The Foxtrot is one of the most popular ballroom dances in the world. Its roots date back to 1914 when foxtrot dance lessons were developed in the United States. It’s believed that the Foxtrot started in African American nightclubs. Vaudeville actor Harry Fox is also credited with the dance’s origin where he performed fast trotting steps during a musical at the New York Theatre. This is when the dance first became known as the “Fox Trot”.

The Foxtrot uses a combination of long walking movements along with short quick steps to glide across the dance floor. It is danced in a 4/4-time signature with four steps for each musical beat as the first and third steps are accented. The most common footwork times for Foxtrot dance lessons involve a slow-quick-quick and a slow-slow-quick-quick pattern.

As you learn how to Foxtrot, you’ll see that there are two styles, American and International. The American Style follows a tempo between 120-136 beats per minute. Beginner Foxtrot dance lessons typically start with the American Style and later learn the International Style. The International Style is danced at a faster pace between 112-120 beats per minute. More experienced ballroom dancers use the International Style for ballroom dance competitions.

The standards of jazz and big band music are used to dance the Foxtrot. With its moderate pace, it is a great dance for beginners and makes for a great social dance for weddings and cruises. Notable artists of music the Foxtrot is danced to include Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., and Michael Bublé.

Learn the Foxtrot Dance in Durham Today!

Whether you have dancing experience or are new to the dance floor, the professional dance instructors at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Durham are ready to give you Foxtrot dance lessons. Call us today at 919-489-4313 to schedule your first lesson or fill out the contact form below. Be sure to take advantage of our new student special.

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