Ballroom and Sequence dancing compared

There are two distinct methods of performing a dance such as a slow Foxtrot or Rumba. In Ballroom dancing the partners choose their own order of steps. In Sequence dancing all couples follow a set order of dancing figures laid down by a dance arranger. Although the two styles use the same dancing figures, technique and almost the same music, the freedom of Ballroom dancers to choose their own steps has far-reaching consequences: Ballroom and Sequence dancers cannot even share the same floor for a quickstep! Ballroom dancers are taught to perform a limited number of figures with good style according to the principles laid down by the various associations — many will work towards dancing qualifications and perhaps take part in competitions. Sequence dancers use a wide range of figures in many dances and emphasis is placed on remembering the various sequences and the correct foot movements — technique has to take second place to some extent particularly in the early stages. Other consequences of the differences between go-as-you-please and sequence dancing are examined in the following sections.

1 Dancing as a Spectacle

2 Ease of Learning

3 Variety

4 Frequency of Sessions

5 Community Spirit

6 Standards of Performance

1. Dancing as a Spectacle

The ‘English’ style of dancing, developed from 1923 onwards, with its Rise and Fall, Sway, Footwork and Contrary Body Movement, sets a standard for Ballroom dancing the world over. It is very attractive to watch and the festivals, demonstrations and dance competitions attract large audiences. Ballroom dancing has great glamour and cult figures emerge whose activities are followed with great interest. Acquiring a good technique for a relatively small number of dancing figures from a teacher of dancing will permit children and adult learners to move about gracefully and be well prepared for the social occasions which need dancing skills. Keen students will be able to progress to medal awards and enter competitions. Emphasis on training and technique does produce, however, a small elite of experts and a correspondingly larger number of spectators. This is seen in more extreme form in ballet where many watch but few perform.

Sequence dancing, in contrast, is less attractive to the viewer since all follow the sequence for the particular dance and there is less scope for freedom of expression. In any case, the dancers need to make an effort to remember the sequences accurately and this militates against too much concentration on technique. Nevertheless, the sight of many elderly couples moving round in harmony, and obviously enjoying themselves, is not without its appeal.

2. Ease of Learning

It is not too difficult to learn the basic steps for social dancing by observation and practice. There are also many excellent manuals, charts and videos available for beginners. To extend the repertoire of figures and acquire a good style, however, lessons from a trained teacher are essential. Sequence dancing is easier to learn from this point of view since a wide range of figures is performed time and time again. In all Sequence dancing sessions there is a learning element as the dancers watch one another perform and sometimes hear the MC calling out the order of figures. To master a figure like the Hover Cross in the Slow Foxtrot would be almost impossible by watching Ballroom dancers — it might never be performed and certainly would not be repeated several times. A Sequence dancing couple, in contrast, could take note of a Slow Foxtrot sequence containing the figure, watch carefully and then take to the floor and compare their performance with that of those around them. By practising other sequence Slow Foxtrots they would eventually come to know the Hover Cross in all its variations.

The learning system for the modern Sequence dancer who masters the new dances as they appear is cheap, effective and based on sound educational principles. Within days of winning an official inventive dance competition, the dance is taught to Sequence dancers all over the country. They can see the sequence performed (often by different teachers on different nights), practise the dance on numerous occasions and obtain the script if they so desire.

Successful dancers need to discipline themselves by attending regularly and watching the demonstration with great care. The system keeps them up-to-date — if a new Paso Doble, Mazurka or sequence Lambada appears in no time at all it will be added to the repertoire of the faithful!

3. Variety

Variety and challenge in the dancing programme are essential to persuade people to dance several times per week. As Cowper says, “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavour”. Unfortunately, Ballroom dancing is somewhat lacking in this essential requirement since performing a limited number of figures time and time again with the same partner soon loses its appeal. In social dancing monotony is relieved by including free-style dancing like the Jive, Rock‘n’Roll and Disco dances as well as elementary Sequence and novelty dances. At advanced levels the partners agree on a sequence of their own to include figures of their choice — the lady knows what is to come and is well prepared. Sequences of this type are used by Ballroom dancers in demonstrations, exhibitions and competitions.

If anything, sequence dancers have too much variety! With 20 basic dances and hundreds of sequences they have much to think about. They may be challenged, puzzled or frustrated but they are rarely bored.

4. Frequency of Sessions

Persons trained to a high level in a pastime or sport may find only limited opportunities to exercise their skills — ice skaters and ski jumpers have to travel about a bit! Qualified Ballroom dancers often fall into this category and the keen Ballroom dancer may often have to choose between social dancing sessions (Ballroom with simple Sequence) or taking up Sequence dancing.

Sequence dancers often have a large choice of venues since many dance leaders will run 3-4 sessions per week; there may be 30 or more sessions per week within a 5 mile radius in some urban areas. The dancers are not altogether popular with proprietors of ballrooms and licensed premises since they expect to pay very little (and have tea and biscuits included!) and are not great drinkers. A disco dance for the younger element (with all its problems) is often a more profitable venture!

5. Community Spirit

Dancing sessions are happy occasions where one can move in time to music and converse with others. The go-as-you-please nature of Ballroom dancing leads to a close bond between the partners and a more distant relationship with other couples — within the limits of the dance each pair performs its own order of steps. In Sequence dancing all couples perform the same sequence and there is a much greater feeling of togetherness — a community spirit is developed by the dancers having the common aim of performing the given sequence correctly. Each couple (perhaps subconsciously) watches the others and they often compare notes after the dance; this is particularly the case when new dances appear or old ones are revived from the past. This community spirit is strengthened by the fact that many sequence dancers attend several nights per week for years on end — firm friendships develop and they often meet up outside the dances or go on holiday together.

6. Standards of Performance

The expertise of Ballroom dancers covers a wide range from social and nightclub dancers who merely rock about in time to the music to demonstration and competition dancers who have affinities with gymnasts and ballet artists. Sequence dancers form a more homogeneous group. There are really no poor Sequence dancers — anyone who as acquired the minimum repertoire of the 10-15 Sequence dances necessary to attend even the simplest session must have some degree of dancing skill.

Standard Ballroom technique tends to be modified by Sequence dancers to take account of the following factors: less need for the man to lead; less Ballroom space available; dancers more mature and sometimes physically handicapped; a need to economise on energy if performing all dances in a 2-3 hour dancing session. The main differences in style are: less body contact; arms held lower; smaller steps; less exaggerated arm movements in the Latin-American dances. Ballroom dancers who attend Sequence dances for a change should bear these factors in mind — it is very easy for them to crowd elderly couples (and others) by taking long steps and expecting others to fit round them.

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