International Standard Ballroom Dances - Music & Video Samples of Each Dance

Copyright © 2013 by Goldcoast Ballroom, Inc.

International Standard Ballroom Dancing, Benedetto Feruggia und Claudia Köhler (image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)International Style Ballroom dancing is the classical style of ballroom dancing that is done throughout the world, with the same standard dances, patterns (figures), steps, and technique worldwide. This style of dancing was developed primarily in England, and is now regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC) and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF).

This is a style of dancing done as a couple, in closed (or promenade) dance hold (exemplified by the image above – showing a professional world competitive couple performing an International Standard dance). International Style Ballroom does not involve open, side-by-side positions or extended and reaching arms, such as typify American Style Smooth dancing (see below).

The five International Standard dances are listed below, along with samples of the type of music to which each dance is done, and links to videos illustrating the dance. The timing (count) and regulation tempo or speed of the music (in bars per minute) for each of these dances — as recognized by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), formerly known as the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) — is indicated below the name of the dance:

International Standard Ballroom Dances:

Dance
Music Sample
Video of the Dance Performed
To enlarge videos, Click the square “Full Screen” Icon at bottom right corner of video. Press “Esc” to return here after playing video.
Slow Waltz
(3/4 time, 28–30 bars per minute)
See and Listen to Video
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International Standard Style Waltz starts at 0.48 on the video.

Liene & Paolo Di Lorenzo – Waltz – December 31, 2012 – Goldcoast Ballroom
International Tango
(4/4 time, 31–33 bars per minute)
See and Listen to Video
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Olga Bogdanov & Sasha Bogdanov – Professional International Standard, Colorado Star Ball 2001 – Tango starts at 2:20 on this Video.
Viennese Waltz
(3/4 time, 58–60 bars per minute)
See and Listen to Video
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Paolo & Liene Di Lorenzo – Viennese Waltz – Feb. 14, 2013 – Goldcoast Ballroom Valentine’s Day Party
Slow Foxtrot
(4/4 time, 28–30 bars per minute)
See and Listen to Video
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Olga Bogdanov & Sasha Bogdanov – Professional International Standard, Colorado Star Ball 2001 – Foxtrot starts at 6:54 on this Video.
Quickstep
(4/4 time, 50–52 bars per minute)
See and Listen to Video
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Liene & Paolo Di Lorenzo – Quickstep – December 31, 2012 – Goldcoast Ballroom

 

For more information about different styles of dancing and other dances, see our Resource article on:

Know Your Dances: Dance Styles Explained – with Music & Video Samples of Each Dance.”

At Goldcoast Ballroom, we teach group classes and our instructors give private lessons in all of the International Standard Dances, as well as all of the American Smooth, International Latin, and American Rhythm dances, plus Argentine Tango, and most all of the Other Social Dances described and explained on our Resources: Learn About Dance page.

We also play music for all of the dances at our Social Dances, Practice Sessions, and Parties.

For more information about our schedule of classes, dances and events, see our CALENDAR, our Dynamic Gallery of What’s Happening on our Home page, and our NEWS page.

For information on our World Class Instructors, see our INSTRUCTORS page.

 

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Copyright © 2013 Goldcoast Ballroom, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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