What's expected in terms of the dances
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I haven't watched a lot of DWTS but I've been struck with what I have watched that most of the dances I have seen have been a lot further away from the "proper" ballroom dances than those on SCD. Dancers on SCD seem to get slated if intro and outro sections are too long, but I watched a "foxtrot" on DWTS (on youtube) that had about as much out of hold as in hold, and the couple were commended. Is that normal on DWTS? Is it to do with ballroom rules in the US or is it a deliberate relaxation of rules for the show?
*curious*
*curious*
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Dances like the Viennese Waltz have very few steps in the international version, but many more have been added into the American version.
American Smooth covers Waltz, foxtrot, tango, Viennese waltz. The steps are the same as 'ours' but they are allowed to break out of ballroom hold and dance steps that are almost Latin in style - such as promenade runs found in the samba. The rules state that less than 40% of a routine can be 'out of hold'. And unlike the 'American Smooth' danced on Strictly, there are no lifts (except for demonstration/shows) and there is NO Quickstep Smooth either!
They also have a different style of Latin - i.e. Latin Rhythm. The cha cha is slightly slower than 'ours'; the rumba slightly faster, and instead of jive they dance East or West coast swing. Rhythm also includes salsa, mambo etc.
Having said all that the Americans also dance the International style as we do here, so they have loads of choice!!
Sorry- typed the above before I saw other replies!
I saw promenade runs in the foxtrot and thought "excuuuuuuuuse me!" LOL
OK thanks guys, that has cleared things up a lot, and kaycee, don't apologise, that was a nice detailed post which helps a lot
Thank you Sarah-flute, that's really nice, and I'm glad it has helped.
I wrote this during the previous series of DWTS shown on BBC1 during the Summer.
A Rant on the Different Style of American Ballroom Dancing!
Out of curiosity, what did your friend think of the links you sent her(him)?
(she sent me a load of icedancing youtube links last week).
Hmmm, I think that's a bit rich, considering that Smooth is only really danced competitively in America, and it's like saying that British Footballers don't know the rules of American Football.
I think amateur Smooth Ballroom is just a series of Isadora Duncan style arm twirling and open hold easy steps, with very little Ballroom technique, so to be a champion you wouldn't necessarily have to be a great dancer.
I'd love to see a couple on DWTS actually dance a proper Foxtrot for once and not what passes for one now, which Len always calls "really an American Smooth".
What the couples do on SCD, as we know, is a hybrid dance, allowing 60% open hold and 2 lifts, to make it an entertaining dance for viewers, and I think they've succeeded. :cool:
AS comps in America don't allow any lifts, so you can't really make a direct comparison with the dances on SCD.
As for Anton & Erin dancing it in a show, well, for Showdance anything is allowed really, so I don't see that that can be regarded as a criticism. You must ask you friend to come and post kaycee.
There is no official dance called the AS that's used in competition - apart from SCD. The American comps are Smooth Ballroom, and the dances are named, eg. VW, Tango, FT etc...just the Smooth versions.