Best Dances To Learn For Social Ballroom Dancing

In this article I’ll be exploring the 5 best dances to learn for partner dancing.

As of this moment we have lessons for 18 Ballroom dances available here on passion4dancing.com. We cover all the major styles including: American style, International style, as well as Club dance style.

While we consider Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Salsa, Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz and Merengue to be the core dances for Latin and Ballroom dancing, it may be overwhelming to start learning so many dances at the same time.

I recommend for beginners to start with 3-5 dances at most. Then later you can expand!

The 5 best dances to learn – Ones we’d recommend beginners to start with are: Rumba, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha Cha and Salsa.

I will dive into why these are the best dances to learn for social dancing in a second but let me address the other dances that I didn’t include.

Some of the other dances like the Samba, Merengue, Waltz, Tango tend to need special type of music that is not played in most social dance situations… Of course in specific places like Latin nightclubs you will get tons of Merengue and Bachata songs playing, but in most house parties, weddings and other events the music will rarely fit those dances.

The same goes for Waltz and Tango. Waltz, while a beautiful dance has a special music structure which is 3/4 – And many songs are simply not structured in this way. And Tango is also a little bit more specialized. It would be danced in places like Milongas (Argentinian Tango dance practices) and Ballroom dance parties, but Tango music is not usually played in most social events.

Now, a dive into the 5 best dances to learn:

Let’s take a closer look as to why starting with the Rumba, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha Cha and Salsa makes the most sense for most people.

Firstly, all of these 5 dances use a 4/4 musical structure, and I am not a music expert but I know enough to understand that all it means is that MOST of the songs that you hear on the radio today will fit them. So yes, you can pretty much bet that one of these 5 dances will fit many popular songs at any social event.

Secondly, these dances will fit in character and style to many of the songs that would be played at weddings, parties and any other mainstream social events.

Let’s look at which dance to use when with some song examples.

Rumba

You can dance the Rumba to almost any pop song that comes on. Since the Rumba is more grounded and has lots of hip movement, it would fit many of the R&B songs. This dance is good to do if you are limited in space since it doesn’t take up that much space. Try “The box step” next time a John Legend song comes on.

Songs that fit the Rumba:
John Legend – Save room
Ingrid Michaelson – The way I am

Basic Rumba dance steps

Foxtrot

This dance is perfect for those songs that are a bit slower in tempo. Many of the songs that use big band type of instruments would work very well – like “oldies” and Frank Sinatra. This dance is great if you have lots of space as it’s a travelling dance.

Songs that fit Foxtrot:
Frank Sinatra – New York, New York
Jack Johnson – Banana Pancakes

Learn the Foxtrot basic steps for free

Swing

The Swing is an upbeat, energetic dance so use it to dance to faster songs. Modern pop songs and rock and roll songs work very well. This dance has lots of turns and spins and is also great for small spaces as it doesn’t travel much.

Songs that fit Swing:
Bob Seger – Old Time Rock and Roll
Walk The Moon – Shut Up and Dance

Cha Cha

The Cha Cha is one of the fastest Latin dances and has a lot of quick, sharp steps to accent the rhythmicality of this dance. Both Latin and non-Latin music can fit this dance.

Songs that fit Cha Cha:
Marc Anthony – I need to know
Santana – Smooth

Learn how to Cha Cha here

Salsa

Salsa is one of the hottest Latin dances today. It has a lot of turns, hip movement and footwork patterns. Many of the modern pop songs also fit this dance.

Songs that fit Salsa:
Enrique Iglesias – Bailando
Luis Fonsi – Despacito

Learn Salsa basic steps here

Pro Tip: Many of these dances can fit the same songs… So it is up to you to decide which dance you’d like to do. You should weigh’ different factors like: The character of the song, How slow/fast it is, and how much space you have!

Watch a video summary of this article:

Written by:
Leonid Turetsky

I'm an enthusiast and expert in partner dancing, particularly focusing on various ballroom dance styles, including American style, International style, and Club dance style. My expertise is based on both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, having explored and mastered numerous dances over the years.

Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about the "5 best dances to learn for partner dancing."

Ballroom Dance Styles:
- The article covers 18 ballroom dances, including American style, International style, and Club dance style. These styles encompass a wide range of dances, each with its unique characteristics and techniques.
Core Dances for Latin and Ballroom Dancing:
- The core dances recommended for Latin and Ballroom dancing are Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Salsa, Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz, and Merengue.
Choosing Dances for Beginners:
- Recommends beginners start with 3-5 dances to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Suggests Rumba, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha Cha, and Salsa as the best dances for beginners.
Specialized Dances and Music:
- Mentions that dances like Samba, Merengue, Waltz, and Tango may require special types of music not commonly played in most social dance situations.
Musical Structure:
- Highlights that the recommended dances use a 4/4 musical structure, making them compatible with the majority of songs heard on the radio.
Character and Style of Dances:
- Emphasizes that the chosen dances fit the character and style of many songs played at weddings, parties, and mainstream social events.
Dance-Specific Recommendations:
- Provides insights into each recommended dance's characteristics and suitable songs:
  - Rumba: Grounded with hip movement, fits well with R&B songs.
  - Foxtrot: Ideal for slower tempo songs, especially those with big band instruments.
  - Swing: Upbeat and energetic, suitable for faster songs, including modern pop and rock and roll.
  - Cha Cha: One of the fastest Latin dances with quick, sharp steps, adaptable to both Latin and non-Latin music.
  - Salsa: Known for turns, hip movement, and footwork patterns, fits well with modern pop songs.
Pro Tip:
- Mentions that many dances can fit the same songs, and the choice depends on factors like the character of the song, its speed, and the available space.

In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights for beginners looking to start partner dancing, combining expertise in dance styles, music compatibility, and practical tips for choosing the right dances for various social situations.

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