What is the difference between smooth and standard ballroom dancing?

When someone is telling you about ballroom dancing, they basically are telling you about international standard ballroom dancing. However, American smooth ballroom dance is also offered in the United States as the better alternative to the so-called standard ballroom dancing. When these two popular forms of ballroom dancing sound quite similar, there are some remarkable differences between Smooth and Standard Dances Northville in terms of style, performance and competition.

International Standard Vs American Smooth ballroom dancing

1.   Positioning: In standard ballroom dancing, there are very stringent requirements of positioning followed by the ballroom dancers. They are stayed in closed hold. On the contrary, that hold is broken in American smooth ballroom dances and the partners face away with each other. Hence, women can freely move without any specific limit. As an outcome, the women enjoy better autonomy in smooth ballroom dancing so that they can decide their own dance moves.

2.   Costumes: The styling of the dancers also makes the difference of positioning among smooth and standard ballroom dance. Formal attire is common in both types of ballroom dance forms where men look in tuxedos and tails and women in formal gowns with ornamental backs and arms. On the other side, more embellished gowns are worn by women in smooth dance. The front of female dancer is more visible in smooth ballroom to the judges and audiences so that they can justify the styling of costumes.

3.   Dances: The mastery in tango, Viennese Waltz, foxtrot and Waltz is required in the dancers of both smooth and international standard ballroom dancing. Plus, standard ballroom dancers are also required to perform Quickstep in the competition. Some instructors of smooth ballroom dancing teach Quickstep.

4.   Tempo: Though four dances are shared in both smooth and standard styles, the tempos of these dances are different. For instance, the Viennese Waltz and foxtrot are danced in faster tempo in American smooth ballroom dance than International standard ballroom dance. On the contrary, the waltz and tango dances are performed slower in American smooth ballroom dance than standard ballroom dance. These differences in tempos give different identity of styling to both dances.

In this way, the international standard ballroom dancing includes Quickstep, Tango, Slowfox, Viennese Waltz and Waltz and these are performed in standard style. The terms and steps used in these dances are universal which are used all over the world. Hence, international dance shows and competitions adopt these dances. The participants showcase their talents in standard platform. The partners maintain the movement coordination and body contact very well because they have to dance in closed position in standard dance form. Hence, lots of time and practice required to gain perfection in both movement and position in this form of dancing.

On the other hand, the American style is influenced in the American Smooth Ballroom dancing. There is no need to dance in closed position so that women can easily dance and move with independence. Timing is the key in this form. You can join the dance school to know both of these forms along with Samba Northville.

Visit northvilledance.com to know more about Samba NORTHVILLE and differences between Smooth and Standard Dances NORTHVILLE.