My favorite dance is the Foxtrot. It’s a proper dance with proper music. It has class. (Anton du Beke)
Danced to the music of crooners, Foxtrot is a long, smooth, continuous dance designed to move down the floor and around clockwise (unless a pair has the floor to themselves as above). It’s easy, flowing manner displays face, style, and elegance … just imagine Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
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Origins
Foxtrot’s origins are debatable, some have it beginning in the 1890s. Whoever is right, there is no doubt that the dance became popular.
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There no question that early Foxtrot was faster than today as it was originally danced to ragtime. By the time of this film, the tempo had slowed down.
Style
Danced in 4-4 (4/4) time, Foxtrot is smooth and graceful … not jerky … not bouncy.
Its easy walking style helped make Foxtrot the most popular dance of the 1920s and 1930s.
Overtime, Foxtrot morphed into slow and fast versions, thus today Foxtrot is slower and Quickstep is fast. Each have similar steps, but done at different tempos. Even today, American and International versions differences include tempo. (To me, this is International style, which is slower.)
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Steps
Foxtrot is a combination of slows and quicks …. slow walking steps (each using two beats of music) followed by quick steps (each using one beat).
Because of the footwork, instructors often say “slow, slow, quick, quick” or “slow, quick, quick” in a repeated pattern
In some “slow, quick, quick” styles, the first quick is lengthened into an almost “slow, slow, quick”.
Foxtrot is a combination of walks, chasses, and turns with a rise-and-fall action from heel leads on the slows, but toe leads on the quicks. Partners commonly remain in hold most of the time … and at least in contact.
Although the timing of the music is different, many Foxtrot steps are usable in Waltz, and vice versa.
Arthur Murray started his road to fame and fortune by printing the basic step of the Foxtrot and selling them for 10 cents each through the mail. It was the first time anyone had printed dance steps and sold them mail-order.
Quickstep, Peabody, and Slow Fox are variations – thus in a group of social dancers, styles are (in my opinion) the most wide-ranging of all the ballroom dances
To close, enjoy this collection of Dancing with the Stars clips that have been brilliantly compiled, then placed into the same song.
Ready to dance?
I have always loved dancing. Thanks Frank!
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Jackie,
And for anyone who loves dancing, this video collection is a delight!
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Ahhhh… it is such a beautifully smooth dance when done well! Though I pity the poor women when their head is tilted so far back as in the first video and the Wilkins/Demidova… I was getting a crick in my neck from just watching!
Do YOU dance aFA? I would had I a partner…Hubs is so not interested!
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Dale,
Body position helps show the elegance of the dance, but the female position does seem a little stressful … but I imagine they’ve trained their body for that.
To answer your question, yes … my wife and I ballroom dance … but just for fun, thus we don’t compete or perform … thus why I have a Ballroom category in the sidebar, so I invite you to check it out.
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Nice… a tad jealous…
I will definitely check it out!
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We have fun with it and met many good people … so it’s part of our week.
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Oh Frank! I have just spent a most delightful half hour perusing this post and watching all but one [not available in your country] videos – just wonderful!! The first dance pair are extraordinary are they not. That man seemingly moves nothing except legs – and they simply glide about the floor! I am so in love with good quality dancing and so admire those who do it. I enjoyed reading your thoughts too. I also very much enjoyed the group foxtrot. The couples did so well and the audience was obviously extremely proud of them all. Please tell me you and your wife were in there too.
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Pauline,
Glad you thoroughly enjoyed this post. “Glide” is a wonderful descriptor of good foxtrot. The group routine fascinated me … and oh I wish we were that smooth and elegant.
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My mother was a dancer. I really enjoyed this. Thanks, Frank.
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SK,
Glad you enjoyed this and I hope it kindled fond memories.
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One of those dances I can do quite well… loved this post…
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Bulldog,
Oh my …something we didn’t know … So now it’s the dancing BBQ-ing photographer course superintendent!
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I have to say I favor the Latin dances.
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Aloysius,
No problem … so I have a 2-fer for you …. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/on-cha-cha-cha/ …. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/on-tango/
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So delightful! I love the information but especially the video clips. I an always entranced to see a practiced couple dance together–it is mesmerizing. Thanks for sharing. I expect you have watched the quirky movie “Strictly Ballroom.” Really fun.
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Patti,
I don’t believe we’ve seen the movie Strictly Ballroom. Nonetheless, glad you enjoyed this post. I enjoyed searching for videos that fit what I wanted to show … and then I stumbled across the last one toward the end of my search.
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As with my siblings, I was born with two left feet, Frank, but somehow my niece. Sweet Pea, was not. She has LOVED dancing her entire life and is even minoring in it in college. That kid is fit! I am sure she could glide around the dance floor doing the fox trot. I must admit that I’m such a natural clod, until I read this post I was clueless about which dance this one was. Thanks for enlightening me.
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Lame,
Cheers to Sweet Pea’s love for dance. Even your two left feet doesn’t prevent one for appreciating what foxtrot offers … after all, I know you enjoy skilled entertainment.
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Very true! I do love Broadway musicals. Milton is one of the frw African Americans born with zero natural rythym gene. He’s probably hung out with me far too long.
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But he has the mental rhythm.
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The old-fashioned fox trot wasn’t nearly as flowing and glamorous as the clips of modern dancers performing it. What an elegant dance. I wish I could move like that on a dance floor!
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Lorna,
Elegant is a great adjective for foxtrot. I agree with the new being more flowing. Like life, dance changes over time.
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Well, the foxtrot changed for the better in my opinion!
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Lorna,
It is interesting to see the progression … and to see how different versions today became … but I’m with you regarding the improvement.
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I was foxtrotting with several people in airports yesterday–slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick. Wasn’t quite as enjoyable as they make it look on DWTS…
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Carrie,
I must say, your comment definitely made me laugh … and I’m thankful I wasn’t drinking anything when reading this. Welcome home … don’t forget to vote.
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You know I won’t, even though I’m tired from my late night travels. If I’m lucky, the center where I vote (a nursing home) will have their usual Election Day bake sale. I can munch on pumpkin bread while I wait in line…
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Pumpkin bread sale is a good incentive!
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I remember watching the Arthur Murray show on TV as a small child…it would open with “Tales From The Vienna Woods” and everyone twirling in 3/4 time. They demonstrated many dances, including the fox trot, but not as sexy as what we see now. I can still hear Katherine Murray at the end of the show saying:”Put a little fun in your life…try dahncing!”
Dancing: “The vertical expression of a horizontal desire, legalized by music.”–George Bernard Shaw.
“Sex in dance is in the eyes of the beholder. I never thought my dances sexy. I suppose that’s because I see myself with my face washed and to me I look like a rabbit.”—Gwen Verdon
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Cynthia,
Great quotes about dancing … and the Shaw one is awesome. Love your throwback to the Arthur Murray Dance Party … and hey … here’s a clip for you .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rgy4wTu73c .. .Enjoy.
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Dance card at the ready…
Save the second-to-last-one for me, would you aFA?
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Raye,
My pleasure … so here’s a dance for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW3XsCAcMZQ
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My favourite dance from school days :). I love the waltz too. The videos were a joy to watch. Thanks.
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Dilip,
I didn’t know you have a bit of dance in your blood! 🙂
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SIgh. Things were so much more elegant and civil when even school kids took dance lessons and used the knowledge. Fred and Ginger as the ideal (and the manners and fashions that went along with it).
Always a fan of the Foxtrot, too. Nice videos!
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Mouse,
Those Fred & Ginger films were from a simpler time. … and with a touch of grace and class.
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As the population dances, so goes the country? (insert giggles)
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Oh the population could dance more as a means of taking one away from the toils in life.
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I envy you, how I would love to go dancing again. Maybe in the next life.
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Catherine,
… and I can tell your heart is in it!
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I can just about manage the foxtrot if I concentrate hard enough. I’m not a ballroom dancer, but I love to watch. The faster version looks very difficult to me.
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Sylvia,
You may not be a ballroom dancer, but your musical background will help because he can hear rhythms .. thus put with a partner who knows what to do, you will do fine!
Foxtrot was definitely faster when back when … but hey … today’s Quickstep is no slow walk in the park. Now this group is ridiculously fast … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcBop6cQV_k .. Whew!
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Well, I’m not sure if they’re galloping or flying, but they’re certainly moving it. 😀
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LOL … well, I intentionally picked superfast!
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I love the fox trot, I just wish I could do it myself :). I love your post that take me back in time Frank 🙂
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Kay,
Glad you enjoyed this … and you can learn it through lessons!
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How delightful! My husband and I (briefly) took dancing lessons and learned enough to make it around the dance floor, but I don’t think we ever developed the kind of smooth sync a few of these couples had.
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Renee,
You are so right because that level of smooth and sync takes a lot of work. Glad you enjoyed this!
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I, who loves to dance, LOVED ALL of them dear Frank. Thank you so much, love, nia
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Nia,
Because I know you enjoy dancing, I’m happy you saw this post. 🙂
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Thanks for the much needed spirit-lift your Foxtrot post provided as I pack my bags for a two year trip into the wilderness. “The Foxtrot In The Jazz Age” was a special keeper.
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Tim,
No surprise that you enjoyed the Jazz Age video and that you are heading to the wilderness.
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Hopefully I’ll have Wi-Fi access during my banishment so I can keep up with aFrankAngle.
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I do recognize that the next two years will be tough for you.
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This is wonderful. I am far from that point in my foxtrot steps, but so cool!!!! Thank you thank you
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Maryam,
We’re in the same boat as you … and the smoothness at this level is wonderful to watch. Thanks again for the reblog.
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Reblogged this on A FRESH START and commented:
Excellent post from Frank showing how wonderful the Foxtrot is. Hopefully I can achieve this level of the step
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and this is why my husband and I enjoy ballroom dancing so very much!
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Kanzen,
Welcome first-time comment … and cheers to a fellow ballroom dancer.
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So interesting, Frank. I didn’t realize there had been such an evolution in the fox trot and I really enjoy your description and history. We took lessons with Arthur Murray at one time, and I remember how much I enjoyed the Fox Trot. I think that some of the enjoyment came from the music that was played to accompany the practicing. At the time there was a lot of Norah Jones and Michael Buble. It was also during the first season of DWTS…so I felt very current. LOL! Nice post, Frank. I enjoyed it.
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Debra,
As I like to say, everything has a history. And because we associate this dance with a certain style of music, looking at the history was very helpful. Because I know you enjoy DWTS, I hope you watched the last video! … and cheers to your love for foxtrot music.
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As I wander through my collection of saved, have to get back and read blogs I come to this one. What a sheer delight. Every single video, loved them all; though I must admit the history lesson was great fun. What was even better? When one was finished there were hidden gems offered up to continue to watch, couldn’t resist them, I think I must have spent at least half an hour just watching dance.
thanks for this early morning slice of heaven.
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Val,
To me, the fact that someone took so much time and got even more joy is a HUGE WOW! As you know, the sequence tells a story. For me, the two I enjoy the most are 1) the group dance with the green dresses and 2) the last one from DWTS. Thanks again for the special feeling you gave me this morning.
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Foxtrot, beautiful and very graceful dance …. I like the classic, without props and fancy stuff. My favorite video is the top one – just magical . and I like young Derek opening.
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Viveka,
We both realize that DWTS has evolved into many props & gimmicks, but I’m with you in that the bottom line still comes down to the dance … although I thought the group dance video was very interesting.
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I thought last week’s program was the best show this season and specially the trio dance.
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I’m not a Mark Ballas fan, but the routine they did was awesome and unique.
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My sister and I used to to take dancing lessons when we were young. We loved it and continued on and off over the years. Unfortunately I have never found a man who likes to dance, so I don’t do it any more. I think it is so much fun and I would love to have a dance partner.
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Debra,
I have met other couples that have the same issue, and most of the time it is the male … but not always. So, cheers to the dance in your past and that you enjoyed it!
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