Ballroom dancing used to be a popular form of dancing in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although its popularity has reduced over the years as the practice of balls has all but disappeared, ballroom dancing is still a part of various cultures. This type of dancing is done in pairs, and performed to music with a particular rhythm. Ballroom dancing is fun to perform as well as to watch, as the dancers usually wear elegant attire to adhere to etiquette and choreography. Nowadays, ballroom dancing includes both traditional and more modern dances. If you want to start performing ballroom dancing for a social event, or wish to finesse your moves, there are various books that can help you get started. In this article, we present you with the 5 best ballroom dancing books.
The List of 5 Best Ballroom Dancing Books
Below we have listed the 5 best ballroom dancing books. Whether you are practicing for a wedding or for a competition, these books have you covered. They discuss how you can count music, maintain rhythm, and provide step-by-step guides to various dance styles!
1. Every Man’s Survival Guide to Ballroom Dancing By James Joseph
This book will teach you how to confidently and gracefully walk onto any dance floor. Thus, you will be able to perform an admirable dance with any partner, to any music. You will discover:
- A foolproof method for hearing the music’s beat.
- Learn how to count music. This is not taught in dance classes.
- The fundamentals of leading and following.
- Slow dancing, wedding dance survival, and how to fake a dance!
- 17 simple exercises (most you can do without a partner).
And much more!
This book contains the tools that everyone needs to know in order to make their partners happy.
2. Ballroom Dancing By Alex Moore
For any dance enthusiast, this early work on dancing is a fascinating read. 72 diagrams and photographs are used to supplement comprehensive step-by-step guides to a variety of dance steps. The Quickstep, Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Popular Dances, and Old Time Dances are among the topics covered. Many of the earliest books, particularly those from the early 1900s and before, are now extremely rare and becoming increasingly expensive. These republished classic works in low-cost, high-quality modern editions include the original text and artwork.
3. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ballroom Dancing By Jeff Allen
This book includes a 90-minute instructional DVD featuring award-winning dancer and dance instructor Jeff Allen, in addition to step-by-step photos, footwork illustrations, and instruction covering all of the common ballroom dances. It seamlessly corresponds with the text, providing readers with the next best thing to one-on-one instruction at a fraction of the cost. Further, it contains hundreds of illustrations and instructions. To make things better, the author himself is a well-known and award-winning ballroom dance instructor.
4. Beginning Ballroom: Why’s, Do’s, Don’ts, and Shoes By Matt Barber
This is a five-part book that deals with current ballroom dance students of all levels. Part I of Beginning Ballroom is about ballroom etiquette. Part II is about the feel of ballroom dances and the differences between them. Further, Part III is about how to get the most out of one’s ballroom dance lessons. Part IV is an easy-to-reference section, and Part V is about frequently asked questions. Beginning Ballroom also includes multiple review sections and an answer section. Uniquely, this can be used as self-checks by eager and enterprising dance students or as early homework assignments by ballroom dance instructors.
5. Modern Ballroom Dancing By Victor Silvester
Ballroom dancing is making a comeback. Hundreds of thousands of people are learning to dance in universities, town halls, bars, clubs, and leisure centers across the UK. This new edition of Victor Silvester’s classic book Modern Ballroom Dancing arrives just in time to capitalize on the renaissance. It covers all the most popular ballroom dances. From the four classics that should form the basis of any dancer’s repertoire – Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and Tango – to the great Latin American dances that are so popular – Rumba, Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha and Paso Doble, and Rock ‘n’ Roll – this book has it all. Furthermore, the clear, comprehensive notes and diagrams on each dance are invaluable to both beginners and more advanced students, as well as teachers.
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Conclusion
This article lists the 5 best ballroom dancing books. Whether you are a complete beginner or have prior experience, these books are sure to help you improve your dancing skills. Moreover, they are comprehensive and easy to follow, and will act as your dancing instructor to guide you through and through. Grab one book, and start practicing!