Foxtrot is a smooth dance, traveling around the line of dance. The long walking movements involve a subtle rise and fall action. Turning movements are similar to Waltz, but with a more moderate rise and fall, and more length-wise action.
Foxtrot Timing
As we learn dance we tend to think of our feet as the most important ingredient, but after the individual figure footwork is learned, the body plays the biggest role. Yes, we do need to move our feet in order to progress around the foor, but try to think of dancing as moving your body and allowing your feet to keep up.
On paper the basic foxtrot rhythm is slow, quick, quick but the actual interpretation of the music while dancing is largely a matter of personal taste. The difference in interpretation typically is the difference in dancing with just your feet as opposed to dancing with your entire body.
Foxtrot Characteristics
Foxtrot is one of the most beautiful and most difficult modern ballroom rhythms. The two main categories of foxtrot, including the Social Foxtrot (aka American Foxtrot, one of the Rhythm Dances) and the Slow Foxtrot (aka International Foxtrot).
Social Foxtrot figures closely resemble figures done in quickstep, but much slower. You will often hear the basic figure in Social FoxTrot called the magic step - forward, forward, side, close (low, slow, quick, quick). It is most often taught in many of the major dance studios, including the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. Social Foxtrot is more conducive to crowded dance floors.
The Slow Foxtrot is characterized by long gliding, smooth steps. A great amount of control is needed in order to give the dance a lazy and unhurried appearance. It is more easily danced on a large, uncrowded dance floor or a floor in which all of the couples are traveling the same direction (e.g. Round Dancing).
Ballroom Dance Foxtrot
#1 Foxtrot Walk or Forward Basic: Start in closed ballroom position with lady slightly to the mans R. The man takes a long step forward on the L, brushing the inside of the R foot. Repeat on the R foot for counts 3 & 4. Step L foot to L side with a shorter step, close the R foot to the L foot. The lady does the opposite, stepping on the R foot with a long step back. Think, walk walk side close.
#2 Running Basic Foxtrot: Man moves only forward, Lady backward in straight moving steps in either rhythm. Try the variations using both Foxtrot rhythms.
#3 Parallel Walks: Done in Banjo Position: Forward basic with mans feet moving to L of lady, rather than walking through or opposite her feet. Lady step only backward, her feet to the L of her partners.
#4 Left Turn: Man steps forward on L foot, rocks back on R turning 1/4 to the L, step L to side and close with R foot. Lady does the opposite. Strong lead is needed bringing lady forward for rock step. Four Left Turns make a complete circle, 3 are used to begin Promenade, 1 to exit Promenade and return to Counter Clockwise (LOD-line of dance) position.
#5 Promenade: Use 3 Left Turns so that man faces the wall, lady faces into the circle. This is known as Side or Promenade position. Man steps in LOD on L foot, lady on R. Cross through with inside leg, step side with outside leg to face partner, close step together. Think, slow slow quick quick; step, through side close.
#6 Promenade with Underarm Turn: Start with 1 Promenade above, man repeats Promenade but lifts L arm on count 6. On count 1, he gently guides lady under. Lady turns to R on first 2 slow steps of Promenade, (R, L making 360) then returns to R side L close finish to face partner and resume Promenade position
#7 Promenade with Underarm Turn on QQ: The couple begin Promenade, man leads for turn on count 3, so that lady turns on R, L-QQ (counts 5 & 6). This is more difficult than #6. The lady can do continuous turns (#6 & #7) as well.
#8 Lady’s Foxtrot Underarm Turn: From 1 basic, the man uses the running basic foxtrot, lifting his L arm on count 3 (2nd slow step) for lady to turn on QQ to her R The man must keep up with the lady-therefore the running basic without side steps. The lady does her R slow, L slow, and then turns in 2 steps, R, L to her R to quickly return to basic.
#9 Box Turns Left & Right: Slow quick quick, 1/4 turns in 4 counts. Man steps forward on L, R knee brushes L before R steps 1/4 turn (either R or L) to side. Close L foot to R. Man steps back on R, steps L brushing knee to step side on L, close with R foot. Lady follows on opposite foot and direction. Think, step turn close, step turn close.
#10 Spirals, Serpentine or ladder: Slow quick quick, series of 1/2 boxes with man moving only forward, lady backward, like Parallel walks, but taking 1/8 turns on first step. Man needs to end after a R foot box, to lead out of the spiral, step forward (don't cross turn) on L foot. Think, cross side close.
#11 All your Waltz and Rumba steps work in this 4-count variety of Foxtrot. Keep the style of Foxtrot rather than lilt of waltz or Cuban motion of Rumba.
Foxtrot Steps Video Instruction
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