Couple dance
A couple dance is a dance that is danced together by two people (so-called dance partners ). In contrast to individual and group dance, there is a coordinated interaction between two people. As a rule, the leading role is assumed by a man and the following role by a woman, but both the reverse role distribution and same-sex couples are possible, although not all dance associations allow.
There are several ways to achieve a harmonious interplay of two dancers: by studying a fixed choreography with guidance or just by guidance or through pure improvisation in free dances in which the partners face each other without contact. Under guidance it is understood that the leader ( engl. Leader ) the followers (engl. Followers ) by physical signals and precise timing guidance pulses tells which follows movement or Tanzfigur next. In modern ballroom dancing, the gentleman usually leads while the lady is led; this agreement only does not apply to special figures.
Another possibility to achieve a harmonious couple dance is the announcement by a cuer , such as in a round dance .
Examples of couple dances are the Latin American dances ( Cha-Cha-Cha , Samba , Rumba , Jive and Paso Doble ), the standard dances ( Viennese waltz , slow waltz , Quickstep , Tango and Slowfox ), most swing dances ( Lindy Hop , Balboa , Shag and Boogie-Woogie , West Coast Swing ) as well as Discofox , Foxtrot , Rock 'n' Roll , Tango Argentino and Salsa .
Dance posture
Most couple dances have one or more typical couple dance poses . Here one can often differentiate between an “open” dance position, in which only one or both hands are gripped, and a “closed” dance position, in which the gentleman’s right arm is typically placed around the lady's back. The lady can then rest her arm on this "frame" so that her left hand rests between the shoulder and elbow of the gentleman. The left hand of the gentleman usually holds the right hand of the lady. In some dances, such as balboa and shag, there are also dance postures in which the upper body touches slightly. The blues are often danced so tightly too .
Dance partner search
Especially in the field of couple dance, finding dance partners is often a challenge because the ratio of women to men is around two to one and therefore significantly more women than men are looking for dance partners. Although reliable figures are only available for dance clubs, it is reasonable to assume that the statement can also be applied to interest in dancing in general. In addition, the sport is widespread with over 200,000 people in Germany, but only just under three out of 1000 people practice this sport. Dance partners usually come from one of the following sources:
- Life partner or spouse
- Friends
- Family environment
- Taxi dancers
- Mediation through dance schools and clubs
- Mediation through dance partner fairs and forums
Taxi dance partner
Dance partners who make themselves available as dance partners for a fee are called taxi dance partners, taxi dancers or dance animators. As a rule, taxi dancers are male and can mainly be found at dance events in couples, as there is often a woman overhang. The remuneration is often indirect through dance halls and not necessarily in monetary form, but direct remuneration by those who are not or are looking for a dance partner is also possible. At dance events, taxi dance partners are often identified by uniform, conspicuous clothing, often with lettering so that they are easily recognizable. With the use of taxi dance partners, organizers pursue the goal of offering their guests more dance time and variety in the selection of dance partners and thus increasing individual satisfaction with the event and offering a minimum of entertainment value.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Inventory survey 2019. (PDF) German Olympic Sports Confederation, accessed on February 15, 2020 .
- ↑ Clothing of taxi dancers. DiePresse.com, November 8, 2015, accessed on September 14, 2016 .