You love dancing, and you’ve been thinking about learning a new dance form. But which one? Bollywood? Argentine tango? The Vogue crossovers you’ve seen on YouTube look really challenging. Then again, so does the cha-cha-cha. And wait, what is the foxtrot again?
When confronted with so many choices, it can be overwhelming. You might find it difficult to decide which of these dance styles is right for you. But don’t worry! There are so many different types of dance that everyone can find one that’s perfect for them. You might know about ballroom dancing and its partner variants like Viennese waltz and foxtrot; but there are so many more dances than just these few. Each type has its own unique history, techniques, and culture.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different types of dances and give you a crash course on the most prominent examples. Some of them are more widespread than others— after all, it’s not quite as niche as, say, ballet or kathak— but all of them have their own ardent followers. So read on to learn more about the various styles of dance out there!
What Is a Dance Form?
A dance form is a type of choreography that consists of a series of recognizable steps and patterns. A dance form can be as short as a single dance sequence, or it can be performed as part of a longer dance performance. A dance class is a formalized method of dance instruction that teaches dance forms and sequences.
Dance classes are offered by dance studios, schools, community centers, and sometimes even in private homes. Dance forms are not all created equal. Some are more complex and challenging than others, and some are more accessible to beginners. You’re likely to find that some forms are more popular in your area than others.
Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom dancing is a partner-based social dance that originated in the United Kingdom. It includes a wide variety of styles, but the two most popular are the waltz, which is a slow reel, and the foxtrot, which is a quick reel. Some other ballroom dance forms include the tango, cha-cha, and salsa.
Ballroom dancers may also perform Western-style line dances such as the Bunny Hop or the Texas two-step. Ballroom dancing is a social activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a creative art form, and it can be a great way to express yourself and connect with others.
Bollywood Dancing
Bollywood dancing is a form of Indian classical dance that originated in the early 20th century in the Hindi film industry. Bollywood dancing draws from a wide variety of dance forms, including Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, Salsa, Samba, and Flamenco.
Bollywood dancing is more than just one type of dance; it is a way of life. Bollywood dancing is a form of expression through which dancers can understand emotions and convey them to others.
Bollywood dancing can be done as a form of exercise, as a way to earn a living, as a creative outlet, or as a combination of these. Bollywood dancers train extensively, and they typically specialize in one or two types of dance. Bollywood dance is a form of choreography that is heavily reliant on complex footwork. This is why dancers often use special tools such as slippers or special shoes to improve the quality and precision of their footwork.
Bhangra and Ghoomar Dances
Bhangra is a type of folk dance that originated in the Punjab region of India, Pakistan, and parts of northern England. Bhangra dance is performed during celebrations, and it is accompanied by a musical instrument known as the Dhol. Bhangra dance is performed in a group setting in a circular formation, and dancers typically wear colorful costumes. Bhangra dance has several sub-styles and variations, including the Ghoomar dance, which is performed by women.
Flamenco Dancing
Flamenco is a Spanish dance that originated in Andalusia. It is typically accompanied by the guitar, but it can also be performed with other instruments such as the violin, the palo, or the tabla.
Flamenco is a high-energy dance form that draws inspiration from a variety of sources. It is a dynamic dance form, and there is no single standard form of flamenco. Instead, there are a number of different flamenco styles that differ in terms of rhythm, costumes, and footwork.
Hip-Hop Dancing
Hip-hop dancing emerged in the late 1960s in the United States. Its roots lie in a variety of social dance forms, such as the Boogaloo, the Lindy Hop, the Merengue, and the Hustle.
Hip-hop dancers move their bodies in a highly expressive way. They typically use their hands and bodies to create shapes and patterns, and they create unique movements that do not follow a strict sequence.
B-boying (also known as breakdancing) is one of the most popular types of hip-hop dance. B-boy dancers use a combination of footwork, hand movements, and body movements to create spectacular dance routines.
Irish Dance Forms
Irish dance dates back to the 15th century and is one of the most popular dance forms in the world. It is practiced in many different countries by millions of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Irish dance is primarily performed as a solo art form or as part of a group. It is usually performed to Irish music, and it draws inspiration from a wide range of sources.
Kathak Dance Forms
Kathak is a classical Indian dance form that dates back to the 14th century. Kathak dancers use footwork, hand gestures, and dramatic eye movements to create visual illusions that tell a story. Kathak dancers usually wear a long, flowing garment known as a Kathak Robe.
Kathak draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including folk dances, stories from Indian mythology, and other classical Indian dance forms such as Bharata Natyam and Odissi. Kathak is a very versatile dance form, and it can be performed to a wide variety of music genres, including classical music, Indian pop music, and Bollywood music.
Korean Dance Forms
Korean dance is a traditional art that dates back to the days of the Joseon Dynasty. It has evolved and adapted to modern day society. There are several different types of Korean dances, though the most prominent ones are Gugak, and Taekwondo.
Gugak is a type of traditional music and dance that is performed in a group setting and is typically accompanied by traditional instruments. Taekwondo is a martial art form and a competitive sport. It is also commonly used in dance performances. Gugak and Taekwondo are two of the most popular types of dance in Korea and are performed by people of all ages.
Latin American Dance Forms: Tango, Samba and More
The Latin American dance forms most commonly practiced in the western world include the samba, salsa, Argentine tango, and a variety of other dances that originated in Brazilian culture.
These dances are typically danced in a group setting and are accompanied by a wide variety of music genres, including samba, Brazilian hip-hop, and Argentinian folk music.
Lindy Hop and Swing Dance Basics
Lindy and swing dancing are two of the most popular forms of partner dancing. Both of these dance forms were popularized in the 1930s, and they have been evolving ever since. Lindy and swing are both highly social forms of dancing.
They are usually performed in group settings, and they draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including jazz music, African American culture, and acrobatics. These dance forms are highly rhythmic and athletic. They involve a lot of footwork, complex partnering, and challenging dance sequences. If you are new to these dance forms, it is important to start out with a few basic steps and to practice them consistently.
Belly Dance
Belly dance is a Middle Eastern dance form that involves a wide variety of movements and positions, often with a focus on the dancer’s torso. The origins of the dance form are not entirely certain, with some arguing that it emerged in the Middle East thousands of years ago and others believing that it’s a more recent phenomenon. The contemporary style of belly dance has its roots in the cabaret-style dance that emerged in the early 20th century.
Belly dance has undergone a significant transformation since those early days. The dance was once seen as a purely folkloric tradition, but it has since developed into a modern, artistic form of dance. Today, it is practiced in a variety of ways, with a range of different styles and techniques. There are also a number of variations on the name of the dance, including oriental dance, oriental folk dance, Middle Eastern dance, and Middle Eastern folk dance.
Jazz Dance
Jazz dance is a type of dance that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans and Harlem during the late 19th century. The dance form was initially known as “jass” and “jazz” in its early years. Jazz dance typically features a combination of movement and stylized footwork, often with a focus on improvisation.
Early jazz dance was often used as a form of expression in African-American communities, with the dance often serving as a type of protest movement against racial discrimination and oppression. Today, jazz dance is a popular form of dance with a large following, both in its contemporary and its classic forms. The contemporary form of jazz dance has been heavily influenced by hip-hop, modern dance, and African dance.
Kudru Maram (Coordinated Step Dance)
Kudru maram is a type of Indian dance that originated in Tamil Nadu over a century ago. The dance form is particularly popular in the state of Kerala, where it is considered an important part of the state’s cultural heritage. Kudru maram is perhaps most easily identified by its coordinated footwork, with dancers taking long, wide steps that are often accompanied by loud clicking sounds.
The dance is traditionally performed by a group of male performers, although there are also female dancers who practice the art form. The origins of kudru maram are a subject of debate among scholars, with some arguing that the dance is a form of martial arts and others claiming that it is related to the traditional folk dance form of kudukkal.
Folk dance
Folk dance is a type of dance that is popular in many parts of the world. The people of these different regions have their own dances and moves, and they use them to express their lives and customs. These dances are usually performed by small groups, usually consisting of one or two people.
One way to recognize folk dances is by their movements. These dances are often slow and simple, with lots of arm movements. They can be very expressive and full of emotion.
The other way to recognize folk dances is by their music. These dances often use acoustic instruments such as drums, rattles, and flutes. In addition to expressing culture, folk dances can also help people learn how to move in ways that are natural for them. For example, some people who have physical disabilities can learn how to move more freely if they dance regularly.
Tap Dance
A tap dance is a dance form in which the dancer moves their feet to the rhythm of a song or piece of music. This is typically done with bare feet, although tap shoes are sometimes used. Tap dancing can be performed in a group, or solo. There are many styles of tap dance, including jazz and blues, but it is also practiced in many other genres of music, such as country and R&B.
There are many different ways to learn to dance well. Some people learn by watching others perform, while others take lessons from instructors. There are also various types of tap classes that you can take to improve your skills. No matter what type of learning method you use, tap dancing will help you develop coordination and agility in your body. You’ll also become more comfortable moving your body to music.
Conclusion
There are many different types of dances, and Bollywood is just one of them!
From the exciting and fast-paced jazz to the exotic and beautiful belly dance, the different dance forms offer a wide variety of challenges and experiences. If you’re interested in learning a new type of dance, pick one that looks fun and interesting to you!