subject: The Foxtrot: A History and The Basic Steps [print this page] The Foxtrot: A History and The Basic Steps
Anyone who is interested in dancing will want to learn the Foxtrot. It has been around for a long time, and is one of the most popular dances in the world. The Foxtrot was invented by Harry Fox, and it first became popular in 1914 when husband Verne Castle and his wife Irene, who were popular dancers of the time, perfected the smooth moves involved in the Foxtrot. These same steps can be learned by anyone who takes dance lessons. Ballroom dancing was very popular during the early 1900s, and it is still very popular today in different regions of the world.When the Foxtrot was first starting out, it was danced to ragtime music. People who learn this dance now will most likely dance to big band and swing music. This dance started out as being a fast dance only, but it is grew to have a fast and a slow version. The slow version is still known as the foxtrot, while the fast version is known as quickstep. This dance was still popular during times where other dance steps started becoming well-known as well. The waltz and tango both came along between 1915-1940, but they did not have the popularity of the Foxtrot.People can dance the Foxtrot to a variety of music. It is the most popular social dance as it is so very easy to learn. The Foxtrot is just as easily danced to fast music as well as the slower music normally used in tangos. Rock and roll music in the 1950s included movement to the Foxtrot. The popular song "Rock Around the Clock" is one of the most popular Foxtrot songs to come out of this time period. Many other popular dances have been derived from the Foxtrot as well.Any music associated with the Foxtrot will include a four count rhythm. The movement pattern is typically either slow-slow-quick-quick, or slow-quick-quick. When making the steps, people start with their heel first. Step forward with the left foot first if a person is a male. The measure is to a count of slow. They then step with the right foot forward on the count of slow. Movement is forward, forward, side, together. Footwork is left, right, left right. Women have the movement of back, back, side, together. Once you have mastered these basic steps, you will be able to concentrate on more complicated patterns for competitions.
