss-father and J. Strauss-son. In the work of the latter, the waltz reached the heights of its development (the Beautiful Blue Danube, Southern Roses, Tales of the Vienna Woods, etc.). Other waltz masters include Emil Waldteuffel, F.Legar, Oscar Strauss and Robert Stolz. There is a significant difference between a waltz as dance music and a waltz as a concert piece - in the second case, the waltz can be freer in tempo and more complex in form. G. Berlioz and P. I. Tchaikovsky introduced the waltz into their symphonic cycles; F. Schubert, F. Chopin, J. Brahms and other composers created excellent cycles of instrumental waltzes. At the beginning of the waltz era, K.M. von Weber's Invitation to Dance appeared (1819); at the end of the era - R. Strauss's opera The Rose Cavalier (1911) permeated with waltzes and the symphonic poem Waltz by M. Ravel (1920). For a real Viennese waltz, not only the usual waltz rhythmic pattern is typical (bass on the first beat of each bar, and then two beats that are lighter, like echoes), but also a rhythmic shift that is difficult to describe, resulting from the performance of the second quarter in the accompaniment a little earlier than it should. Slow waltzes like boston or hesitation waltzes (i.e. with a delay, pause), characterized by a less clear rhythmic pattern and more complex accompaniment, became widespread in America ca. 1915, and after World War I also in Germany; here they were often used in professional works of pseudo-jazz style.

viennese waltz

Although the waltz was a huge success and made a splash in many courts of Europe, at the very beginning of the 19th century the official attitude towards the waltz was very cautious - at balls in Vienna itself, the waltz was allowed to dance no more than 10 minutes: the hugs of a gentleman and a lady in a dance were considered not quite appropriate . But it was no longer possible to stop the waltz, and when in 1815, after the victory over Napoleon, the congress of the victorious allies was held in Vienna, the waltz was selflessly danced at all the balls - charming, magical, brilliant. It was then that the waltz acquired its specific feature- an accented rhythm that made this dance more elegant and more romantic. Two remarkable composers who lived in Vienna - Johann Strauss-father (1804 - 1849) and even more famous Johann Strauss-son, who wrote such widely known and popular masterpieces today as "The Blue Danube" and "Tales of the Vienna Woods", undoubtedly contributed to the formation of the Viennese waltz, as well as the fact that in the 19th century this dance eclipsed all others. The waltz, having become an official ballroom dance, was in perfect harmony with the then fashion: narrow-waisted dresses with luxurious puffy skirts with crinoline emphasized the beauty of the lady's movements.

Gavotte

Dance at a calm pace and three-part time, taking (from the Provencal word gavoto - "inhabitant of the Auvergne region"). An elegant and joyful French dance of the 16th-18th centuries, performed at a moderate pace. Time signature 2/2 or 4/4, starts on the lead-in 2/4 or 2/8. The gavotte consists of two parts of 8 bars. It was originally part of the bran. In the 17th century was a round dance, in the 18th century. turned into a pair dance with different figures. The popularity of the gavotte was promoted by J. B. Lully. Gavotte is found in the suites of Couperin, Pachelbel and especially J.S. Bach.

Gallop

(from the French galoper - "jump"). Fast circle dance of the 19th century. in a bipartite size, consists of rapid forward and backward jerky movements, similar in type to the polka. After 1825, the gallop came into fashion in Germany, where it was called the rucher or hüpfer. The gallop is common in professional music; an example is the Great Chromatic Gallop by F. Liszt.

galliard

A cheerful, lively dance of the 16th–17th centuries, at first quite fast, later performed at a more restrained pace, in three beats. Originally a two-part, the galliard then changed its meter and became a "pair" to the pavane or passamezzo (performed after them). The galliard was one of the favorite European dances of the 17th century; it is repeatedly mentioned in Shakespeare, usually under the name "cinque-pace".

Hopak

Fast Ukrainian dance in double meter. A striking example is the hopak in MP Mussorgsky's opera The Sorochinskaya Fair.

Jitterbug (Lindy).
An American dance that appeared between 1935 and 1940 and consisted of bouncing, bouncing and vibrating as a pure improvisation to swing music, especially boogie-woogie. The usual rhythmic pattern is solid eighths or alternating dotted eighths and sixteenths. The development of jitterbug was lindy hop, where the dancers count by six with a quadruple meter of music. A typical feature of this dance is the rotation of the partner around the axis, when the partner holds his hand behind her back. The rhythm is emphatically syncopated with accents on the second and fourth beats.

Gigue

English dance, widespread in the 16th century. The name comes either from the Old French word giguer ("to dance"), or from the Old English word giga (folk fiddle). At first the gigue was in 4/4 time, later gigi were composed in 6/8 time with punctuated eighth notes. In the 17th and 18th centuries gigue (with the name in French - gigue) got into the instrumental suite and became the final in the sequence of four main dances of the so-called. French suite. Often such gigues were composed in polyphonic form, with a theme being developed in the second section, which was a reversal of the theme of the first section.

Quadrille

French dance originated in the late 18th century. and very popular until the end of the 19th century. It is performed by two or four couples, arranged in a quadrangle (quadrille), opposite each other. The quadrille developed from a rural dance and initially contained five figures with the following French titles: Le Pantalon (Pants, the name of a popular French song), Ete (Summer), La Poule (The Hen, probably the earliest tune in which the chicken cackle is imitated), La Pastourelle (Pastoral) and Finale (Final): dance master Trenitz added a sixth figure to it, which began to bear his name. Quadrille often uses well-known tunes in 2/4 or 6/8; often they are borrowed from operas or operettas.

Kathak

it is a classical dance style of North India. The term "kathak" comes from the word "katha", which means "story", "story". Kathaks in ancient times was called the caste of storytellers that existed at many temples in North India. They acted out dance and drama performances in the days religious holidays. Later, dancers were invited to the palaces of the Hindu rulers of Rajasthan. Special dance schools appeared at the palaces, in which girls were taught music, versification, and the refined art of dance.

Cancan

A frantic and not too decent French dance of the 19th century, in a fast tempo and two-part time (similar in type to the Spanish fandango), originated in Paris in the 1830s. Offenbach introduced the can-can into his operetta Orpheus in Hell; now the most popular suite from this operetta called Parisian fun (arranged by Manuel Rosenthal, 1938).

Quick step

The fastest and most dynamic of the "standard" dances. This is a fun dance, reminiscent of a game. Unlike waltzes and tangos, the foxtrot is a purely American work, and its author is known - the actor Harry Fox from California, who invented this dance in 1914 and performed it with the girls from the variety show, filling in the gaps between the screenings of the film in the New York cinema - the mechanic needed a pause to rewind the tape. Invented in the style of rag time, the dance became an incredible success. Rag time - a mixture of jazz and blues, and cakewalk, which appeared a little later, always implied improvisation and a certain freedom. There were no special turns and pas in the cakewalk, which are so typical for European dances. In America, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the so-called "animal dances" came into fashion. The translation of the names of such dances speaks for itself - “Camel walk” or “Donkey trot”. So, perhaps, Harry Fox was inspired to create the foxtrot by the then fashion and ... his own surname - after all, fox in English is “fox”. In the beginning, the foxtrot was not a very restrained dance with many jumps and leg swings - after all, it was created for the variety show stage. But when he got to England, he underwent a real reform and acquired two modifications: a faster quick step and a slower slow fox. And although the foxtrot technique is somewhat reminiscent of a slow waltz, all movements are performed in a completely different rhythm.

Conga

Modern Cuban dance, performed by a line of dancers and originating from the so-called "comparsas" - parades. The rhythm of the conga is marching, but in each measure the second beat is preceded by a syncopation (duration of 1/16). Like the rumba, the conga often serves as the basis for political songs in Cuba; in the United States, this dance was popularized by Latin American musician Javier Cugat.

Country dance

An old English folklore dance. In the country dance, the dancers form two lines, facing each other - male and female; a wide variety of movements are used, often from other dances. The word country (village) in France was transformed into the word contre ("opposite"); hence the German name Contretanz, Kontertanz, in which the original meaning has also been lost. Around 1685 the country dance spread from England to the Netherlands and France and soon became one of the most beloved European dances. At first, country dance music was reminiscent of English gigs (which proves the collection of Georg Muffat Florilegium secundum, 1698), but in the 18-19 centuries. the dotted rhythm became characteristic of the country dance. The country dance often used folk tunes and other popular melodies. The best collection of such melodies is the John Playford collection. English teacher dances (The English Dancing Master, 1651), which was followed by numerous collections of the same type. Country dances from the operas Zoroaster Ramo and Don Giovanni by Mozart are well known. Popular song during the French Revolution, Ca ira is based on the melody of a country dance.

Cotillion

(from the French word cotillon - "petticoat", found in a song popular at that time). Dance, widespread in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. From France, the cotillion came to England and America, where they began to perform it as the final section of country dances or, later, quadrilles. Various pas and cotillon figures are performed by the first couple to almost any music, and then repeated by all the dancers.

Cumbia

a dance that originated among the black population of the Atlantic coast of Colombia. It combines African rhythms and Spanish melody, complemented by Latin American harmonies. Cumbia is one of the most demonstrative Colombian melodies, which combines the musical traditions of 3 cultures - Negro, Indian and European. The Negroes brought their rhythm of drums to the cumbia, the Indians - flutes and pipes (from the stalk of millet) that lead the melody, the influence of Europeans (colonialists) was limited to only a few variations in musical performance, choreography and dancers' clothes. Cumbia is distinguished from other well-known Latin American styles by a particularly pronounced hard rhythm. In this, cumbia is more like Jamaican music - much stronger than, for example, the more melodic and transparent salsa. However, as for the differences between cumbia and salsa, the issue is somewhat controversial. Currently, there are two points of view on what cumbia is after all: an independent dance or a type of salsa, such as Salsa Cubana (Casino), Salsa Portorriquena (Boricua), Salsa de Colombia and Rueda. So, according to the second point of view, cumbia is just Salsa Sudamericana (South American salsa). Like it or not - in essence, it does not matter.
Cumbia is also interesting because in addition to the actual cumbia, you can dance both merengue and salsa to it. How it turns out is hard to say, but the fact, as they say, is obvious.

Courant

A dance in two-part meter, originally pantomimic, known since the 16th century. It is mentioned by Tuano Arbaud in his Orchesographia (1588), and also several times by Shakespeare (in particular, in Henry V). Gradually, the chime acquired a three-part meter and in the 17th century. began to be performed in tandem with the allemande (after it). A characteristic feature of the chimes of the 17th century. are frequent changes in meter from 3/2 to 6/4 and back, which corresponded to the alternation of the two main dance figures - pas de courante and pas de coupee. In the musical aspect, two varieties of chimes are distinguished: the Italian corrente with fast movement in small durations and the calmer French courante with a transparent texture associated with the technique of French lutenists of the 17th century. Bach chimes follow the French type. Around 1700, the chimes became a solemn, dignified dance that preceded the minuet, but after 1720 the chimes disappear as a dance, surviving only as a genre model in professional music.

landler

A generic name for slow Austro-Bavarian dances in three-quarter meter. The name goes back, perhaps, to the name of a place in Upper Austria - Landl. Lendler melodies already existed in the 17th century. (for example, Schmelzer's Aire Viennesi). Lendler can be considered the forerunner of the Deutsch ("German [dance]") and waltz, but Lendler was performed more slowly than the waltz and had a slightly different structure. It is typical for a landler to alternate between eight-measure and six-measure phrases. Its variants are the Steierische (Styrian [dance]) and Schuplattler (Tyrolean dance with wooden shoes). Melodies reminiscent of a landler are found in J. Haydn, W. A. ​​Mozart, L. van Beethoven, F. Schubert and I. Strauss-father.

Mazurka

A Polish folk dance, as well as a piece in mazurka rhythm, usually in 3/4 or 3/8, slightly slower than a waltz. In origin, a folk dance, the mazurka in the 18th century, during the reign of King Augustus III, became a city and court dance. For the triple rhythm of the mazurka, the accent on the second beat is typical. The mazurka consists of a polonaise-like opening section performed by several couples and a series of dances with different figures. Particularly typical are heel-to-heel strikes and a sharp movement of the feet (the so-called key) at the end of each figure. Although the mazurka appears already in the musical literature of the 18th century, only F. Chopin was destined to make it an important genre of professional art. M.I. Glinka, P.I. Tchaikovsky, K. Shimanovsky followed his example. Variants of the mazurka are the Polish dances Kujawiak and Oberek.

Mamba

An American dance originating from the rumba. The dance begins with swaying the hips on the count of "one", the first step is taken on the count of "two".

Minuet

Dance of the 16th-17th centuries, at a moderate pace and in three beats; the name comes from the French word menu (pas menu - “step”, “small step”) or from amener (amener) - an old French dance, a kind of branle. The minuet took the place of the chimes and was the main court dance from the middle of the 17th to the middle of the 18th century. Initially, it was a rural dance, but then the minuet turned into a model of French court ballet. J.B. Lully was the first of the great composers to use the minuet, and it is believed that King Louis XIV was the first to dance the minuet at one of his balls. The characteristic features of the minuet are ceremonial bows, solemn passages forward, sideways and back, graceful steps and easy sliding. From France, the minuet spread throughout Europe. In the 18th century he was included in the clavier suites (in three-part form: minuet - trio, the second minuet proper - minuet), occupying a place between the sarabande and the gigue. Contrasting with the allemande and the courante, the minuet in the suite was interpreted as a mobile dance in a simple texture. Unlike most dances of the Baroque era, the minuet did not disappear in subsequent eras, but became part of the cyclical form in the classical sonatas and symphonies of the 18th and 19th centuries. The authors of the pre-classical period, such as J. Stamitz, Georg Monn and Josef Starzer, as well as the classics J. Haydn, W. A. ​​Mozart, L. van Beethoven and F. Schubert assigned the minuet the third position in the four-part sonata-symphony cycle; Beethoven developed the minuet into a scherzo. The minuet of the classical period was strongly influenced by the Austrian peasant landler, as a result of which characteristic wide melodic moves and jumps appeared in the minuet. In Mozart's Don Giovanni, the minuet, symbolizing aristocratic society, is written at a slow pace, but the minuet in symphonies and sonatas has always been more fluid.

merengue

Latin American dance of Dominican origin, also adopted in the United States. Moving in double meter, the dancers emphasize the first beat with a walking step, and on the count of "two" they make an inward movement with their knees pressed against each other. The cheerful, slightly syncopated dance melody consists of two periods of 16 measures each. A typical meringue consists of an introduction (jaseo) and interludes (jaleo).

Milonga Tango

It is a conversation between a man and a woman through the language of dance. In this sense, the milonga is a party where men and women, split into pairs, communicate with each other on a given topic - sounding in this moment melody...

Moresca (morisco)

Pantomimic dance, apparently of Moorish origin, known since the early Middle Ages. The dancers, in keeping with the strongly romanticized notion of the Moors, wore grotesque costumes with bells at the ankles; the music was dominated by dotted rhythms and exotic timbres. Often the faces of one or more of the dancers were painted black. In Europe, the dance spread to those regions where there was contact between Muslims and Christians. The European sea originates in Spain, where it is mentioned already in the 15th century. Moreska was often called the musical and dance scene and sometimes the final ballet scene - as, for example, in C. Monteverdi's opera Orpheus (1607). In England, the morris dance was performed during the May games: here six dancers formed two opposing rows. Around 1900 in England there was a revival of the sea, associated with a general interest in ancient art.

pavana

The dance of the 16th-17th centuries, which opened the balls, in two-part (sometimes in three-part) meter, which was a slow, stately procession. The pavane comes from Spain, its name is related to the word pavo ("peacock"), it is possible that the pavane is a late form of bass dancing. In the 17th century the pavane was usually followed by a fast, leaping galliard. In Italy and Germany, padovana (from the name of the Italian city of Padua) often acted as a synonym for pavanes. German composers in the period after 1600 (for example, I.G. Schein) wrote solemn, magnificent compositions, which they called "pawans". Pavans were also composed by the English madrigalists W. Bird, J. Bull, O. Gibbons and J. Dowland; among modern composers, the pavane was revived by M. Ravel and Morton Gould.

paspier

Lively French dance of the 17th and 18th centuries originated in northern Brittany. The paspier is characterized by fast tempo, size 3/8 or 6/8; many movements built on crossing the legs. Samples of paspier can be found in the works of J.S. Bach, J.K.F. Fischer and in the ballets of 17th century Viennese composers, as well as in the French opera of the early 18th century.

Polonaise (Polish)

Polish national dance at a moderate pace, in 3/4 time. Unlike other Polish folk dances whose melodies are sung, the polonaise has always been an instrumental genre. The origin of the dance is usually attributed to the era when Henry of Valois (the future French King Henry III) was elected to the Polish throne (1573); Polish court ladies, when presented to the king, formed a procession, which was accompanied by majestic music; such a procession became a tradition and began to open all state ceremonies, and the procession itself grew into a dance. As a result of close ties between Poland and Saxony (the Saxon elector Augustus became king of Poland in 1697), the polonaise became fashionable in Germany and from there spread throughout Europe. G. F. Handel and J. S. Bach included the polonaise in their suites, W. A. ​​Mozart once used this dance in a piano sonata; polonaises can be found in the works of L. van Beethoven, F. Schubert, F. Liszt, K. M. Weber, R. Wagner. But the greatest master of the polonaise was, of course, F. Chopin.

Polka

A dance of Czech origin, in fast tempo, in two beats. Appeared approx. 1830. Polka usually begins on a strong beat, and its rhythm is especially characteristic of abruptness. The dance quickly spread from the Czech Republic throughout Europe, with triumphant success was adopted in the ballrooms of New York. B. Smetana introduced this dance into professional music by composing several well-known piano polkas. The polka is also widely used in Smetana's opera The Bartered Bride and Schwand's opera by the piper Jaromir Weinberger. Poles were written by A. Dvorak, Josef Labitsky, I. Strauss and others.

Redova (Private)

Czech (and generally Slavic) dance of peasant origin in a moderate tempo and three-part meter. In the middle of the 19th century it became fashionable in Parisian dance halls and from there spread throughout Europe. One of the variants of the redova is played in 2/4, like a polka. Redova was used by Rimsky-Korsakov in the opera-ballet Mlada.

Rigaudon

Dance of the 17th and 18th centuries, originating from French Provence, in a fast tempo and two-part time, with one-eighth of the beat. Rigaudon appears as a serious dance in Gluck's opera Iphigenia in Tauris (1779), and then in other operas; as a comic dance, rigaudon is present in ballets and suites of the 17th century, including those by J. B. Lully, Andre Campra and J. F. Rameau. Purcell composed his rigaudon already in the middle of the 17th century; among later authors, rigodons were written by E. Grieg and M. Ravel. In Spain, rigaudon is often called a square dance.

Reel (English reel - "coil")

An old dance of obscure origin, reminiscent of the Norwegian halling and other Scandinavian dances. The name is associated with the Gothic word rulla - "tornado". In Scotland, the reel is usually performed by two couples, in England by three. A feature of the reel is a circular pattern: the dancers are facing each other and perform a series of figures resembling a figure eight in outline; Rila is also characterized by constant repetition of movements and melodies. The music consists of eight-bar phrases, mostly in two beats. In America, the most common variant of ril is called Virginian ril.

Rumba

Contemporary Cuban dance of African American origin. Rumba is performed in four beats, and the rhythmic pattern changes almost in every measure; in general, the rumba rhythm is characterized by syncopation and repetition. In the pubs of Havana, rumba is often performed to the accompaniment of ensembles using improvised materials - for example, bottles, spoons, pots. The main theme of the rumba is usually eight bars, it is dominated by the rhythmic beginning, while the text and melody are in the background. Rumba entered popular American music c. 1930.

salsa

A style of Latin American music, translated as "sauce", with Native American, Spanish and African ingredients. The term "salsa" was coined in the 1920s by Chano Pozo, a Cuban percussionist, an immigrant of the first wave to America from Cuba. The boom of salsa came in the 70s, when huge salsa festivals began to be held in the USA, in Africa and Latin America, gathering stadiums, and a huge number of CDs were recorded. New York immediately made salsa more commercial and, thanks to the powerful broadcast radio stations of the New York record companies and the active distribution of CDs, this particular product reaches us. The root Latin American salsa is warmer and not so popular here.

Saltarello

Energetic Italian dance in fast tempo, triple, sometimes double meter. The name comes from saltare - "to jump". Saltarello was especially widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries, but it is found in English and Italian manuscripts as early as the 14th century. In the 16th century saltarello was paired with bass dance and passamezzo (after them). Today the saltarello is danced in Italy and Spain in the same way as the tarantella.

Samba

Brazilian dance in double meter; in an expanded sense, the word "samba" is applied to all dances of Brazilian origin. There are two different types samba: rural samba, which is typically sharp syncopation, and urban samba in a smoother rhythm. Samba carioca (carioca is one of the names of a resident of Rio de Janeiro) is a stylized urban dance. Samba was introduced into professional music by E. Vila-Lobos and Camargo Guarniero.

Sarabande

Dance 17th–18th centuries in slow tempo, triple meter. The name probably comes from the Persian word "sarband" - "a ribbon fluttering around the head"; songs of a certain genre also had a similar name. According to researchers of the 20th century, the sarabande, together with the chaconne, came to Spain from the American colonies. Initially, it was a mischievous, violent dance, but then, having got to France at the beginning of the 17th century, the sarabande turned into a slow and important dance. In operas, the sarabande usually acted as a symbol of the greatness of Spain. In the suites of Jacques Champion de Chambonière, Johann Jacob Froberger, J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel, the sarabande is placed between the chime and the gigue, creating a tempo contrast.

Seguidilla

A fast paced Spanish dance in triple meter, possibly originating in the province of La Mancha, from where it subsequently spread to other areas of Spain. The name means "continuation" and is due to the fact that the instrumental section of the seguidilla is followed by a section for voice, accompanied by guitar and castanets. Variants of seguidilla are manchega, sevillana and murciana. Seguidilla manchega - a lively, cheerful dance; segedilla boleras - more measured and restrained; seguidilla gitana ("gypsy", sometimes written - siguiriya (siguiriya) - a slow and sensitive dance, with variable time (3/4 and 6/8). The playful poetic couplets of seguidilla - koplas each consist of four short lines, followed by refrain of three lines - estrebillo The seguidilla from Bizet's opera Carmen is the most famous, although this music is not a seguidilla in the exact sense of the word.

Siciliana

Dance or based on it musical form, originating from Southern Italy or from Sicily. Rhythmically, the Siciliana resembles a Gigue; size 12/8 or 6/8. The name "Siciliana" is more often applied not to the dance, but to the arias da capo (with a reprise). Among the most famous are the Sicilian from the Violin Suite in G Minor by J.S. Bach, as well as the aria “Erbarme dich” from his St. Matthew Passion.

slow fox

As the name suggests, the slow fox is a slow version of the foxtrot. He reached his popularity in the 40s of the twentieth century. Melodies written by Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller and many other musicians have become real classics. The characteristic steps in slow fox are long and sliding. The heads of partners are always raised, on the lips - a slight languid smile. Slow fox is called the dance of lovers, so the face of the lady expresses both tenderness and sensuality. The rhythm of the dance is less than 30 beats per minute.

Belly dance

The mysterious East has become the birthplace of an amazing dance called belly dance or belly dance. Historians cannot exactly name the country where this dance appeared. There are several versions, for example, there is an assumption that this is Egypt, or maybe Mesopotamia, some believe that the origins of the dance should be sought in India. There are objective reasons for such a scatter, which we will not delve into for now. I will only note that the dance distribution area is vast: in ancient times, belly dance was danced in Egypt, Greece, Rome, Babylon and the Central Asian states. Nowadays, belly dance is becoming more and more popular not only in the East, but also in the West. In Russia, few knew about this dance before, and associated it exclusively with the institution of harems in the East. Hence the negative assessment of the dance. Nevertheless, even here, in Russia, interest in plastics of this kind is growing.

Tarantella

Very lively dance in 6/8 time; its name is associated either with the city of Taranto in Southern Italy, or with the tarantula spider that is found in the area. Legend has it that one who is bitten by a tarantula falls ill with a disease ("tarantula"), which can only be cured by unrestrained dancing. For the music of the tarantella, which is in many respects similar to the saltarello, movement in continuous triplets is typical. Well-known samples of the tarantella in professional music can be found in F. Liszt, F. Chopin, K.M. von Weber, D. Ober; the finale of the Italian symphony by F. Mendelssohn also resembles a tarantella in style.

Trepak

Russian single male dance in fast tempo and double meter. A well-known example is the trepak from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.

Fandango

Spanish dance 18th century in 3/8 time, to the characteristic rhythmic accompaniment of castanets and guitar, originated in southern Spain. Initially, the fandango was a vocal and dance form, with lyrics of love content. Variants of this dance are known in Spain under different names (for example, in Malaga, fandango is called malaguena). The earliest example of the use of dance in professional music is Gluck's ballet Don Giovanni; this melody is quoted by W. A. ​​Mozart in the Marriage of Figaro. Fandango is found in the works of R. Schumann, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, I. Albeniz and E. Granados.

Farandole

French dance in 6/8 time, originated in Provence. The dancers hold each other's hands, forming a chain, and, following the leader, move through the streets, performing a wide variety of movements to the accompaniment of flute and tambourine. Examples of dance can be found in Ch. Gounod's opera Mireille, in J. Bizet's suite from music to the Arlesian. The Spanish farandula is also a folk dance, and its name was applied to the divertissements containing the dance, which were performed between the second and third acts of the Spanish traditional drama.

Foxtrot

In origin, a fast dance in two-part meter, performed somewhat slower than the one-step, after which the foxtrot gained popularity in the United States ca. 1912. After the First World War, due to the spread in dance music"jazz style", the term "foxtrot" came to refer to any jazz-like dance music in two beats (except Latin American tango and conga). In the 1920s, various types of foxtrot were popular, quickly succeeding each other, among which the Charleston and blackbottom can be distinguished. In the early 1930s, a more relaxed slow fox (“slow foxtrot”) appeared, but then, from about 1936, the swing style became increasingly popular, with its passionate obsession with dancing, when the dancer focused on just a few basic movements and practically had complete freedom to improvise. The very simple slow foxtrot remained in use through the 1960s.

Habanera

Cuban dance (name - from the capital of Cuba, Havana) in two-part size, similar in rhythm to the tango. The difference between the habanera and the tango is the tempo: the habanera is twice as fast as the tango. The habanera was introduced to Cuba by the Spanish composer Sebastian Iradier, whose play El Arreglito, published in 1840 with the subtitle Chanson havanaise, is the first known example of the habanera. This tune was used by Georges Bizet for the habanera in his opera Carmen. Another famous habanera of Iradier is Dove (La Paloma). The Habaneras were also written by I. Albeniz, E. Chabrier and K. Debussy.

Hornpipe

An English and Scottish dance known throughout the 16th–19th centuries. and taking its name from the ancient wind instrument that accompanied this dance. The hornpipe was performed in 3/2 or 4/4 time signatures and had a characteristic dotted rhythm. Since the dance did not require much space, it was popular with sailors who danced with folded arms and moving their legs quickly, with a straight body. Examples of hornpipe music, which seemed "strange" to the authors of the 18th century, can be found in the works of G. Purcell and G. F. Handel. The earliest extant example is the Virginal Hornpipe composed by Hugh Aston (d. c. 1525).

Chaconne

Spanish dance of the 16th–18th centuries, close to the passacaglia. According to the descriptions of the authors of the 16th and 17th centuries, the dance came to Spain from the West Indies. In its original form, sensual and temperamental, the chaconne in the 17th century. turned into a slow stately dance, musically - with a variational development based on basso ostinato. In the 17-18 centuries. it often became the final part of the ballet included in the opera performance, and was performed to music in three beats. As a purely instrumental form, the chaconne is a variation on the basso ostinato. The most famous samples of the chaconne: the finale of the partita in D minor for solo violin by J.S. Bach, in Handel's clavier suites and in the finales of Gluck's operas Orpheus and Iphigenia in Aulis.

Czardas

Hungarian folk dance in two-part meter, consisting of two contrasting parts - a slow melancholic introduction (lassu) and the dance itself, fast and incendiary (frisska). Famous examples of čardas are found in the Hungarian dances of Liszt and the Gypsy tunes of Sarasate.

Charleston (Charleston)

A dance in the character of a fast foxtrot that arose in the city of Charleston (pc. South Carolina) and in ca. 1925 conquered dance floors around the world. The dance is distinguished by a sharply accented rhythm, and during the performance of the dance, special emphasis is placed on syncopation. The dancers make sharp movements, turning in and out on the ball of the foot, and the risky side steps performed are slightly similar to an old galliard. The earliest authors of the Charleston were North American Negroes (Cecil Mack, James P. Johnson, and others). Erwin Schulhoff, in his Etudes de Jazz (1927), introduced the Charleston to professional music.

Cha-cha-cha

The dance, using the mambo or rumba rhythmic structure, was first performed by the Cuban América Orchestra in 1953. The main clock scheme is slow, slow, fast, fast, slow and the last three rhythmic beats corresponding to the syllables "cha-cha-cha". In the first recordings of the dance on records, it was called mamba. The rhythmic section gradually grew larger and the dancers adjusted to the new slow rhythm, doubling the time signature on counts of 4 and 1 and replacing light hip movements with three pas; after four years, the original rigidity of the model was overcome, and three pas began to be performed with a typically Cuban swaying of the hips. As in most Latin American dances, the charm of cha-cha-cha is not in the intricacy of the movements, but in their grace and naturalness.

Shottish (Scottish dance)

Dance of the 19th century, reminiscent of the polka. It comes from the Scottish circle dance, which was famous in Germany. Sometimes it is confused with ecossaise (also a Scottish dance); at first the shotty was 3/4, and after 1800 it was 2/4.

Estampie (estampie), or estampida

Medieval instrumental form and dance from Provence. The medieval author Johannes de Groheo mentions a stantipe, possibly a Latinized name for an estampida. Each stantype consisted of a series of "points" (puncti): each punctum (point - a term borrowed from rhetoric) consisted of two parts with the same beginnings (apertum) and different endings (clausum). An addition to the stantype, according to Groheo, was ductia (ductia), also consisting of "points", under which they danced. The most famous example of estampi is Rambautz de Vaqueiras' Kalenda Maya, a charming melody borrowed from an earlier estampi. Since most of the surviving estampi are dance patterns, estampi can be considered one of the main dances of the Middle Ages.

To express thoughts and feelings, a person uses oral and written speech. But there are other ways to express yourself. One of the options for conveying experiences is dance. Through body movements accompanied by music or rhythm, a person shares his emotional state. In view of the variety of styles, there is a need to consider a list of dance styles and trends.

Everyone who studies the topic of dance is faced with the question of what styles and directions exist. For a holistic understanding of what dance trends are, it is necessary to consider the dance from a retrospective point of view.

Choreographic art has very ancient origins. Initially, only sacred meaning was hidden in the movements. Rhythmic movements served to achieve a specific goal.

People tried to make it rain or show interest in opposite sex. Over time, the dance acquired great beauty and sophistication. The importance of musical accompaniment has increased.

The choreographic image of a particular nationality had characteristic features. Coloring was determined not only by movements, but also by unusual rhythmic sketches.

Each era has its own actual dance styles. It is rather difficult to meet folk choreography in everyday performance. In its original form, it was preserved only on the stage. Popular currents of our time include a variety of street and club dances. The main thing that unites existing fashion trends is a new vision of body language.

Styles and trends

It is advisable to start studying the topic of dance styles and trends from a source such as Wikipedia. Among the dance styles, Wikipedia cites the following areas:

Acrobatic

It implies a competition between performing athletes. The parameters for the judges' assessment are the technical skill and expressiveness of the performance, taking into account the musical accompaniment.

The basis is especially complex dance and acrobatic elements.

ballet

The essence is a combination of movements in the form of a theatrical performance. The basis of the performance is the expression of the artist's thoughts, emotions and feelings through plasticity, facial expressions, movements and gestures. The parameters for the audience assessment are expressiveness and grace. The target audience is the viewer and his reaction to what he saw.

Includes three categories: modern, romantic and classical. The basis for modern ballet is the classical ballet direction. Feature- lack of strict requirements and standards. The subcategories of modern ballet are contemporary, modern, postmodern, and jazz modern. The main requirement is the self-expression of the dancer.

ballroom

The target audience is the performing dancers themselves. Types of ball programs - standard and latin. The standard includes tango, Viennese waltz, slow waltz, slow foxtrot, quickstep (or fast foxtrot). Latin includes rumba, samba, jive, cha-cha-cha, paso doble.

A prerequisite is the paired performance of the movements of a man and a woman. The ballroom course includes a sports ballroom direction (known as dance sport).

historical

The general name for the dance styles of the past centuries, present in the programs of modern dancers. The direction includes the era of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, 19th and 20th centuries:

• Medieval currents - estampi, sarabande, bergamasca, saltarello.
• Renaissance - sea, bass dances, cascades, country dances.
• Baroque and Rococo - paspier, minuet, bourre.
• 19th century - Krakowiak, waltz, polka.
• 20th century - foxtrot, tango, lindy hall.

Folk (folklore)

The essence is a reflection of the traditions, character and customs of a certain nationality. Takes into account the rhythms, movements, costumes characteristic of a particular area. Target audience - dancers and spectators. The basis of movements is the imitation of animal behavior with the adoption of the movements of the labor process in humans.

Associated props - household accessories, musical instruments, weapons. Folklore direction includes:

• polka,
• lezginka,
• gypsy girl
• chardash and others.

Latin American

Includes Argentine tango, bachata, mambo, lambada, merengue, salsa, flamenco, bolero, capoeira. The basis of bachata is pair performance. Capoeira - Brazilian martial arts, which includes acrobatic elements and leg swings to musical accompaniment.

The essence of flamenco is a combination of clapping hands and stomping feet using castanets.

ritual

The initial meaning is the transfer of sacred meaning, and not the receipt of practical benefits. Percussion instruments were used as musical accompaniment.

There are a few more common areas:

1. Street. The sphere of occurrence is dance parties, streets, schoolyards, parks, nightclubs. The essence is mass recreation within the city. The basis is an improvisational element combined with social interaction between dancers and audience. Currents - popping, hip-hop, locking, break-dance.
2. Erotic. The main parameters for evaluation are plasticity, expressiveness, self-expression. Currents - striptease and belly dance.
3. Variety. The point is stage performance. Feature - a short performance in the form of a miniature.
4. Swing. The basis is West African and African American traditions. Feature - the rhythm of syncopation and jazz. Includes jive, Charleston, boogie-woogie, blues, rock and roll and other trends.
5. Modern (or contemporary). The essence is the denial of the traditions of classical ballet. Represents a kind of stage choreographic performance.
6. Hustle. The essence is the performance of dance movements in pairs to the musical accompaniment of the disco style. Includes jack and jill, freestyle, ladies hustle, sports hustle, show hustle, double hustle.

Styles for girls

A variety of directions lead to the question of what styles are suitable for girls.

Existing dance styles are in demand among both the stronger and the fairer sex. The main criteria for dancing for women and girls is learning plastic movements and getting rid of excess weight. The combination of these parameters allows you to compile the following list of trends for girls:

• Belly dance (or bellydance). Eastern direction, any woman can be a performer, regardless of age or build. Classes develop femininity, inner beauty and harmony, improve the figure, grace. It is considered extremely beneficial for health.
• Strip plastic refers to frank dance styles, designed to eliminate stiffness and increase the plasticity of the female body. Feature - there is no need to undress. Allows you to get rid of complexes and overcome internal fears.
• Go go. Feature - during the performance, elements of eroticism are demonstrated without exposing the dancer. It is similar to strip plastic, the difference is a greater degree of aggressiveness and tempo during dance movements. Required condition - ideal figure at the dancer.
• Pole dance is a combination of acrobatic and gymnastic elements and is considered a difficult dance art. Requires good preparation, physical fitness and endurance.
• Electrodance. Feature - musical accompaniment from electronic music. Condition - high frequency, speed and amplitude of execution of movements.
• Tektonik is considered a combination of hip-hop, techno, popping and electrodance, includes movements of arms and legs, jumps.

Note! The directions presented are not exclusively female. The distinction between dances is conditional and is determined by the performer himself.

Popular destinations

Every day there are new styles. It is important to understand that it is impossible to know all the names in the world and remember their description. This is due to the rapid development of dance art.

Despite the significant diversity, all styles have character traits. Due to this feature, it seems possible to give a brief description of them.

The list of current directions includes:

• Booty dance (Booty Dance). The performers are a female audience. Feature - frankness and eroticism in the speech. Origins - ancient Africa. The creators of the performance technique are strippers from New Orleans. Includes rotations, kicks and eights with the hips, vibration with the buttocks.
• Subdivided into Hip rolling, Rump Shaking (Booty Shake), Twerk (Twerking). Requirements for the dancer - developed muscles of the buttocks and legs. The advantages of the flow are the study of the spinal muscles, the improvement of the shape of the female body. Clothing requirements - comfortable shorts or leggings with an emphasis on the buttocks and hips, sneakers, accessories.
• Break dance (Break Dance) includes a lower and upper break. It is considered a combination of hip-hop elements and DupStep musical accompaniment. The technical element is torque from any point of support, including on the head. Feature - increased injury risk. There is an acrobatic variety.
• Club dance (Club dance) is a common name for many movements, includes the direction of direct and broken rhythm.
• Direct rhythm flow - musical accompaniment from Techno, Disco House, Progressive, broken rhythm flow - hip-hop, breaks, break beat, R&B.
• Contemporary (Contemporary Dance). The basis is the elements of choreography. It is a combination of flexibility and technical freedom.
• C-walk. Feature - jumps and active swings to the musical accompaniment of a direct rhythm. Complexity - the lack of significant space for mass performances.

We list a few more existing varieties:

• Dance Mix (Dance Mix),
• Dancehall (Dancehall),
• Disco (Disco),
• Dub step (Dup Step),
• Electric Boogie (Electric Boogie),
• Electro (Electro),
• Electrobit (Electrobit),
• Electrodance (ElectroDance),
• frame up strip,
• Free style (Free style).

Important! For a detailed study of styles, in addition to the compiled list, it is recommended to watch videos. The undoubted advantage of video is the ability to observe dance movements in a frame-by-frame perspective.

Useful video

Summing up

Dance is considered not only the language of the body, but also of the soul. The centuries-old history of its development has led to the emergence of many currents. The variety of styles and directions allows the performer to convey the whole range of emotions and passions.

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An art such as dance began to develop at the dawn of the emergence of mankind. Primitive tribes had their own, special ritual dances, which were an important part of their traditions and life. Their descendants, who began to build the first states, turned these gestures into part of the sovereign symbolism. Thus, the first types of dances appeared, which to a greater extent testified to the origin of man, to his roots. Today people dance everywhere, and at the same time their movements are no longer limited by any framework that the state determines. Well, let's take a closer look at what types of dances are in various parts of the world and how they become popular all over the world.

What is dance

This term refers to a type of art in which artistic images are transmitted through plastic and rhythmic body movements. Any dance is inextricably linked with a certain music that suits its style. During this “ritual”, certain positions of the human body, the figures that he can show, transitions from one pose to another are very important. Considering what types of dances there are in our time, it is easy to assume that there are simply an uncountable number of such figures and movements. That is why they are divided into categories, which largely depend on the place of origin of a particular dance, as well as on its other features (pair, group, single, etc.).

The history of the origin of dance art

Even during the existence of primitive tribes, the earliest types of dances originated. They were given names depending on the emotions they accompanied. For example, a tribe could try to bring rain after a long drought, and for this a special ritual was composed, during which people moved in a certain way. Through rhythmic body movements, they thanked their gods, met the birth of children and saw off their dead ancestors. As an art form, dance was founded in antiquity. At this time, special choreographic performances dedicated to the gods began to appear in Greece and Rome. At the same time, the very first oriental types of dances are developing in Babylon, Assyria, the Persian kingdom and other countries of Asia. In the Middle Ages, this art turned out to be legal because of the spiritual views of mankind. But with the advent of the Renaissance, it began to develop and improve again. In the 16th century, such a kind of choreography as ballet appeared, which soon became a separate art form.

Classics and its varieties

Professional dancers, learning this art from an early age, initially master classical dances. Their types depend on which program is taken as a basis - European or Latin. What unites these two subgroups is the good old classical choreography, which has much in common with ballet. The bottom line is that rehearsals are held precisely to classical music, dancers perform stretching, study positions, plies, piques and other choreographic techniques. In the future, the quality of the dance will depend precisely on the purity and correctness of the execution of all these movements.

European program

• Slow waltz. This is the golden classic of the dance, which is always accompanied by the appropriate music in three quarters. For each measure, the dancers take three steps, with the first being the main one, the second determining the angle of rotation, and the third being the auxiliary one, allowing the weight to be transferred to the other foot.
• Tango. Initially, it was an Argentinean folk dance, but later became incredibly popular all over the world and moved into the category of European classics. Its essence lies in the fact that two partners move energetically and rhythmically to the appropriate music (it is also called tango).
• Viennese waltz. This is a kind of analogy to a simple waltz, only it is danced a little faster and more energetically.
• Foxtrot. This is a fast and bright dance, which is performed both in pairs and in group mode. It was invented by Harry Fox (hence the name) at the beginning of the 20th century, and since then its popularity has not faded.
• Quickstep. This is the fastest dance from the European classics. It is performed in 4/4 rhythm, and at the same time there are as many as 50 measures per minute. It takes years of practice and grueling practice to dance the foxtrot properly. It is important that all movements look easy, relaxed, and performed with incredible accuracy.

Latin American program

Here will be listed the popular types of dances, which today often go beyond the classics. On their basis, a wide variety of variations are created to simplify the choreography and make these dances accessible to everyone.

• Samba. Brazilian dance that originated from the fusion of African and Portuguese traditions. It is danced in 2/4 time, with up to 54 measures per minute. In the classical version, it is performed to the beat of drums or other Latin percussion instruments.
• Cha-cha-cha. Characterized by much slower choreography. Size - 4/4, there are 30 measures per minute. The most popular dance in Cuba, where it originated in the 20s of the last century. Today it is included in the classical dance program.
• Rumba. The slowest and most intimate dance, which is always performed in pairs. Accuracy is not important here, as in other types of choreography. It is only important that the poses of the partners are very beautiful, that they form unique figures, and at the same time, each of their movements should be as plastic as possible.
• Paso Doble. This dance has its roots in Spanish bullfighting. Here the partner often depicts a bullfighter, and his partner is a cloak. The essence of the choreography is a double step (which is why the name).
• Jive. African-American choreography, which also originated in the 20th century and received widespread in USA. Jive is danced in swing mode, but at the same time it is very different from the modern analogue of the same name. Size - 4/4, number of beats per minute - 44.

Ballet

Everything is now existing species The dances are more or less based on ballet. This art officially separated from general choreography in the 17th century, when the first French ballet school arose. What are the characteristics of ballet? Here the choreography is inextricably linked with the music and facial expressions of the performers. As a rule, each production has a specific scenario, which is why it is often called a mini-performance. True, in some cases there are also "scenarioless" ballets, where the dancers simply demonstrate their incomparable and precise skills. Ballet is divided into three categories: romantic, classical and modern. The first is always a mini-performance on a love theme ("Romeo and Juliet", "Carmen", etc.). The classical one can personify any plot (for example, "The Nutcracker"), but at the same time, its important element is the choreography based on acrobatics and excellent plasticity. Modern ballet includes different types dancing. There are also elements of jive, and Latin choreography, and classics. Distinctive feature lies in the fact that everyone is dancing in pointe shoes.

Contemporary choreography

Nowadays, all over the world, regardless of traditions and religion, modern types of dances are popular. Their names are known to everyone, and at the same time almost everyone can learn to perform them. Such body movements do not require special stretching, preparation or natural plasticity. The main thing is to join the rhythm and become one with the music. We note right away that all the dances that will be listed below are the basis for the so-called "club choreography". These movements are quickly learned and mixed with each other by modern youth, resulting in a kind of mix that can be seen in any nightclub in any city in the world.

Modern dances

• Tectonic. Originated in the 21st century on the basis of jumpstyle, hip-hop, popping, techno style and so on. Always dancing to fast electronic music.
• Strip dance. This is the basis of any striptease, in other words, a dance that may involve further undressing. The essence lies in plastic movements, and also often in interaction with other objects. This is how the famous pool dance, lap dance, etc.
• Go go. Erotic dance that does not involve undressing. Aimed at entertaining the public in the club. It can contain any plastic elements that will match the playing music.
• Hakka. A dance that originated in the Netherlands, in hardcore circles. His movements are based on music in this style.
• Jumpstyle. The dance based on jumps is one of the few modern dances that are danced in pairs. But at the same time, it has a feature - partners should not touch each other.
• D'n'B Step. This is exclusively the attributes of the drum and bass style. Choreography always depends on the rhythm and tempo of the music.
• Shuffle. The dance originated in Australia and is based on jazz. All movements, in particular the steps inherent in this style, are performed to electronic fast music at a faster pace.

According to the plot of the movie "Step Up" ...

After the first part of this wonderful film came out, young people actively began to study all kinds of street dances, which are characterized by freestyle and at the same time incredible plasticity and accuracy of movements. We list their main types, which have already become "street classics":

• Hip-hop. This is a whole cultural trend that originated in the 70s in New York among the representatives of the working class. It covers not only unique choreography, but also slang, fashion, demeanor and other areas of life. Within the hip-hop culture, there are a wide variety of types of dances, more or less difficult to perform. These are breaking, DJing, MCing, club hip-hop and much more.
• Breakdance, also known as b-boying. Initially, to be part of hip-hop culture, and then, due to its uniqueness, it became a separate dance.
• Cripwalk. A dance that originated in Los Angeles. It is characterized by steps that are performed in the spirit of improvisation, at a very fast pace.
• Popping. The dance is based on the rapid contraction and relaxation of the muscles, due to which the human body shudders. At the same time, it is important to observe certain positions and poses in which such movements look most impressive.

In the spirit of folk traditions

In each state, in addition to the flag and anthem, there is another equally important attribute - dance. Each nation is characterized by its own movements, its own rhythms and tempos, which have developed historically. According to the peculiarities of the choreography, one can easily determine what nationality a person is, what country he represents. Such productions are performed mainly in a group, but there are some exceptions when only two partners perform. Now we will look at the types of folk dances that are the most popular around the world. By the way, some of them became the basis of classical choreography, and some served as an excellent start for the development of street dances.

Dances of the peoples of the world

• Attan is the official folk dance of Afghanistan. It is also performed by many neighboring peoples in various variations.
• Hopak - dance of the peoples of Ukraine. It is always performed in national costumes, in a very fast and energetic rhythm. It is characterized by jogging, squatting, jumping and other active body movements.
• Trepak is a primordially Russian dance, which is also widespread in Ukraine. It is always performed in two-part meter, accompanied by fractional steps and stomping.
• Zika is a famous Chechen dance performed exclusively by men. As a rule, it is an accompanying element for important religious events.
• Krakowiak is the most famous Polish dance. It is performed in a fast rhythm, always with a straight back.
• Round dance. A dance game that was previously popular among many peoples. The rules are different everywhere, but the bottom line is that a huge number of people take part in the round dance.
• Lezginka is the most famous choreographic performance in the Caucasus. It is danced by Chechens, Armenians, Georgians, Azerbaijanis and many other nations.

Types of oriental dances

In the East, the art of dance had a completely different development than in the countries of Europe and America. Men here always performed group mini-performances that accompanied some important events. The dance of a woman is a kind of mystery. A wife can only dance for her husband, and alone. Such a choreographic culture has been common for centuries throughout Western Asia, but in each country it has its own characteristics. Therefore, now we will consider what types of dances are in a particular state of the East and how they are characteristic.

• Turkish. They are always performed in bright costumes, to fast music. They are characterized by rhythmic movements, very high plasticity and even acrobatics.
• Egyptian. This is the most modest oriental choreography. The costumes are restrained, as well as the movements, the music is slow and measured. There is no place for frivolous body movements in Egyptian dances - this is considered debauchery.
• Arabic. This is a real scope for improvisation and variation. If you know what types of dances there are in the East and how they are performed, you can put all the tricks and techniques together, and you will get an excellent production in the Arabic style.
• Lebanese. The most unique and unusual. They combine elements of Turkish and Egyptian choreography. Therefore, fast and rhythmic movements alternate with slow and measured ones. The action is also characterized by the use of foreign objects (cymbals, canes, etc.).
• Persian dance consists of graceful movements that mainly involve the hands, head and long hair.

How did belly dance come about?

Almost all women in the world dream of mastering this choreographic style, but only a few master it perfectly. Many attribute Middle Eastern roots to it, but in fact the dance originated in India. Even before the birth of Christ, this custom was transferred from their homeland by the gypsies to Egypt, where it became popular. There began to emerge different kinds belly dancing, which soon spread throughout the Middle East. Well, consider which of them are now the most famous:

• Dance with the snake. It requires a combination of plasticity and courage, as well as the ability to handle this animal.
• Dance with fire. During the production, torches, candles, essential oil lamps and much more can be used, which glorifies the cult of fire.
• Dance with cymbals. This percussion hand instrument is a relative of the Spanish castanets. Performing rhythmic body movements, the dancer accompanies herself.
• Raks-el-Sharqi is a belly dance that involves the area from the navel to the hips.
• Raks el Shamadam - an act in which a woman dances with a candelabra on her head. Very popular in Egypt.

Types of sports dances

Sports dances are a kind of analogue of ballroom classical choreography. The difference lies in the fact that the dancers are trained according to a more rigorous and enhanced program, with a special emphasis on stretching, accuracy of movements, and speed of their execution. An important component of any sports dance is not the beauty of the production, but the technicality of performing all movements. In general, this subgroup consists of choreographic productions known to us, among which there are standard European and Latin programs.

Conclusion

We examined what types of dances exist in different countries, decided on their styles and features. As it turned out, each choreographic production has its own pace, rhythm, and character of performance. Also, many dances cannot exist without facial expressions, certain costumes, style and even the mood of those who perform them. Therefore, if you are going to master this art, it is important to initially decide in which style you like to dance the most, and which one suits you best in terms of capabilities and even in terms of the structure of the figure. And in the future, for self-improvement, you only need diligence and practice. Dare!