Slowfox

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Slowfox
Technology: default
Type: Couple dance , ballroom dancing , ballroom dancing
Music: swing
Time signature : 4 / 4 -stroke
Tempo: 28-30 TPM (112-120 bpm )
Origin: England
Creation time: 20th century
List of dances

Slowfox (also Slow Foxtrot ) is a standard dance that originated from the foxtrot in England in the 20th century . Since the slow fox is technically and musically very demanding, it was not included in the world dance program. In dance schools, for example, it is only taught in very advanced courses. It is danced as one of the five standard dances worldwide at standard tournaments of the higher starting classes (at DTV tournaments from the C class).

Surname

The name "Slow Foxtrot" is common especially in German-speaking countries, the term international "Slow Foxtrot" is ( Engl. "Slow foxtrot") is preferred. The term "foxtrot" for the slow fox is also quite common. Is it clear from the context that this is slow fox and not foxtrot - e.g. B. in tournament circles - it is often just called "Foxtrot".

Characteristics and technology

The slow fox is a typical English standard dance. It is characterized by flowing, expansive, soft movements and best embodies the English understatement of all standard dances. It is said that with slow fox you have to be able to put a full cup on the lady's head without spilling a drop. The very calm and tense posture is characteristic. Rotations are rare in slow fox and should only be used sparingly, as they interrupt the couple's ongoing movement and thus lose an important characteristic of the dance.

In contrast to the swing dances Slow Waltz and Quickstep , the Slowfox lifts less from the knee and more from the feet. The lady is dancing more and more heel turns, and when stepping backwards, the heel is pulled off the floor. Since this also makes lifting in the foot impossible, the lifting of the partner moving forward must be balanced in the body.

Rhythm and music

The 4 / 4 -taktige music is due to the development of the Jazz close. Today it is played at around 28 to 32 bars per minute. The steps are simplified in a "slow-quick-quick" sequence. The slow step extends over the first two beats (half a measure), the fast steps each take one beat (quarter measure). Because of the technical challenge of dancing an extremely even movement despite the different quick steps, the slow fox is considered the "king" of the standard dances. Advanced dancers deviate from the rigid rhythmic specification and distribute the three steps more evenly to the beat. Here, both the first and the last step are loaded with a delay, so that an even movement of three steps on four beats is created. As a walking movement (step position) can still be clearly seen due to the delayed first step, especially on the focus of the music, the viewer perceives this moment as dynamic and moment of maximum movement, although the couple is moving forward evenly. Transitions into bars in which four steps are danced (e.g. braid) are particularly demanding. A smooth transition is required here.

Like the music of Quickstep , Slowfox developed from ragtime . It is very calm music that requires a constant rhythm and also works without drums , which in this case makes it particularly difficult for a dancer to stay in time. For example, drum accompaniment is always used in music that is used for training. Apart from the slower tempo, the drums are not very different from the Quickstep. Quarter notes are played on the hi-hat or a cymbal, with the even beats halved again. A broom is often used on the snare drum . This results in a pulsating, rustling background sound, whereby the straight beats are also emphasized here. The bass drum is only used discreetly and indicates the basic rhythm on the first and usually also on the third beat . The bass plays half or quarter notes. Overall, the percussion instruments play restrained and unobtrusive. The main contributions are made by winds and strings , whereby vocals are often used, which is used very freely in swing and jazz styles. Long note values ​​predominate in the melody, which support the calm elements in music and dance.

Slowfox is not just limited to swing music in jazz, although this music is typical for dancing. Slowfox can also be danced to pop music , even if the typical style is far less common in this genre. Some examples:

Web links

Wikibooks: Slowfox  - learning and teaching materials