Quickstep

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search
This article is about the dance. For the album by Kenny Barron, see Quickstep (album).
For the cycling team, see Quick Step.

Quickstep

"Quick Step" dance rhythm figure.[1]

The quickstep is a light-hearted dance of the standard ballroom dances. The

movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations.
The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and
informal events. Quickstep was developed in the 1920s in New York City and was first
danced by Caribbean and African dancers. Its origins are in combination of
slow foxtrot combined with the Charleston, a dance which was one of the precursors to
what today is called swing dancing.

Contents

 1History
 2Style
 3Syllabus
o 3.1Pre-bronze
o 3.2Silver
o 3.3Gold
 4In popular culture
 5References
 6External links

History[edit]
The quickstep evolved in the 1920s from a combination of
the foxtrot, Charleston, shag, peabody, and one-step. The dance is English in origin and
was standardized in 1927. While it evolved from the foxtrot, the quickstep now is quite
separate. Unlike the modern foxtrot, the leader often closes his feet, and syncopated
steps are regular occurrences (as was the case in early foxtrot). Three characteristic
dance figures of the quickstep are the chassés, where the feet are brought together,
the quarter turns, and the lock step.[2]p126
This dance gradually evolved into a very dynamic one with much movement on the
dance floor, with many advanced patterns including hops, runs, quick steps with much
momentum, and rotation. The tempo of quickstep dance is rather brisk, as it was
developed to ragtime era jazz music, which is fast-paced when compared to other
dance music.
By the end of the 20th century the complexity of quickstep as done by advanced
dancers had increased, with the extensive use of syncopated steps with eighth
note durations. While in older times quickstep patterns were counted with "quick" (one
beat) and "slow" (two beats) steps, many advanced patterns today are cued with split
beats, such as "quick-and-quick-and-quick, quick, slow", with there being further steps
on the 'and's.

Style[edit]
The quickstep is elegant like the foxtrot and should be smooth and glamorous. The
dancers should appear to be very light on their feet. It is very energetic and form-
intensive.[citation needed] The quickstep is danced to 4/4 music of 48 to 52 measures per minute.
[3]

Syllabus[edit]
The two International Style syllabi of ISTD and IDTA for quickstep differ very little.
The American Style dance competition program does not include quickstep, but a
limited version of the dance is taught and danced socially in some American dance
venues.
Pre-bronze[edit]
1. Quarter turn to right
2. Natural turn
3. Natural turn with hesitation
4. Natural pivot turn
5. Natural spin turn
 6. Progressive chassé
7. Chassé reverse turn
8. Forward lock
9. Heel pivot (quarter turn to left)
Silver[edit]
1. Quick open reverse
2. Fishtail
3. Running right turn
4. Four quick run
5. V6
6. Closed telemark
Gold[edit]
1. Cross swivel
2. Six quick run
3. Rumba cross
4. Tipsy to right
5. Tipsy to left
6. Hover corté

In popular culture[edit]
The quickstep is one of multiple dances performed on the celebrity talent show Dancing
with the Stars, as well as Strictly Come Dancing.[4][5]