What is Foxtrot?
Foxtrot is truly a timeless American dance style. It can be danced to a lot of classic songs such as Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight," Nat King Cole's "Let There Be Love" and etc. and this is why Foxtrot has always been one of the most popular dance styles to learn for weddings and black tie events.
History
Foxtrot has nothing to do with foxes. It is a dance originated in 1914 by Vaudeville actor Harry Fox. He incorporated some trotting steps in his acts and people started calling his dance "Fox's Trot." After the debut of the Foxtrot, this original dance style captured other professional dancers and spread across the world. And ultimately, it evolved into what we see in ballroom dance competitions and social dance floor these days.
Characteristics
Foxtrot is a traveling dance style that features big strides and graceful turns. Imagine Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers sweeping across the dance floor in their tux and ball gown. Steps in Foxtrot resemble the ones in Waltz but are done differently because of its time signature.
Timing and Music
The time signature in Foxtrot is 4/4. The foxtrot basic can be counted as "slow, slow, quick, quick." Foxtrot is typically danced to big band music. Check out our Foxtrot song list here!
Dance Hold
In Foxtrot, dancers maintain a wide and extended dance hold that helps them travel across the floor and navigate more efficiently.
Student Demonstration
Check out this video of our recent married couple, Georgia and Jonathan, performing their first dance to the song, "It Had To Be You." They are doing the Foxtrot and Swing in this dance.
What is your favorite ballroom dance style? Please share with us.
If you like this post, you may also want to check out How to Hear the Beat in a Song.
Happy Dancing!
Voted as one of Chicago Top 5 Dance Teachers 2013 by Art Intercepts, Szewai (C-Y) has been sharing the joy of partner dance since 2006. She is the founder of Duet Dance Studio, a Chicago dance studio that offers Latin and ballroom dance lessons, wedding dance lessons, and BYOB dance parties. Szewai believes partner dancing has the power to connect people and bring people closer. Besides dancing, she enjoys discovering hidden gems in the city, finding great music and making short videos about people and things that inspire her.
You can find Szewai on Google+