what is the most difficult dance to learn for a beginner?

I do now what you mean but I can't spell it, long time since I did these ! One for the Latin girls, but recall they are called chicada's or something like that.

Any ballroom dance ( and latin for that matter) has its difficulties and of course it depends on how well you want to dance them.VW is all about linear swing and the technique.It has very precise footwork. Waltz is about the rotation, rise and fall, swing and sway, soft fluid actions. Tango compressed hold, lower in legs, no rise and fall. QS very light on feet but difficult to maintain good frame and connection throughout due to speed changes and twists and turns of steps.
For me, the Foxtrot is the hardest dance to learn if you want to try and emulate the smooth, rolling through the feet action and the required linear swing

Thank you!

I agree with Jennifer for ballroom. Foxtrot. I think that would be the general consensus.

Latin less clear cut. A lot of people say samba, but I find cha cha and jive more difficult as the action doesn't suit me (especially the latter).


Hi Nina. Do you have more info? I can only think of batucadas which are definitely backward steps with a lot of hip rotation, but you wouldn't necessarily be side by side for that (could be though). Are they touching at all? Do they go straight back or is there any side step?

Kaycee may know. Latin is not really my area of expertise (well not if off syllabus).

You may have it Ann...the "cadas" bit ...rings a bell. Will have to wait for kaycee or bendy to answer

Thank you


and i've tried some heel leads myself, but they are quite difficult to learn

Well done! Do you take lessons ?

no, from watching Strictly i wanted to try some moves myself.

just to put myself more in the position of the celebrities.

sounds like a batucada to me is this it nina?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW_2diDQtn4

We'll have to wait and see if these are what Nina was describing, but its what I thought Nina meant. Oh these are fabulous, to have been able to do these 10% as well as Donnie and Gaynor

Hi ladies, sorry for the delay. Yes, that's exactly what I meant! Batucada doesn't seem to be listed as an official Samba step anywhere though. Is this because, as mentioned in the video, it's a dance in its own right ?

Thanks again

Hi Nina, the ladies may correct me, but it is an "official" step in samba but I have a feeling that its more advanced so won't be listed on a syllabus anywhere. In ballroom too, there are many advanced figures that are not listed either

That makes sense! Appreciate the info

hi Nina, first i gotta say i like the Samba, it's a fun but yet technical dance.

and could you please write something in the Georgia May Foote appreciation thread

i would really appreciate it.

Jennifer is right. Batucada is not listed because it is off syllabus and so you would dance them in above gold if you were taking medal exams. They're quite a popular step.

I really like Batucadas since they are not a complicated step, which allows you to concentrate on getting a good hip action going.

I've always wanted to learn the batucada step - they do look really complicated to me! Not so much the actual steps themselves but the finish, the hip action.

I really like these as they look so effective. I recall learning these years ago and the steps are not hard, just takes work and some time to get a good smooth fluid hip action. Hopefully Kaycee is about and can give you some tips and advice.

I remember seeing batucadas in a Cha-Cha-Cha on DWTS, Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas; was that a literal example of Salsambcha in action, or could they be a step that's acceptable in more than one dance (like contra-checks in Ballroom)?

far as I know Batucada can be danced in cha cha and I thinnk salsa

Yes samba, but also cha cha, although I've only danced them in samba. Not surprised to hear bendymixer say salsa too.

Samba action. They should be a fairly relaxed step. Lots of pressure through the ball of the front foot to get the forward and upward rotation of the hip before stepping back.

Hi sorry if this has already been asked. How do you do charleston swivel? I just cant seem to get it, is it something that you can or cant do or will it just take practise?

It is definitely something that needs practice and It comes easier to some than others. So don't give up, it will come eventually.
I have never danced Charleston, its not a dance that you are taught in the Ballroom and Latin world, but I have done these type of steps - which are Charleston inspired - in Quickstep.
When I am on the ball of the foot that is to swivel, I am aware that I am using my ankle/heels to turn/twist left and right. I have very strong ankles and muscles that have built up over years, so for a start I would be a little cautious as you don't want to injure yourself, but just try slowly and you can steadily build up.

A basic latin question: In cha cha cha, rumba, salsa and samba should any hip movement come from movement of feet and leg?

Also, with jive and paso are there hip movements in these dances above that connect them as latin dances? I've gathered from SCD that the main characteristics of jive and paso differ from the foot/legwork and consequent hip movement of the other four dances but I wondered if there was any related hip movement.

Also, why is salsa not one of the standard ballroom dances?

Many thanks in advance for info, opinions and views.

Hi

I know this has been answered by Jennifer, but also Jo Clifton had this question on last night's ITT and did a demo of it. I find it quite hard too, need some more practice!

Foxtrot is definitely the most difficult ballroom dance I find to learn. I've put so many hours in to learning it and still not sure how far I've got!