Foxtrot Dance Guide: History and Steps of Foxtrot Dancing

The foxtrot is a graceful ballroom dance, in which couples use a combination of long walking movements and short quick steps to glide across the dance floor. The dancers’ rise and fall motions can be mistaken for the waltz; however, the foxtrot is danced in a 4/4 time signature, while the waltz is danced in a 3/4 time signature. Thus, the foxtrot has four steps for each beat of music, with the first and third steps accented.

As a travelling dance, the foxtrot incorporates short steps to create a “trot” that matches the music’s tempo. The footwork for the foxtrot is a pattern of long, slow steps and short, quick steps. A long step lasts two beats of music and a short step lasts one beat. The most common footwork timings are slow-quick-quick and slow-slow-quick-quick.

There are two main types of foxtrot styles: the American Style and the International Style. Within the International Style, there are two categories: standard and Latin. The foxtrot, quickstep, waltz, tango, and Viennese waltz comprise the standard International Style, and the cha cha, rumba, jive, samba, and paso doble comprise the Latin International Style.

The foxtrot dance was first developed in 1914 in the United States. Although the exact origin of the dance is unclear, it’s believed that the foxtrot first originated in Black American nightclubs before it was popularized by ballroom dancers Vernon and Irene Castle.

However, entertainer and vaudeville actor Harry Fox is also credited with the dance's origin. In a 1914 musical at the New York Theatre, Fox caught the audience’s attention with his fast trotting steps across the dance floor. Ragtime music was playing in the background, and the dance became known as the “Fox’s trot.”

Since its development, the foxtrot has evolved and influenced a variety of dances. Fox’s original quick trotting steps have been replaced with gliding, sauntering steps to avoid tiring out dancers. The original, fast-paced foxtrot influenced the quickstep, which is a ballroom dance that combines the foxtrot and the Charleston.

While the early form of the foxtrot was danced to ragtime music, the foxtrot is a versatile dance that can be performed to a variety of music. For instance, when rock ‘n’ roll became popular in the 1950s, dancers began pairing the foxtrot with the fast, accentuated beats. Today, the foxtrot is danced to big band music.

The American Style and International Style of the foxtrot each have their own characteristics and dance style. The American Style foxtrot tempo is between 120–136 beats per minute; beginner ballroom dancers typically start by learning the American Style first, and then transition to the International Style for dance competitions.

1. 1. Movement and expression: As a social dance, the American Style foxtrot has a jazzy feel to it. Dancers can be more expressive in their movements and transitions.
2. 2. Position: In the American Style foxtrot, dancer partners can separate and dance “open work.” The open position of the American Style also contributes to the freedom of expression associated with this foxtrot. Dancer partners can add their own flare to the movements.
3. 3. Steps: The box step is a common footwork sequence for the American Style foxtrot. The formation begins with a forward step followed by a side step. This sequence is then repeated backward to form the pattern of a box on the floor. The box step is a great foundational footwork sequence for beginning dancers to learn.

The International Style foxtrot tempo is between 112–120 beats per minute, a faster tempo than the American style. More experienced ballroom dancers use the International Style for ballroom dance competitions.

1. 1. Movement and expression: Compared to the American Style, the International Style of the foxtrot is more smooth and less experimental. This style of the foxtrot is difficult to master because the slow movements must be seamless. When dancing the International Style, couples often exude an effortless elegance.
2. 2. Position: The International Style foxtrot is danced in a closed ballroom position. Partners remain in contact throughout the entirety of the dance, so all their movements are done together. When dancing in a closed position, couples stand in front of one another at a slightly left angle.
3. 3. Steps: The feather step is a common foot sequence for the International Style foxtrot. The male partner completes the third step outside of the female partner, showcasing the signature look of the step. This routine can be done in either three or four steps depending on the dance syllabus for the competition.

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