Quickstep

The Quickstep is a fun and energetic dance. The dance itself at a basic level is not terribly difficult. Many Foxtrot patterns double as Quickstep movements as well due to the fact that Foxtrot being played to fast is part of the way Quickstep was developed. The basic steps for Quickstep consist of a quarter turning box and a chasse to a natural turn (right turning pattern). The timing is 4/4 and usually quite brisk. Due to the timing changes even in the more intermediate/beginner steps the mastering of this dance can be quite a challenge. Timings such as slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, slow, are used often.

The dance itself developed during World War 1 in suburban New York, it was initially performed by Caribbean and African dancers. It would eventually make its debut on the American stage and it quickly became popular in ballrooms and dance halls. Foxtrot and Quickstep as I said above have a common point of origin (see Foxtrot history). In the twenties many bands would play the Foxtrot tempo to fast. Eventually due to this differentiation in timing the fast foxtrot became its own dance.

The Foxtrot tempo was slowed down and the faster rhythms were kept and named Quickstep. Around 1925 the Charleston Fever began, it had a great influence in the development of the Quickstep. The English developed the Quickstep from the original Charleston as a progressive dance without kicks, and mixed in the fast foxtrot. The would call this dance the "QuickTime Foxtrot and Charleston". At the Star Championships in 1927, the English couple Frank Ford and Molly Spain danced of version of the QuickTime Foxtrot and Charleston without the characteristic Charleston knee action and made a partner dance instead of one that was for only a man or woman outside of a dance frame.

There were many debates as to why this dance became so popular in Britain. It was thought that the Quickstep was the Brits answer to keeping warm indoors during the winter. It has been proven that the energy exerted while dancing a 60 second Quickstep is the equivalent of running the mile in record time.

This dance is very enjoyable for partner dancing. While the basic figures are relatively simple, the character of this dance and the tempo it is danced at invite a carefree interpretation of its bright rhythms. The beginner will find it fairly easy to keep with the music using the basics. The advanced dancer will also discover that this dance is basically limitless and does not get boring or repetitive.