Thequickstep is a light-hearteddance of the standardballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled withsyncopations. The upbeatmelodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events. Its origins are in combination of slowfoxtrot combined with theCharleston, a dance which was one of the precursors to what today is calledswing dancing.
The quickstep evolved in the 1920s from a combination of thefoxtrot,Charleston,shag,peabody, andone-step. The dance is English in origin and was standardized in 1927. While it evolved from the foxtrot, the quickstep now is quite separate. Unlike the modern foxtrot, theleader often closes his feet, andsyncopated steps are regular occurrences (as was the case in early foxtrot). Three characteristic dance figures of the quickstep are thechassés, where the feet are brought together, thequarter turns, and thelock step.[2]p126
This dance gradually evolved into a very dynamic one with much movement on the dance floor, with many advanced patterns including hops, runs, quick steps with much momentum, and rotation. The tempo of quickstep dance is rather brisk, as it was developed toragtime erajazz music, which is fast-paced when compared to other dance music.
By the end of the 20th century the complexity of quickstep as done by advanced dancers had increased, with the extensive use of syncopated steps witheighth note durations. While in older times quickstep patterns were counted with "quick" (one beat) and "slow" (two beats) steps, many advanced patterns today are cued with split beats, such as "quick-and-quick-and-quick, quick, slow", with there being further steps on the 'and's.
The quickstep is elegant like thefoxtrot and should be smooth and glamorous. The dancers should appear to be very light on their feet. It is very energetic and form-intensive.[citation needed]The quickstep is danced to 4/4 music of 48 to 52 measures per minute.[3]
The twoInternational Style syllabi ofISTD andIDTA for quickstep differ very little.
TheAmerican Styledance competition program does not include quickstep, but a limited version of the dance is taught anddanced socially in some American dance venues.
The quickstep is one of multiple dances performed on the celebrity talent showDancing with the Stars, as well asStrictly Come Dancing.[4][5]
