The foxtrot is a ballroom dance named after its creator, Harry Fox, who created it for his vaudeville act in 1914. The original version is quite fast, and it is more akin to the Quickstep as it is judged in international ballroom competitions nowadays. In fact, the dance is now known as the slow foxtrot because it is usually performed to slow music, such as blues, emphasizing the dancers’ closed and perfect upper body form and slow foot movement.
When the foxtrot first became popular, it was frequently associated with Charleston performances, and many publications and family organizations condemned the dance as immoral. Catholics discouraged people from doing the dance because they believed it would lead to bad morals, and it was dubbed “syncopated embrace.”
The fact that the partners danced closely together in the foxtrot was enough to immediately morally condemn those performing the dance, as anything originating from vaudeville was suspect. This disapproval had the effect of motivating young people to learn the foxtrot as soon as possible. As a result, moral authorities’ disapproval inadvertently encouraged dancers.
Slow, slow, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick On the first and third beats of a 4/4 measure, the slow, slow is usually danced. On the second measure of 4/4 time, the quick, quick closes the dance. Beats 5 and 6 are usually reserved for a slow turn, while beats 7 and 8 are reserved for a quick, quick turn.
The foxtrot is considered a very “classy” dance, with moves that have a prancing, showcasing quality to them, similar to a fox’s steps. The dance has a slight sensuality to it because the partners are close together. When compared to some of the more overtly sensual Latin Ballroom dances, it is considered relatively tame by most. The movements, on the other hand, have a deliberate quality that reminds me of the tango.
In the foxtrot, the emphasis is on creating beautiful lines, holds, and turns that highlight the partners’ synchronicity. Slow steps are ideal for forming lovely lines between partners. Turns and dips are performed, and they must be technically flawless in order to impress an audience.
Despite the technical expertise required at the competitive level, the foxtrot is regarded as one of the more simple dances to learn, at least in terms of the basic steps and counts. The foxtrot can be performed to a variety of musical styles, but it is perhaps most beautiful when performed to 1940s smooth jazz. It can, however, be adapted to blues and slow rock and roll hits for ballroom fans.