This is for those that have ever done ballroom or latin classes or dance professionally in competitions etc. I have been dancing since the start of the year - seven months on and off.

Since starting, I have found that the dances that I didn't really enjoy watching on SCD in the past have been the ones that I'm best at and enjoy the most. These have included the Tango, Samba and Rumba.

And then the dances that I'm not very good at are the ones that I most enjoy watching on SCD - for example the Jive and Paso. I like to think that I can Jive but can't

As for the Quickstep and Foxtrot - don't get me started on them By far the hardest and least enjoyable to watch in my opinion

your post very much struck a chord with me, CloneClown!

I am exactly like you in this! am a beginner also........only difference is that I have an absolute passion for the Tango (Argentine, particularly but don't mind ballroom).

I have problems with the authenticity of tango on Strictly.....but it is a dance I love to actually do if the mood is right.

I agree about the quickstep in particular - it is perhaps my favourite dance to actually do of all of them, but my very least favourite to watch along with the American Smooth.

I don't know if this is that, as a beginner, with the QS, you really fly and the steps are not that difficult, and you actually feel like you are dancing properly......whereas with a lot of the others, you really need to know lots of steps.

Maybe this will change as we become more accomplished - would be interested to see if this changes for us both at that point.

thanks for that - I agree ! x

Apart from the very best performances, I'm not a big fan of watching the rumba, but I've come to love dancing it.

I feel the opposite way with the quickstep- it's great to watch but at one class I have a partner who can't lead which makes it very underwhelming and in the other class I haven't got to grips with the routine because I missed some of the weeks where they were learning it so I can't do it at speed. I'm sure it will be "Fab-U-Lous" once I've practised it a lot more...

It's not what you intended, but I can enjoy watching any of the dances, if the Celebrity has obviously made an effort to learn it and is doing his/her best.
I might be cringing, but I can still enjoy it.
They have to do something serious for me not to like it because of who they were. Only Dom got into that category so far.
I like the variety, but I would like someone to do an exceptional Samba. I cant remember one?
I've only ever danced the Waltz and Cha Cha Cha.

Forgot to include the jive in the list of dances I've had lessons in.

I don't like the Paso or Rhumba, the Jive and Quickstep are my favourites.

When i used to dance ballroom & Latin..
i found i loved to dance,
Quickstep
Samba
Jive
Rumba
Paso
Cha Cha Cha


And i love to watch,
Vienesse Waltz
Argentine Tango
Tango
Salsa
Samba
Jive
Quickstep
Rumba
Paso

and i dont particulary like dancing or watching..
Foxtrot

I love to dance the rumba, but don't like watching it at all. I also love dancing the waltz but it can a bit boring to watch, with some exceptions (e.g. Cutler/Dixon partnership).

I love to dance and watch the foxtrot when it is danced slightly up tempo and with a bit of swing (think Astaire/Rogers). e.g. Lilia and Darren Gough did a fun foxtrot. However the foxtrots this year have been very slow and whilst I acknowledge their technical difficulty, I admit I have found most of them less entertaining.

can anyone explain to me the difference between the foxtrot and waltz? without the music they look exactly the same! (i am a complete non dancer but strictly addict!)

The difference is in the rhythm of the music that the dances are performed to. Without getting too technical the waltz is danced in 3/4 time (i.e. rhythm of 'one two three, one two three') and the foxtrot is danced in 4/4 time but with a slow-slow-quick-quick rhythm. Thus the steps are different in order to fit the different rhythms but some similar technical skills are required e.g. similar holds/posture, rise and fall (but to a different degree with rise and fall accentuated more in the waltz).
Last edited by Vivacious Lady : 29-11-2008 at 17:18

This may help show the difference, with the Waltz straight after the Foxtrot (to Hey Big Spender).

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EK9h9zU2s9k&fmt=18

Edit:
Maybe it's not as helpful as I thought. I think the waltz tune may have been converted from 4/4 time to 3/4 time.