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DANCE NE SCOTLAND |
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Ballroom, Latin American, Modern and Classical (Old Time ) Sequence Regular Group Classes and Private Tuition |
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MODERN SEQUENCE |
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Modern Sequence Dancing
Sequence Dancing is a style whereby dances are performed “in sequence”, in other words the steps are arranged in such a way that everybody is dancing the same steps at the same time, usually to either 16 or 32 bars of music.
Ideally those taking up Sequence Dancing will have obtained a grounding in the basic figures, alignments etc. of Ballroom Dancing before undertaking Sequence in order to add to their own enjoyment of the dance and preventing them from detracting from the enjoyment of others.
Modern Sequence started to develop during the middle part of the last century, but gained strength following efforts by the dancing authorities to regularise the forms of dance. This culminated in the introduction of a limit to the number of new dances being introduced by having only one dance of each category awarded the accolade by each Dance Organisation or Society each year.
The three categories introduced were:
Old Time (Later renamed “Classical Sequence”) This reflects the types of dance being performed in Ballrooms across the land as long ago as the 17th Century.
The dances performed in this category include Polkas, Mazurkas, Gavottes, Minuets, Old Time Waltz, Twosteps, One steps etc. These were later added to by the inclusion of Tangos, Saunters, Blues, Swings and other related dances.
Latin Sequence This reflects the Latin American rhythms primarily developed for the ballroom from dances being performed in various parts of Latin America, Cuba, Africa etc.
The dances incorporated into this category include Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble, Mambo, Bossa Nova, Merengue, Salsa etc. Although these are strictly a separate category from the Modern Sequence below, in most places Modern and Latin Sequence are taught together.
Modern Sequence This category is represented by the dances that were developed mainly during the 20th Century and forming part of the Modern Ballroom Scene.
The dances in this category are Modern Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Modern Tango. As mentioned above, generally the Modern and Latin Sequence Sections are taught together.
Each of the categories has its own style and charm and many participants enjoy all three styles of dance.
Regular competitions are held annually by each Society with entries being made by a number of professional dance teachers and coaches across the UK. One dance is voted as the winner in each category and it is only these dances that are officially recognised as new dances.
Many other dances are devised, some for entry into the various competitions and others by enthusiastic amateurs who may develop popular “local” dances in their own areas. Some of these may be equally as attractive to the dancer as those that win the competitions, but it is only those that win that are officially recognised by the various dancing organisations.
To find out more about the styles of dance and where you may learn these, click on the menu links. |
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www.dancenescotland.co.uk e-mail: Drobinsonrb@aol.com |
